Verb Conjugation「聞く (きく、kiku)」hear, will hear | Learn Japanese Grammar

Japanese verbs have conjugations.「聞く (きく、kiku)」is a verb and means “hear” or “will hear.” It can also be translated as “ask” or “listen” depending on the sentence. We will teach you the conjugation in this page. You can also learn example sentences using verb conjugations.

When you do not know how to use the conjugation, please learn about it in our conversation lessons or our mail support. In our mail support, we check your Japanese every time. If you have an internet connection and a PC/smartphone, you can learn Japanese with us all over the world.
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Vocabulary Video

Before you learn the conjugations, please learn about the pronunciation of the verb in dictionary and polite forms.

Video: Coming soon

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Dictionary Form/ます Form

As you know, English tenses are roughly divided into present, future, and past tenses. However, it is said that Japanese tenses consist only of “Past Tense” and “Non-Past Tense.” Therefore, we used “Dictionary Form,” not “Present Tense” in this heading.
Japanese people use two types of language. One is “non-honorific language” and the other is “honorific language.” When we focus on these languages, “dictionary” and “plain” forms are in “non-honorific language.” “Polite form” is in honorific language.

English Meaning: hear, will hear

Positive	Conjugation	Romaji Reading
Dictionary & Plain Form	聞きく	kiku
ます & Polite Form	聞きます	kikimasu

「辞書じしょ形けい (dictionary form)」is the original form. The technical term is for non-native Japanese speakers. Therefore, native Japanese usually do not know the word.「ます形けい (ます form)」is the polite form of a dictionary form. The term is also for non-native Japanese speakers.

I will ask my mother about tomorrow’s plans.

母ははに明日あすの予定よていを聞きく。(Plain Form)
母に明日の予定を聞きます。(Polite Form)

English Meaning: do not hear, will not hear

Negative	Conjugation	Romaji Reading
Plain Form	聞きかない	kikanai
Polite Form	聞きません	kikimasen

I won’t ask my mother about tomorrow’s plans.

母に明日の予定を聞かない。(Plain Form)
母に明日の予定を聞きません。(Polite Form)

Past Tense

English Meaning: heard

The plain form is in “た form”. “た form” is also a technical term for non-native Japanese speakers. Therefore, native Japanese usually do not know the word.

Positive	Conjugation	Romaji Reading
た & Plain Form	聞きいた	kiita
Polite Form	聞きました	kikimashita

I heard the rumor from a friend.

友達ともだちに噂うわさを聞いた。(Plain Form)
友達に噂を聞ました。(Polite Form)

English Meaning: did not hear

Negative	Conjugation	Romaji Reading
Plain Form	聞きかなかった	kakanakatta
Polite Form	聞きませんでした	kikimasendeshita

I didn’t hear the answer.

その答こたえを聞きかなかった。(Plain Form)
その答えを聞きませんでした。(Polite Form)

て Form

English Meaning: N/A

We cannot know the exact meaning without knowing the sentence and situation.

	Conjugation	Romaji Reading
て Form	聞きいて	kiite

About the phrases「ている」and「ています」: Here
About the phrase「～てください。」: Here

I asked the station staff for directions and was able to reach my destination.

駅員えきいんさんに道みちを聞いて、目的地もくてきちに着つくことができました。(Polite Form)

In this case,「て」means “and” or “after.”

Volitional Form 1: Will, (Own) Intention, Determination

English Meaning: will hear

	Conjugation	Romaji Reading
Plain Form	聞きこう	kikō
Polite Form	N/A	N/A

This phrase is used only in plain form. This is because we use it when we talk to ourselves or think in our minds. When we talk or think to ourselves, we usually do not use the polite form.

I’ll ask for the answer tomorrow.

明日あした答こたえを聞こう。(Plain Form)

Volitional Form 2: Solicitation, Intention, Invitation

English Meaning: let’s hear

	Conjugation	Romaji Reading
Plain Form	聞きこう	kikō
Polite Form	聞きましょう	kikimashō

Let’s listen to the explanation about school tomorrow together.

明日あした学校がっこうの説明せつめいを一緒いっしょに聞こう。 (Plain Form)
明日学校の説明を一緒に聞きましょう。(Polite Form)

Potential

English Meaning: can hear/be able to hear

Positive	Conjugation	Romaji Reading
Plain Form	聞きける	kikeru
Polite Form	聞けます	kikemasu

I’ll hear a new story from my teacher.

先生せんせいから新あたらしい話はなしが聞ける。(Plain Form)
先生から新しい話が聞けます。(Polite Form)

“Will” indicates “potential” like “can hear” or “able to hear” in this case.

English Meaning: cannot hear/not able to hear

Negative	Conjugation	Romaji Reading
Plain Form	聞きけない	kikenai
Polite Form	聞けません	kikemasen

I can’t ask about it because I’m afraid.

怖こわくてその件けんは聞けない。(Plain Form)
怖くてその件は聞けません。(Polite Form)

Imperative Form

English Meaning: hear! (order, command)

Positive	Conjugation	Romaji Reading
Plain Form	聞きけ	kike

Listen to me!

人ひとの話はなしを聞け。(Plain Form)

「人」means “person” or “people.” In this sentence, it indicates “me.”

“Imperative form” is used only in plain form and this phrase often becomes rude depending on the situation. Please show us your Japanese when you use it. We will check and teach suitable Japanese.
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Prohibition and Order

English Meaning: do not hear!

Negative	Conjugation	Romaji Reading
Plain Form	聞きくな	kikuna

Don’t listen to this story!

この話はなしを聞くな。(Plain Form)

Conditional Form

English Meaning: if (subject) hear

Conjugation	Romaji Reading
聞きけば	kikeba

If you hear this story, you’ll know the answer.

この話はなしを聞けば、答こたえがわかるでしょう。(Polite Form)

Hypothetical/Definite Conditions, Sequence of Actions

English Meanings: if/when ~ hear, ~ heard and ~

The form「～たら」has different usages. It has other meanings except from those listed above. More explanations are in our conversation lessons or mail support.

Conjugation	Romaji Reading
聞きいたら	kiitara

Here is an example sentence wherein「たら」indicates a “sequence of actions.”

My father heard the story and got very angry.

父ちちがその話はなしを聞いたら、とても怒おこりました。(Polite Form)

Causative Form

English Meaning: make/let/have (person) hear

Positive	Conjugation	Romaji Reading
Plain Form	聞きかせる	kikaseru
Polite Form	聞かせます	kikasemasu

I’ll make John-san listen to this story.

ジョンさんにその話を聞かせる。(Plain Form)
ジョンさんにその話を聞かせます。(Polite Form)

In Japanese, the nuance between「ジョン (John)」and「ジョンさん (John -san)」is different. Therefore, we wrote “san” in the English meaning.

English Meaning: do not make/let/have (person) hear

Negative	Conjugation	Romaji Reading
Plain Form	聞きかせない	kikasenai
Polite Form	聞かせません	kikasemasen

I won’t make my mother hear this story.

この話はなしは母ははに聞かせない。 (Plain Form)
この話は母に聞かさせません。(Polite Form)

To Learn Correct Verb Conjugations

Japanese verb conjugation is too complicated and there are many learners who use it incorrectly. Therefore, we provide lessons and services where we teach and correct your Japanese daily. If you want to know more about the details, please check out our website.
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