escuchar con atención
Lemma Details
Translation: to listen attentively; to pay attention; to listen carefully
Part of Speech: phrase
Etymology: This phrase combines 'escuchar' (to listen) from Latin 'auscultare' (to listen to) and 'atención' from Latin 'attentio' (attention, attentiveness). The construction parallels the English 'to listen with attention' but is more commonly used as a set phrase in Spanish to emphasize active, focused listening.
Commonality: 80%
Guessability: 70%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Por favor, escucha con atención las instrucciones.
Please listen carefully to the instructions.
Los estudiantes escuchaban con atención la explicación del profesor.
The students were listening attentively to the teacher's explanation.
Si escuchas con atención, podrás oír el canto de los pájaros.
If you listen carefully, you can hear the birds singing.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'escuchar' as 'school-char' - in school you need to listen with attention to each character (letter) the teacher writes.
- Atención sounds like 'attention' - so you're literally giving your attention when you 'escuchar con atención'.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
In Spanish-speaking cultures, 'escuchar con atención' is often emphasized in educational and professional settings as a sign of respect. It's considered an important social skill and demonstrates proper manners, especially when interacting with elders or authority figures.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: 'Escuchar con atención' implies active, intentional listening, while 'oír' simply means 'to hear' without necessarily implying focus or intention.
Notes: 'Escuchar con atención' is about the quality and intention of listening, while 'oír' is about the physical ability to perceive sound.
Mnemonic: 'Escuchar con atención' requires effort (es-CUCH-ar sounds like 'is couch hard' - you have to work at it), while 'oír' just happens (sounds like 'oh, hear').
Explanation: 'Escuchar con atención' means to listen carefully and thoroughly, while 'escuchar por encima' means to listen superficially or to skim through what someone is saying.
Confused word:
Solo escuchó por encima lo que le dije y no entendió bien.
He only skimmed through what I told him and didn't understand well.
Notes: These phrases represent opposite approaches to listening - one thorough and engaged, the other casual and potentially dismissive.
Mnemonic: 'Con atención' means going deep (down), while 'por encima' literally means 'over the top' or superficially.