Oír describes perceiving a sound, whether or not you are listening deliberately.
The idea
In the present, yo is oigo; tú oyes and ella oye use y, while nosotros oímos has an accent.
Examples
- Oigo música desde la cocina.I hear music from the kitchen.
- ¿Oyes ese ruido?Do you hear that noise?
- Ella oye el timbre de la puerta.She hears the doorbell.
- Oímos voces en el pasillo.We hear voices in the hallway.
- Ellos oyen la lluvia desde su habitación.They hear the rain from their room.
- No oigo bien la pregunta.I cannot hear the question well.
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Watch out
Escuchar emphasizes paying attention to sound; oír can simply mean hearing it.
Try it yourself
Choose the present form for yo: Ahora yo ___ música. (oigo / ozo)
Show answer or example answer
oigo
Oigo is the irregular present form for yo.
Choose the present form for tú: Ahora tú ___ el timbre. (oyes / oímos)
Show answer or example answer
oyes
Oyes is the present form for tú; oímos goes with nosotros.
Choose the verb for perceiving sound: Percibo un ruido con los oídos: lo ___. (oigo / miro)
Show answer or example answer
oigo
Oigo means I hear; miro means I look.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Spanish sentences where available. We keep your score.
Choose the present form for yo: Ahora yo ___ música. (oigo / ozo)
Choose the present form for tú: Ahora tú ___ el timbre. (oyes / oímos)
Choose the verb for perceiving sound: Percibo un ruido con los oídos: lo ___. (oigo / miro)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Say what you hear nearby and ask another person whether they hear a noise.