English · Everyday verbs
Sunna in English: To listen (सुनना)
to listen
Hindi (Devanagari)
सुनना
Hindi (English letters)
sunna
सुनना (sunna) can be expressed as “to listen” in English. Listen means to pay attention to a sound. Use listen to someone or something: “Listen to the teacher.” Hear describes noticing a sound, even without trying.
“sunna” kehna ho, to English mein “to listen” use karein. Neeche poore sentences aur Hindi meanings saath diye hain. Context dekhkar apna sentence chunein.
Classroom
Please listen carefully.
कृपया ध्यान से सुनिए।
kripya dhyaan se suniye.
How to pronounce “to listen”
Say it in English
too LI-suhn
This is a sound guide for English, using a common American pronunciation. CAPITAL letters mark the stronger syllable in a longer word. Say the example sentence at a comfortable pace; Hindi spelling does not map sound for sound to English.
to listen: Hindi meaning and useful expressions
| English | Hindi meaning | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| to listen | सुनना sunna Listen means to pay attention to a sound. Use listen to someone or something: “Listen to the teacher.” Hear describes noticing a sound, even without trying. | Listen means to pay attention to a sound. Use listen to someone or something: “Listen to the teacher.” Hear describes noticing a sound, even without trying. |
| Please listen carefully. | कृपया ध्यान से सुनिए। kripya dhyaan se suniye. Classroom | Classroom |
| I listen to podcasts in the morning. | मैं सुबह पॉडकास्ट सुनता हूँ। main subah podcast sunta hoon. Podcast habit | Podcast habit |
The dictionary expression is “to listen”. In a sentence, choose the verb form for the subject and time; the examples show three complete patterns.
To is part of an infinitive such as to go, but it does not appear before every English verb. After can, could, will or should, use the base form directly.
How to use “to listen” in English sentences
1. Classroom
Please listen carefully.
कृपया ध्यान से सुनिए।
kripya dhyaan se suniye.
2. Podcast habit
I listen to podcasts in the morning.
मैं सुबह पॉडकास्ट सुनता हूँ।
main subah podcast sunta hoon.
3. Counseling
Listen to me first, then answer.
पहले मेरी बात सुन लो, फिर जवाब देना।
pehle meri baat sun lo, phir jawab dena.
Common mistakes with “to listen”
Instead of
Please to listen carefully.
Say this
Please listen carefully.
For this polite instruction, put the base verb directly after please. Do not insert to before the instruction verb.
Instead of
Me listen to podcasts in the morning.
Say this
I listen to podcasts in the morning.
Use I for the person doing or experiencing the action. Me cannot replace I as the subject of this sentence.
A soft conflict where both want to be heard
Read both roles. Say the English lines out loud before checking the Hindi meaning.
Partner
Please listen a minute — I have something to say.
Show Hindi meaning
एक मिनट सुनिए, मेरी तरफ़ से बात है।
ek minute suniye, meri taraf se baat hai.
You
Yes. I'm listening — go ahead.
Show Hindi meaning
हाँ, मैं सुन रहा हूँ, बोलिए।
haan, main sun raha hoon, boliye.
Partner
Thanks. Now you listen carefully too.
Show Hindi meaning
धन्यवाद। अब आप भी ध्यान से सुनना।
dhanyavaad. ab aap bhi dhyaan se sunna.
You
Of course — I'll listen to all of it too.
Show Hindi meaning
ज़रूर, मैं भी सुनूँगा पूरा।
zaroor, main bhi sunoonga poora.
Your turn: use “to listen”
Say this in English: मैं सुबह पॉडकास्ट सुनता हूँ। (main subah podcast sunta hoon.)
Reveal sample answer
I listen to podcasts in the morning.
मैं सुबह पॉडकास्ट सुनता हूँ।
main subah podcast sunta hoon.
Compare your word order with “I listen to podcasts in the morning.” Then use the same pattern to say something about your own day.
Questions about “to listen” in English
Sunna ko English mein kya kehte hain?
सुनना (sunna) can be expressed as “to listen” in English. Listen means to pay attention to a sound. Use listen to someone or something: “Listen to the teacher.” Hear describes noticing a sound, even without trying.
What does “to listen” mean in Hindi?
In the sense taught here, “to listen” means सुनना (sunna). Listen means to pay attention to a sound. Use listen to someone or something: “Listen to the teacher.” Hear describes noticing a sound, even without trying.
How do I use “to listen” in a sentence?
I listen to podcasts in the morning. Hindi meaning: मैं सुबह पॉडकास्ट सुनता हूँ। (main subah podcast sunta hoon.). The dictionary expression is “to listen”. In a sentence, choose the verb form for the subject and time; the examples show three complete patterns.
What should I watch for when using “to listen”?
Listen means to pay attention to a sound. Use listen to someone or something: “Listen to the teacher.” Hear describes noticing a sound, even without trying.
