A1 verb Neutral #11 most common

सुनना

sunna /sʊn.nɑː/

'सुनना' (sunnā) means to perceive sound with the ears or to pay attention to someone speaking. It serves as the equivalent for both 'to hear' (passive) and 'to listen' (active) in English.

Examples

3 of 5
1

मैं रोज़ रेडियो सुनता हूँ।

I listen to the radio every day.

2

कृपया मेरी बात ध्यान से सुनें।

Please listen to what I have to say carefully.

3

अरे, मेरी बात तो सुन!

Hey, at least listen to me!

Word Family

Noun
श्रवण
Verb
सुनना
Adjective
सुना हुआ
Related
सुनवाई
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Memory Tip

Think of the 'Sun'. When the Sun comes up, you wake up and 'Sun-na' (listen) to the birds chirping.

Quick Quiz

क्या आप संगीत ___ पसंद करते हैं?

Correct!

The correct answer is: सुनना

Examples

1

मैं रोज़ रेडियो सुनता हूँ।

everyday

I listen to the radio every day.

2

कृपया मेरी बात ध्यान से सुनें।

formal

Please listen to what I have to say carefully.

3

अरे, मेरी बात तो सुन!

informal

Hey, at least listen to me!

4

छात्रों को शिक्षक के व्याख्यान को ध्यानपूर्वक सुनना चाहिए।

academic

Students should listen to the teacher's lecture attentively.

5

हमें अपने ग्राहकों की प्रतिक्रिया सुननी चाहिए।

business

We must listen to our customers' feedback.

Word Family

Noun
श्रवण
Verb
सुनना
Adjective
सुना हुआ
Related
सुनवाई

Common Collocations

गाना सुनना listening to a song
बात सुनना listening to someone / obeying
आवाज़ सुनना hearing a sound
कहानी सुनना listening to a story
ध्यान से सुनना listening carefully

Common Phrases

कान लगा कर सुनना

to listen very intently / eavesdrop

एक कान से सुनना और दूसरे से निकालना

to go in one ear and out the other

मेरी बात सुनो

listen to me

Often Confused With

सुनना vs सुनाना

'सुनना' is to listen/hear (input), while 'सुनाना' is to tell or recite something to someone else (output).

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Usage Notes

In Hindi, 'सुनना' is used for both involuntary hearing and intentional listening. Unlike English, there isn't a separate common verb for 'hear' vs 'listen'.

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Common Mistakes

Learners often use 'सुनना' (to listen) when they actually mean 'सुनाना' (to tell/relate), especially when saying they want to tell a story.

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Memory Tip

Think of the 'Sun'. When the Sun comes up, you wake up and 'Sun-na' (listen) to the birds chirping.

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Word Origin

Derived from the Sanskrit word 'शृणोति' (śṛṇoti), meaning to hear or learn.

Grammar Patterns

It is a transitive verb. In the perfective tenses (past), it takes the 'ne' (ने) postposition with the subject. Conjugates based on the object if 'ne' is used.
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Cultural Context

In many Indian households, 'baat sunna' (listening to words) is a synonym for being obedient to elders.

Quick Quiz

क्या आप संगीत ___ पसंद करते हैं?

Correct!

The correct answer is: सुनना

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