hear

Everyday

1. To notice sounds with your ears: "I hear a bird." tree →
2. To be told news: "I heard you won!" tree →
3. To listen to something formally: "The judge heard the case." tree →

In the lessons

In science, hearing is one of the five senses; vibrations travel to the ear, then the brain. In safety: listen for alarms, sirens, horns and cars; you hear a car before you see it. Phrases: hear about, hear from (get a message), hear of, Hear! Hear!

Examples

• I can hear the rain on the roof. tree →
• Did you hear the bell? tree →
• I heard that you have a new puppy. tree →
• Listen to hear cars coming. tree →
• We haven't heard from Grandma. tree →
• Speak up, I can't hear you. tree →
• Bats hear very high sounds. tree →
• Have you heard of this book? tree →
• I think I hear her too.” tree →

Note

Past: "heard". "Hear" sounds like "here" (this place) — homophones. "Hear" is noticing sound; "listen" is trying to hear. Say "I can hear", not usually "I am hearing".

In Jewish tradition

In the Torah, "hear" often means to listen and obey. "Hear, O Israel" is the opening of the Shema.

Interpretation. The Shema is the central Jewish declaration of faith, said morning and evening, saying that God is one. Tradition reads "hear" as a call to accept God's rule.

Examples

• And Moses said unto Korah: 'Hear now, ye sons of Levi: (Torah NUM.16.8, JPS 1917) tree →
• HEAR, O ISRAEL: THE LORD OUR GOD, THE LORD IS ONE. (Torah DEU.6.4, JPS 1917) tree →
• And all the people shall hear, and fear, and do no more presumptuously. (Torah DEU.17.13, JPS 1917) tree →
• Know ye not? hear ye not? (Prophets ISA.40.21, JPS 1917) tree →
• Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. (Writings PSA.61.2, JPS 1917) tree →
• He that planted the ear, shall He not hear? (Writings PSA.94.9, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Past: "heard". "Hear" sounds like "here" (this place) — homophones. "Hear" is noticing sound; "listen" is trying to hear. Say "I can hear", not usually "I am hearing".