倾听

qīngtīng: 倾听 - To Listen Attentively, To Lend an Ear

Quick Summary

  • Keywords: 倾听, qīngtīng, listen in Chinese, listen carefully Chinese, active listening in Chinese, how to say listen attentively in Chinese, Chinese verb to listen, 倾听 meaning, 听 vs 倾听, empathetic listening.
  • Summary: Learn the Chinese verb 倾听 (qīngtīng), which means much more than just “to hear.” It describes an active, empathetic, and respectful form of listening—to listen with your heart. This guide breaks down its cultural significance, practical usage, and distinguishes it from the more common verb 听 (tīng), providing everything a beginner needs to master this important concept for deeper communication in Mandarin.

Core Meaning

  • Pinyin (with tone marks): qīngtīng
  • Part of Speech: Verb
  • HSK Level: HSK 5
  • Concise Definition: To listen attentively, respectfully, and with empathy.
  • In a Nutshell: 倾听 (qīngtīng) isn't just about processing sounds; it's about giving someone your full, undivided attention. It's the kind of listening you do when a friend is sharing a serious problem, a parent is giving life advice, or a leader is trying to understand their team. It implies leaning in, both physically and emotionally, to truly understand the speaker's feelings and perspective. Think of it as the difference between “hearing” and “hearkening” or “lending a compassionate ear.”

Character Breakdown

  • 倾 (qīng): This character's primary meaning is “to lean,” “to incline,” or “to pour out.” It paints a picture of someone physically leaning forward to catch every word, showing their engagement and interest.
  • 听 (tīng): This is the standard character for “to listen” or “to hear.” It's composed of the “ear” radical (耳) on the left, signifying the organ of hearing, combined with other components that historically suggested a kingly or focused presence.
  • Together, 倾听 (qīngtīng) literally means “to lean in and listen.” This powerful combination creates a vivid image of active, focused listening that goes far beyond the passive act of hearing.

Cultural Context and Significance

  • In Chinese culture, which often values harmony (和谐, héxié) and maintaining good relationships (关系, guānxi), the act of 倾听 (qīngtīng) is a profound sign of respect (尊重, zūnzhòng). Giving someone your full, focused attention validates their feelings and strengthens social bonds. It's a key component of effective communication, showing that you value the speaker and what they have to say.
  • Comparison to Western Concepts: While similar to the Western concept of “active listening,” 倾听 (qīngtīng) often carries a deeper, more inherent sense of respect and emotional connection. “Active listening” can sometimes be framed as a learnable technique for business or therapy (e.g., paraphrasing, asking clarifying questions). 倾听, on the other hand, feels more like a natural, heartfelt posture of humility and empathy, especially when listening to elders, teachers, or someone in distress. It is less a technique and more a state of being.

Practical Usage in Modern China

  • In Personal Relationships: This is where 倾听 (qīngtīng) is most powerful. It's used when you listen to a partner's feelings, a friend's troubles, or a child's stories. It signifies a safe space for open and honest communication.
  • In Professional Settings: A good manager or leader is often described as someone who is willing to 倾听 their employees' suggestions and concerns. In fields like counseling, teaching, and customer service, the ability to 倾听 is a critical skill.
  • In Formal Speeches or Writing: You might hear a call to 倾听 the “voice of the people” (倾听人民的声音) or to 倾听 one's own inner voice (倾听自己内心的声音). It carries a formal, slightly literary, and very positive connotation. You would not use it for mundane, everyday listening.

Example Sentences

  • Example 1:
    • 好的朋友会耐心地倾听你的烦恼。
    • Pinyin: Hǎo de péngyǒu huì nàixīn de qīngtīng nǐ de fánnǎo.
    • English: A good friend will patiently listen to your troubles.
    • Analysis: This is a classic use case. It highlights the patience and empathy involved in listening to someone's problems.
  • Example 2:
    • 作为一名经理，他总是花时间倾听员工的意见。
    • Pinyin: Zuòwéi yī míng jīnglǐ, tā zǒngshì huā shíjiān qīngtīng yuángōng de yìjiàn.
    • English: As a manager, he always takes the time to listen attentively to his employees' opinions.
    • Analysis: This sentence demonstrates the use of 倾听 in a professional context, where it implies respect and valuing others' input.
  • Example 3:
    • 心理医生需要倾听病人的心声。
    • Pinyin: Xīnlǐ yīshēng xūyào qīngtīng bìngrén de xīnshēng.
    • English: A psychologist needs to listen to the innermost feelings of their patients.
    • Analysis: Here, “心声 (xīnshēng)” means “voice of the heart.” It pairs perfectly with 倾听 to describe deep, therapeutic listening.
  • Example 4:
    • 谢谢你昨晚倾听我。我感觉好多了。
    • Pinyin: Xièxiè nǐ zuówǎn qīngtīng wǒ. Wǒ gǎnjué hǎo duō le.
    • English: Thank you for listening to me last night. I feel much better.
    • Analysis: This is a common way to express gratitude for someone lending a compassionate ear. Note that you can directly 倾听 a person.
  • Example 5:
    • 我们应该学会倾听大自然的声音。
    • Pinyin: Wǒmen yīnggāi xuéhuì qīngtīng dà zìrán de shēngyīn.
    • English: We should learn to listen attentively to the sounds of nature.
    • Analysis: This shows a more poetic and metaphorical use of the word, suggesting a deep, appreciative form of listening.
  • Example 6:
    • 在做出重要决定之前，你应该倾听自己内心的声音。
    • Pinyin: Zài zuò chū zhòngyào juédìng zhīqián, nǐ yīnggāi qīngtīng zìjǐ nèixīn de shēngyīn.
    • English: Before making an important decision, you should listen to your own inner voice.
    • Analysis: This is another common metaphorical usage, referring to introspection and intuition.
  • Example 7:
    • 父母应该多倾听，少说教。
    • Pinyin: Fùmǔ yīnggāi duō qīngtīng, shǎo shuōjiào.
    • English: Parents should listen more and lecture less.
    • Analysis: This sentence sets up a powerful contrast, positioning 倾听 as the opposite of one-way lecturing.
  • Example 8:
    • 他静静地坐在那里，倾听着老人的故事。
    • Pinyin: Tā jìngjìng de zuò zài nàlǐ, qīngtīng zhe lǎorén de gùshì.
    • English: He sat there quietly, listening intently to the old man's story.
    • Analysis: The use of “静静地 (jìngjìng de)” (quietly) and the particle “着 (zhe)” (indicating an ongoing action) emphasizes the continuous, focused nature of his listening.
  • Example 9:
    • 一位优秀的领导者善于倾听不同的声音。
    • Pinyin: Yī wèi yōuxiù de lǐngdǎozhě shànyú qīngtīng bùtóng de shēngyīn.
    • English: An excellent leader is good at listening to different voices (opinions).
    • Analysis: In this context, “声音 (shēngyīn)” (voices/sounds) is a metaphor for “opinions” or “perspectives.” 倾听 here means to seriously consider and be open to diverse viewpoints.
  • Example 10:
    • 她用充满同情的眼神倾听我的遭遇。
    • Pinyin: Tā yòng chōngmǎn tóngqíng de yǎnshén qīngtīng wǒ de zāoyù.
    • English: She listened to my ordeal with eyes full of sympathy.
    • Analysis: This example shows that 倾听 is a full-body act. It's not just about the ears; her compassionate expression (“眼神”) is part of the act of listening.

Nuances and Common Mistakes

  • The Biggest Pitfall: Confusing 倾听 (qīngtīng) with 听 (tīng).
  • 听 (tīng) is the general, neutral verb for “to listen” or “to hear.” It's used for everyday actions.
  • 倾听 (qīngtīng) is a specific, formal, and emotionally-charged verb for “to listen attentively and with empathy.”
  • Correct Usage:
    • 我喜欢听音乐。(Wǒ xǐhuān tīng yīnyuè.) - I like to listen to music.
    • 我在听老师讲课。(Wǒ zài tīng lǎoshī jiǎngkè.) - I am listening to the teacher's lecture.
    • 他在倾听我的烦恼。(Tā zài qīngtīng wǒ de fánnǎo.) - He is listening empathetically to my troubles.
  • Incorrect Usage and Why:
    • Mistake: 我在倾听新闻。(Wǒ zài qīngtīng xīnwén.)
    • Why it's wrong: Listening to the news is typically a passive, information-gathering activity. It doesn't require the deep empathy or emotional connection that 倾听 implies.
    • Correction: 我在听新闻。(Wǒ zài tīng xīnwén.)
    • Mistake: 你倾听到了吗？外面有奇怪的声音。(Nǐ qīngtīng dào le ma? Wàimiàn yǒu qíguài de shēngyīn.)
    • Why it's wrong: This is about the simple physical act of hearing a sound. 倾听 is about listening to a person or a meaningful message.
    • Correction: 你听见了吗？外面有奇怪的声音。(Nǐ tīngjiàn le ma? Wàimiàn yǒu qíguài de shēngyīn.)

Related Terms and Concepts

  • 听 (tīng) - The general, neutral verb for “to listen” or “to hear.” 倾听 is a specific type of 听.
  • 听见 (tīngjiàn) - To hear; a resultative verb that focuses on the sound successfully reaching your ears.
  • 听懂 (tīngdǒng) - To listen and understand; focuses on the comprehension of what was heard.
  • 理解 (lǐjiě) - To understand, to comprehend. This is often the goal of 倾听.
  • 沟通 (gōutōng) - To communicate. Effective 倾听 is the foundation of good communication.
  • 尊重 (zūnzhòng) - To respect. The act of 倾听 is a powerful display of respect.
  • 耐心 (nàixīn) - Patience. A key quality required to truly 倾听 someone.
  • 共鸣 (gòngmíng) - Resonance, empathy, a shared feeling. This is the ideal outcome of 倾听.
  • 谈心 (tánxīn) - To have a heart-to-heart talk. This activity involves both speaking and, crucially, 倾听.