ascoltare
/aˈskol.ta.re/
Definition
To listen to someone or something, paying attention to what you hear.
Example
Ascolta bene, la maestra sta spiegando qualcosa di importante.
Show translation
Listen carefully, the teacher is explaining something important.
Etymology
From Latin *auscultāre* ("to listen attentively"), itself from *auris* ("ear") + *cultāre* (a frequentative form related to *colere*, "to attend to"). The Latin form evolved through Vulgar Latin as the initial *au-* shifted to *a-* in the Tuscan phonological tradition that shaped standard Italian.
Cultural note
Italians often use *ascoltare* in emotional or emphatic contexts — e.g., *ascoltami!* ("listen to me!") as a heartfelt plea. Note the key distinction: **sentire** means to hear something passively (it reaches your ears), while **ascoltare** implies active, deliberate listening — the same split as Spanish *oír* vs. *escuchar* or French *entendre* vs. *écouter*. Confusing the two is a very common learner error.