倾听

• Pinyin: qīng tīng
• Hanzi breakdown: 倾 = 亻+ 顷 (lean/incline); 听 = 口 + 斤 (to listen)

Meaning

To listen attentively and with full engagement; to give one's complete, respectful attention to what someone is saying.

Implies a higher quality of listening than mere hearing — involving empathy, patience, and genuine interest. Common in educational, therapeutic, and leadership contexts. 认真倾听 and 耐心倾听 are standard collocations.

Examples

1. 优秀的管理者懂得倾听员工的意见，而不是一味地发号施令。 Good managers know how to listen to employees’ opinions instead of simply barking orders.
2. 她坐在病床旁，静静地倾听老人讲述那段尘封已久的往事。 She sat by the hospital bed and quietly listened as the elderly person recounted those long-buried memories.
3. 教育不仅是传授知识，更重要的是学会倾听每一位学生的内心世界。 Education is not only about imparting knowledge; more importantly, it’s about learning to listen to every student’s inner world.

Usage Guide

Context: communication, education, leadership, counselling

Tone: respectful

Do Say

• 善于倾听是一种难能可贵的沟通能力，有助于建立深厚的信任关系。(Being skilled at attentive listening is a rare and valuable communication ability that helps build deep trust.)
• 领导者应当主动倾听基层员工的诉求，及时解决实际问题。(Leaders should proactively listen to the needs of frontline employees and resolve practical issues in a timely manner.)

Don't Say

• 我倾听了那首歌 — use 聆听 for appreciating music or art; 倾听 focuses on interpersonal communication, not artistic reception

Origin & History

倾 (lean towards/incline) + 听 (listen) — to lean in and listen carefully

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal