Godan verb, transitive verb

  1. to hear.
  2. to listen (e.g. to music). Esp. 聴く.
  3. to ask, to enquire, to query. 聴く is used in legal and official contexts.
  4. to hear about, to hear of, to learn of.
  5. to follow (advice, order, etc.), to obey, to listen to, to comply with.
  6. to hear (e.g. a plea), to grant (a request), to accept (e.g. an argument), to give consideration to.
  7. to smell (esp. incense), to sample (a fragrance).
  8. to taste (alcohol), to try. Also 利く.

Variations

Pronunciation Kanji Kana Is Common
 
聞く きく
 
聴く きく

Contained Kanji Breakdown

hear, ask, listen
き.く ブン モン (2nd, N5)
gate, counter for cannons
モン かど と (2nd, N2)
ear
みみ ジ がみ (1st, N3)