ascoltare
to listen
The Italian verb 'ascoltare' is used when you want to indicate that you are listening to something or someone. It can be used in a variety of contexts, like listening to music (ascoltare la musica), listening to the radio (ascoltare la radio), or listening to a person (ascoltare una persona). Remember, the verb changes according to the subject, e.g. 'Io ascolto' (I listen), 'Tu ascolti' (You listen).
Example sentences using: ascoltare
Potresti ascoltare questa canzone?
Could you listen to this song?
In this sentence, 'ascoltare' is used to ask someone to listen to something, in this case, a song. It is conjugated to match the formal or informal 'you' in Italian: 'potresti'.
Devo ascoltare attentamente le istruzioni.
I have to listen carefully to the instructions.
In this instance, 'ascoltare' is used to convey the necessity of listening to something, here, the instructions. It is conjugated in the first person singular form, 'devo', reflecting the speaker's requirement to listen.
Mi piace ascoltare la radio mentre lavoro.
I like to listen to the radio while I work.
Here, 'ascoltare' is employed to express the speaker's preference for listening to something, in this case, the radio, while doing another activity — working. 'Mi piace' articulates the speaker's liking for this action.