聞(き)き直(なお)す

ききなおす
verb (godan, transitive)
to ask again, to re-listen
1. to ask again
To repeat a question or request because one didn't hear or understand the first time.
すみません、もう一度(いちど)聞(き)き直(なお)してもいいですか。
Sorry, may I ask you again?
名前(なまえ)がよく聞(き)こえなかったので、聞(き)き直(なお)した。
I couldn't hear the name well, so I asked again.
2. to re-listen, to listen again
To listen to something again, especially to music or audio recordings, to hear it better or with fresh ears.
昔(むかし)の曲(きょく)を聞(き)き直(なお)すと懐(なつ)かしくなる。
When I re-listen to old songs, I feel nostalgic.
インタビューの録音(ろくおん)を聞(き)き直(なお)した。
I listened to the interview recording again.

COMPOUND VERB: 聞(き)く (to listen/ask) + 直(なお)す (to redo, to do again) = to listen/ask again

TRANSITIVITY: Transitive. Takes を when there is a specific object being listened to again.

CONJUGATION (godan verb):

  • 聞(き)き直(なお)して (te-form)
  • 聞(き)き直(なお)した (past)
  • 聞(き)き直(なお)せる (potential)
  • 聞(き)き直(なお)される (passive)

RELATED ～直(なお)す COMPOUND VERBS:

  • 言(い)い直(なお)す - to say again, to rephrase
  • 書(か)き直(なお)す - to rewrite
  • 見(み)直(なお)す - to reconsider, to look at again
  • 読(よ)み直(なお)す - to reread
  • やり直(なお)す - to redo

USAGE NOTE: When asking someone to repeat what they said, 聞(き)き返(かえ)す is also used and emphasizes the interactive exchange. 聞(き)き直(なお)す can be used both for asking someone to repeat and for listening to recordings again.

Related Words

Related: 聞(き)き返(かえ)す (to ask back)
core
Added 2026.1.18 3:39 · Revised 2026.1.19 21:17
06000/06481_kikinaosu