1.
to let pass; to ignore what one hears
to hear something but deliberately not react or respond to it
嫌味は聞き流すに限る。
The best thing to do with snide remarks is to let them pass.
彼は私の忠告を聞き流した。
He ignored my advice.
悪口は聞き流すようにしている。
I try to let bad-mouthing go in one ear and out the other.
小言は右から左に聞き流した。
The scolding went in one ear and out the other.
2.
to half-listen; to listen casually
to listen without paying full attention, often as background
ラジオを聞き流しながら料理する。
I cook while half-listening to the radio.
音楽を聞き流す。
To have music playing in the background.
聞き流す has two main uses: deliberately ignoring what you hear, or casual background listening.
VERB TYPE:
- Godan verb (す-verb)
- Transitive
COMPOUND STRUCTURE:
- 聞く (to hear/listen) + 流す (to let flow)
- Literally: to let what you hear flow away
SENSE 1 (IGNORING):
- Deliberate choice not to react
- Often a coping strategy for criticism
- 聞き流すに限る (best to ignore) is a common phrase
SENSE 2 (BACKGROUND LISTENING):
- Not paying full attention
- Common with music, radio, podcasts
- Neutral/positive connotation
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 嫌味を聞き流す (let snide remarks pass)
- 悪口を聞き流す (let gossip pass)
- 忠告を聞き流す (ignore advice)
- 音楽を聞き流す (have music on in background)
- BGMを聞き流す (have background music playing)
RELATED EXPRESSIONS:
- 右から左に聞き流す (let go in one ear and out the other)
- 聞き流す英語 (English for passive listening - book/course title pattern)
REGISTER: Neutral. Common in everyday conversation.