聞(き)き上手(じょうず)

ききじょうず
noun, na-adjective
good listener
communicationcognition
1. good listener; skilled at listening
a person who is skilled at listening attentively and making others feel heard
彼女(かのじょ)は聞(き)き上手(じょうず)だ。
She's a good listener.
聞(き)き上手(じょうず)な人(ひと)は信頼(しんらい)される。
People who are good listeners are trusted.
聞(き)き上手(じょうず)になるには、相槌(あいづち)を打(う)つことが大切(たいせつ)だ。
To become a good listener, it's important to keep showing you're following (with nods and short replies).

Etymology

聞(き)く (to listen) + 上手(じょうず) (skilled at)

Cultural note

Being a 聞(き)き上手(じょうず) is highly valued in Japan. It involves:

  • 相槌(あいづち) - giving verbal feedback (うん、へぇ、そうなんだ)
  • Not interrupting
  • Showing genuine interest
  • Creating a comfortable atmosphere for sharing

Forms

聞(き)き上手(じょうず)な人(ひと) - a person who's good at listening

Related words

Related Words

Compare: 話(はな)し上手(じょうず) (good talker)
Related: 傾聴(けいちょう) (active listening)
Related: 聞(き)き役(やく) (the role of listener)
general
Added 2026.1.27 12:47 · Revised 2026.9.26 15:21
08000/08468_kikijouzu