1.
to train one's ear; to accustom one's ears to a sound or language
To gradually become accustomed to hearing a particular language, accent, music, or type of sound through repeated exposure. Commonly used in language learning contexts.
まず英語に耳を慣らすことが大切だ。
First, it's important to train your ear to English.
ポッドキャストを聞いて日本語に耳を慣らしている。
I'm training my ear to Japanese by listening to podcasts.
現地に住んで方言に耳を慣らすのが一番早い。
Living there and getting your ears accustomed to the dialect is the fastest way.
USAGE:
A useful expression for language learners. 慣らす is the causative form of 慣れる (to get used to), so the phrase literally means "to make one's ears become accustomed." Very commonly used when discussing listening practice for foreign languages.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- ～に耳を慣らす (to train one's ear to ~)
- 耳を慣らすために (in order to train one's ear)
RELATED EXPRESSIONS:
- 耳が慣れる: one's ears get used to it — the intransitive version
- 聞き取れるようになる: to become able to catch/understand — the result of ear training