1.
to listen; to lend an ear; to heed; to pay attention to what someone says
To be willing to listen to someone's words, request, or advice. Often used in the negative to mean refusing to listen.
誰も耳を貸さなかった。
Nobody would listen.
彼は人の忠告に耳を貸さない。
He doesn't heed other people's advice.
ちょっと耳を貸してくれませんか。大事な話があるんです。
Could you lend me your ear for a moment? I have something important to tell you.
Literally "to lend one's ear." Very commonly used in the negative (耳を貸さない) to describe someone who refuses to listen to advice, warnings, or requests.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 耳を貸さない: won't listen, refuses to heed
- 耳を貸してくれる: to be willing to listen
- ちょっと耳を貸して: lend me your ear for a sec (casual request)
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 忠告に耳を貸す: to heed advice
- 意見に耳を貸す: to listen to opinions
- 訴えに耳を貸す: to listen to an appeal
SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS:
- 耳を傾ける: to incline one's ear — more formal and literary; implies careful, attentive listening
- 聞く耳を持たない: to refuse to listen at all — stronger refusal than 耳を貸さない