To hear; to perceive sound or voices with the ear.
昨夜、隣の工事の音を聞いてよく眠れなかった。
Last night the noise from the construction next door kept me from sleeping well.
彼の説明を聞いて、やっと仕組みが分かった。
After hearing his explanation, I finally understood how it works.
駅で遠くから汽笛の音を聞いた。
At the station I heard the sound of a distant whistle.
To listen attentively (e.g., to music); often written with the kanji 聴く for listening/attentive hearing.
通勤中にポッドキャストを聴くのが日課だ。
Listening to podcasts during my commute is part of my daily routine.
コンサートでは携帯の音を消して、音楽を聴いてください。
Please turn off your phones at the concert and listen to the music.
じっくり曲を聴くと、新しい発見がある。
If you listen to a piece carefully, you'll discover new things.
To ask or enquire; to take testimony or formally hear someone's account (in legal/official contexts often written 聴く).
警察は目撃者から事情を聴いた。
The police questioned the witness about the circumstances.
裁判で証人の証言を聴くことが重要だ。
It's important to hear the witness's testimony at trial.
市役所が住民の意見を聴くための会合を開いた。
The city office held a meeting to hear residents' opinions.
To hear about; to learn of something (often used as 'to hear that ~').
彼が結婚したと聞いたが、本当ですか。
I heard that he got married — is that true?
その噂を昨日初めて聞きました。
I only heard that rumor for the first time yesterday.
ニュースでその事件のことを聞いた。
I heard about the incident on the news.
To obey; to follow advice, orders, or instructions (as in 'to do what someone says').
先生の言うことをよく聞きなさい。
Listen carefully to what the teacher says.
医者の指示を聞いて薬を飲んだ。
I followed the doctor's instructions and took the medicine.
子どもは親の命令を聞くべきだとは限らないが、安全のために従う場合が多い。
Children don't always have to obey their parents, but they often do for safety.
To grant, accept, or give consideration to a plea, request, or argument.
部長は私の提案をよく聞いてくれた。
The manager gave careful consideration to my proposal.
彼女は友人の相談をじっくり聞いてあげた。
She listened carefully and supported her friend's concerns.
裁判所は控訴人の主張を聞き入れなかった。
The court did not accept the appellant's arguments.
To smell or sample a fragrance (especially incense); to appreciate or discern scents (often phrased as 'to listen to a scent').
お寺で静かに香を聞くと心が落ち着く。
Calmly smelling the incense at the temple brings peace to the mind.
茶会では掛け香を聞いて季節を感じることがある。
At tea gatherings, people sometimes appreciate the seasonal scent of incense.
To taste (especially alcohol) or to try something; in specialist contexts the kanji 利く is used (e.g., 利き酒 'sake tasting').
酒蔵の見学で利き酒をして、いくつかの日本酒を試した。
On the brewery tour I did a sake tasting and tried several kinds of nihonshu.
利き酒の仕事をしている人は香りや味を細かく聞き分ける。
People who do sake-tasting professionally can distinguish aromas and flavors precisely.