hark
word
Definition
An old or literary word meaning 'listen carefully' or 'pay close attention to a sound.'
Usage & Nuances
Very formal, archaic, or literary—rarely used in everyday speech except for dramatic or poetic effect. Often appears in phrases like 'Hark! The herald angels sing.' Not interchangeable with 'hear' or 'listen' in modern contexts.
Spanish: escuchar (arcaico) - oír (literario)Portuguese (BR): escutar (arcaico) - ouvir (literário)Portuguese (PT): escutar (arcaico) - ouvir (literário)Chinese (Simplified): 倾听（古语）Chinese (Traditional): 傾聽（古語）Hindi: सुनो (पुराना/काव्यात्मक)Arabic: اِسْمَعْ (قديم/أدبي)Bengali: শোনো - মনোযোগ দাওRussian: внемли - слушай внимательно (устар.)Japanese: 聞け - 注意して聞きなさい（古風）Vietnamese: nghe này - lắng nghe đi (văn học, cổ)Korean: 들으라 - 귀 기울이라 (문어체, 고전적)Turkish: dinle - kulak ver (eski, edebi)Urdu: سن لو - توجہ دو (قدیم، ادبی)Indonesian: dengarkanlah - simaklah (bahasa lama/sastra)
Example Sentences
Hark! Do you hear that music in the distance?
basic
The old man said, 'Hark to the sound of the wind through the trees.'
basic
In old plays, a character might cry 'Hark!' to get everyone's attention.
natural
She whispered, 'Hark! Someone is coming.'
basic
Hark back to the days when people gathered around the fire to tell stories.
natural
You don’t hear 'hark' much these days unless it’s in a Christmas carol.
natural