ascoltate

Ascoltate is an Italian verb form derived from ascoltare, meaning to listen. It serves two related grammatical functions: it is the second person plural present indicative of ascoltare (you all listen) and, when used as a command, the second person plural imperative (listen!). In Italian, the voi form of the present indicative and the voi imperative are identical in spelling, so context and intonation determine whether it is a statement or a command.

The verb ascoltare comes from Latin auscultare, a root that also underpins related terms in medicine and music in various languages. The core sense is attentive listening, rather than merely hearing. This lineage is reflected in related Italian words such as ascolto (listening, hearing) and auscultare in medical contexts.

Usage notes: Ascoltate is typically used without an accompanying subject pronoun, with voi understood. In ordinary speech or writing, it can introduce an instruction, guidance, or exhortation directed at multiple listeners, as in “Ascoltate la lezione” or “Ascoltate, ragazzi, questo è importante.” The imperative reading is emphasized by tone and punctuation. Because the form is identical to the present indicative for the same pronoun, distinguishing meaning relies on context rather than different spelling.

See also: ascoltare, auscultare, ascolto.