kuulata

Kuulata is an Estonian verb meaning "to listen" or "to heed." It denotes actively directing attention to sound, speech or music, and is also used figuratively for paying attention to advice, feelings or signals. The word derives from the Finnic root for hearing and is cognate with Finnish kuulla ("to hear").

In use, kuulata commonly appears with an object to indicate what is being listened to (for example, kuulata muusikat — to listen to music). It can express both a temporary action (listening now) and a habit (enjoying listening to something regularly). Imperative and exhortative forms (such as Kuula! — "Listen!") are frequent in spoken Estonian. Figurative expressions include kuulata nõu ("to heed advice") and kuulata südant ("to listen to one's heart").

Pronunciation is typically rendered as [ˈkuːlɑtɑ] in standard Estonian. As with many verbs in Estonian, it participates in the language’s regular inflectional system to mark tense, mood and person. Kuulata and related forms are common in everyday speech, literature and media, reflecting both literal auditory perception and broader meanings of attention and responsiveness.