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きく

keep well, hold up well, have influence, have connections, be discerning

→ 利く
verb Rare #36,350
keep well, hold up well Used in expressions such as 保存がきく (keep well) and 洗濯がきく (withstand washing).
JA: この食品は冷蔵庫で長くきく。
EN: This food keeps for a long time in the refrigerator.
have influence, have connections Often used in the expression 顔がきく, meaning to be well-known or influential in a place.
JA: 彼はこの町で顔がきく。
EN: He has influence in this town.
be discerning, have a good eye Often used in the expression 目がきく.
JA: 彼女はワインに目がきく。
EN: She has a discerning eye for wine.

彼は宝石の鑑定には目がきく。

He has a discerning eye for evaluating gemstones.

この肉は保存がきく。

This meat keeps well.

この綿の靴下は洗濯がきく。

These cotton socks are machine-washable.

verb · informal Rare #41,867
hear, listen to 聞く can also mean “obey” when used in the sense of listening to someone’s instructions.
JA: 私は毎晩音楽をきく。
EN: I listen to music every night.
ask
JA: 分からないことを先生にきく。
EN: I ask the teacher about things I don’t understand.
Conjugation of 聞く
聞いてきく
Present
聞く
Past
聞いた
Potential
聞かれる
Desiderative past
聞きたかった

きくかもしれない

I might ask.

— 千と千尋の神隠し (2001)

彼の意見をきくのも悪くはないでしょう。

It might not be a bad idea to hear what he has to say.

私は音楽をきくのが好きだし、まして演奏するのはなおさら好きだ。

I like listening to music, and I like playing it even more.

きくことは従うことである。

To listen is to obey.