Spanish Phrase
Te estoy escuchando, de verdad.
Meaning
Literally, ‘I am listening to you, really.’ The speaker wants to reassure the listener that they are paying full attention and that it’s not just a polite gesture.
When to use
Use this phrase when someone doubts you’re listening, when you want to emphasize genuine interest, or after a pause that might have seemed like you were distracted. It works in both casual and semi‑formal conversations.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Teestoyescuchandodeverdad
Te (object pronoun)
‘Te’ is the second‑person singular direct‑object pronoun, placed before the verb to indicate ‘you’ as the thing being heard.
Present progressive (estoy + gerund)
‘Estoy escuchando’ uses the verb ‘estar’ + gerund to express an action happening right now – ‘I am listening.’
de verdad (emphatic phrase)
‘De verdad’ adds sincerity or emphasis, equivalent to ‘really’ or ‘honestly’ in English.
🗨In Conversation
¿Me escuchas?
Are you listening to me?
Te estoy escuchando, de verdad.
I’m listening to you, really.
✕Common Mistakes
Estoy escuchando a ti, de verdad.
‘Escuchar’ takes a direct object, not a prepositional phrase. Use the pronoun ‘te’ instead of ‘a ti’.
Estoy escuchando tú, de verdad.
‘Tú’ is a subject pronoun; the object pronoun is needed here.
Te estoy escuchando tú, de verdad.
The gerund must agree with the subject ‘estoy’, not with the object.
↔Alternatives
Te escucho, de verdad.
I’m listening to you, really.
Te estoy prestando atención, de verdad.
I’m paying attention to you, really.
Sí, te estoy escuchando.
Yes, I’m listening to you.
Cultural Tip
In many Spanish‑speaking cultures, showing that you’re truly present in a conversation is a sign of respect. Adding ‘de verdad’ signals honesty and can help rebuild trust if the other person feels ignored. Avoid over‑using it, as it may sound overly dramatic in very informal chats.