澄ます

すます · sumasu · JLPT N1 · verb-godan

to clear; to make clear; to listen for

💧👂 澄 = clear, as in clear water; 耳を澄ます = clear the ears = listen closely

澄ます makes something clear or transparent, like water. In 耳を澄ます (to listen intently), you make your ears clear and focus only on sound.

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