The coin of understanding

In Japanese, to listen and to ask are shared by one word — kiku (pronounced Key-Koo). Here it is written in Japanese:

聞く

(Fun fact: At the center of the left Japanese character is the character for “ear.”)

As a foreign language learner of Japanese, I have always been fascinated at this. My take is this.

That listening and asking are different sides of the same coin. The coin of understanding the person you’re engaged with.

To listen means to be asking thoughtful questions.
To ask means to be prepared to listen attentively.

Without listening there is no understanding.
Without asking there is no understanding.