Como quien oye llover
Like someone who hears it raining.
as if it went in one ear and out the other; **as if it went in one ear and out the other**; **without paying any attention**; **as if nothing had been said**; **to turn a deaf ear**; **to ignore someone completely**
Como quien oye llover means as if nothing had been said, without paying any attention, as if it went in one ear and out the other, or completely ignoring what someone says.
Le hablas y él, como quien oye llover.
You talk to him, but it's like talking to a wall.
Le di varios consejos, pero los escuchó como quien oye llover.
I gave him plenty of advice, but it went in one ear and out the other.
El profesor explicó las normas y algunos alumnos estaban como quien oye llover.
The teacher explained the rules, but some students paid no attention.
Le da igual todo; oye las críticas como quien oye llover.
He hears the criticism and simply ignores it.
It usually implies deliberate indifference rather than simple distraction.
- ignores advice
- pays no attention to warnings
- pretends not to hear criticism
- listens without reacting
- acts as though a conversation has no importance
The expression is based on the familiar sound of rain.
Rain often forms part of the background of daily life: it can be heard without requiring any reaction.
From this image arose the idea of someone hearing words in exactly the same passive way—receiving the sound but giving it no importance.
The expression often conveys mild frustration.
Parents, teachers and managers frequently use it when someone repeatedly ignores advice or instructions.
It criticises indifference, not necessarily lack of understanding.
Spanish has several expressions describing indifference:
- Como quien oye llover → to ignore what someone says.
- Hacer oídos sordos → to turn a deaf ear.
- Dar la callada por respuesta → to respond with silence.
- No hacer ni caso → not to pay the slightest attention.
Among them, como quien oye llover is one of the most expressive because it captures the idea of hearing words as mere background noise, without allowing them to have any effect.
Do not translate the expression literally.
English speakers would never say:
He listens like someone hearing rain.
Instead, use expressions such as:
- It goes in one ear and out the other.
- He turns a deaf ear.
- He pays no attention.
- It's like talking to a wall. (when emphasising the speaker's frustration)
Choose the translation according to the context.
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