ascoltare and "sentire" When do we use each?

Question

When do we use "ascoltare" and when "sentire"? Are there specific phrases with each?

Answer 1

As Simone said, they're mostly like the English verbs "to hear" and "to listen to".

This means that, if you're using "ascoltare", you're listening to something on purpose. "Sentire" is used for anything that you hear around you without purposefully paying attention.

Answer 2

Mostly, the same difference between 'listen to' (ascoltare musica) and 'hear' (sentire qualcosa alla radio)