'Tīng jiàn' literally combines 'tīng' (to listen/hear) and 'jiàn' (to see), but here 'jiàn' functions as a result complement meaning 'to succeed in perceiving' — so the whole phrase means 'to hear (successfully)' or 'to become aware of a sound.' Unlike plain 'tīng', which only denotes the act of listening, 'tīng jiàn' emphasizes that the sound actually reached the listener’s ears and was perceived. It implies completion and sensory success — similar to how 'kàn jiàn' means 'to catch sight of.'

This verb is commonly used in everyday speech when confirming whether someone detected a specific sound — like a knock, voice, or alarm. It often appears in questions ('Nǐ tīng jiàn le ma?' — 'Did you hear it?') or statements expressing realization ('Wǒ tīng jiàn le tā de shēngyīn.' — 'I heard his voice.'). It is neutral in register and appropriate for both spoken and written contexts, though it’s less formal than 'tīng dào' in some bureaucratic or literary settings.