Meaning and Usage
「聞こえる」means "to be heard" or "to be audible." It describes the ability to perceive sound, often without intentional listening. It is an intransitive verb, so the sound itself is the subject.
Common Contexts
This verb is frequently used when talking about sounds that reach the listener naturally, such as voices, music, or noises. It can express whether something can be heard clearly or faintly.
Collocations and Patterns
- 「〜が聞こえる」: the most common pattern, indicating that a sound is audible.
- 「はっきり聞こえる」: to hear clearly.
- 「聞こえない」: cannot hear.
Register and Nuance
「聞こえる」is neutral and common in everyday conversation. It is polite enough for casual and formal contexts but not overly formal.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 「聞く」(to listen/hear intentionally) with 「聞こえる」(to be heard). Remember, 「聞こえる」 focuses on the sound being audible, not on the listener's action.