聞こえる

• Reading: きこえる
• Romaji: kikoeru
• Kanji breakdown: 聞 (bun/mon/ki) — hear, listen, ask
• Pronunciation: /ki.ko.e.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To be heard; to be audible. Describes sounds that reach one's ears naturally.

A Group 2 (ichidan) verb conjugated by dropping る and adding the appropriate ending. An intransitive verb meaning that sound reaches the listener without effort, unlike 聞く which implies actively listening. Often used with が to mark the sound source. The potential form of 聞く also exists but has a different nuance.

Examples

1. 隣の部屋から音楽が聞こえます。 I can hear music from the next room.
2. 声が小さくて聞こえませんでした。 Your voice was too quiet and I couldn't hear you.
3. 朝早く鳥の声が聞こえて目が覚めた。 I woke up hearing birds singing early in the morning.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, communication, nature

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Derived from 聞く (to hear, to listen) with the auxiliary える indicating natural ability or spontaneous occurrence. The kanji 聞 depicts an ear at a gate, listening.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal