JLPT N4・N5 Vocabulary – “聞けない” and “聞こえない”

Table of Contents

1. Difference between “聞きけない” and “聞きこえない”
2. 聞きける / 聞きけない
3. 聞きこえる / 聞きこえない
4. Summary
5. Quiz
6. Similar Articles
7. Comment

Q: Why is the phrase “先生せんせいの声こえが聞きけません。” incorrect？

A: The correct expression should be “先生せんせいの声こえが聞きこえません”.
The verb “聞きけない” implies an intentional attempt to listen, whereas “聞きこえない” is used when referring to sounds that one naturally picks up with the ears. Let’s look at each in detail.

聞きける / 聞きけない (JLPT N5)

These expressions indicate capability or possibility, meaning whether one can consciously listen to something.
“聞きける” is used when one chooses to listen or when listening is possible. This verb is the same as “聞きくことができる”, which means “able to listen.”

[Examples]
好すきな歌手かしゅのコンサートのチケットが当あたった！会場かいじょうで歌手かしゅの歌うたが聞きける！　
I won tickets to my favorite singer’s concert! I’ll get to hear the singer perform live at the venue.
⇒ I am going to the venue by choice to listen to the songs.
　　　
このチャンネルでビートルズの歌うたが全部ぜんぶ聞きけるよ。
You can listen to all of The Beatles’ songs on this channel.
⇒ The channel provides the opportunity to listen to the songs.

この歌うたを聞きいたら別わかれた彼かれを思おもい出　だすから、もう聞きけません。
When I hear this song, it brings back memories of my ex, so I can’t listen to it anymore.
⇒ I choose to stop listening to it myself.

聞きこえる / 聞きこえない (JLPT N4)

These are used for sounds that naturally enter the ears without any effort.
It is also used to describe one’s hearing ability.

[Examples]
となりの部屋へやから話はなしている声こえが聞きこえます。
I can hear voices talking from the room next door.
⇒ It is a voice that naturally enters the ears without conscious effort.

ここからきれいな波なみの音おとが聞きこえるよ。
You can hear the beautiful sound of the waves from here.
⇒It is a sound that naturally enters the ears without any effort.

祖母そぼは耳みみが悪わるくて、小ちいさい声こえが聞きこえません。
My grandmother has poor hearing and cannot hear soft voices.
⇒ This is a comment about my grandmother’s hearing ability.

Summary

Use “聞きける / 聞きけない” when it involves intentional listening or when the ability to listen is possible. Use “聞きこえる / 聞きこえない” for sounds that naturally enter the ears or to describe hearing ability.
Since someone’s voice enters the ears naturally, regardless of personal intent, if you cannot hear the teacher’s voice due to some circumstances, it is appropriate to say “聞きこえない“.

Quiz

Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.

Click on the question to check the answer.

---