Meaning

Primary

Hearable

Alternatives

Audible, To Be Able To Hear, To Be Heard, To Be Audible, Can Hear

Word Type

intransitive verb, ichidan verb

Explanation

You've seen 聞く by now hopefully. This is similar, but instead of meaning "to hear" it means hearable (or to be audible). Just think about that こえ hanging off there as the voice you can hear.

Reading

きこえる
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

The reading comes from 聞く, so if you know the reading of that word, you can apply it here.

Context

Pattern of Use

Common Word Combinations

  • 音が聞こえる

    able to hear a sound

    耳が聞こえる

    able to hear

    声が聞こえる

    able to hear someone's voice

Context Sentences

聞こえたんだったら、ちゃんと返事してよ!

If you could hear me, you should've said something!

海の音が聞こえますね。

We can hear the sound of the sea.

きつい言い方に聞こえることは分かってるんだけど、つまらない言い訳はしたくないの。

I understand it sounds harsh, but I’m up to my neck in lame excuses.

Kanji Composition