Meaning
見える and 聞こえる describe spontaneous perception; they are not the conjugated potential forms of 見る and 聞く.
Formation
- What is seen or heard takes が: 富士山が見えます
- Do not confuse with the potential forms 見られる／聞ける: they mean one is able to watch or listen if one wants to (access, schedule, conditions): 今夜この映画が見られます
When to use it
- Core use
- Describes what is naturally visible or audible
Examples
16 sentences-
この窓から富士山が見えます
Mount Fuji is visible from this window.
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ホテルの部屋から海が見えます
The sea is visible from the hotel room.
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曇っていて星が見えません
The stars are not visible because it is cloudy.
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庭から鳥の声が聞こえます
Birds can be heard from the garden.
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隣の部屋から音楽が聞こえます
Music can be heard from the next room.
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ここでは外の音が聞こえません
Outside sounds cannot be heard here.
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この窓から山が見えます
The mountains are visible from this window.
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隣の部屋からピアノの音が聞こえます
The sound of a piano can be heard from the next room.
8 more examples
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暗くて字がよく見えません
It is dark and I cannot see the letters well.
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遠くで犬の声が聞こえました
I could hear a dog in the distance.
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眼鏡をかけると黒板が見えます
I can see the board when I wear glasses.
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雨の音が聞こえますね
You can hear the rain, can't you?
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橋の上から海が見えました
The sea was visible from the bridge.
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電話の声が小さくて聞こえません
The voice on the phone is too quiet to hear.
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晴れた日は遠くの島が見えます
On clear days a distant island is visible.
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ここでは鳥の声がよく聞こえます
You can hear birds clearly here.
Important notes
- 見える and 聞こえる describe something being perceptible without a deliberate effort.
Common mistakes
- 見られる and 聞ける express ability or opportunity; they are not always interchangeable with spontaneous perception.
Similar grammar
Hear it in podcasts
The pattern appears in these episodes. They open in the app with the transcript and translation.
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