[Common Mistakes] Don’t Use “聞ける” for Things That Are Naturally Heard
この投稿をInstagramで見る
Today, I am going to share a homework correction from my JLPT Course!
The student’s sentence is not correct. Can you find the mistake?
[Student’s sentence]
電話の声がよく聞けません。
*でんわのこえがよくきけません。
denwa no koe ga yoku kikemasen.
▼
▼
▼
[My correction]
電話の声がよく聞けません。
→電話の声がよく聞こえません。
denwa no koe ga yoku kikoe masen.
I can’t hear the voice on the phone well.
聞こえる is used for sounds that are naturally heard, without effort. On the other hand, 聞ける is the potential form of 聞く, meaning ‘can hear’ as a result of your efforts to hear.
In this case, the voice on the phone is something that is naturally heard when you put the phone to your ear, so 聞こえません (the negative form of 聞こえる) is the correct choice.
e.g.
先生の声が小さくて、よく聞こえません。
sensei no koe ga chiisakute, yoku kikoemasen.
The teacher’s voice is low, and I can’t hear well.
(If I were in the classroom, I would naturally hear the teacher’s voice, but I can’t hear it.)
忙しくて、ラジオの生放送が聞けませんでした。
isogashikute, rajio no nama housou ga kikemasen desita.
I was too busy to listen to the live radio broadcast.
(I was too busy to find time to listen to the radio broadcast.)
I hope my explanation helps you! 😊
I interact like the above correction with my JLPT All-in-One Course student. (Today’s homework sentence is from the N4, elementary level. Don’t know your Japanese level? Then take a level test here.) I can explain in English or Japanese, depending on your level.
Our JLPT course provides detailed Japanese grammar explanations and personalized feedback on your homework submissions to help you master the language. With homework assignments included in each lesson, you’ll have ample opportunities to practice and improve your skills. Enroll now to receive easy-to-understand support and start your journey towards fluency.