聞こえます
kikoemasu
The English phrase "I can hear you" is said in Japanese as 聞こえます (kikoemasu).
聞こえます is used to confirm that a sound or a person's voice is reaching you, such as during a phone call or a video meeting.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb 聞こえる is an intransitive verb meaning "to be audible / to be heard".
Which one should you use?
Do not confuse kikoemasu (sound reaching the ears naturally) with 聞けます (kikemasu), the potential form of 'to listen', implying an ability or opportunity to listen.
How does it change in a sentence?
The dictionary form 聞こえる is the informal version of 聞こえます.
How do you pronounce it?
kikoemasu
Did you know?
- Japanese distinguishes between 聞く for active listening and 聞こえる for passive hearing. Using 聞く when you simply mean 'I can hear you' can imply you are intently spying or eavesdropping.
- While 聞こえます refers to sound, the related word 聞こえがいい describes a phrase or a person that 'sounds good' or gives a favorable impression.
- In a professional video meeting, if you want to say 'I can hear you' to confirm someone's audio is working, you might use the more formal 聞こえております (kikoete orimasu). This humble form shows respect to the person speaking.
Examples in context
- そんなに叫ばなくても聞こえます。Don't shout like that. I can hear you perfectly.This sentence is useful for telling someone they do not need to shout because you can hear them perfectly using 聞こえます.Tatoeba #204279 by KK_kaku_, translation #41521 by CM
- 隣の部屋の声が聞こえます。Tonari no heya no koe ga kikoemasu.I can hear the voice from the next room.
- 電話では声がよく聞こえます。Denwa de wa koe ga yoku kikoemasu.I can hear your voice well on the phone.
Example conversation
Misaki and Kenta are testing their microphones during an online call.
- 美咲 Misaki健太さん、私の声が聞こえますか？Kenta-san, watashi no koe ga kikoemasu ka?Kenta, can you hear my voice?
- 健太 Kentaはい、聞こえますよ。Hai, kikoemasu yo.Yes, I can hear you.
- 美咲 Misakiよかった。音量は大丈夫ですか？Yokatta. Onryō wa daijōbu desu ka?Good. Is the volume okay?
- 健太 Kentaちょうどいいです。Chōdo ii desu.It is just right.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
