Meaning
〜が見えます and 〜が聞こえます are intransitive verbs meaning "can see" and "can hear." Unlike the potential forms 見られます and 聞けます, which express intentional actions dependent on your will, 見えます and 聞こえます describe things that naturally enter your field of vision or hearing without conscious effort. Use these when perception happens involuntarily or independently of your intention.
Formation
| Part of speech | Formation |
|---|---|
| 自发动词 | …が 見えます（看得见） |
| 自发动词 | …が 聞こえます（听得见） |
| 可能形 | …が 見られます（能看） |
| 可能形 | …が 聞けます（能听） |
Examples
-
あそこの 映画館で、昔の 映画が 見られます。
You can watch old movies at that movie theater over there. -
スマートフォンで 音楽が 聞けます。
You can listen to music on a smartphone. -
３番出口を 出て、白い建物が 見えます。
Exiting from exit 3, I can see a white building. -
となりの 部屋から 音楽が 聞こえます。
I can hear music coming from the next room.
Summary
- 見えます/聞こえます = involuntary perception (naturally perceived without effort)
- 見られます/聞けます = voluntary ability (intentional action you choose to do)
- Use 見えます/聞こえます for things you perceive passively or by chance