Translation guide
The English verb 'hear' covers perceiving sounds, receiving information, and listening to formal proceedings. Japanese uses different verbs depending on whether the sound is naturally audible, actively listened to, or information is obtained. This guide helps learners choose the right expression.
To become aware of a sound without deliberate effort; sounds that reach your ears.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to be audible' or 'can hear'. Use this when a sound reaches your ears naturally, not when you are actively listening. The subject is the sound, not the person.
鳥の声が聞こえる。
I can hear birds singing.
隣の部屋から音楽が聞こえる。
I can hear music from the next room.
Transitive verb meaning 'to listen' or 'to hear'. It implies active listening or intentionally hearing something. Can also mean 'to ask'. Use with を.
Literally 'to let something reach one's ears'. Means to happen to hear something, often rumors or information. More literary or formal than 聞こえる.
その噂を耳にした。
I happened to hear that rumor.
To be told about something, learn of an event, or get a message.
The most common verb for hearing information from someone. Often used with ～によると (according to) or ～から (from).
彼からそのニュースを聞いた。
I heard the news from him.
友達によると、あの店は美味しいらしい。
I heard from a friend that that restaurant is good.
Pattern meaning 'I hear that...' or 'I've heard that...'. Used to convey information obtained from others.
彼は来月結婚すると聞いている。
I hear he's getting married next month.
To hear something passed on from others; to learn indirectly. Somewhat formal or literary.
To attend and listen to a legal case, lecture, or formal presentation.
Used specifically for hearing a legal case in court. The judge 'hears' a case.
裁判官はその事件を審理した。
The judge heard the case.
To attend a lecture or class as a listener, often without participating or being officially enrolled.
彼は大学の講義を聴講した。
He attended (heard) a university lecture.
General verb for listening to a talk, speech, or lecture. Less formal than 聴講する.
彼のスピーチを聞いた。
I heard his speech.
To receive a letter, call, or message from someone.
Literally 'there is contact from ~'. The natural way to say 'hear from someone'.
彼からまだ連絡がない。
I haven't heard from him yet.
母から電話があった。
I heard from my mother (she called).
To hear from someone via letter or message. Slightly more formal or literary than 連絡.
久しぶりに彼から便りがあった。
I heard from him after a long time.
聞こえる (kikoeru) is intransitive and means sounds are audible without effort. 聞く (kiku) is transitive and means active listening. Compare: 音楽が聞こえる (I can hear music) vs 音楽を聞く (I listen to music).
外で車の音が聞こえる。
I can hear the sound of cars outside.
毎朝ニュースを聞く。
I listen to the news every morning.
English 'I heard from him' is not 彼から聞いた (which means 'I heard it from him'). Use 彼から連絡があった or 彼から便りがあった instead.
彼の成功を伝え聞いた。
I heard about his success (through others).