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聞こえない

kikoenai
adjective★Intermediate— not audible
general

Not audible; unable to be heard.

彼は小さな声で話したので、聞こえなかった。

He spoke so softly that I couldn't hear him.

耳が遠くて、聞こえないことが多い。

My hearing is bad, so I often can't hear things.

💡

Commonly used to describe sounds that are too faint or distant to be heard.

informal

Not listening or paying attention (figurative).

彼は私の話を聞こえないふりをしている。

He's pretending not to hear me.

💡

Used to describe someone ignoring or feigning deafness to avoid a conversation.

Collocations

聞こえないnot audible聞こえないふりをするpretend not to hear

Synonyms

聞こえない聞こえないふりをする

Antonyms

聞こえる聞こえるようになる

Related Phrases

聞こえないふりをするphrase
to pretend not to hear

💡Pro Tip

Common Usage

This term is often used to describe physical inability to hear sounds or figuratively to describe ignoring someone.

⚡Gold Rule

Negative Form

The negative form of 聞こえる, indicating the absence of sound perception.

📖Word Origin

Derived from the verb 聞こえる (kikoeru, 'to be heard') with the negative form ない (nai).

📝Usage Notes

The negative form of 聞こえる, indicating the absence of sound perception. Can also be used figuratively to describe ignoring someone.

Word Breakdown

聞こ
heard
root
+
え
suffix indicating passive state
suffix
+
ない
negative
suffix
和英辞典

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