聞きき分わける

ichidan verb, transitive verb

distinguish by hearing; tell apart by sound

Used for recognizing or differentiating sounds, voices, or audio cues. Often implies careful listening.

• 彼かれは鳥とりの鳴なき声ごえを聞きき分わけることができる。

  He can distinguish bird calls by ear.

• 双ふた子ごの声こえを聞きき分わけるのは難むずかしい。

  It's hard to tell the twins' voices apart.

ichidan verb, transitive verb

listen and understand; be reasonable; listen to reason

Often used in negative or potential forms to mean someone won't listen to reason or can't be reasoned with. Also used for understanding something by listening carefully.

• あの子こは全ぜん然ぜん聞きき分わけがなくて困こまる。

  That child never listens to reason, which is a problem.

• 彼かれの説せつ明めいを聞きき分わけるのに時じ間かんがかかった。

  It took time to fully understand his explanation by listening.