聞こえ
Meanings
audibility; clarity of hearing; reception
Refers to how well a sound can be heard, including radio/TV reception. Often used in phrases like 聞こえがいい/悪い.
This radio has good reception even in the mountains.
From the back seats, the teacher's voice is hard to hear clearly.
How one is spoken of by others; public standing. Often used in set expressions like 聞こえが高い (high reputation) or 聞こえが悪い (bad reputation).
He is a highly reputed doctor in the community.
Doing that will give the company a bad name.
The impression something gives off, especially in terms of how it sounds to others. Overlaps with reputation but focuses on the perceived quality or respectability of a thing or statement.
That excuse doesn't sound very good.
He wants to move to a department that at least sounds respectable by title.
sonority
Linguistics term for the relative loudness or carrying power of speech sounds.
Vowels are said to have greater sonority than consonants.
Usage patterns
- 〈事〉の聞こえがいいfor something to sound good/impressive (to others)
The title sounds impressive, but the actual work is tough.
- 聞こえが高いto have a high/great reputation
He is a scholar with a great reputation in that field.
- 耳の聞こえが悪いto have poor hearing
As I got older, my hearing got worse.
- 〈物〉の聞こえが悪いfor the reception/audibility of something (radio, phone, etc.) to be poor
The reception on this radio is bad, so I can't hear the music well.
Expressions
- 耳が聞こえないdeaf; cannot hear