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B1 noun 9분 분량

聴力

chōryoku

연습하기 예시 노트와 팁 聴力 30초 만에

설명 聴力 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't really need to use the word '聴力' (chōryoku) yet. It is a bit too formal and difficult for beginners. Instead, you would use simple words like '耳' (mimi - ear) and the verb '聞く' (kiku - to hear/listen). For example, if you want to say 'I can't hear,' you would say '聞こえません' (kikoemasen). However, you might see '聴力' if you go to a hospital in Japan for a checkup. Just remember that '聴力' means 'hearing power.' If you see it on a form, it is asking about how well you can hear sounds. You don't need to worry about the complex kanji '聴' yet; just focus on recognizing the '力' (power) part, which tells you it's about an ability or strength. In A1, we focus on basic body parts, and 'ear' is one of them. '聴力' is like the 'level' of your ear's performance.

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By the A2 level, you are starting to learn more specific nouns for health and the body. '聴力' (chōryoku) might appear in a lesson about visiting the doctor or discussing healthy habits. You should understand that this word is more formal than '耳' (mimi). For example, in a reading passage about 'How to stay healthy,' it might say 'Protect your hearing' (聴力を守りましょう). At this level, you should be able to recognize the word in a simple sentence and know that it refers to the physical ability to hear. You might also learn the word '検査' (kensa - test), so '聴力検査' (hearing test) becomes a useful compound word to know. If you are living in Japan and have a job, you will definitely hear this word during your annual health checkup. It is a good word to have in your passive vocabulary even if you don't use it in daily conversation often.

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At the B1 level, you are expected to use more precise vocabulary like '聴力' (chōryoku) instead of just 'ear' when the situation is formal or medical. You should be able to describe changes in hearing, such as 'hearing is declining' (聴力が低下している) or 'having a hearing test' (聴力検査を受ける). This is the level where you distinguish between 'listening' (the action) and 'hearing ability' (the capacity). You will encounter this word in news articles about health, aging society issues in Japan, or workplace safety. You should also be able to use it with particles correctly, like '聴力に問題がある' (to have a problem with hearing). B1 learners should start noticing that '聴力' is used for humans and animals alike in scientific contexts. It is a key term for moving beyond basic survival Japanese into more 'adult' and professional topics.

At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using '聴力' (chōryoku) in various contexts, including academic, medical, and technical discussions. You should understand the nuances between '聴力' (physical ability), '聴覚' (the sense of hearing), and '聴解' (listening comprehension). B2 learners should be able to discuss the causes of hearing loss, such as '騒音による聴力障害' (hearing impairment due to noise) or '加齢に伴う聴力の衰え' (the weakening of hearing accompanying aging). You might also encounter it in legal or social contexts, such as '聴力検査の結果を提出する' (submitting the results of a hearing test). Your ability to use the word in formal writing, like a report or an essay about health, is important at this stage. You should also be familiar with related technical terms like 'デシベル' (decibels) and '周波数' (frequency) which often appear alongside '聴力'.

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At the C1 level, '聴力' (chōryoku) is a word you use with precision and sophistication. You can discuss complex topics such as the neurological aspects of hearing or the societal impact of hearing loss on the elderly population in Japan. You understand the historical and kanji-based roots of the word, and you can use it in highly formal settings, such as a medical conference or a high-level business meeting regarding medical technology. You are able to distinguish between '聴力' and more poetic or literary ways of describing sound perception. You might use it in sentences like '聴力の減退がQOL（生活の質）に与える影響は多大である' (The impact of declining hearing ability on Quality of Life is significant). At this level, you are not just using the word; you are aware of its social and psychological connotations in Japanese culture, where being hard of hearing is often discussed with great sensitivity.

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At the C2 level, you have complete mastery over '聴力' (chōryoku) and its place in the Japanese lexicon. You can engage in deep scientific debates about auditory physiology, using '聴力' alongside terms like '有毛細胞' (hair cells) or '聴神経' (auditory nerve). You can write professional-grade medical reports or scientific papers that utilize this term correctly in every instance. You also understand how the term has evolved in legal and regulatory frameworks in Japan, such as in the 'Disability Basic Act.' You can effortlessly switch between the clinical '聴力,' the biological '聴覚,' and the metaphorical '耳' depending on the audience and purpose. Your understanding of the word is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker, and you can use it to explain complex concepts to others, including the subtle differences in meaning that occur in various professional fields like acoustics, medicine, and psychology.

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연습하기 예시 노트와 팁

聴力 30초 만에

聴力 (chōryoku) means 'hearing ability' or 'auditory power.'
It is a formal word used in medical and scientific contexts.
Commonly paired with 'test' (検査) or 'decline' (低下).
Distinguish it from 'listening skills' (聴解) and 'ears' (耳).

The Japanese word 聴力 (ちょうりょく - chōryoku) is a formal and technical term that refers specifically to an individual's physical ability to hear sounds. In English, we translate this as 'hearing ability,' 'auditory power,' or simply 'hearing' in a medical or functional context. Unlike the casual word for ear (耳みみ), which can refer to the organ itself or the metaphorical 'ear' for music, chōryoku is strictly about the capacity of the auditory system to perceive sound waves. It is a compound word consisting of 聴ちょう (to listen/hear) and 力りょく (power/ability). This word is most frequently encountered in healthcare settings, during annual physical examinations known as 健康診断けんこうしんだん, or when discussing the physiological effects of aging or noise exposure.

Medical Context: In a clinical environment, doctors use this term to quantify how well a patient can detect different frequencies. A common phrase is 聴力ちょうりょくを測定そくていする (to measure hearing ability).

最近、少し聴力が落ちてきたような気がします。
(Lately, I feel like my hearing ability has declined a bit.)

Beyond the doctor's office, you might encounter chōryoku in discussions about technology, such as the specifications for hearing aids (補聴器ほちょうき) or noise-canceling headphones. It is also used in the context of animals, where one might compare the superior hearing of a dog or a bat to that of a human. It is important to distinguish this from 聴解ちょうかい (listening comprehension), which is the cognitive skill tested in language exams like the JLPT. While chōryoku is the physical hardware's performance, chōkai is the software's ability to process meaning.

Environmental Health: Workplace safety regulations in Japan often mention 聴力保護ちょうりょくほご (hearing protection) for employees working in loud factories or construction sites.

大きな音を長時間聴き続けると、聴力に悪影響を及ぼします。
(Listening to loud sounds for a long time will have a negative impact on your hearing.)

In academic writing, chōryoku is used to discuss the development of infants or the biological evolution of the inner ear. It is a sterile, objective term. If you are describing a musician who can pick out every note in a complex chord, you might say they have a 'sharp ear' (耳みみが鋭するどい), but if you are describing the test results that show they can hear up to 20,000 Hertz, you would use chōryoku. Understanding this distinction helps learners sound more natural and precise in different social contexts. The word is essentially the 'hardware' metric of the human body.

Aging Society: In Japan's aging society, 加齢かれいによる聴力低下ちょうりょくていか (age-related hearing loss) is a major topic in public health discourse.

祖父は聴力が弱くなったので、テレビの音を大きくしています。
(My grandfather's hearing has weakened, so he keeps the TV volume loud.)

Using 聴力 correctly requires pairing it with the right verbs. Because it is a 'power' or 'ability,' we often talk about it increasing, decreasing, maintaining, or testing it. The most common verb pairs include 低下ていかする (to decline), 失うしなう (to lose), 検査けんさする (to test/examine), and 回復かいふくする (to recover). Unlike 'listening' which is an action you do (聞く), chōryoku is a state or capacity you possess. Therefore, you don't 'do' chōryoku; you 'have' it or 'examine' it.

Common Verb Pairing: 聴力を失う (To lose one's hearing). This is used in medical or tragic contexts, such as after an accident or illness.

彼は病気が原因で、左耳の聴力を完全に失った。
(He completely lost the hearing in his left ear due to an illness.)

In a professional setting, especially in healthcare, the word is often used as a compound noun. For example, 聴力検査ちょうりょくけんさ (hearing test) is a standard term. If you go for a checkup, the nurse might say, 「これから聴力検査を始めます」 (We will now begin the hearing test). Notice how the word remains formal even in spoken instructions. In contrast, if a friend asks why you didn't hear them, you wouldn't say 'My hearing ability was insufficient'; you would simply say 'I didn't hear you' (聞きこえなかった).

Describing Quality: 聴力が鋭い (Keen hearing). Often used for animals or people with exceptional physical capabilities.

犬は人間よりもはるかに優れた聴力を持っている。
(Dogs possess hearing ability far superior to humans.)

Another important usage is in the passive or causative forms when discussing external factors. For instance, 'to damage one's hearing' is 聴力ちょうりょくを損そこなう. In safety manuals, you might see: 騒音そうおんは聴力ちょうりょくを損そこなう恐おそれがあります (Noise may damage your hearing). This level of vocabulary is expected in B1 and B2 level Japanese proficiency, where you transition from simple daily needs to discussing health, society, and science.

Technical Measurement: 聴力レベル (Hearing level). Measured in decibels (dB), used in official medical reports.

彼の聴力レベルは正常な範囲内です。
(His hearing level is within the normal range.)

You will most likely hear 聴力 in formal, structured environments in Japan. The most common place is the annual 健康診断けんこうしんだん (health checkup) that almost all employees and students undergo. During the hearing portion of the exam, you sit in a soundproof booth and press a button when you hear a tone. The staff will refer to this as the 'Chōryoku Kensa.' If you visit an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) specialist, known in Japanese as 耳鼻咽喉科じびいんこうか or simply 耳鼻科じびか, the word will be used constantly in your diagnosis and treatment plan.

Public Service Announcements: On Japanese television, especially on NHK, you may see health programs discussing how to prevent 聴力ちょうりょくの衰おとろえ (the weakening of hearing) as people age.

ヘッドホンの使いすぎは、将来の聴力に影響します。
(Overusing headphones will affect your hearing in the future.)

In the news, chōryoku appears in stories related to disability rights, new medical breakthroughs like cochlear implants (人工内耳じんこうないじ), or legal cases involving noise pollution. For example, residents living near an airport might sue the government because the jet noise has damaged their chōryoku. In schools, teachers might discuss a student's chōryoku if they suspect the child is struggling to hear the lessons, leading to a referral for a specialist. It's a word that carries the weight of officialdom and biological fact.

Product Marketing: Advertisements for high-end audio equipment or specialized hearing aids often use this word to appeal to health-conscious or tech-savvy consumers.

このデバイスは、個人の聴力に合わせて音を最適化します。
(This device optimizes sound according to an individual's hearing ability.)

Furthermore, in the world of sports, particularly swimming or track and field, chōryoku might be mentioned regarding how quickly an athlete can perceive the starting signal. In nature documentaries, the narrator will use it to describe the incredible hunting capabilities of nocturnal animals like owls. It's a versatile word that bridges the gap between the doctor's office and the natural world, always maintaining its sense of 'biological capacity.' If you are reading a Japanese newspaper (like Asahi or Yomiuri), look for it in the health or science sections; it is a staple of adult-level Japanese literacy.

Educational Settings: Special education teachers often use 聴力障害ちょうりょくしょうがい (hearing impairment) to discuss support for students with hearing loss.

学校では、聴力に障害のある学生のための支援を行っています。
(The school provides support for students with hearing impairments.)

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is confusing 聴力 (chōryoku) with 聴解ちょうかい (chōkai) or 聞き取りききとり (kikitori). While all three relate to the ears, they are not interchangeable. Chōryoku is the physical ability to hear sounds (the hardware). Chōkai is the ability to understand and interpret what is being said in a language (the software). If you say 'My chōryoku is bad' when you actually mean you don't understand Japanese listening exercises, a Japanese person might think you have a medical condition and suggest you see a doctor!

Mistake: Confusing Ability with Skill: Incorrect: 日本語の聴力が低いです (My Japanese hearing ability is low).
Correct: 日本語の聴解力が低いです (My Japanese listening comprehension is low).

テストの聴解セクションは難しかった。
(The listening comprehension section of the test was difficult.)

Another common error is using chōryoku in casual conversation where 耳みみ (mimi) would be more appropriate. For example, if you want to say 'You have good hearing' because someone heard a quiet noise, saying chōryoku ga ii desu ne sounds overly clinical and strange. It’s like saying 'Your auditory faculty is functioning at a high level' in English. Instead, just say 耳みみがいいですね. Reserve chōryoku for when you are discussing health, science, or formal reports.

Mistake: Using it for 'Listening': Incorrect: 音楽を聴力する (To 'hearing-ability' music).
Correct: 音楽を聴く (To listen to music).

彼は耳がいいので、遠くの物音にも気づく。
(He has good ears, so he notices even distant sounds.)

Lastly, learners sometimes confuse chōryoku with 聴覚ちょうかく (chōkaku). 聴覚ちょうかく is 'the sense of hearing' (one of the five senses), whereas chōryoku is the 'power' or 'strength' of that sense. You would say 聴覚ちょうかくを失う to mean losing the sense itself, but chōryoku ga teika suru to mean your hearing is getting weaker. It's a subtle nuance, but using chōryoku when discussing 'strength' or 'levels' is the most standard usage. Avoid using chōryoku as a verb; it is always a noun.

Mistake: Confusing with 'Sense': Incorrect: 聴力は五感の一つです (Hearing ability is one of the five senses).
Correct: 聴覚は五感の一つです (The sense of hearing is one of the five senses).

加齢とともに聴力が衰えるのは自然なことです。
(It is natural for hearing ability to decline with age.)

To broaden your Japanese vocabulary, it's helpful to compare 聴力 with its related terms. Depending on the level of formality and the specific nuance you want to convey, you might choose a different word. The most common alternatives are 聴覚ちょうかく, 耳みみ, and ヒアリングひありんぐ. Each has a specific niche in the Japanese language.

聴力 vs. 聴覚: 聴力 (Chōryoku): Auditory power/ability. Focuses on the strength or level of hearing. Used in tests and medical contexts.
聴覚 (Chōkaku): The sense of hearing. One of the five senses (視覚, 聴覚, 嗅覚, 味覚, 触覚). Focuses on the biological system.

彼は聴覚が非常に過敏です。
(He has a very sensitive sense of hearing.)

Then there is 耳みみ (mimi). While it literally means 'ear,' it is the most common way to talk about hearing in daily life. If you can't hear someone, you say 耳みみが遠とおい (literally 'ears are far') to mean 'hard of hearing.' This is much more polite and common when talking about elderly people than using the clinical chōryoku. Conversely, 耳みみが早い means someone is quick to pick up on rumors or news, which has nothing to do with physical hearing ability.

聴力 vs. ヒアリング: 聴力 (Chōryoku): Physical ability.
ヒアリング (Hiaringu): Often refers to 'listening comprehension' in English language learning, or 'hearings' (information gathering) in a business or political context.

プロジェクトの前に、顧客にヒアリングを行う。
(We will conduct a hearing/interview with the client before the project.)

Finally, 聴解ちょうかい (chōkai) is specifically used for testing listening skills. You see this on every JLPT paper. If you want to improve your 'hearing' in the sense of understanding spoken Japanese, you should search for 聴解ちょうかい materials, not chōryoku materials. Understanding these distinctions will prevent you from accidentally telling someone you need a hearing aid when you really just need more Japanese practice!

Summary Table: 1. 聴力: Physical power (Medical/Formal).
2. 聴覚: The sense (Biological).
3. 耳: General/Metaphorical (Casual).
4. 聴解: Comprehension (Educational).

How Formal Is It?

재미있는 사실

The kanji '聴' is composed of '耳' (ear), '目' (eye), and '心' (heart/mind). This suggests that true 'listening' involves not just the ears, but also watching the person and using one's heart to understand. However, '聴力' focuses purely on the 'ear' part of that equation!

발음 가이드

UK tʃoː.ɾʲo.kɯ

US tʃoʊ.ɾi.oʊ.ku

Japanese pitch accent: Atamadaka (High-Low-Low-Low). The first syllable 'cho' is high, and the rest drop.

라임이 맞는 단어

協力 (kyōryoku - cooperation) 強力 (kyōryoku - powerful) 動力 (dōryoku - power/motive force) 労力 (rōryoku - labor) 能力 (nōryoku - ability) 暴力 (bōryoku - violence) 兵力 (heiryoku - military force) 重力 (jūryoku - gravity)

자주 하는 실수

Pronouncing 'ryo' as two syllables 'ri-yo'. It should be one fluid sound.
Making the 'u' at the end too strong. In 'ku', the 'u' is often devoiced/whispered.
Forgetting the long 'o' in 'cho'. Without it, it sounds like 'choryoku' (incorrect).
Confusing the pitch accent with 'chōryoku' (tension), though the context usually clarifies.
Incorrectly stressing the 'ryo' syllable.

난이도

독해 3/5

The kanji '聴' is complex but common in B1 levels.

쓰기 4/5

Writing '聴' correctly takes practice due to the number of strokes.

말하기 2/5

The pronunciation is straightforward once you master the long 'o'.

듣기 2/5

Easy to recognize in medical or formal contexts.

다음에 무엇을 배울까

선수 학습

耳 (mimi) 聞く (kiku) 力 (chikara/ryoku) 検査 (kensa) いい/悪い (ii/warui)

다음에 배울 것

聴覚 (chōkaku) 難聴 (nanchō) 補聴器 (hochōki) 騒音 (sōon) 診察 (shinsatsu)

고급

感音難聴 (kan'on nanchō) 伝音難聴 (den'on nanchō) デシベル (deshiberu) 周波数 (shūhasū)

알아야 할 문법

Noun + になる (to become)

聴力が弱くなった。 (Hearing became weak.)

Noun + による (due to)

騒音による聴力低下。 (Hearing decline due to noise.)

Potential Form + ようになる (become able to)

音が聞こえるようになった。 (Became able to hear sounds.)

Noun + を受ける (to receive/undergo)

聴力検査を受ける。 (To undergo a hearing test.)

Noun + がある/ない (existence)

聴力に問題がある。 (There is a problem with hearing.)

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수준별 예문

聴力検査をします。

I will do a hearing test.

Simple noun + particle + verb structure.

耳の聴力はいいですか。

Is your hearing ability good?

Using 'ii desu ka' to ask about quality.

これは聴力のテストです。

This is a hearing test.

A is B (noun + desu).

聴力が弱いです。

My hearing is weak.

Adjective 'yowai' describing the noun.

犬の聴力はすごいです。

A dog's hearing is amazing.

Comparing a subject's attribute.

聴力を守りましょう。

Let's protect our hearing.

Volitional form 'mashou' for a suggestion.

聴力がありません。

I have no hearing (in that ear).

Negative existence 'arimasen'.

聴力をチェックします。

I will check the hearing.

Katakana 'chekku' used as a verb.

健康診断で聴力を調べました。

I had my hearing checked at the health exam.

Past tense verb 'shirabemashita'.

大きな音は聴力に悪いです。

Loud sounds are bad for your hearing.

Particle 'ni' indicating the target of the effect.

彼は聴力がとてもいいです。

His hearing is very good.

Adverb 'totemo' modifying 'ii'.

聴力が落ちると困ります。

It is troublesome if your hearing declines.

Conditional 'to' indicating a result.

祖父の聴力が弱くなりました。

My grandfather's hearing has become weak.

Adjective 'yowai' becoming an adverb 'yowaku' with 'narimashita'.

聴力を測る機械です。

This is a machine that measures hearing.

Relative clause modifying 'kikai'.

右耳の聴力が少し悪いです。

The hearing in my right ear is a bit bad.

Specifying the location with 'no'.

聴力を大切にしてください。

Please take care of your hearing.

Polite request 'kudasai'.

加齢によって聴力が低下するのは自然なことです。

It is natural for hearing to decline due to aging.

Using 'ni yotte' to show cause.

最近、聴力が落ちたと感じています。

Lately, I feel that my hearing has declined.

Quotative 'to' with the verb 'kanjite iru'.

聴力検査の結果、異常はありませんでした。

As a result of the hearing test, there were no abnormalities.

Noun + 'no kekka' (as a result of).

工事の騒音で聴力が損なわれる可能性があります。

There is a possibility that hearing will be damaged by construction noise.

'Kanousei ga aru' to express possibility.

補聴器を使って聴力を補います。

We use hearing aids to supplement hearing ability.

Using 'te' form for means/method.

聴力が鋭い動物は夜間に狩りをします。

Animals with keen hearing hunt at night.

Relative clause describing animals.

定期的な聴力検査を受けることが推奨されています。

It is recommended to have regular hearing tests.

Passive form 'suishou sarete iru'.

聴力を維持するために、耳を休ませましょう。

To maintain your hearing, let's rest your ears.

'Tame ni' expressing purpose.

長期間の騒音暴露は、不可逆的な聴力損失を招く。

Long-term exposure to noise leads to irreversible hearing loss.

Formal verb 'manaku' (to invite/lead to).

最新の技術により、低下した聴力を回復させることが可能になった。

With the latest technology, it has become possible to recover declined hearing.

Causative form 'kaifuku saseru'.

聴力障害を持つ人々への社会的支援を強化すべきだ。

We should strengthen social support for people with hearing impairments.

'Subeki da' expressing obligation.

このヘッドホンは、聴力保護機能を備えています。

These headphones are equipped with a hearing protection function.

Formal verb 'sonaete iru' (be equipped with).

聴力の測定には、オージオメータという装置が使われる。

A device called an audiometer is used for measuring hearing.

Passive form 'tsukawareru'.

左右の聴力に大きな差がある場合は、医師に相談してください。

If there is a large difference between left and right hearing, consult a doctor.

Conditional 'baai wa'.

突発性難聴は、早期に治療しないと聴力が戻らないことがある。

Sudden deafness may result in hearing not returning if not treated early.

Negative conditional 'nai to'.

彼の聴力は、プロの調律師として非常に優れている。

His hearing is exceptional as a professional piano tuner.

'Toshite' meaning 'as a'.

加齢性難聴は、高音域の聴力から徐々に失われていくのが特徴だ。

Age-related hearing loss is characterized by the gradual loss of high-frequency hearing.

Noun + 'ga tokuchou da' (is a characteristic).

職業的な聴力被害を防ぐため、厳格な安全基準が設けられている。

Strict safety standards are established to prevent occupational hearing damage.

Formal compound 'chōryoku higai'.

聴力の衰えは、孤立感や認知症のリスクを高めると指摘されている。

It is pointed out that the decline of hearing increases the risk of isolation and dementia.

Passive 'shiteki sarete iru'.

人工内耳の装用により、重度の聴力障害があっても音を感知できる。

By wearing a cochlear implant, one can perceive sound even with severe hearing impairment.

Concessive 'atte mo' (even if there is).

聴力レベルの変動を記録することで、病気の進行を把握する。

By recording fluctuations in hearing levels, we grasp the progression of the disease.

Noun + 'o haaku suru' (to grasp/understand).

乳幼児の聴力スクリーニング検査は、言語発達において極めて重要である。

Hearing screening for infants is extremely important for language development.

Adverb 'kiwamete' (extremely).

騒音性難聴は、一度聴力を失うと再生が困難な細胞の損傷に起因する。

Noise-induced hearing loss results from damage to cells that are difficult to regenerate once hearing is lost.

'Ni kiin suru' (to result from/be caused by).

聴力温存手術の成功により、患者の生活の質が劇的に向上した。

The success of hearing-preservation surgery dramatically improved the patient's quality of life.

Compound noun 'chōryoku onzon shujutsu'.

聴力の閾値を精密に測定することで、聴覚経路の病変部位を特定する。

By precisely measuring the hearing threshold, we identify the site of the lesion in the auditory pathway.

Highly technical vocabulary 'ikichi' (threshold) and 'byouben' (lesion).

音響外傷による一時的な聴力閾値上昇は、放置すると固定化する恐れがある。

A temporary shift in hearing threshold due to acoustic trauma may become permanent if left untreated.

Noun 'koteika' (fixation/becoming permanent).

聴力の生理学的限界を探求することは、人間工学における重要な課題である。

Exploring the physiological limits of hearing is an important task in ergonomics.

Nominalizing a verb with 'koto'.

感音難聴は、内耳から脳に至るまでの聴力伝達系に何らかの不具合が生じる状態を指す。

Sensorineural hearing loss refers to a state where some malfunction occurs in the hearing transmission system from the inner ear to the brain.

Defining a term using 'o sasu'.

聴力を司る有毛細胞の再生研究は、再生医療の最前線で行われている。

Research into the regeneration of hair cells that govern hearing is being conducted at the forefront of regenerative medicine.

Relative clause 'chōryoku o tsukasadoru'.

騒音規制法は、国民の健康と聴力を保護するために制定された経緯がある。

The Noise Regulation Act was enacted to protect the health and hearing of the citizens.

Formal 'keii ga aru' (there is a background/history).

聴力の左右差が顕著な場合、聴神経腫瘍の可能性を排除できない。

If the difference between left and right hearing is marked, the possibility of an acoustic neuroma cannot be ruled out.

Formal 'haijo dekinai' (cannot exclude).

聴力の動態を長期間観察することは、聴覚学における基礎研究の根幹を成す。

Observing the dynamics of hearing over a long period forms the basis of fundamental research in audiology.

Formal 'konkan o nasu' (form the core/root).

자주 쓰는 조합

聴力検査

聴力低下

聴力を失う

聴力を守る

聴力が鋭い

聴力レベル

聴力障害

聴力回復

聴力測定

聴力温存

자주 쓰는 구문

聴力が落ちる

— One's hearing gets worse. Commonly used for aging or damage.

最近、急に聴力が落ちた。

聴力に異常がある

— There is an abnormality in one's hearing. Used in medical reports.

聴力に異常がないか確認する。

聴力が戻る

— One's hearing returns to normal. Used after recovery from illness.

治療のおかげで聴力が戻った。

聴力を損なう

— To damage one's hearing. Used as a warning against loud noise.

騒音は聴力を損なう。

聴力が衰える

— Hearing weakens gradually. Often used for the elderly.

祖父は聴力が衰えてきた。

聴力に自信がある

— To be confident in one's hearing ability.

私は聴力には自信があります。

聴力が正常だ

— Hearing is within the normal range.

検査の結果、聴力は正常だった。

聴力を鍛える

— To train one's hearing. (Slightly metaphorical or for specific skills).

音楽家として聴力を鍛える。

聴力を補う

— To supplement or aid hearing. Usually via hearing aids.

機械で聴力を補う。

聴力検査の結果

— The results of a hearing test.

聴力検査の結果が出る。

자주 혼동되는 단어

聴力 vs 張力 (chōryoku)

Same pronunciation, but means 'tension' (like a string). Context is key.

聴力 vs 聴解 (chōkai)

Refers to language listening comprehension skills.

聴力 vs 聴覚 (chōkaku)

Refers to the sense of hearing as a biological concept.

관용어 및 표현

"耳を疑う"

— To not believe one's ears (due to shock). Not using 'chōryoku' but related to hearing.

そのニュースを聞いて、耳を疑った。

General

"耳が痛い"

— To find a truth hard to hear (guilty conscience).

先生の忠告は耳が痛い。

General

"耳を貸す"

— To listen to someone/lend an ear.

彼の言うことに耳を貸すべきだ。

General

"耳にタコができる"

— To be sick of hearing something (calluses on ears).

その話は耳にタコができるほど聞いた。

Informal

"耳を揃える"

— To have the full amount (usually of money) ready.

借金を耳を揃えて返す。

Idiomatic

"馬の耳に念仏"

— Praying to a horse's ear (useless effort/in one ear out the other).

彼に注意しても馬の耳に念仏だ。

Idiomatic

"壁に耳あり障子に目あり"

— Walls have ears, paper doors have eyes (someone is always listening).

秘密の話は慎もう。壁に耳ありだ。

Proverb

"寝耳に水"

— Water in a sleeping ear (a total surprise).

その解雇通知は寝耳に水だった。

Idiomatic

"耳を澄ます"

— To strain one's ears to listen carefully.

遠くの音に耳を澄ます。

General

"小耳に挟む"

— To overhear something by chance.

彼が結婚するという話を小耳に挟んだ。

General

혼동하기 쉬운

聴力 vs 耳 (mimi)

Both relate to hearing.

Mimi is the physical ear or casual hearing; Chōryoku is the formal ability/power.

耳が痛い (Ear hurts) vs 聴力が低い (Hearing ability is low).

聴力 vs 聴解 (chōkai)

Both start with 'chō'.

Chōkai is for language tests; Chōryoku is for physical health.

聴解の練習 (Listening practice) vs 聴力の検査 (Hearing test).

聴力 vs 聴覚 (chōkaku)

Very similar formal terms.

Chōkaku is the sense; Chōryoku is the level/strength of that sense.

聴覚障害 (Hearing disability) vs 聴力低下 (Decline in hearing level).

聴力 vs ヒアリング (hiaringu)

Loanword for hearing.

Hiaringu is used for business interviews or English listening; Chōryoku is for medical hearing.

顧客へのヒアリング (Interviewing a client).

聴力 vs 聞き取り (kikitori)

General word for catching sound.

Kikitori is the act of hearing/understanding words; Chōryoku is the biological capacity.

聞き取り調査 (Hearing/interview survey).

문장 패턴

Noun + が + Adjective + です

聴力がいいです。

Noun + によって + Noun + が + Verb

加齢によって聴力が低下する。

Noun + を + Verb (transitive)

聴力を失う。

Noun + に + 影響を及ぼす

騒音は聴力に影響を及ぼす。

Noun + を + 守るために

聴力を守るために、耳栓をする。

Noun + の + 衰えが + 指摘される

聴力の衰えが指摘されている。

Noun + に + 異常をきたす

聴力に異常をきたす恐れがある。

Noun + の + 閾値を + 測定する

聴力の閾値を精密に測定する。

어휘 가족

명사

聴覚 (chōkaku - sense of hearing)

聴衆 (chōshū - audience)

聴取 (chōshu - listening/hearing)

聴解 (chōkai - listening comprehension)

동사

聴く (kiku - to listen)

聴取する (chōshu suru - to listen to/interview)

聴講する (chōkō suru - to attend a lecture)

형용사

聴覚的な (chōkakuteki na - auditory)

可聴の (kachō no - audible)

사용법

frequency

Common in medical and official health contexts; rare in casual street slang.

자주 하는 실수

Using '聴力' for 'listening comprehension'. → 聴解 (chōkai)
You cannot say 'Japanese hearing ability' (日本語の聴力) to mean you understand the language. That implies your ears physically can't hear Japanese sounds.
Saying '聴力する'. → 聴力検査をする
Chōryoku is a noun (power), not a suru-verb. You need to use it in a compound or with a particle.
Using '聴力' in casual talk about a friend's ears. → 耳がいい
Saying 'Your chōryoku is good' to a friend sounds like you are reading a medical report about them. Use 'mimi ga ii'.
Confusing '聴力' (hearing) with '張力' (tension). → Contextual usage.
They sound the same. If you are talking about a guitar string, it's tension. If you are talking about an ear, it's hearing.
Writing '聴' with the wrong radical. → 耳 (ear) radical.
Some learners use the 'mouth' or 'person' radical. It must be 'ear'.

팁

Medical Context

Always use '聴力' when talking to a doctor about your hearing levels or test results. It shows a higher level of vocabulary and clarity.

Writing Hint

The kanji '聴' has 17 strokes. Remember the components: Ear (耳) on the left, and a complex right side involving an eye and heart. It’s one of the 'health' kanji you'll see often.

Hearing vs Listening

Remember: Chōryoku is the POWER to hear. Chōkai is the SKILL to understand. Don't mix them up in language class!

Decline in Hearing

The phrase '聴力が落ちる' (chōryoku ga ochiru) is a very natural way to say someone's hearing is getting worse.

Talking to Seniors

Instead of saying 'Your chōryoku is bad,' which is blunt, say '耳が少し遠くなりましたね' (Your ears have become a bit far) to be more polite.

Headphone Warning

In Japanese electronics manuals, you will often see warnings about '聴力保護' (hearing protection) and '難聴' (hearing loss).

Animal Facts

When reading about animals in Japanese, '聴力' is the standard word for discussing their sensory capabilities.

Compound Nouns

You can make many useful words by adding things after '聴力', like '聴力レベル' (hearing level) or '聴力テスト' (hearing test).

JLPT Tip

While '聴力' itself might not be the answer, it often appears in reading passages about health or science in N3 and N2 levels.

Health Checkups

Knowing this word will make your first 'kenkō shindan' (health check) in Japan much less stressful!

암기하기

기억법

Think of 'CHO' as a 'CHORUS' you are listening to, and 'RYOKU' as the 'ROCK' power needed to hear it. Chōryoku = Chorus Power (Hearing Ability).

시각적 연상

Imagine a giant EAR (聴) lifting a heavy BARBELL (力). The ear's strength is its hearing ability.

Word Web

耳 (Ear) 音 (Sound) 検査 (Test) 低下 (Decline) 補聴器 (Hearing Aid) 騒音 (Noise) 病院 (Hospital) 健康 (Health)

챌린지

Try to use '聴力' in a sentence today when talking about a health checkup or an animal. For example: '猫の聴力はすごいです！'

어원

The word '聴力' comes from Middle Chinese roots (Sino-Japanese vocabulary). '聴' (chō) means to listen carefully, and '力' (ryoku) means power or strength. It was adopted into Japanese to describe the physiological capacity of hearing as modern medicine and science advanced in the Meiji era.

원래 의미: The power or strength of listening.

Sino-Japanese (Kango)

문화적 맥락

When discussing hearing loss with someone, 'mimi ga tōi' (ears are far) is often more polite and less clinical than 'chōryoku ga teika shite iru.'

In English, we often just say 'my hearing,' whereas Japanese distinguishes between the casual 'mimi' and the formal 'chōryoku.'

The movie 'A Silent Voice' (Koe no Katachi) deals with hearing impairment (chōryoku shōgai). Beethoven is often discussed in Japanese textbooks regarding his loss of chōryoku. NHK health segments frequently feature 'chōryoku' exercises for the elderly.

실생활에서 연습하기

실제 사용 상황

Health Checkup

聴力検査を受けます。
右の聴力が弱いです。
結果はいつ出ますか？
異常はありません。

Elderly Care

聴力が衰えてきました。
補聴器を検討しましょう。
テレビの音が大きすぎます。
耳が遠くなりました。

Workplace Safety

聴力保護具を着用してください。
騒音で聴力が損なわれます。
定期的な検査が必要です。
安全基準を守りましょう。

Animal Biology

この動物は聴力が鋭いです。
超音波を聞き取れます。
人間とは聴力範囲が違います。
優れた聴力を持っています。

Audio Technology

聴力に合わせた音質調整。
聴力を保護する音量制限。
高音域の聴力をカバーします。
聴力テスト機能付き。

대화 시작하기

"最近、聴力検査を受けたことがありますか？ (Have you had a hearing test recently?)"

"動物の中で、どの動物が一番聴力がいいと思いますか？ (Which animal do you think has the best hearing?)"

"イヤホンを使いすぎて聴力が悪くなるのが心配です。 (I'm worried my hearing will get worse from using earphones too much.)"

"聴力を守るために何か気をつけていることはありますか？ (Is there anything you do to protect your hearing?)"

"日本の健康診断では、必ず聴力検査がありますね。 (In Japanese health checkups, there's always a hearing test, isn't there?)"

일기 주제

今日の健康診断の結果、私の聴力は正常でした。これからも大切にしたいです。 (In today's health checkup, my hearing was normal. I want to take care of it.)

祖父の聴力が弱くなってきたので、話すときはゆっくり大きな声で話すようにしています。 (Since my grandfather's hearing is getting weaker, I try to speak slowly and loudly.)

騒がしい場所で働いているので、聴力を損なわないように耳栓を買いました。 (Since I work in a noisy place, I bought earplugs so as not to damage my hearing.)

もし聴力を失ったら、どんな生活になるか想像してみました。 (I tried to imagine what life would be like if I lost my hearing.)

最新の補聴器は、聴力を補うだけでなく、Bluetoothも使えるそうです。 (I heard that latest hearing aids not only supplement hearing but also use Bluetooth.)

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

Yes, '聴力' is commonly used in scientific contexts to describe the hearing ability of animals. For example, 'コウモリは非常に鋭い聴力を持っている' (Bats have extremely keen hearing ability).

'聴力' is a formal noun meaning 'hearing ability.' '耳がいい' (mimi ga ii) is a casual phrase meaning 'to have good ears' or 'to be good at hearing things.' Use the former in reports and the latter in conversation.

No. For language understanding, use '聴解' (chōkai) or '聞き取り' (kikitori). '聴力' only refers to the physical ability to hear sounds, not the ability to understand a language.

The standard term is '聴力検査' (chōryoku kensa). You will see this at hospitals and during annual health checkups.

It is very common in formal contexts (health, news, science) but less common in casual daily talk where '耳' is preferred.

Common verbs include 検査する (test), 測定する (measure), 低下する (decline), 失う (lose), and 回復する (recover).

Yes, it is generally pronounced with an 'Atamadaka' pattern, where the first syllable 'chō' is higher than the rest.

It means 'hearing impairment' or 'hearing disability.' It is a formal term used in medical and social welfare contexts.

No, it is strictly a noun. You must pair it with a verb like 'する' (in compounds like 検査する) or 'がある'.

It can be used to discuss a musician's physical hearing health, but describing their 'musical ear' usually involves terms like '絶対音感' (perfect pitch) or '耳がいい'.

무료 가입하고 팁과 노트 보기