Kikasuru means to actively make someone hear something, often with the intent to share or entertain.
Word in 30 Seconds
- To let someone hear something.
- Implies playing music or telling stories.
- Can also mean boasting or talking at length.
Overview
「聞かせる」は、他者に音や情報を伝える動詞です。単に音を聞かせるだけでなく、音楽を演奏したり、物語を語ったりするなど、相手を楽しませたり、伝えたい内容を聞かせたりするニュアンスを含みます。A2レベルでは、日常会話で音楽をかけたり、子供に歌を聞かせたりするような基本的な状況で使われます。
ラジオやテレビの音を出す時。「テレビの音を少し聞かせてもらえますか？」
「聞く」は、音を自分の耳で受け取る、情報を得るという受動的な行為です。一方、「聞かせる」は、自分が音源となり、相手にそれを聞かせるという能動的な行為です。
「聴く」も「聞く」と同様に、音を耳で受け取る行為ですが、より意識的に、注意深く聞く場合に用いられます。「聞かせる」との違いは「聞く」と同じです。
「話す」は、言葉で情報を伝える行為全般を指します。「聞かせる」は、声だけでなく音楽や音なども含み、相手に聞かせるという点に焦点があります。
Examples
このCD、君にも聞かせたいと思って買ってきたんだ。
everydayI bought this CD because I wanted you to hear it too.
子供に昔話を聞かせて寝かしつける。
familyI tell my child old folk tales to help them fall asleep.
彼は自分の成功談を、聞いてもいないのに延々と聞かせる。
informalHe drones on about his successes, even when no one is listening.
会議で、新しい企画について皆に聞かせた。
formalAt the meeting, I presented the new proposal to everyone.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
音楽を聞かせてください
Please let me listen to some music.
君にだけ特別に聞かせるよ
I'll let only you hear it as a special favor.
彼の話はいつも長い
His stories are always long.
Often Confused With
'Kiku' means to hear or listen (receiving sound). 'Kikasuru' means to make someone hear (transmitting sound).
'Hanasu' specifically means to speak or talk. 'Kikasuru' is broader, including music, sounds, and can also refer to talking, but emphasizes the act of making the other person hear.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
This verb is generally used in everyday conversations. While it can be used in formal settings like presentations, its core nuance is often about sharing something enjoyable or personal. Be cautious when using it to describe someone talking excessively, as it can carry a negative connotation.
Common Mistakes
Learners might confuse 'kikasuru' with 'kiku' (to hear). Remember that 'kikasuru' is transitive and requires an object (what is being heard) and often an indirect object (to whom it is being heard). Ensure you are using the correct particle 'ni' for the listener.
Tips
Share your favorite music
Use 'kikasuru' when you want to introduce a song or piece of music to a friend. For example, 'My favorite song, I want to let you hear it.'
Avoid oversharing
Be mindful that 'kikasuru' can sometimes imply talking excessively or boasting, especially if the listener isn't interested.
Storytelling tradition
In Japanese culture, sharing stories and tales, especially to children, is a common way to use 'kikasuru', fostering connection and imagination.
Word Origin
The verb 'kiku' (聞く/聴く) means 'to hear/listen'. The causative suffix '-saseru' (〜させる) is added, transforming it into 'to make someone hear'.
Cultural Context
In Japan, sharing music or stories is a common way to build relationships. Offering to play music for someone or telling them a story is a friendly gesture often expressed using 'kikasuru'.
Memory Tip
Think of 'kikasuru' as 'key-cashew-ru'. You want to give someone the 'key' to a new song, like a 'cashew' nut, making them 'hear' it.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions「聞かせる」は、自分が音源となって相手に聞こえるようにする能動的な動作です。一方、「聞く」は、相手から聞こえてくる音を自分の耳で受け取る受動的な動作です。
音楽を再生したり、歌を歌ったりする時、子供に物語を読み聞かせる時、また、自分の話や自慢話などを相手に聞かせたい時などに使います。
はい、あります。例えば、相手が望んでいないのに、自分の話ばかり延々と聞かせるような場合、「自慢話ばかり聞かせる」のように、少し否定的なニュアンスで使われることがあります。
友人、家族、子供など、親しい間柄の人に対して使うことが多いですが、状況によっては、初対面の人や目上の人に対しても使うことがあります。ただし、丁寧さには注意が必要です。
Test Yourself
子供が寝る前に、お母さんは絵本を＿＿＿＿。
「聞かせる」は、読み聞かせるという動作を表すため、この文脈に最も適しています。
この文が意味することは何ですか？
「聞かせたい」は、相手に曲を聴かせる、つまり聴いてほしいという意味です。
私 / 自慢話 / いつも / 聞かせる / 彼 / ばかり
「彼」が主語、「私に」が対象、「自慢話ばかり聞かせる」が述語となる自然な語順です。
Score: /3
Summary
Kikasuru means to actively make someone hear something, often with the intent to share or entertain.
- To let someone hear something.
- Implies playing music or telling stories.
- Can also mean boasting or talking at length.
Share your favorite music
Use 'kikasuru' when you want to introduce a song or piece of music to a friend. For example, 'My favorite song, I want to let you hear it.'
Avoid oversharing
Be mindful that 'kikasuru' can sometimes imply talking excessively or boasting, especially if the listener isn't interested.
Storytelling tradition
In Japanese culture, sharing stories and tales, especially to children, is a common way to use 'kikasuru', fostering connection and imagination.
Examples
4 of 4このCD、君にも聞かせたいと思って買ってきたんだ。
I bought this CD because I wanted you to hear it too.
子供に昔話を聞かせて寝かしつける。
I tell my child old folk tales to help them fall asleep.
彼は自分の成功談を、聞いてもいないのに延々と聞かせる。
He drones on about his successes, even when no one is listening.
会議で、新しい企画について皆に聞かせた。
At the meeting, I presented the new proposal to everyone.
Related Content
More communication words
について
A2about; concerning
宛先
B1The address or name of the recipient to whom mail or an email is sent.
番地
A2House number
賛同
B1Approval, endorsement; support or agreement with an idea.
~も
A2Too, also.
〜そして
A1And then; and (used to connect sentences or clauses).
たり
A2Indicates a non-exhaustive list of actions/states ('and so on').
〜や
A2And; and so forth (used to list examples, implying others exist).
お知らせ
B1Notice; an announcement or communication.
答え
A2A thing said, written, or done as a reaction to a question or statement.
