Introduction
In Japanese, both “見える (mieru)” and “見られる (mirareru)” translate to “can see” in English, but they have different meanings and uses. Understanding the difference between these two verbs is essential for communicating correctly. Let’s explore when to use “mieru” and “mirareru” with clear examples.
見える (mieru)
“見える (mieru)” means “something is visible” or “can be seen.” It describes something that becomes visible or is seen naturally, without any active effort from the viewer. It’s a passive expression, focusing on the fact that something is spontaneously seen.
Example of “見える (mieru)”
- 部屋の窓から富士山が見えます。 (Heya no mado kara Fuji-san ga miemasu.)
- I can see Mt. Fuji from the window of the room.
In this example, Mt. Fuji is visible from the window, and the speaker does not need to actively try to see it—it’s naturally seen.
見られる (mirareru)
“見られる (mirareru)” is the potential form of “見る (miru),” meaning “to see.” It indicates the ability or possibility of seeing something actively, like watching a movie or observing something. It focuses on the subject’s capacity to actively watch or see.
Example of “見られる (mirareru)”:
- どこであの映画が見られますか。 (Doko de ano eiga ga miraremasu ka.)
- Where can I see that movie?
In this case, the speaker is asking where they have the opportunity to actively watch the movie.
Note: Listening Verbs (聞こえる vs. 聞ける)
The difference between “見える (mieru)” and “見られる (mirareru)” is similar to the difference between “聞こえる (kikoeru)” and “聞ける (kikeru).”
- 聞こえる (kikoeru): Something is naturally audible (e.g., sounds that you hear without trying).
- 聞ける (kikeru): You can actively listen to something (e.g., you have the opportunity or ability to listen to a specific sound or program).
Examples:
- 昨日の夜、虫の声が聞こえました。 (Kinou no yoru, mushi no koe ga kikoemashita.)
- I heard insects chirping last night. (The sound was naturally audible.)
- インターネットでイギリスのラジオ番組が聞けます。 (Intaanetto de Igirisu no rajio bangumi ga kikemasu.)
- We can listen to British radio programs on the internet. (We have the ability to listen to them.)
Conclusion
To summarize, “見える (mieru)” refers to something that can be seen naturally or spontaneously, while “見られる (mirareru)” refers to the ability or opportunity to actively see something. The same applies to “聞こえる (kikoeru)” and “聞ける (kikeru)” for hearing.
