Describe what you hear and make a specific, courteous request.
The idea
聞こえる describes a sound you can hear; んです adds explanatory context. 以降 includes the stated time and what follows. The negative question していただけませんか makes a polite request.
Examples
- すみません、少しお話してもいいですか。Excuse me, may I talk to you for a moment?
- 夜になると、音楽が聞こえるんです。At night, I can hear music.
- 特に夜十時以降、音が大きく聞こえます。The sound is particularly loud after 10 p.m.
- 音が気になって、なかなか眠れません。The noise bothers me, and I have trouble sleeping.
- もう少し音を小さくしていただけませんか。Could you turn the volume down a little more?
- ありがとうございます。よろしくお願いします。Thank you. I appreciate your help.
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Watch out
聞こえる reports what you hear; it does not establish where the sound comes from. Avoid accusing someone when you are unsure.
Try it yourself
音楽が＿＿んです。（聞こえる／食べる）
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聞こえる
聞こえる means that the music is audible, unlike 食べる, “eat”.
夜十時＿＿、音が大きく聞こえます。（以降／以前）
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以降
以降 means from ten onward, so it identifies when the problem occurs.
音を小さくして＿＿ませんか。（いただけ／あります）
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いただけ
小さくしていただけませんか politely asks the other person to lower the sound.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
音楽が＿＿んです。（聞こえる／食べる）
夜十時＿＿、音が大きく聞こえます。（以降／以前）
音を小さくして＿＿ませんか。（いただけ／あります）
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Practise the exchange aloud, replacing the time and sound with your own situation.