N が見える

（ N can be seen—comes into one’s sight, independent

of one’s will)

N が聞こえる
(N can be heard—reaches one’s ears, independent
of one’s will)

*Do not confuse 見える / 聞こえる with 見られる / 聞ける

（可能形 potential form of 見る / 聞く） . The potential form
indicates that one’s intention of seeing/listening can be realised.
All of them take the particle が。
 見えます
飛行機から船が　　　　　　　　　　　　 。
*The boats can be seen when one looks out of the plane (i.e. they
come into one’s sight). The girl here did not get on a plane because
she wants to be able to see boats—i.e. not her intention.
 見えません
めがねがないと、よく　　　　　　　　　　　　
。
*Although the grandfather does want to see the picture, it is his
natural eyesight that is the problem here—something beyond his
control/will. Hence, 見える is used.
 聞こえますか 。
男：もしもし、　　　　　　　　　　　　

*Again, in this case, the reception over the mobile phone cannot
be controlled, so 聞こえる is used in the question. How would
the lady answer?
 聞こえません
女：もしもし？よく　　　　　　　　　　　よ。