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    どうもピンとこない (dōmo pin to konai - I just don't get it at all)

    Grammar & Usage

    fixed expression
    neutral to casual

    How it works

    This expression consists of the adverb どうも (dōmo) which emphasizes the following negative statement, the onomatopoeic/mimetic word ピンと (pin to) representing a 'snap' or 'click' of understanding, and the negative form of the verb 来る (kuru - to come), こない (konai). The literal translation would be 'it doesn't come with a snap', meaning 'it doesn't click' or 'I don't grasp it'.

    Sample sentences

    彼の話、どうもピンとこないんだけど、何かあったのかな。

    His story just doesn't make sense to me at all. Did something happen?

    この複雑な数式、何度読んでもどうもピンとこないな。

    No matter how many times I read this complex mathematical formula, I just can't grasp it.

    彼の説明は論理的だけど、私の感覚にはどうもピンとこなかった。

    His explanation was logical, but it just didn't resonate with my feelings.

    Quick facts

    nuance:どうも adds a sense of 'somehow' or 'it seems that no matter what,' reinforcing the feeling of not being able to grasp something, often implying a slight frustration or bewilderment. ピンと来る (pin to kuru) is the positive form, meaning 'to get it / to click'.
    word_origin:ピンと is a mimetic word (giongo/gitaigo) representing a sudden, clear feeling or action, in this case, the 'click' of understanding.

    Mnemonic

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    Example

    彼の話、どうもピンとこないんだけど、何かあったのかな。

    His story just doesn't make sense to me at all. Did something happen?

    この複雑な数式、何度読んでもどうもピンとこないな。

    No matter how many times I read this complex mathematical formula, I just can't grasp it.

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