Offline mode

直感がピンとくる (chokkan ga pin to kuru) - An intuition strikes

Grammar & Usage

fixed expression

neutral

How it works

This phrase literally translates to 'intuition comes with a 'pin' sound/feeling.' 直感 (chokkan) is the subject 'intuition', が (ga) is the subject particle, and ピンとくる (pin to kuru) is a compound verb meaning 'to click, to resonate, to strike suddenly.' ピン (pin) is an onomatopoeic or mimetic word (giongo/gitaigo) describing a sudden realization or flash.

Sample sentences

その話を聞いて、直感がピンときた。

After hearing that story, an intuition suddenly struck me.

何か悪いことが起こりそうな直感がピンとくる。

I have a sudden intuition that something bad is about to happen.

彼の言葉が妙に直感にピンとくるものがあった。

There was something about his words that strangely resonated with my intuition.

Quick facts

usage_note:The 'pin' sound is often associated with something sudden, clear, or taut, like a string being plucked or a light turning on. It conveys the immediacy and clarity of the intuition.

grammatical_structure:Subject + が + ピンとくる

Often used with

アイデアがピンとくる (idea ga pin to kuru) - An idea strikes

話がピンとくる (hanashi ga pin to kuru) - The story/point clicks

誰かにピンとくる (dareka ni pin to kuru) - To feel a connection with someone (lit. 'someone clicks')

Mnemonic

Sign in for a creative sound-alike story that makes "直感がピンとくる (chokkan ga pin to kuru) - An intuition strikes" unforgettable 🧠

Get an AI-generated memory hook for 直感がピンとくる (chokkan ga pin to kuru) - An intuition strikes — a vivid scene that locks the word in your brain 🧠

Example

その話を聞いて、直感がピンときた。

After hearing that story, an intuition suddenly struck me.

何か悪いことが起こりそうな直感がピンとくる。

I have a sudden intuition that something bad is about to happen.