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    話がピンとこない (hanashi ga pin to konai - The story doesn't make sense to me)

    Grammar & Usage

    fixed expression
    neutral

    How it works

    This phrase uses the particle が (ga) to mark the subject (話 - hanashi, meaning 'story' or 'talk'). ピンと (pin to) is an onomatopoeic adverb indicating something suddenly clicking or making sense. こない (konai) is the negative form of the verb くる (kuru, to come), here used idiomatically in the sense of 'not coming' or 'not occurring' in one's mind, hence 'not making sense'.

    Sample sentences

    彼の説明は専門的すぎて、私には話がピンとこなかった。

    His explanation was too technical, so I couldn't really grasp what he was saying.

    何度聞いても、その話がピンとこないので、もっと簡単な言葉で説明してください。

    No matter how many times I hear it, the story doesn't make sense to me, so please explain it in simpler terms.

    残念ながら、彼の提案は私には話がピンとこなかった。

    Unfortunately, his proposal didn't quite click with me.

    Quick facts

    usage:Can be used for anything that is spoken or explained, not just 'stories'.
    nuance:ピンとくる (pin to kuru) means to instantly understand or grasp something. The negative form ピンとこない (pin to konai) therefore means the opposite: not getting it, not understanding it right away, or not finding it compelling/clear. It often implies a lack of immediate comprehension or emotional connection/relevance.

    Mnemonic

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    Example

    彼の説明は専門的すぎて、私には話がピンとこなかった。

    His explanation was too technical, so I couldn't really grasp what he was saying.

    何度聞いても、その話がピンとこないので、もっと簡単な言葉で説明してください。

    No matter how many times I hear it, the story doesn't make sense to me, so please explain it in simpler terms.

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