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    説明がピンとこない (setsumei ga pin to konai - I don't get the explanation)

    Grammar & Usage

    fixed expression
    neutral to casual

    How it works

    This expression uses the particle が (ga) to mark the subject (説明 - explanation) and the idiomatic phrase ピンとこない (pin to konai). ピンとくる (pin to kuru) literally means 'to click' or 'to grasp instantly', so its negative form, ピンとこない, means 'to not grasp' or 'to not understand immediately/intuitively'.

    Sample sentences

    先生の説明が難しすぎて、全然ピンとこなかった。

    The teacher's explanation was too difficult, so I didn't get it at all.

    彼の話は具体的でなくて、何を言いたいのかピンとこない。

    His story isn't concrete, so I don't get what he's trying to say.

    何度聞いても、その新しいシステムの使い方がピンとこないんだ。

    No matter how many times I ask, I just can't grasp how to use that new system.

    Quick facts

    idiom_origin:ピンとくる (pin to kuru) describes the sensation of something suddenly making sense or clicking into place, often visually or intellectually. The sound 'ピン' (pin) suggests a quick, sharp snap or realization. 'とくる' (to kuru) means 'to come/occur (as a result of the state/action before 'と').

    Mnemonic

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    Example

    先生の説明が難しすぎて、全然ピンとこなかった。

    The teacher's explanation was too difficult, so I didn't get it at all.

    彼の話は具体的でなくて、何を言いたいのかピンとこない。

    His story isn't concrete, so I don't get what he's trying to say.

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