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    説明がピンとこない (setsumei ga pin to konai - The explanation doesn't make sense to me)

    Grammar & Usage

    fixed expression
    neutral

    How it works

    This is a fixed expression combining the noun '説明' (explanation) as the subject with the particle 'が' and the idiomatic verb phrase 'ピンとこない'. 'ピンとくる' (pin to kuru) means 'to click,' 'to grasp,' or 'to make sense,' and 'こない' is the negative form of 'くる' (kuru - to come). Thus, 'ピンとこない' literally means 'it doesn't come with a 'pin' sound,' implying a lack of clear understanding or impact.

    Sample sentences

    先生の説明が難しすぎて、全くピンとこない。

    The teacher's explanation is too difficult; it doesn't make any sense to me at all.

    彼の話はいつも抽象的で、なかなかピンとこないんだ。

    His stories are always abstract, so I can never quite grasp them.

    この新しい企画書、まだ私にはピンとこないところがあります。

    There are still parts of this new project proposal that don't quite click for me.

    Quick facts

    nuance:'ピンとくる' (pin to kuru) refers to an intuitive understanding or an immediate grasp of something, often accompanied by a sudden realization. 'ピンとこない' therefore implies that this intuitive understanding or clear insight is missing. It's often used when something is logical but just doesn't 'click' emotionally or conceptually for the listener.
    conjugation:The verb 'くる' (kuru) in 'ピンとくる/こない' is an irregular verb. 'こない' is its negative plain form. It can be conjugated further, e.g., 'ピンときませんでした' (pin to kimasen deshita - didn't make sense [polite past negative]).

    Mnemonic

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    Example

    先生の説明が難しすぎて、全くピンとこない。

    The teacher's explanation is too difficult; it doesn't make any sense to me at all.

    彼の話はいつも抽象的で、なかなかピンとこないんだ。

    His stories are always abstract, so I can never quite grasp them.

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