説明がピンとこない (setsumei ga pin to konai) - The explanation doesn't make sense
Grammar & Usage
How it works
This phrase uses the particle が (ga) to mark 説明 (setsumei - explanation) as the subject. ピンとこない (pin to konai) is a fixed expression meaning 'doesn't click' or 'doesn't make sense', where こない (konai) is the negative form of くる (kuru - to come), and ピンと (pin to) is an onomatopoeic adverb indicating sudden understanding or realization. The literal meaning is 'the click doesn't come'.
Sample sentences
先生の説明がピンとこなくて、もう一度質問しました。
The teacher's explanation didn't make sense, so I asked another question.
何度聞いても、彼の話していることがピンとこない。
No matter how many times I hear it, what he's saying doesn't make sense to me.
この複雑な理論は、どれだけ考えてもピンとこない。
No matter how much I think about it, this complex theory doesn't click for me.
Quick facts
Often used with
Mnemonic
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Example
先生の説明がピンとこなくて、もう一度質問しました。
The teacher's explanation didn't make sense, so I asked another question.
何度聞いても、彼の話していることがピンとこない。
No matter how many times I hear it, what he's saying doesn't make sense to me.
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