Japanese word

心当たり

Pronunciation

Romajikokoroatari

Meaning

  • nounidea

Example

それがどこにあるか心当たりがあります。so re ga do ko ni a ru ka kokoro a ta ri ga a ri ma su

I have an idea where it is.

Illustration for 心当たり (idea)

More examples

その手紙の送り主には心当たりがありません。so no te gami no oku ri nushi ni wa kokoro a ta ri ga a ri ma se n

I have no idea who sent that letter.

Core concept

It presents a thought about a relevant person, place, or matter as a tentative lead rather than established knowledge.

Common phrases

  • 心当たりがあるkokoro a ta ri ga a ru

    have an idea

  • 心当たりがないkokoro a ta ri ga na i

    have no idea

  • 心当たりのある人kokoro a ta ri no a ru hito

    someone in mind

Similar words

見当kentō: An idea about where something is or how it may be found.
覚えoboe: Knowledge or recollection connected with a person, place, or matter.
手がかりtegakari: A piece of information that helps solve a question or find something.

Definition in Japanese

人や場所などについて、思い当たる知識や手がかり。hito ya ba sho na do ni tsu i te omo i a ta ru chi shiki ya te ga ka ri

Word origin

心 (kokoro, "mind") combines with 当たり (atari, "a hit or a correct guess") to form 心当たり (kokoroatari), meaning something that comes to mind as a possible lead.

Usage tips

  • The negative phrase 心当たりがない (kokoroatari ga nai) says that nothing relevant comes to mind, which expresses having no clue without saying that the matter is impossible.

Other meanings

  • someone in mindnoun
  • inklingnoun

Word lists with this word