Japanese Conversation · Level 69
75 words
Japanese word
耳元
Pronunciation
Romajimimimoto
Meaning
- nounnear one's ear
Example
友達は私の耳元でささやきます。tomo dachi wa watashi no mimi moto de sa sa ya ki ma su
My friend whispers right by my ear.
More examples
友達が私の耳元で秘密をそっと話しました。tomo dachi ga watashi no mimi moto de hi mitsu o so tto hana shi ma shi ta
My friend whispered a secret right by my ear.
Core concept
It locates a sound, action, or object in the small area immediately beside a person's ear.
Common phrases
耳元で話すmimi moto de hana su
speak near one's ear
耳元でささやくmimi moto de sa sa ya ku
whisper in one's ear
Definition in Japanese
耳のすぐ近くのあたり。mimi no su gu chika ku no a ta ri
Word origin
耳 (mimi, "ear") + 元 (moto, "base; vicinity") forms a native Japanese compound, with 元 marking the area around a reference point.
Usage tips
- 耳元 (mimimoto) often appears with verbs of speaking or whispering to show that a voice comes from very close by, rather than merely from the same room.