Japanese word

耳

Pronunciation

Romajimimi

Meaning

  • nounear

Example

これは私の耳です。ko re wa watashi no mimi de su

This is my ear.

Illustration for 耳 (ear)

More examples

冬は耳が冷たくなります。fuyu wa mimi ga tsume ta ku na ri ma su

My ears get cold in winter.

大きな音を聞いて、耳が痛くなりました。ō ki na oto o ki i te mimi ga ita ku na ri ma shi ta

My ears started to hurt after I heard a loud noise.

Core concept

Describes the part of the body that detects sound and helps a person hear.

Common phrases

  • 耳を澄ますmimi o su ma su

    listen carefully

  • 耳を貸すmimi o ka su

    lend an ear

  • 耳をふさぐmimi o fu sa gu

    cover one's ears

Definition in Japanese

音を聞き取るために頭の両側にある器官。oto o ki ki to ru ta me ni atama no ryō gawa ni a ru ki kan

Word origin

The Japanese noun 耳 (mimi) is a native word inherited from earlier Japanese, where mimi refers to the ear as the organ of hearing.

Usage tips

  • The expression 耳が早い (mimi ga hayai) describes someone who hears news quickly, linking the ear with receiving information before others.

Word lists with this word