15
初耳

Something Heard For The First Time


Meaning

Something Heard For The First Time, News

Word Type

noun

Explanation

The first time something reaches your ear, it's something heard for the first time. If it's never entered your ear before, it's news to you!


Reading

はつみみ

Explanation

This is a jukugo word that uses kun'yomi instead of on'yomi readings, because 初 behaves more like a prefix here. You already know how to read 耳, but you haven't learned the kun'yomi for 初 yet, so here's a mnemonic to help you remember it: Whatever it is, this something heard for the first time, be sure to hold onto your hats (はつ)! It's going to be something big, and I'm pretty sure it's going to be news to me, too.


Context

Patterns of Use

Common Word Combinations

  • 初耳だ

    the first I’ve heard of it

    初耳です

    the first I’ve heard of it

  • 初耳の人

    a person who’s hearing something for the first time

    初耳の言葉

    a word that one has heard of for the first time

    初耳の話

    a story that one has heard of for the first time

Context Sentences

ええっ、それは初耳です。

Huh, that's the first I've heard of it.

マジ?そんな話、初耳だぞ!?

Seriously? That's all news to me!

この言葉は、初耳の人も多いかもしれませんね。

This term may be new to many of you.


Kanji Composition