Proverbs
Japanese meaning of 寝耳に水
Reading:
Voice sample:
ねみみにみず (nemimi ni mizu)
English Translation:
A bolt from the blue
Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
A sudden, shocking development.
日本語で読む
全く予期しない出来事に驚くという意味。
Cultural Context:
Metaphor of water entering the ear while asleep; common in business and family news.
日本語で読む
寝ている間に耳へ水が入る比喩に基づく。ビジネス・家庭の急報で頻出。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
• 寝耳に水 = noun phrase “water in a sleeping ear”<br>Fixed metaphor describing a sudden and unexpected event.
日本語で読む
• 寝耳に水 = 名詞「寝耳」+ 助詞「に」+ 名詞「水」で、予想外の事態を比喩的に表す固定句<br>突然の出来事に対する驚きを表します。
Trap for English Speakers
Literal meaning may confuse learners; it means an unexpected shock.
日本語で読む
物理的に耳に水が入る話に見えるが、不意打ちの出来事を指す。
Example
Example 1Basic Example
予想もしない出来事に驚いた、まさに寝耳に水だ。
I was shocked by the unexpected news—it was a bolt from the blue.
Example 2Applied Example
「え…彼、転校するの!?」寝耳に水だよ…。
“What… he’s transferring schools!?” That was a bolt from the blue.
Quick check
Meaning
What does 「寝耳に水」 mean?