こめかみ
こめかみ
noun
temple (of the head)
1.
temple
The flat area on each side of the head between the forehead and the ear.
こめかみが痛い。
My temples hurt.
こめかみを押さえる。
To press one's temples.
こめかみに白髪が生えてきた。
Gray hair has started to grow at my temples.
こめかみ refers to the flat area on each side of the head between the forehead and the ear. Usually written in hiragana; the kanji 米噛 exists but is rarely used.
ETYMOLOGY:
The name likely comes from the motion of this area when chewing rice (米を噛む).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- こめかみが痛い: to have pain in one's temples
- こめかみを押さえる: to press one's temples
- こめかみを揉む: to rub one's temples
- こめかみがズキズキする: to have a throbbing pain in one's temples
HEADACHE CONTEXT:
Often associated with tension headaches and migraines (偏頭痛). People commonly press or massage this area to relieve pain.
RELATED BODY PARTS:
- ひたい/額: forehead
- ほほ/頬: cheek
- 耳: ear