1.
to read between the lines; to understand implied meaning
to perceive the unwritten or unspoken meaning behind what is explicitly stated
Literally "to read between the lines" — used when someone perceives unspoken intent behind words, text, or situations.
Cultural note
This expression is particularly relevant in Japanese culture, where high-context communication (以心伝心) is valued. Understanding implicit meaning is often as important as explicit statements.
Common patterns
- 行間を読む力: the ability to read between the lines
- 行間から読み取る: to read/extract meaning from between the lines