初耳(はつみみ)

はつみみ
noun
hearing something for the first time; news to me
informalcommunication
1. hearing something for the first time; news to someone
The experience of hearing a piece of information for the very first time. Used as a response to express that something is new and surprising to the listener.
それは初耳(はつみみ)だ。
That's news to me.
彼(かれ)が転職(てんしょく)したなんて初耳(はつみみ)だよ。
I had no idea he changed jobs — that's the first I've heard of it.
そんな規則(きそく)があるとは初耳(はつみみ)で、驚(おどろ)いてしまった。
I was surprised — I had never heard that such a rule existed.

A compound of 初(はつ) (first) and 耳(みみ) (ear). Literally 'first ear' — the first time one's ears encounter the information.

Almost always used in the pattern ～は初耳(はつみみ)だ. Very natural in conversation as a surprised response to unexpected news.

Common patterns

  • それは初耳(はつみみ)だ (That's news to me)
  • ～なんて初耳(はつみみ)だ (I had no idea that...)
  • 初耳(はつみみ)の話(はなし) (a story one hasn't heard before)

Similar words

general
Added 2026.3.4 17:06 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
14500/14980_hatsumimi