核心を突く
かくしんをつく
expression / verb (godan)
to get to the heart of the matter; to hit the nail on the head
1.
to get to the heart of the matter; to hit the nail on the head
To identify or address the most important, central point of an issue. Used when someone makes a remark or asks a question that goes straight to the core of a problem.
核心を突く質問だった。
It was a question that hit the nail on the head.
彼女の発言は問題の核心を突いていた。
Her remark got to the heart of the problem.
記者が核心を突く質問をしたが、大臣は明確な回答を避けた。
The reporter asked a pointed question that went to the heart of the matter, but the minister avoided giving a clear answer.
USAGE:
核心を突く is used when someone identifies the central, most important point of an issue. It is often used to describe incisive questions, remarks, or analyses. The verb 突く conjugates as godan: 突く → 突いた → 突いて.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 核心を突く質問 (a question that gets to the heart of the matter)
- 核心を突く発言 (a remark that hits the mark)
- 核心を突いた指摘 (an observation that identifies the core issue)
SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS:
- 的を射る (to hit the mark — similar but broader)
- 痛いところを突く (to touch a sore spot — more personal/uncomfortable)