1.
right next to one's ear; close to the ear
The area immediately beside someone's ear. Typically used in expressions about whispering, shouting close by, or sounds heard from very near.
耳元でささやいた。
She whispered right next to my ear.
母は耳元で「頑張って」と言った。
My mother said "do your best" close to my ear.
蚊が耳元でブンブンと飛び回って眠れなかった。
A mosquito was buzzing right next to my ear, so I couldn't sleep.
Compound of 耳 (ear) + 元 (vicinity, base). The 元 element indicates the spot immediately adjacent to something.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 耳元でささやく: to whisper in someone's ear
- 耳元で叫ぶ: to shout right next to someone's ear
- 耳元で囁く: to murmur close to the ear
- 耳元に口を寄せる: to bring one's mouth close to the ear
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 耳のそば: by the ear — more neutral, less idiomatic
- 耳たぶ: earlobe — the body part, not the space around it