耳元(みみもと)

みみもと
noun
right next to one's ear; close to the ear
body-part
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(みみもと)でささやいた。
She whispered right next to my ear.
母(はは)は耳元(みみもと)で「頑張(がんば)って」と言(い)った。
My mother said "do your best" close to my ear.
蚊(か)が耳元(みみもと)でブンブンと飛(と)び回(まわ)って眠(ねむ)れなかった。
A mosquito was buzzing right next to my ear, so I couldn't sleep.

Compound of 耳(みみ) (ear) + 元(もと) (vicinity, base). The 元(もと) element indicates the spot immediately adjacent to something.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 耳(みみ)のそば: by the ear — more neutral, less idiomatic
  • 耳(みみ)たぶ: earlobe — the body part, not the space around it
general
Added 2026.5.29 11:09 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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