मतलब
To be so surprised or shocked by what one hears that it seems unbelievable.
सांस्कृतिक पृष्ठभूमि
In Japan, expressing shock through idioms like this is often preferred over loud, verbal exclamations in public to maintain 'wa' (harmony). This phrase is a favorite in 'Wide Shows' (Japanese tabloid/talk shows) when discussing celebrity scandals. Japanese literature often uses sensory idioms to describe internal psychological states, a technique dating back to the Heian period. In a business context, using this phrase can be a polite way to ask for clarification on a surprising or problematic statement without being confrontational.
Pair with 'Omowazu'
Using {思|おも}わず (omowazu) before the phrase makes you sound much more like a native speaker.
Not for physical pain
If your ear actually hurts, say {耳|みみ}が{痛|いた}いです, not this idiom!
मतलब
To be so surprised or shocked by what one hears that it seems unbelievable.
Pair with 'Omowazu'
Using {思|おも}わず (omowazu) before the phrase makes you sound much more like a native speaker.
Not for physical pain
If your ear actually hurts, say {耳|みみ}が{痛|いた}いです, not this idiom!
Use in Writing
This is a great phrase to use in the opening of a blog post or an essay to grab attention.
खुद को परखो
Fill in the missing particle and verb in the correct form (past polite).
{彼|かれ}が{犯人|はんにん}だと{聞|き}いて、{耳|みみ}（ ）（ ）。
The phrase is {耳|みみ}を{疑|うたが}う. Since the action of hearing happened in the past, use the past polite form.
Which situation is appropriate for {耳|みみ}を{疑|うたが}う?
Choose the best context:
This is a shocking, unbelievable statement, which is the perfect use case for the idiom.
Complete the dialogue.
A: {田中|たなか}さんが{宝|たから}くじで10{億円|おくえん}{当|あ}てたらしいよ。 B: ええっ！そんな（ ）{話|はなし}、{信|しん}じられない！
{耳|みみ}を{疑|うたが}うような{話|はなし} means 'a story that makes you doubt your ears'.
🎉 स्कोर: /3
विज़ुअल लर्निंग टूल्स
अभ्यास बैंक
3 अभ्यास{彼|かれ}が{犯人|はんにん}だと{聞|き}いて、{耳|みみ}（ ）（ ）。
The phrase is {耳|みみ}を{疑|うたが}う. Since the action of hearing happened in the past, use the past polite form.
Choose the best context:
This is a shocking, unbelievable statement, which is the perfect use case for the idiom.
A: {田中|たなか}さんが{宝|たから}くじで10{億円|おくえん}{当|あ}てたらしいよ。 B: ええっ！そんな（ ）{話|はなし}、{信|しん}じられない！
{耳|みみ}を{疑|うたが}うような{話|はなし} means 'a story that makes you doubt your ears'.
🎉 स्कोर: /3
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल
4 सवालNot at all! Just use the casual form '{耳|みみ}を{疑|うたが}ったよ'. It's very common among friends.
Yes! If you win a prize or get a surprise gift, it's perfectly fine to use it for positive shock.
'Shinjirarenai' is a general 'unbelievable'. '{耳|みみ}を{疑|うたが}う' is more descriptive and idiomatic, focusing on the act of hearing.
It's grammatically possible but rare. Usually, the shock is a finished action, so '{疑|うたが}った' is better.
संबंधित मुहावरे
{目|め}を{疑|うたが}う
similarTo doubt one's eyes.
{信|しん}じられない
synonymUnbelievable.
{聞|き}き{捨|す}てならない
specialized formCannot let a comment pass.
{耳|みみ}に{挟|はさ}む
builds onTo happen to overhear.
