脈なし

• 読み: みゃくなし
• ローマ字: myaku nashi
• 漢字の分解: 脈 (pulse/vein) + なし (none) → no pulse, i.e. no signs of romantic interest
• 発音: /mja.ku na.ɕi/

意味

Having no chance with someone romantically; no signs of interest or attraction from the other person.

The opposite of 脈あり, 脈なし means there is no 'pulse' — the other person shows no romantic interest. Signs include short replies, not initiating conversation, avoiding one-on-one meetings, and generally treating you the same as anyone else. It's commonly used when friends discuss their love lives and analyze the other person's behavior.

例文

1. 既読スルーが続くなら、それ脈なしだよ。
2. 二人きりになるのを避けられてる気がする。脈なしかな。
3. 脈なしだってわかってても、なかなか諦められない。

使い方ガイド

場面: friends, dating advice, social media

トーン: resigned, analytical

正しい言い方

• 完全に脈なしだわ、諦めよう。 (They're definitely not interested, I should give up.)
• 脈なしの人を追いかけても時間の無駄だよ。 (It's a waste of time chasing someone who's not interested.)

避ける言い方

• 好きな人に「脈なしですか」と聞くのはNG (Asking someone directly 'Am I getting no signs from you?' is awkward and ruins any chance you might have had)

よくある間違い

• Assuming politeness means 脈あり — Japanese people are often kind and attentive out of social courtesy, not romantic interest

起源と歴史

From 脈 (pulse) + なし (none/without). The counterpart of 脈あり — no pulse means no signs of romantic life. Became common through dating advice media in the 2000s.

文化的背景

時代: 2000s dating advice culture

世代: All ages, especially active daters

社会的背景: Universal

地域メモ: Used across all of Japan. A staple of dating advice content.