舌を巻く

• 読み: したをまく
• ローマ字: shita wo maku
• 漢字の分解: 舌 (zetsu/shita) — tongue; 巻 (kan/ma) — roll, wind
• 発音: /ɕi.ta.o.ma.kɯ/

意味

To be astonished; to be amazed; to be deeply impressed. An expression of overwhelming admiration.

An idiomatic expression using Group 1 (godan) verb 巻く. Describes being so impressed that one is left speechless — as if the tongue curls back in awe. Always used positively to express genuine admiration for someone's skill, achievement, or quality. Cannot be used for negative surprise.

例文

1. 彼のピアノの腕前には舌を巻いた。
2. プロの料理人の手際の良さに舌を巻く。
3. 舌を巻くような見事な演技だった。

使い方ガイド

場面: admiration, storytelling, reviews

トーン: impressed

起源と歴史

Literally means to roll one's tongue. The image is of being so astonished that the tongue curls back involuntarily, rendering one unable to speak. Used in Japanese since the medieval period.

文化的背景

時代: Medieval

世代: All ages

社会的背景: Universal