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意を得ない (いをえない) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
expression, i-adjective
beyond comprehension ; cannot make sense of
Fixed expression meaning something is impossible to understand or grasp. Often used when a situation, statement, or action is baffling. Related to the affirmative 意を得る (to understand).
See also: 意を得る
Similar words 意い を 得え る The affirmative counterpart meaning 'to understand' or 'to grasp the point'. 意を得ない is the negative form.
理り 解かい できない A more common and straightforward way to say 'cannot understand'. 意を得ない is a more literary or formal fixed expression.
Etymology A fixed negative expression derived from 意 (meaning, intention) + を + 得る (to get, to grasp) in its negative form. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it is a set phrase meaning 'cannot grasp the meaning'.
を
し
た
の
か
、
意い
を
得え
ない
。
I cannot make sense of why he did such a thing.
