ピンと

adverb, noun or participle which takes 'suru'

tightly; tautly; tensely

Describes something pulled tight, stretched, or held in a tense state. Often used with verbs like 張る (to stretch) or する (to make taut).

See also: ぴんと張る

• ロープをピンと張はってください。

  Please pull the rope taut.

• 彼かれは背はい筋きんをピンと伸のばした。

  He straightened his back tensely.

adverb, noun or participle which takes 'suru'

springing up; straightening up; suddenly; with a jerk

Describes a quick, sharp movement of something springing or straightening up, like a plant stem or a person's posture. Also used for sudden, jerky motions.

See also: ピンと立てる

• 花はなの茎くきがピンと立たっている。

  The flower stem is standing up straight.

• 彼かれは驚おどろいてピンと飛とび起おきた。

  He sprang up with a jerk in surprise.

adverb

intuitively; instinctively; immediately

Used almost exclusively in the phrase ピンとくる to mean 'to have a flash of intuition', 'to get it immediately', or 'to be struck by something'. Not used as a standalone adverb for 'intuitively'.

See also: ピンとくる

• 彼かれの説せつ明めいを聞きいて、すぐにピンときた。

  When I heard his explanation, I got it immediately.

• このアイデアはあまりピンとこない。

  This idea doesn't really click with me.

adverb

with a snap; with a crack; with a twang; with a burst

Describes a sudden, sharp sound or action, like a string snapping, a whip cracking, or something bursting. Often used with verbs like 切れる (to snap) or はじける (to burst).

• ギターの弦げんがピンと切きれた。

  The guitar string snapped with a twang.

• 風ふう船せんがピンとはじけた。

  The balloon burst with a pop.