Japanese

くびをひねる
Meaning: to tilt one's head in doubt; to rack one's brains; to be puzzled
Part of Speech: Idiom, Verb

Listen to pronunciation

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Verb inflections

Form Affirmative Negative
Present 首を捻る 首を捻ない
Polite 首を捻ます 首を捻ません
Past 首を捻た 首を捻なかった
Polite + Past 首を捻ました 首を捻ませんでした
Te-form 首を捻て 首を捻なくて
Potential 首を捻られる 首を捻られない
Passive 首を捻られる 首を捻られない
Causative 首を捻させる 首を捻させない
Imperative 首を捻ろ 首を捻るな

Handwriting

首
を
捻
る

Example

Everyone tilted their head in doubt after hearing his explanation.

Usage Notes

An idiom describing the physical action of tilting or twisting the head to express doubt, confusion, or deep thought. It is often used when something is hard to understand or accept.

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