耳元

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 耳元 is read as みみもと and means beside one's ear or close to the ear.
• Basic usage: It can describe words spoken close to someone’s ear or music sounding softly through earphones.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Speaking quietly beside the ear
  • 耳元: The attendant quietly whispered the meeting time in my ear. Example: 係員が耳元で集合時間をそっと教えてくれました。
• Music sounding close to the ear
  • 耳元: Music from the earphones played softly in my ears. Example: イヤホンから流れる音楽が耳元で優しく響きました。