筋が通る: The Secret to an 'Unbeatable' Argument

Have you ever been in a meeting, presented an idea you thought was brilliant, only to have your Japanese boss frown and say: 「うーん、それはちょっと筋が通らないな。」(Hmm, that doesn't sound very logical)?

You're left wondering where you went wrong. 🤷‍♂️ The issue isn't necessarily whether your idea is right or wrong, but whether it 「筋が通る」 (suji ga tōru) or not. This is the "unspoken" standard the Japanese use to evaluate the logic and persuasiveness of an argument.

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🤔 What is "Suji" (筋)?

To understand this phrase, let's first look at the character 筋 (suji). It means "muscle fiber," "tendon," a "line," or "plot." Imagine it as a continuous, unbroken red thread from beginning to end.

✅ When an argument "has a through line" - 筋が通る

When the Japanese say 筋が通る (suji ga tōru), it literally means "the thread has passed through." This means:

• Your argument is very logical.
• The ideas are consistent with each other, not self-contradictory.
• The reasoning is reasonable and fair, making everyone who hears it nod in agreement.

This is an extremely valuable compliment for your thinking!

Example:

🗣️ 「彼の説明は最初から最後まで筋が通っていて、非常にわかりやすい。」 (His explanation was logical from beginning to end, and very easy to understand.)

❌ When an argument "breaks in the middle" - 筋が通らない

Conversely, 筋が通らない (suji ga tōranai) means "the thread is broken." Your argument:

• Is considered "stubbornly illogical," irrational.
• Has contradictory points, inconsistent from beginning to end.
• Is based on emotion without solid reasoning.

This is a very direct criticism, but it focuses on the issue, not the person.

Example:

🗣️ 「感情的に反対するだけで、理由を説明しないのは筋が通らないよ。」 (Just opposing emotionally without explaining the reason is completely illogical.)

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🔑 Real-life Application Tips

• To praise a good idea:

  「なるほど、田中さんのご意見は筋が通っていますね。」 (I see, Mr. Tanaka's opinion is very logical.)

• To offer a counterargument subtly:

  「すみません、その点については少し筋が通らない気がするのですが、もう一度ご説明いただけますか？」 (Excuse me, I feel that point isn't quite logical, could you please explain it again?)

• To refuse an unreasonable request:

  「その要求はあまりにも一方的で、筋が通らないと思います。」 (I think that request is too one-sided and not reasonable at all.)

Conclusion: In communication in Japan, especially in the workplace, presenting your opinion clearly and consistently is extremely important. Understanding and being able to use 筋が通る will not only help you communicate more effectively but also be seen as a person with sharp and trustworthy thinking. Don't just try to be "right," learn to be "logical"! ✨