図星 (Zuboshi): When You're Read Like a Book 🎯

Have you ever been in this situation?

You're pretending to be busy on your phone to avoid chores, when your mom calls out from behind you: "Are you on your phone again? Go clean up!" Or when you have a secret crush on someone, and your best friend nudges you, saying: "You like them, don't you? It's written all over your face!"

That moment of being "found out," of having your hidden thoughts perfectly articulated by someone else, has an incredibly fitting word in Japanese: 図星 (ずぼし - zuboshi).

What makes 図星 so 'sharp'? 🤔

Literally, 図 (zu) is a diagram/drawing, and 星 (hoshi/boshi) is a star. In Japanese archery (kyūdō), 図星 is the black dot in the very center of the target. Therefore, being told something 図星 is like having an arrow hit the bullseye – perfectly accurate!

It means "spot on," "hit the nail on the head," or "you've guessed it." It's a way of acknowledging that the other person's comment or guess was 100% correct about a thought, feeling, or situation you were trying to hide.

How to use it naturally like a native

図星 is often used as an exclamation, accompanied by a slight startle, embarrassment, or a sheepish laugh. It's a charming confession.

Example 1: When your best friend figures you out

A: 「昨日の飲み会、楽しそうだったね。さては、例の彼がいたからでしょ？」 (Last night's party looked fun. I bet it's because 'that guy' was there, wasn't it?)

B: 「うっ… 図星！なんでわかったの？」 (Gulp... You hit the bullseye! How did you know?)

Example 2: When your boss sees through you 😅

Boss: 「この資料、まだ全然進んでないでしょ？」 (This document, you haven't made any progress on it, have you?)

You: 「すみません、図星です…すぐやります！」 (I'm sorry, you're exactly right... I'll get on it right away!)

Example 3: Admitting it to yourself

When you hear someone describe a bad habit (e.g., "People who procrastinate often... abc xyz...") and you see yourself in the description, you might mutter:

「うわー、全部図星だ…」 (Wow, every single point hits home...)

Conclusion

Unlike 痛いところを突かれる (to have one's sore spot hit), which often has a more negative feel, 図星 has a lighter, sometimes humorous nuance. It's a great word for gracefully admitting the truth in everyday conversations.

Try using it the next time someone reads your mind; you'll find the conversation becomes much more interesting! 😉