acerbic
辛辣な
解説 Definition
言葉や態度が鋭く辛辣で、痛烈な皮肉を含む様子。
Acerbic describes speech, writing, or behavior that is sharp, critical, and slightly bitter. It is often used for comments, humor, or a style of speaking. The word is fairly formal and suggests more harshness than simple directness.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
acid や sharp を連想すると覚えやすい。acerbic は、ただ angry なのではなく、言い方が酸のように相手を刺す感じで、特に acerbic comment, acerbic wit, an acerbic tone など批評や皮肉でよく出る。harsh が広く「厳しい」なのに対し、acerbic は言葉にトゲと皮肉がある点が核心。sarcastic と近いが、冗談めいた皮肉よりも、苦く容赦ない響きが強い。人そのものより、発言・口調・文章につきやすい。
Link `acerbic` with `acid` or `sharp`. It is often used for words, comments, or tone that feel biting rather than simply angry. Remember common phrases like `acerbic comment` or `acerbic tone`, where the sting is in the language.
例文
The critic was known for his acerbic reviews that spared no one.
その批評家は誰も容赦しない辛辣なレビューで知られていた。
Her acerbic wit made her both feared and admired at dinner parties.
彼女の辛辣な機知は、ディナーパーティーで恐れられると同時に尊敬された。
Despite his acerbic tone, his feedback was usually accurate and helpful.
辛辣な口調にもかかわらず、彼のフィードバックはたいてい正確で役に立った。
acerbic の類義語・関連語
acerbic の語源・成り立ち Etymology
acerbic はラテン語 acerbus「苦い、未熟で渋い」から来て、語尾 -ic が付いた語。もとは舌に刺さるような味を表し、そこから人の言葉や態度の「辛辣さ」に広がった。acrid や acrimony も同じく「鋭い・刺激的」が核にある仲間。
Acerbic comes from Latin acerbus, meaning "bitter," "harsh," or "unripe," with the adjective ending -ic added later. It first carried the sense of a sharp, unpleasant taste. From there, the meaning widened to describe speech or behavior that feels sharp and cutting. Related words include acrid and acrimony.
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