condescension
意味一覧 (2件)
見下した態度、尊大さ
解説 Definition
相手を自分より下だとみなし、上から目線で接する態度や話し方を指す名詞です。露骨な侮りだけでなく、親切そうに見えても相手を子ども扱いするような尊大さを含むことがあり、会話や職場で不快感を与える原因になります。
Condescension is a way of speaking or behaving that shows you think you are better or more important than others. It often sounds polite on the surface but feels insulting or disrespectful. The word is commonly used when describing tone or attitude.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
condescension は condescend「上から相手に接する」に -ion が付いた名詞です。相手を対等に見ず、自分の方が賢い・偉いと示す tone, attitude, manner に表れる見下しを指します。露骨な侮辱だけでなく、親切そうな説明や助言が子ども扱いに聞こえる場合にも使われます。a tone of condescension を手がかりに覚えましょう。
Start with condescend, then add -ion for the attitude or behavior: condescension. It means treating someone as lower than you, often through tone, attitude, or manner. It can sound polite on the surface, but it makes the other person feel looked down on. The phrase "a tone of condescension" is a strong memory hook.
例文
His condescension toward the younger staff members made them feel uncomfortable.
若い職員に対する彼の見下した態度は、彼らを居心地の悪い気分にさせた。
She spoke with such condescension that nobody wanted to listen to her.
彼女はあまりにも人を見下した話し方をしたので、誰も耳を傾けたがらなかった。
I detected a hint of condescension in his tone when he explained the simple task.
その簡単な作業を説明する彼の口調に、わずかな見下した響きを感じた。
恩着せがましさ
(意味 2)解説 Definition
相手に親切にしているように見せながら、自分が上の立場だと感じさせる押しつけがましい態度を指します。助言、説明、援助などが、対等な好意ではなく「してあげている」という響きを帯びる場面で使われます。
Condescension is an attitude that seems kind or helpful, but also makes the other person feel that the speaker thinks they are above them. It is often seen in advice, explanations, or acts of help that do not feel equal or respectful. The tone suggests, "I am doing this for you," rather than offering real support between equals.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
condescension は condescend に名詞語尾 -ion が付いた語です。condescend には「下の立場へ降りていく」という成り立ちがあり、そこから「親切にしているつもりでも、上から与えている感じ」が出ます。このエントリでは露骨な尊大さより、help, advice, charity などの好意に混じる「してあげている」響きを意識すると覚えやすいです。
Condescension is the noun form of condescend, with the ending -ion. The verb originally had the idea of "coming down" to someone, so it helps you remember a feeling of giving help from above. Think of help, advice, or charity that sounds less like kindness between equals and more like "I am doing this for you."
例文
Her condescension was clear when she explained the simple task as if I were a child.
その簡単な作業をまるで子どもに話すように説明したとき、彼女の恩着せがましさは明らかだった。
I appreciated the help, but the condescension in his voice made it hard to accept.
助け自体はありがたかったが、彼の声に混じる恩着せがましさのせいで素直に受け取りにくかった。
The article criticizes the condescension that sometimes appears in charity campaigns.
その記事は、慈善活動の宣伝に時々表れる恩着せがましさを批判している。
condescension の語源・成り立ち Etymology
古フランス語 condescendre を経て、後期ラテン語 condescensionem に由来。con-「共に」+ de-「下へ」+ scandere「登る」で、本来は「相手の所まで降りる」ことから、今の「見下した態度」につながった。関連語は descend, scale。
"Condescension" came through French from Late Latin "condescensio," related to "condescendere." It is built from parts meaning "with," "down," and "climb," so it originally meant coming down to another person's level. Later, this idea shifted from polite lowering of oneself to the negative sense of acting as if one is above others. Related words include "descend" and "scale."
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