contemptuous
contemptuous は英検準1級レベルの英単語で、「軽蔑的な、人を見下した」という意味があります。発音記号は /kənˈtɛmptʃuːəs/ です。
意味一覧 (2件)
軽蔑的な
解説 Definition
誰かまたは何かに対して強い軽蔑や嫌悪を示す態度や表現を意味します。他者を下に見て、尊敬しない様子を表します。
Contemptuous means showing that you think someone or something is worthless or not worthy of respect. It is often used to describe a look, tone, or attitude. The word expresses strong dislike mixed with disrespect.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
contemptuous は contempt「軽蔑」に -uous が付いた形で、「軽蔑を帯びた、侮蔑を示す」という形容詞です。人の発言・表情・態度・口調が、相手を低く見て尊重していないことを表します。単なる dislike より強く、冷たく見下す感情がにじみます。a contemptuous smile, a contemptuous look, a contemptuous tone, a contemptuous remark の組み合わせで覚えましょう。
Start from contempt and add -uous to make the adjective. Contemptuous describes a look, tone, smile, gesture, or remark that shows contempt. It is stronger than simple dislike because it carries the feeling of looking down on someone. Useful phrases are a contemptuous smile, a contemptuous look, and a contemptuous tone.
例文
He gave a contemptuous look at the opposing team.
彼は対戦相手のチームに軽蔑的な視線を投げかけました。
Her contemptuous remarks about his abilities hurt his feelings.
彼の能力についての彼女の軽蔑的な発言は彼を傷つけました。
The judge was contemptuous of the defendant's excuses.
判事は被告の言い訳に対して軽蔑的でした。
人を見下した
(意味 2)解説 Definition
自分のほうが上だと思い、相手をばかにして扱う態度を表します。人の能力・身分・意見などを低く見て、冷たい視線、口調、笑い方にその気持ちが出る場面で使います。
If someone is contemptuous, they show that they think another person is beneath them and not worth respect. The word is used for attitudes that look down on someone's ability, social position, or opinions. It often appears in expressions about a look, smile, or tone that clearly shows cold dislike and a sense of superiority.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
contemptuous は contempt「軽蔑」から来た形容詞ですが、ここでは特に「相手を下に見る」感覚を中心に覚えるとよいです。a contemptuous look / smile / tone のように、視線・笑み・口調に出る態度と結びつきます。単なる rude「失礼な」より、相手を自分より劣る存在として扱う響きが強い語です。既存の「軽蔑的な」という訳より、人への上下意識を意識すると区別しやすくなります。
Think of contemptuous as the adjective form of contempt, but focus especially on the feeling of looking down on someone. It is often used with words like look, smile, and tone, because this attitude shows clearly in a person's face or voice. Compared with rude, contemptuous has a stronger sense that the other person is being treated as inferior.
例文
She gave him a contemptuous look and turned away without answering.
彼女は人を見下した視線を彼に向け、返事もせずに顔をそむけた。
His contemptuous tone made it clear that he thought the suggestion was beneath him.
彼の人を見下した口調から、その提案を自分より下だと思っているのがはっきり伝わった。
The article describes the manager's contemptuous smile toward junior staff.
その記事は、後輩社員に向けた部長の人を見下した笑みを描写している。
contemptuous の語源・成り立ち Etymology
フランス語経由でラテン語contemptus（軽蔑）から来た語で、もとは contemnere「見下す」に由来します。con- は強意、temnere は「さげすむ」。関連語 contempt, contemn を知ると、「相手を下に見る」ので軽蔑的だと納得できます。
Contemptuous came into English through French from Latin contemptus, meaning "scorn" or "contempt." It is linked to the Latin verb contemnere, "to despise" or "look down on." The word kept that strong sense of treating someone as beneath notice. Related English words include contempt and contemn.
外部辞書で調べる
この単語を英単語クイズで覚えよう