discretion
意味一覧 (2件)
分別、慎重さ
解説 Definition
行動や発言で軽率にならず、状況をよく見て適切に判断する慎重さや分別を表す名詞です。秘密や個人情報に配慮して口を慎む場面、人前で控えめにふるまう文脈でよく使われます。単なる臆病さではなく、相手や場面への配慮を含む大人びた判断力を示すことが多いです。
Discretion is the ability to act or speak carefully after judging a situation well. It is often used when someone avoids saying too much, protects private information, or behaves in a quiet and appropriate way in front of others. The word suggests mature judgment and consideration for people and context, not simple fear or shyness. It can also mean the freedom to decide something by your own judgment in certain situations.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
discretion は、まず動詞 decide・名詞 decision と並べて「決める側の自由な判断」と押さえると覚えやすいです。権利としては at one’s discretion、慎重さとしては use discretion が頻出。つまり「決めてよい余地」と「軽率にせず分別を働かせる感じ」の両方を持つ語です。misuse of discretion なら「裁量の誤用」。なお discreet（慎重な、目立たない）とつづりが非常に紛らわしいのでセットで区別すると定着します。
It helps to learn discretion next to decide and decision, because all of them relate to making judgments. In English, at one’s discretion means "left to someone’s judgment," while use discretion means "act with care and good sense." So the word has both ideas: freedom to decide and the good judgment not to act carelessly. Also be careful not to confuse it with discreet, which is spelled similarly but is an adjective meaning careful and not noticeable.
例文
You should use discretion when discussing a coworker’s personal problems.
同僚の個人的な問題を話すときは、分別を持って慎重に対応すべきです。
The manager handled the complaint with discretion and did not share unnecessary details.
その管理者は苦情に慎重さと分別を持って対応し、余計な詳細は共有しませんでした。
At the judge’s discretion, the hearing may be moved to a later date.
裁判官の裁量によって、その審理は後日に変更される場合があります。
裁量
(意味 2)解説 Definition
自分の判断に基づいて物事を決定する権利や能力。状況に応じて適切に判断し決定する力です。
Discretion means the freedom or authority to make decisions based on your own judgment. It can also mean careful behavior that avoids causing trouble or revealing private information. The word is often used in formal situations such as work, law, or responsibility.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
この「裁量」の discretion は、誰かが自分の判断で選択・決定できる権限を表す用法です。at someone’s discretion（〜の裁量で）、within one’s discretion（裁量の範囲内で）の形で、法律、職場、規則の運用などに出やすいです。基本義の「慎重さ、思慮分別」と同じ語ですが、ここでは「慎重な態度」ではなく「決めてよい余地・権限」に焦点があります。
Think of `discretion` as the freedom to decide carefully. The fixed phrase `at someone’s discretion` is especially useful, because it shows who has the power to choose. Be careful not to mix it up with `discreet`, which is a different word about being careful and not obvious.
例文
The judge used his discretion to decide a fair sentence.
裁判官は公正な判決を下すために自分の裁量を行使した。
At the manager's discretion, employees can work flexible hours.
マネージャーの裁量により、従業員は柔軟な時間で働くことができます。
Teachers have some discretion in grading student work.
教師は学生の成績評価において一定の裁量を持っている。
discretion の語源・成り立ち Etymology
discretion はラテン語 dis-「分けて」+ cernere「見分ける」から来ており、もとは「区別して判断すること」です。discern や discrete も同根で、何を言うべきかをきちんと見分ける感覚が「裁量・思慮」に育ちました。
Discretion comes from Latin roots meaning "to separate" and "to distinguish." It originally had the sense of separating things by careful judgment. From that idea, it developed into the meanings of good judgment, tact, and personal decision-making power.
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