こっそり
解説 Definition
秘密裡に、こっそりと、隠れるようにして行動する。他人に気付かれないように行動する様子。用心深く密かな。
Furtive means secretive and careful to avoid being noticed. It is often used to describe actions, movements, or looks that suggest someone is hiding something or acting quietly on purpose. The word often carries a feeling of suspicion or guilt.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
furtive は「secret だけでは足りず、見つかるとまずいので目立たないようにする」感じで覚えると残りやすい。shy が単におどおど、stealthy が忍び足なら、furtive には guilty な後ろめたさがにじむ。よく furtive glance / look / movement の形で出て、「こそこそ視線を送る・そっと動く」場面をまとめて思い浮かべると定着する。形が似る futile は「無駄な」で別語。
Remember `furtive` as more than just `secret`: it suggests trying not to be seen because something feels suspicious or guilty. It often appears in phrases like `furtive glance` or `furtive movement`, so picture someone looking around quickly and hiding it. Do not confuse it with `futile`, which means `useless`.
例文
The spy moved furtively through the shadows to avoid detection.
スパイは検出を避けるために影の中をこっそり動いた。
She gave him a furtive glance across the room when no one was looking.
彼女は誰も見ていないとき、部屋の向こう側から彼にこっそりした視線を向けた。
The thief made furtive movements while stealing the valuable artwork.
泥棒は貴重な芸術作品を盗むときにこっそりした動きをした。
furtive の類義語・関連語
furtive の語源・成り立ち Etymology
furtive はラテン語 furtivus に由来し、その土台は furtum「盗み」、さらに fur「盗人」です。だから「こっそりした」は単なる静かさでなく、盗むような後ろめたさを含み、furtively や furtiveness も同じ核を保っています。
Furtive comes from Latin furtivus, based on furtum "theft," from fur "thief." Because of that origin, the word carries the feeling of something done secretly, as if hiding wrongdoing. Furtively and furtiveness keep the same idea of secretive, guilty concealment.
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