give someone the benefit of the doubt
善意に解釈する
解説 Definition
証拠が不十分な場合に、相手を疑わずに善意に解釈してあげること。
To choose to believe that someone means well or is telling the truth, even if you are not completely sure. It is used when there is some doubt, but you decide not to judge the person negatively. This phrase often shows fairness or trust.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
benefit は「利益」、doubt は「疑い」。直訳すると「疑いが残る場面で、相手に有利な扱いを与える」。つまり、証拠不足ならまず悪く決めつけず、相手寄りに受け取る表現。suspect や accuse の逆方向だと捉えると覚えやすい。人の意図・説明・ミスについて、完全に信じ切るのではなく「黒と決める前に白寄りで見る」ニュアンス。the benefit of the doubt までまとめて固定句として覚えると使いやすい。
Break it into "benefit" and "doubt": there is some doubt, but you give the other person the favorable side. That makes it easier to remember as the opposite of quickly suspecting or blaming someone. Learn the full fixed phrase, because English usually uses the whole expression together.
例文
Let's give him the benefit of the doubt — he might have a good explanation.
彼を善意に解釈してあげよう。ちゃんとした説明があるかもしれない。
I decided to give her the benefit of the doubt and trust her story.
彼女を善意に解釈して、話を信じることにした。
The jury gave the defendant the benefit of the doubt due to insufficient evidence.
陪審員は証拠不十分のため、被告人を善意に解釈した。
give someone the benefit of the doubt の類義語・関連語
紛らわしい語
give someone the benefit of the doubt の語源・成り立ち Etymology
benefit はラテン語 bene「良く」+ facere「なす」、doubt はラテン語 dubitare「二つに揺れる」が語源です。相手に有利な解釈を与え、迷いは脇に置く表現で、beneficial や dubious を知ると成り立ちがよく見えます。
Benefit comes from Latin bene, meaning well, and facere, meaning to do, while doubt comes from Latin dubitare, with the sense of wavering between two possibilities. The phrase means giving someone the more favorable side when you are unsure. Related English words like beneficial and dubious show the same roots clearly.
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