生意気な
解説 Definition
礼儀を欠いて厚かましく、目上の人に対しても無遠慮に振る舞う様子。
Impudent describes someone who is rude, disrespectful, and too bold, especially toward a person who deserves more respect. It is often used for behavior, words, or attitudes that seem cheeky in an unpleasant way. The word is stronger and more negative than simply saying someone is confident.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
impudent は、単なる confident や bold ではなく『相手への敬意が欠けた生意気さ』に結びつけると残りやすい。impudence という名詞形も一緒に覚えると語族で定着する。使う場面は an impudent child, an impudent remark のように、子ども・部下・店員などが目上に無遠慮な口をきく場面。cheeky には軽い冗談っぽさが出ることもあるが、impudent はもっと失礼で、rude にかなり近い。shy の反対ではなく、『図々しく礼を欠く』方向の語だと押さえると混同しにくい。
See the middle word `pud-` and connect it with `impudence`, the noun form. `Impudent` is not just bold or confident; it has a clear feeling of missing respect. Remember common pairs like `an impudent child` or `an impudent remark`.
例文
The impudent student talked back to the teacher in front of the entire class.
その生意気な生徒はクラス全員の前で先生に口答えした。
His impudent remarks at the meeting offended several senior executives.
会議での彼の生意気な発言は数人の上級幹部を不快にさせた。
She gave an impudent grin when asked why she had broken the rules.
なぜ規則を破ったのかと聞かれたとき、彼女は生意気な笑みを浮かべた。
impudent の類義語・関連語
impudent の語源・成り立ち Etymology
impudent はラテン語 impudens に由来し、im-「否定」＋ pudens「恥を知る」から成ります。語根 pud- は「恥・慎み」を表すため、もともとは「恥を知らない」が核心で、そこから「生意気な」「厚かましい」へ意味が伸びました。関連語に pudency, impudence があります。
Impudent comes from Latin impudens. It is made from im- meaning "not" and pudens meaning "feeling shame" or "modest," from a root about shame and restraint. So the original sense was "without shame," which later developed into the modern idea of being rude, bold, or disrespectfully confident. Related words include impudence and pudency.
外部辞書で調べる
この単語を英単語クイズで覚えよう