卑屈な
解説 Definition
へりくだった、卑屈な態度や行動。相手に媚を売ろうとして過度に従順になる様子。
Obsequious describes someone who is too eager to please a person with more power or status. It is often used to criticize behavior that seems overly respectful, flattering, or submissive. The word has a negative sense because it suggests a lack of sincerity or dignity.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
obey や obedient を知っていれば、「相手に逆らわず従う」という芯は取りやすい。ただし obsequious は単なる polite や respectful ではなく、気に入られようとして必要以上に低姿勢になる語。an obsequious employee, an obsequious smile など、上司・客・権力者に媚びる場面を思い浮かべると定着しやすい。submissive が受け身の従順さなら、obsequious は“ごますりが混じった従順さ”。「礼儀正しい」を越えていて、やや軽蔑的に響く点も一緒に覚えると混同しにくい。
If you know `obey` or `obedient`, they can guide you toward the core feeling of this word. But `obsequious` goes further: it suggests over-polite, flattering behavior to please someone powerful. Remember it as respect that has turned into obvious flattery.
例文
His obsequious behavior toward the boss annoyed his colleagues.
上司に対する彼の卑屈な態度は同僚を不快にした。
The obsequious servant bowed repeatedly to please his master.
その卑屈な召し使いは主人を喜ばせるために何度も頭を下げた。
She found his obsequious compliments insincere and manipulative.
彼女は彼の卑屈なおべっかを不誠実で操作的だと感じた。
obsequious の類義語・関連語
obsequious の語源・成り立ち Etymology
obsequious はラテン語 obsequi「従う」に由来し、ob-「〜の方へ」+ sequi「従う・追う」と分解できます。他人の意向を追いかけて逆らわない姿が、「卑屈な」という意味につながります。sequence や consequence も同じ sequi の仲間です。
Obsequious comes from Latin obsequi, meaning "to comply with" or "follow." It is built from ob- "toward" and sequi "to follow." The sense shifted from simply following someone's wishes to following them too eagerly or too humbly. Related words from the same root include sequence and consequence.
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