oversimplify
過度に単純化する
解説 Definition
複雑な問題や事柄をあまりに単純に扱う。重要な詳細や微妙な点を無視する行為。
To oversimplify means to explain something in a way that makes it seem much easier or less complicated than it really is. This usually happens when important details, differences, or problems are left out. The word often has a slightly critical meaning.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
まず simplify が「単純にする」。そこに over- が付くと、overwork, overreact と同じく「やりすぎ」の感覚が加わり、「単純化しすぎる」と取れる。ポイントは、ただ分かりやすく説明することではなく、複雑さや重要な条件を削りすぎてしまうこと。oversimplify the problem / the issue の形で覚えると使いやすい。simplify は中立だが、oversimplify は「それでは雑すぎる」という批判を含みやすい。
First remember simplify = make something simple. Then add over-, which often means "too much," as in overwork or overreact. So oversimplify is easy to remember as making something so simple that important parts disappear.
例文
We should not oversimplify the economic crisis.
経済危機を過度に単純化してはいけない。
The article tends to oversimplify the scientific findings.
その記事は科学的発見を過度に単純化する傾向がある。
Don't oversimplify the political situation with black-and-white statements.
白黒の説明で政治的状況を過度に単純化しないで。
oversimplify の類義語・関連語
oversimplify の語源・成り立ち Etymology
over-「過度に」＋simplify。simplify は仏語 simplifier を経て中世ラテン語 simplificare、さらにラテン語 simplex「一重の」にさかのぼります。もともと「一つに畳む」感覚があるので、「単純にしすぎる」と納得できます。関連語は simple, simplification.
Oversimplify is made from over- "too much" and simplify. Simplify came through French from Medieval Latin simplificare, based on Latin simplex, meaning "single" or "simple." The idea is to make something into one plain form, and oversimplify means pushing that process too far. Related words include simple and simplification.
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