perhaps
perhaps は英検3級・TOEIC 600レベルの英単語で、「おそらく」という意味があります。発音記号は /pɚˈhæps/ です。
おそらく
解説 Definition
「perhaps」は、もしかするとやおそらくという意味を表す副詞で、不確実さや可能性を示す場面で使います。断言を避けて柔らかく伝えたいときの表現として用いられ、会話全体を穏やかな印象にする効果があります。推測や提案の仕方を丁寧にしたいときに好まれます。
Perhaps means maybe or possibly. It is used when you are not completely sure about something and want to show uncertainty in a polite or thoughtful way. It is common in both speaking and writing.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
perhaps は maybe とほぼ同じ「たぶん」だが、maybe より少し丁寧で控えめ、probably ほど強くないと並べて覚えると定着しやすい。会話でも文でも、断言を避けて余白を残す語として使う。Perhaps he is right. なら「ひょっとすると彼は正しい」、It is perhaps impossible. なら「それはおそらく無理だ」。確率を押し出すより、やわらかく可能性を示す場面に結びつけて覚えるとよい。
Memorize it as one chunk: `please + call me + back`. `Call me` is simple, and `back` adds the idea of returning the call. Compare it with `call me later`, which means later, but not necessarily in reply to a missed call.
例文
Perhaps it is a cat.
おそらくそれは猫です。
Perhaps he likes this book.
おそらく彼はこの本が好きです。
Perhaps we need more time.
おそらく私たちはもっと時間が必要です。
perhaps の類義語・関連語
perhaps の語源・成り立ち Etymology
perhaps は中英語の句 per haps「ひとつの偶然によって」から生まれ、haps は古ノルド語系の hap「運・偶然」です。だから核となる感覚は「成り行きしだいで」で、happen や mishap にも同じ“偶然”の気配が残ります。
The main historical word is call, which comes from Old Norse kalla, meaning "to cry out" or "summon." Back comes from Old English and originally referred to the rear or something behind. Together, call back developed from the idea of "calling again in return," which later became common for returning a phone call; related words include recall and calling.
同じレベルの英単語をもっと
英検3級の一覧へ →外部辞書で調べる
この単語を英単語クイズで覚えよう