pick on
いじめる
解説 Definition
特定の人を標的にしていじめたり、不当に批判したりすること。
Pick on means to treat someone unfairly again and again, often by teasing, criticizing, or bullying them. It is commonly used when a stronger person targets a weaker person. The phrase suggests repeated negative attention, not just one action.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
この「いじめる」は、相手をからかう程度を超えて、特定の人を標的にして不公平に責めたり、繰り返し攻撃したりする意味として覚えます。pick は「選ぶ」、on は「圧力を向ける」と考え、一人を選んでしつこく負担をかける場面を思い浮かべると定着します。基本義の「からかう」より、被害や不公平さが強い文脈で出る用法です。
Remember "pick" as choosing one thing again and again. In this phrase, someone chooses one person as the target and keeps criticizing or bothering them. That is why it fits repeated teasing or unfair pressure, not just physical bullying.
例文
The older kids always pick on the younger ones at recess.
年上の子どもたちは休み時間にいつも年下の子をいじめる。
Stop picking on your little brother; it's not fair.
弟をいじめるのはやめなさい。かわいそうだよ。
She felt that the teacher was always picking on her in class.
彼女は授業中いつも先生に目をつけられていると感じた。
からかう
(意味 2)解説 Definition
pick on は、特定の人を選んで繰り返しからかったり、軽く責めたりする時に使います。友人同士の冗談にも使えますが、相手が嫌がっている響きが出やすい表現です。
Pick on means to choose one person and keep teasing, criticizing, or bothering them. It is often used when the same person is treated unfairly again and again. Friends may sometimes use it jokingly, but the expression often suggests that the other person does not enjoy it. It can be milder than serious bullying, depending on the situation.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
pick は「選び取る」、on は「対象に向けて乗せる」感覚があります。pick on は、集団の中から一人を選んで、その人に冗談や批判を向けるイメージで覚えると自然です。tease は単に「からかう」ですが、pick on は「同じ相手ばかり」という不公平さが出やすい点に注意。別エントリの「いじめる」ほど深刻でない文脈でも使われます。
Think of pick as choosing one person out of a group, and on as directing your words toward that person. Pick on gives the image of selecting someone and keeping jokes or criticism aimed at them. Unlike tease, it often suggests that the same person is being singled out. It is not always as serious as bully, but it can still sound unfair or unpleasant.
例文
Some kids always pick on him because he is quiet.
静かなので、彼をいつもからかう子がいる。
I know you're joking, but please don't pick on me in front of everyone.
冗談なのは分かるけど、みんなの前で私をからかわないで。
The article criticized managers who pick on junior staff for small mistakes.
その記事は、小さなミスで若手社員をからかうように責める管理職を批判した。
指名する
(意味 3)解説 Definition
授業や会議などで、発言や回答をさせるために特定の人をその場で選んで当てることを表します。先生や司会者が相手を名指しして順番を回す場面でよく使われます。『いじめる』とは別の意味で、突然当てる感じが出ることもあります。
In classes, meetings, or discussions, pick on can mean to choose a particular person and ask them to speak or answer. It is often used when a teacher or leader suddenly names someone instead of waiting for a volunteer. The phrase can suggest being singled out on the spot, sometimes with a little pressure or surprise.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
pick は「つつく・選んで取り上げる」の感覚、on は対象に向かって圧力が乗る感じ。pick on で「一人を選んで、その人に攻撃や批判を向け続ける」とまとめると残ります。bully と近いですが、殴るような露骨ないじめだけでなく、Why are you always picking on me? のように、同じ相手ばかり責める場面にも自然です。pick on younger kids, pick on someone for mistakes の形も一緒に覚えると使い分けしやすいです。pick up / pick out とは別物。
Think of pick as choosing or pecking at something, and on as pressure moving toward a target. That image helps you remember pick on as focusing again and again on one person. It is close to bully, but it can also describe always blaming or criticizing the same person, as in Why are you always picking on me? Remember that it is different from pick up and pick out.
例文
The teacher picked on me to answer the first question.
先生は最初の質問に答えさせるために私を指名した。
During the meeting, the chair picked on Ken for his opinion about the new plan.
会議中、議長は新しい案についての意見を聞くために健を指名した。
She hates being picked on in class when she has not prepared.
彼女は準備していないときに授業で当てられるのが嫌いだ。
pick on の語源・成り立ち Etymology
pick on の pick は古英語系の「つつく・つまみ取る」、on は対象に向かう感じを添える語です。もともと“一人を繰り返しつつく”イメージから「いじめる」「しつこく責める」となり、関連語に pick at、nitpick があります。
Pick is an old Germanic word connected with pecking, pricking, or choosing small things out, and on adds the sense of directing the action toward a target. The phrase first suggested repeatedly singling someone out, as if pecking at them again and again. That image led naturally to the meanings "to bully" or "to keep criticizing."
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