politic
意味一覧 (2件)
賢明な
解説 Definition
賢明で慎重な判断を示すこと。または、政治的に賢い、または戦略的である様子。
If something is politic, it is wise and careful in a practical situation. This word is often used for decisions or behavior that avoid trouble and help someone deal with people or power successfully. It is a formal word and is not the same as political.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
この politic は「思慮分別のある」という基本義とは別に、判断が現実的で得策だという硬めの意味で使われます。単なる moral な正しさより、状況を読み、損を避け、目的にかなう選択をする感じです。course of action や decision などと結びつきやすく、「今それをするのが賢明か」という実務的な判断を思い浮かべると覚えやすいです。political は「政治に関する」なので混同しないように。
Think of `politic` as shorter than `political`, but more personal and practical. It describes the kind of careful judgment a smart politician uses: not just what is true, but what is wise to do now. Remember the pattern: `political` = about politics, `politic` = tactful and wise in action.
例文
A politic course of action was to remain silent until more information became available.
賢明な方針は、より多くの情報が得られるまで沈黙を保つことでした。
It was not politic to publicly criticize the company's decision.
会社の決定を公然と批判することは政治的に賢明ではありませんでした。
The leader's most politic decision prevented a major conflict between the nations.
その指導者のもっとも賢明な決断が国家間の大きな対立を防ぎました。
分別のある
(意味 2)解説 Definition
人や状況への影響をよく考え、波風を立てないよう慎重にふるまう様子を表します。発言、判断、行動などに使われ、特に対人関係や組織内の微妙な場面で、思慮と節度があることを示します。
If a remark, decision, or action is politic, it is carefully chosen to avoid causing trouble or offense. It describes behavior that considers how other people may react, especially in delicate social or professional situations. The word often suggests thoughtfulness, self-control, and good judgment rather than simple caution. It is commonly used in patterns like "It would be politic to ..." when saying that something is wise in a sensitive situation.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
politic は politics や policy と同じ系統で、人が集まる場でどう動くかに関係します。ただし political のように「政治の」という分類ではなく、微妙な状況で余計な衝突を避ける判断を表す形容詞です。prudent「慎重な」や tactful「機転の利く」に近く、It would be politic to ... の形で「…するのが分別がある」と覚えると使いやすいです。別エントリの「賢明な」より、対人配慮の響きが強い点に注意。
Think of politic as being related to politics and policy, where people must decide how to act around others. Unlike political, which means "related to politics," politic describes a careful choice that avoids unnecessary conflict in a sensitive situation. It is close to prudent or tactful, especially when talking about what is wise in human relationships. The pattern "It would be politic to ..." is a useful way to remember it.
例文
It would be politic to wait until everyone has calmed down before raising the issue again.
その問題をもう一度出す前に、みんなが落ち着くまで待つのが分別のある対応だろう。
She gave a politic answer that protected her team without criticizing anyone directly.
彼女は誰も直接批判せずにチームを守る、分別のある返答をした。
In such a tense meeting, staying quiet for a moment was the most politic choice.
あれほど緊張した会議では、少し黙っているのが最も分別のある選択だった。
politic の語源・成り立ち Etymology
politic はギリシャ語 politikos「市民・国家に関する」が源で、語根は polis「都市・国家」です。共同体でうまく立ち回るのにふさわしい、という感覚から「賢明な・抜け目ない」の意味が出ました。policy や metropolis も同じ polis 系です。
Politic comes from Greek politikos, meaning "of citizens or the state," from polis, "city" or "city-state." In English, the idea shifted from public affairs to the kind of judgment needed to deal well with people and society. That is how it came to suggest being wise, practical, or careful. Related words include policy and metropolis.
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