relenting
意味一覧 (2件)
容赦する
解説 Definition
譲歩する、または強硬な姿勢を柔らげること。圧力に対して和らいだ態度を示す。
Relenting means becoming less strict, severe, or determined and finally giving in. It is often used when a person stops resisting or when something unpleasant becomes weaker. The word suggests a change after pressure or persistence.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
このエントリでは relenting を「相手への厳しさをゆるめ、容赦する」という方向で覚えます。基本義の「折れる」は自分の抵抗や主張を弱める場面ですが、ここでは罰、攻撃、きびしい扱いなどが弱まり、相手を追い詰める力がゆるむ感じです。関連語 relentless「容赦ない」を思い出すと、relenting はその逆に、厳しさが少し解ける動きとして捉えられます。
Learn it with `relentless`. If `relentless` means "without relenting," then `relenting` suggests pressure or strictness becoming softer. Picture a hard person finally easing a little, not fully giving up.
例文
After hours of negotiation, he was finally relenting on his demands.
長時間の交渉の後、彼はついに彼の要求に譲歩した。
The storm was finally relenting, and the sun began to shine through the clouds.
嵐がようやく弱まり、太陽が雲を通して輝き始めた。
She finally relented, her stern expression softening as she accepted his sincere apology.
彼女は譲歩し、厳しい表情を和らげて彼の誠実な謝罪を受け入れた。
折れる
(意味 2)解説 Definition
反対や抵抗を続けていた人が、説得や圧力を受けて態度を和らげ、相手の要求を受け入れることを表します。議論、交渉、頼みごとなどで、強硬な姿勢が少し崩れる場面によく使われます。
Relenting means stopping some of your resistance and finally accepting what someone else wants after pressure, argument, or repeated requests. It is used when a person or group has been firm or unwilling at first, but then softens their attitude. The change is usually partial and reluctant, not as complete or dramatic as surrendering.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
relenting は動詞 relent の -ing 形です。覚える手がかりは relentless「容赦ない、絶え間ない」。-less は「ない」なので、relentless は「relent しない」、つまり圧力をかけ続ける感じです。逆に relenting は、強く拒んでいた人や組織が少し態度をゆるめて「折れる」こと。surrender「降伏する」ほど全面的ではなく、交渉や説得の末に譲るニュアンスです。
Relenting is the -ing form of relent. A useful clue is relentless, which means "without mercy" or "continuing without stopping." If someone is relentless, they do not relent; if they are relenting, they are finally softening and beginning to give in after pressure or persuasion.
例文
After hours of discussion, the manager ended up relenting and approved the request.
何時間も話し合った末、部長はついに折れてその依頼を承認した。
Her parents were strict at first, but they were slowly relenting as she explained her plan.
両親は最初は厳しかったが、彼女が計画を説明するうちに少しずつ折れていった。
The government is not relenting despite growing pressure from the public.
国民の圧力が強まっているのに、政府はまだ折れていない。
relenting の語源・成り立ち Etymology
re-（再び）+ lent-（ラテン語 lentus「やわらかい」）+ -ing。もとは「硬さがほどける」で、気持ちが和らいで「容赦する」に伸びました。同根に relentless や lento があり、硬い態度がゆるむ像が見えます。
Relenting comes from the verb relent, built with re- and a root linked to Latin lentus, meaning "soft" or "flexible." The earliest idea was of something hard becoming softer or looser. From there, it came to mean that a person's strict or harsh attitude softens. Related words include relentless and lento.
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