reticent
意味一覧 (2件)
控えめな
解説 Definition
自分の考えや感情、情報をすぐには表に出さず、発言や態度を控える様子を表します。人だけでなく、説明・反応・態度などが慎重で積極的でない場面にも使われます。
Reticent describes someone who does not easily express their thoughts, feelings, or information. It is often used when a person is careful about what they say and does not speak more than necessary. It can also describe a reaction, explanation, or attitude that seems restrained rather than open or eager.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
reticent は reserved や restrained と近く、「言葉や感情を外へ出しすぎない」方向で覚えると自然です。特に be reticent about details/plans のように、情報や意見を明かすことに慎重な場面でよく使います。shy は内気さ、reluctant は行動への気乗りしなさが中心で、reticent は話す・明かすことを控える感覚です。単に無口な人柄だけを指すとは限りません。
Think of reticent as close to reserved or restrained: it suggests not letting words or feelings come out too freely. It is especially common when someone is careful about sharing details, plans, or opinions, as in be reticent about something. Unlike shy, which focuses on personality, or reluctant, which focuses on unwillingness to act, reticent is mainly about holding back speech or information.
例文
She was reticent about her personal life during the interview.
彼女はインタビューで私生活について控えめだった。
The company remained reticent about its future plans until the deal was final.
その会社は契約が正式に決まるまで今後の計画を明かすことに慎重だった。
His reticent response made it hard to tell what he really thought.
彼の控えめな返答では本心をつかみにくかった。
寡黙な
(意味 2)解説 Definition
言葉が少なく、口数が少ない性質。積極的に意見や感情を表現しない傾向を指します。
Reticent describes someone who does not speak much and is careful about showing their thoughts or feelings. It often suggests a quiet, reserved personality rather than simple shyness.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
reticent は「寡黙な」、つまり普段から口数が少なく、自分の考えや感情をあまり話さない人柄として覚えます。quiet は単に静かな状態にも使えますが、reticent には「言葉を控える」「話すことをためらう」という性質が含まれます。reticent about sharing details のように、情報や本音を出さず、発言を慎重に抑える場面でよく使われます。
Link `reticent` with `reserved`, not just `quiet`. It often describes someone who holds words back or is slow to share thoughts and feelings. A useful phrase is `reticent about sharing details`. The focus is on not saying much, especially when a person chooses to stay guarded.
例文
He was reticent about discussing his personal life.
彼は個人的な生活について話すのをためらっていた。
The reticent manager rarely speaks in meetings.
その寡黙なマネージャーはめったに会議で話さない。
She remained reticent despite repeated questions.
彼女は何度も質問されたにもかかわらず黙ったままだった。
reticent の語源・成り立ち Etymology
ラテン語 reticere「黙っている」に由来します。re-「後ろへ・控えて」+ tacere「黙る」が元で、tacit や taciturn と同じ tac- 系です。
Reticent comes from the Latin verb reticere, meaning "to keep silent." It is formed from re-, meaning "back" or "away," and tacere, meaning "to be silent." It is related to words such as tacit and taciturn, which also come from the same tac- root.
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