smirking
にやにや笑う
解説 Definition
smirking は smirk（にやにや笑う、得意げに笑う）の動名詞・現在分詞です。単なる笑顔ではなく、少しばかにしたような、または得意げな含みのある笑いを表します。
Smirking is smiling in a self-satisfied, mocking, or contemptuous way. As a gerund it names this behavior, and as a present participle it describes someone displaying such an expression, often at an inappropriate or serious moment.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
原形 smirk「得意げに、または人をばかにして笑う」に -ing を付けた形です。語末の k は重ねず smirking となり、発音は /ˈsmɜːrkɪŋ/。smiling が中立的・好意的な笑顔にも使えるのに対し、smirking は自己満足、皮肉、軽蔑を感じさせます。serious meeting や apology と組み合わせると失礼な含みがつかめます。
Begin with smirk, a smile that suggests self-satisfaction, mockery, or contempt, and add -ing without doubling the final k. Smirking can name the behavior or describe someone doing it. Picture a person smirking during a serious apology: the expression makes the words seem insincere. This distinguishes it from smiling, which can be warm, friendly, or neutral. The important memory cue is not merely the shape of the mouth but the attitude implied by it. Pronounce the ending normally as /ɪŋ/ after the /k/ sound.
例文
His smirking made the apology sound false.
彼がにやにや笑っていたので、その謝罪はうそっぽく聞こえました。
She noticed him smirking at the back of the room.
彼女は部屋の後ろで彼がにやにや笑っているのに気づきました。
Smirking during a serious meeting can seem rude.
真剣な会議中ににやにや笑うと、失礼に見えることがあります。
smirking の類義語・関連語
対義語
派生語
紛らわしい語
smirking の語源・成り立ち Etymology
古英語 smercian（にやにや笑う、微笑む）に由来し、ゲルマン祖語 *smerkōną が起源。もとは単に微笑む意味だったが、次第に自己満足や皮肉を含む笑いに限定された。smileとは同じゲルマン語族の別系統。関連語: smirk, smile。
Smirking is formed from smirk plus -ing. Smirk is recorded in Old English as smearcian or smercian, referring to smiling or laughing, and it has Germanic relatives. Over time, the English word narrowed from a more general kind of smile to one carrying self-satisfaction, scorn, or mockery. The modern -ing form functions both as a gerund and as a present participle.
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