めそめそした
解説 Definition
めそめそした、泣き言を言う。鼻を鳴らしながら情けなく泣くさまを表す形容詞。
Sniveling describes someone who cries weakly, complains in an annoying way, or seems cowardly and self-pitying. It is usually negative and critical in tone. The word can describe both a voice or manner and a person's general behavior.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
sniveling は、ただ「悲しい」ではなく、鼻をすすりながら弱々しく泣き言を言う感じで覚えると残りやすい。sniff / sniffle のような「鼻をすする」系の語と近く置き、cry より情けなく、whining にかなり近いと整理すると記憶しやすい。a sniveling child, a sniveling coward のように、相手を軽蔑して「めそめそしていて見苦しい」と批判する場面で出やすく、単なる sad や tearful より否定的。
Keep it near words like `sniff` and `sniffle`, which give a nose-sound feeling. `Sniveling` often suggests weak crying, complaining, or self-pity, not just simple sadness. That is why it sounds more negative than `tearful` and closer to `whiny`.
例文
The sniveling child asked for his mother.
めそめそ泣く子どもが母親を呼んだ。
I don't have patience for sniveling excuses.
哀れったらしい言い訳には忍耐がない。
The sniveling child wiped his tears and called for his mother.
めそめそ泣く子どもは涙を拭い、母親を呼んだ。
sniveling の類義語・関連語
sniveling の語源・成り立ち Etymology
sniveling は snivel からで、古英語系 *snyflan「鼻水を垂らす」にさかのぼります。もとは鼻をすすり上げる感じで、snivel や sniveler と同根。「鼻をぐずぐずさせる」が転じて「めそめそした」になりました。
Sniveling comes from snivel, a word of Old English origin related to sniffing or running at the nose. It originally suggested nasal sniffling or snuffling. From that physical image, the meaning shifted to weak, tearful, or whining behavior. Related words include snivel and sniveler.
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