supplication
嘆願
解説 Definition
何かを懇願する、あるいは誰かに深く頭を下げて願う行為。切実な願いや嘆願書などを指します。
Supplication is a very earnest and humble request for help, mercy, or something important. It is often used in formal, religious, or literary contexts, where the speaker is asking with strong feeling.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
ask や request より、もっと深く頭を下げて助けを乞う場面を思い浮かべると定着しやすい語です。語尾の -tion で「行為・文書」の名詞と見抜ければ、supplicate が動詞だと連想できます。宗教的な「祈願」や、for mercy / for help のような切実な願いでよく出ます。plea も「懇願」ですが、supplication はよりへりくだった、厳粛で必死な響きが強いと押さえると混同しにくいです。
Notice the noun ending `-tion`; it points to an act or formal expression. From that, you can connect it to the verb `supplicate`. It sounds more humble and serious than a normal `request`, often used for mercy or help.
例文
The prisoner made a supplication to the governor for clemency.
その囚人は知事に恩赦を嘆願しました。
With a voice full of supplication, she begged for his forgiveness.
嘆願に満ちた声で、彼女は彼の許しを求めました。
The refugees' supplication for aid reached the international community.
難民の援助への嘆願は国際社会に届きました。
supplication の類義語・関連語
supplication の語源・成り立ち Etymology
ラテン語 supplicatio に由来し、もとをたどると sub-「下へ」＋plicare「折る・曲げる」で「身を低くして願う」感覚です。apply や comply と同じ pli/plic 系で、ただ頼むより「身を折って嘆願する」切実さがにじみます。
Supplication comes from Latin supplicatio. It is linked to sub- meaning "under" and a root seen in plicare, "to fold or bend," suggesting the image of bending oneself humbly while asking. Over time it came to mean an earnest, humble appeal; related English words from the same root family include apply and comply.
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