【No. 1689】Shibu-shibu (渋々 - Unwillingly/Reluctantly)

Aug 3, 2019 23:39

Shibu-shibu

Yesterday, I introduced the Japanese term shibui kao (渋い顔), which means "sour face."

By repeating shibu (渋 - "bitter"), it becomes another term shibu-shibu (渋々/渋渋), which means to do something unwillingly.

Shibui kao conveys an unwilling emotion to the surroundings, whereas shibu-shibu implies that someone is unwillingly moved into action.

Usually, terms that describe an action follows shibu-shibu.

For example, you can say hikkoshi wo shibu-shibu tetsudatta (引っ越しを渋々手伝った - "I unwillingly helped someone move") or shibu-shibu aruita (渋々歩いた - "I reluctantly walked").

渋々

昨日は「不愉快そうな顔」を意味する「渋い顔」という表現を紹介しました。

"Bitter" を意味する「渋」を繰り返して「渋々」とすると、「嫌々ながら何かをするさま」を表すことができます。

「渋い顔」は不快な感情を周囲に伝えるだけですが、「渋々」は不快に思いながらも行動に移しているわけです。

「渋々」は通常、その後に行動を表す言葉が続きます。

例えば、「引っ越しを渋々手伝った」「渋々歩いた」のように使います。

Corrections (1)

No. 1　David

• Yesterday, I introduced the Japanese term 'shibui kao' (渋い顔), which means "sour face."
• Yesterday, I introduced the Japanese term 'shibui kao' (渋い顔) which means "sour face."

  (渋い顔), which --> (渋い顔) which
  
  You could have used commas if you'd written:
  
  ... I introduced a Japanese term, 'shibui kao' (渋い顔), which means

• Usually, terms that describe an action follows 'shibu-shibu'.
• Usually, terms that describe an action follow 'shibu-shibu'.

  follows --> follow
  
  terms... follow
  term... follows

Toru
Thank you for the correction! :)

Toru
Thank you for the correction! :)

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