【No. 2207】Mizu wo Mukeru (水を向ける - Providing an Opening)
Nov 6, 2023 18:25
Mizu wo Mukeru
The act of prompting someone to speak comfortably is sometimes expressed as mizu wo mukeru (水を向ける).
Since mizu (水) means "water," and mukeru (向ける) means "to direct," the literal meaning of mizu wo mukeru is "to direct water."
This expression is believed to have originated from the ancient practice where a miko (巫女 - meaning "priestess") used to pour water into a bowl and present it as a way to call up the spirits of the dead.
This act was equivalent to calling the spirits and making them speak, so mizu wo mukeru came to acquire its current metaphorical meaning.
The act of prompting someone to speak comfortably is sometimes expressed as mizu wo mukeru (水を向ける).
Since mizu (水) means "water," and mukeru (向ける) means "to direct," the literal meaning of mizu wo mukeru is "to direct water."
This expression is believed to have originated from the ancient practice where a miko (巫女 - meaning "priestess") used to pour water into a bowl and present it as a way to call up the spirits of the dead.
This act was equivalent to calling the spirits and making them speak, so mizu wo mukeru came to acquire its current metaphorical meaning.
水を向ける
相手が話しやすいようにうまく誘いかけることを、「水を向ける」と表現することがあります。
「水」は "water"、「向ける」は "to direct" を意味するので、「水を向ける」の文字どおりの意味は "to direct water" となります。
この言葉は、かつて巫女が霊魂を呼び出す口寄せを行う際に、茶碗に水を入れて差し向けたことに由来するとされています。
霊を呼び寄せて話すように仕向けることから、現在の意味に転じたというわけです。
相手が話しやすいようにうまく誘いかけることを、「水を向ける」と表現することがあります。
「水」は "water"、「向ける」は "to direct" を意味するので、「水を向ける」の文字どおりの意味は "to direct water" となります。
この言葉は、かつて巫女が霊魂を呼び出す口寄せを行う際に、茶碗に水を入れて差し向けたことに由来するとされています。
霊を呼び寄せて話すように仕向けることから、現在の意味に転じたというわけです。
Corrections (2)
No. 1 O-Star
- Mizu wo Mukeru (水を向ける - Providing an Opening)
- This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
- Mizu wo Mukeru
- This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
- The act of prompting someone to speak comfortably is sometimes expressed as 'mizu wo mukeru' (水を向ける).
- This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
- Since 'mizu' (水) means "water," and 'mukeru' (向ける) means "to direct," the literal meaning of 'mizu wo mukeru' is "to direct water."
- This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
- This expression is believed to have originated from the ancient practice where a 'miko' (巫女 - meaning "priestess") used to pour water into a bowl and present it as a way to call up the spirits of the dead.
- This expression is believed to have originated from the ancient practice where a 'miko' (巫女 - meaning "priestess") used to pour water into a bowl and present it as a way to summon the spirits of the dead.
- This act was equivalent to calling the spirits and making them speak, so 'mizu wo mukeru' came to acquire its current metaphorical meaning.
- This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
Toru
Thank you for the correction!
Thank you for the correction!
O-Star
You're welcome.
You're welcome.
No. 2 friendfromfaraway
- The act of prompting someone to speak comfortably is sometimes expressed as 'mizu wo mukeru' (水を向ける).
- The act of giving someone a window to start speaking is sometimes expressed as 'mizu wo mukeru' (水を向ける).
- Since 'mizu' (水) means "water," and 'mukeru' (向ける) means "to direct," the literal meaning of 'mizu wo mukeru' is "to direct water."
- This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
- This expression is believed to have originated from the ancient practice where a 'miko' (巫女 - meaning "priestess") used to pour water into a bowl and present it as a way to call up the spirits of the dead.
- This expression is believed to have originated from the ancient practice where a 'miko' (巫女 - meaning "priestess") used to pour water into a bowl and present it as a way to call forth/summon the spirits of the dead.
- This act was equivalent to calling the spirits and making them speak, so 'mizu wo mukeru' came to acquire its current metaphorical meaning.
- This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
Sometimes I have a hard time noticing the moment when someone else does a 水を向ける for me.
Toru
Thank you for the corrections! You might be described as マイペース (meaning something like "easygoing") in Japanese, haha.
Thank you for the corrections! You might be described as マイペース (meaning something like "easygoing") in Japanese, haha.
friendfromfaraway
そうなんです。それは褒め言葉ですか？
そうなんです。それは褒め言葉ですか？
Toru
はい！「マイペース」は基本的には褒め言葉であると思います。ただ、文脈や状況によっては否定的なニュアンスを持つこともあります。例えば、チームワークが必要な状況や災害時などにおいて、「マイペース」は「自分勝手 (selfish)」を意味する可能性があります。
はい！「マイペース」は基本的には褒め言葉であると思います。ただ、文脈や状況によっては否定的なニュアンスを持つこともあります。例えば、チームワークが必要な状況や災害時などにおいて、「マイペース」は「自分勝手 (selfish)」を意味する可能性があります。
friendfromfaraway
なるほど。説明ありがとう！
なるほど。説明ありがとう！