deign

 意味

deignは、地位が高い人が、下位の人を見下して何かを許し与えるときに使う単語です。「〜することを許しを与えよう、してやろう」みたいな意味です。現代だと、フィクションなどでしか使われないと思います。類似する単語にcondescendがあり、「見下す、地位の高い人が低い人に合わせて〜する」という意味です。こちらの方が使われているような気がします。

1. do something that one considers to be beneath one's dignity.

   • "she did not deign to answer the maid's question". 彼女はメイドの質問に答えようとはしなかった

2. (ARCHAIC): condescend to give (something).

 ChatGPT 4の解説

Condescend と deignの違い

condescend

「condescend」は、自分が高い地位や知識、能力などを持っていると認識しながら、意図的に自分のレベルを下げて、他人と交流したり、何かをすることを意味します。しばしば、この行動は相手に対する優越感や、少し見下すような態度を伴います。ただし、自己降下の意志がより強調され、「慈悲深い」や「恩恵を与える」ような行動として解釈されることもあります。

deign

一方で「deign」は、特に何かをすることを嫌がりながらも、それを行うことを許す、あるいは自分を低くしてそれを行うことを意味します。「condescend」よりも、自分を低くすることに重点が置かれており、行為自体に対する嫌悪感や不本意ながらも許可するというニュアンスが含まれています。

類似点と相違点

• 類似点: 両方とも、自分が他人や事柄に対して高い位置にいるという認識のもと、ある行為をすることに含まれる、自己の地位を下げるという意味合いを持っています。
• 相違点: 「condescend」はしばしば見下すような態度を伴うことがあり、交流の中での自己降下を強調します。「deign」は特定の行為に対する不本意ながらの許可や、それを行うことへの嫌悪感をより強調します。

 例文

• She finally deigned to answer our humble request, responding to our questions. 彼女はようやく私たちのささやかなリクエストに応え、質問に答えてくれた。
• Despite his vast knowledge, he never condescends when explaining complex topics to beginners. その豊富な知識にもかかわらず、複雑なトピックを初心者に説明する際にも決して高慢な態度はとらない。
• The celebrity condescended to take photos with her fans, making it seem like she was doing them a favor. 

Tips

not condescendとすれば、「上から目線の態度を取らない」＝「平等に接する、謙虚」といった意味になります。一方、「へりくだる」を英語にする場合は"humble oneself", "show humility(or modesty)"などになります。condescendを使うと上から目線のニュアンスが出てしまうため、使う場合は後者の方が安心です。

 原神での使われ方

役立つフレーズも同時にメモしています。

Duel Before the Throne

 

Genshin Impact Baal kills La Signora! "La Signora Death"

Signora: The way people charge in here as they please... So uncivilized. If I didn't know this was Tenshukaku, I might have mistaken it for some kind of street market. Have you learned your lesson now?

Paimon: Oh no, what has she done to Kujou Sara...

Raiden Shogun: The right to punish Inazumans for their crimes is mine alone. Not yours, Signora.

Signora: ...Then I apologize, Almighty Shogun.

(Traveler): Signora!

Signora: I know, I know, you can't get me out of your mind. But you really don't need to call my name all the time. Don't go  thinking I'm surprised to see you here. I'm well aware that you hate me, with the way you follow me around like a dark shadow.

(Traveler): You're secretly distributing Delusions... / You're trying to seize control of Inazuma...

Signora: Ah, so you came to expose my crimes in front of the Shogun? Hehehe... I'm just a Snezhnayan diplomat. I'm afraid I have no idea what you're talking about.

Paimon: She doesn't take us seriously at all...

(Traveler): For all who have lost their Visions... / For all who have been harmed by Delusions...

Signora: Stop talking about people and things that I care nothing about. They were nobodies to begin with, and their names will be forgotten. But now, at least, they get to be building blocks in the grand revolution to realize eternity... Is that not the greatest honor they could hope for in their tiny little lives? Almighty Shogun... do correct me if I'm wrong?

Raiden Shogun: ...

(Traveler): For Venti's Gnosis... / And for the people of Liyue you imperiled...

Signora: That's ancient history. You certainly love to hold a grudge. The Tsaritsa's dream is the noblest and purest thing in all the world. These other mundane details you insist on mentioning... They're just necessary sacrifices. That's all.

(Traveler): It's time for me to put a stop to this.

Signora: You? Stop me? Hahaha... For what it's worth, I've grown tired of seeing you around as well. But I didn't have you down as someone quite so foolhardy. Before you go saying something you can't take back, remember that you're Inazuma's most wanted criminal... I suggest you consider your circumstances very carefully. Charging into Tenshukaku uninvited and lecturing me in front of the Shogun wasn't the brightest move. Don't you think it's time you stopped digging? I'm not sure you realize quite how much distance there is between us, both in status... and in strength.

(Traveler): I challenge you ...To a duel before the throne!

Signora: ...

Raiden Shogun: Proceed.

Signora: My, you're full of surprises today... So you've learned to make the law of the land work for you too, hmm?  I'll admit that I never expected to be in a situation where the two of us were on equal footing. You are aware... that the loser must die? Are you sure this is what you want?

Paimon: (Traveler)...

Signora: Hehehe... then I will deign to share this last dance with you... till death do us part.

 

 

役立つフレーズ

• as they please: 好き勝手に
• Don't go thinking that ...: 〜だと勝手に思い込まないで (Don't go doingの形で使われる)
  • Don't go thinking I'll always be here to clean your mess.
  • Don't go spending all your money in one place
  • Don't go making promises you can't keep.
  • Don't go jumping to conclusions
  • などなど
• hold a grudge (against ...):  (...を)恨む
• For what it's worth: それがどれだけの価値があるかわからないけど
• have someone down as: 〜という印象を持っている(put someone down as / regard someone as / think of someone as)
  • I didn't have you down as someone quite so foolhardy. それほどまでに向こう見ずな人とは思わなかった
• Before you go saying something...: 何かを発言する前に
  • 相手に対して何かを言う前によく考えるよう促す際に用いられることが多い
  • Before you go saying something you might regret, take a moment to calm down. 後悔するかもしれないことを口にする前に、落ち着くために一息ついてください。
  • Before you go saying something to the boss, make sure you have all the facts straight. 上司に何か言う前に、全ての事実が正しいことを確認してください。
• stop digging:
  • 格言の一説
  • If you find yourself in a hole, stop [quit] digging. 自分が困難な状況に陥っていることに気づいたら、その状況を悪化させる行動を止めるべきだという意味の英語のことわざ
• I will deign to share this last dance with you... till death do us part. このラストダンスをあなたと分かち合うことを許しを与えよう。死がふたりを分かつまで...