hint

ほのめかし、暗示

考えを直接言わずに伝えようとして言うことやすること。

やさしい英語で： Something said or done to suggest an idea without saying it directly.

• He didn’t take the hint.
• She dropped a hint about her birthday present.
• His glance at the clock was a hint that we should leave.

使い方： a hint that… (Was that a hint that you want us to leave?)

類義語： suggestion, signal

よく使う表現： drop a hint, take the hint, a subtle hint

ヒント、手がかり

答えを見つけたり問題を解いたりする助けになる、ちょっとした情報。

やさしい英語で： A small piece of information that helps you find an answer or solve a problem.

• Can I have a hint?
• The teacher gave us hints to solve the puzzle.
• That last hint helped me guess the answer.

使い方： a hint about something (Can you give me a hint about the answer?)

類義語： clue, tip

よく使う表現： give a hint, a helpful hint, hint about something

かすかな気配、わずかな量

ごく少量、または何かのかすかな気配や兆し。

やさしい英語で： A very small amount or slight sign of something.

• The soup has a hint of garlic.
• I noticed a hint of a smile.
• There wasn’t a hint of doubt in his reply.

使い方： a hint of something (There was a hint of anger in her voice.)

類義語： trace, touch, suggestion

よく使う表現： a hint of, hint of lemon, hint of sadness

ほのめかす、暗示する

何かをはっきり言わず、遠回しに伝える。

やさしい英語で： To suggest something without saying it directly.

• She hinted that she wanted some help.
• He has hinted at leaving his job.
• Are you hinting that I should pay?

使い方： hint that… (He hinted that he might move abroad.); hint at something (She hinted at a change of plans.)

類義語： suggest, imply, allude

よく使う表現： hint at something, hint to someone, hint that something, hint a suspicion

察してね、わかるよね

遠回しに伝えたことに気づいてほしいときに言う。

やさしい英語で： Used to draw attention to an indirect suggestion you want someone to notice.

• It’s my birthday tomorrow, hint, hint!
• Those chocolates look lovely. Hint, hint!
• Someone could wash the dishes tonight. Hint, hint!

よく使う表現： hint hint, hint hint please