縁起を担ぐ

• 読み: えんぎをかつぐ
• ローマ字: engi wo katsugu
• 漢字の分解: 縁 (en) — fate, connection; 起 (ki) — rise, begin; 担 (tan/katsu) — carry, shoulder
• 発音: /eɴ.ɡi.o.ka.tsɯ.ɡɯ/

意味

To be superstitious; to believe in omens. To pay attention to signs of good or bad luck.

An idiomatic expression combining 縁起 (omen, luck) and 担ぐ (to carry, to shoulder). Describes the tendency to interpret everyday events as lucky or unlucky signs and to adjust behaviour accordingly. Common examples include avoiding the number 4, not sticking chopsticks upright in rice, or carrying lucky charms before exams.

例文

1. 母は縁起を担いで試験の日に赤い服を着せた。
2. 彼は縁起を担ぐタイプで黒猫を避ける。
3. 選手たちは縁起を担ぎ、勝利のお守りを持っていた。

使い方ガイド

場面: superstition, customs, daily life

トーン: casual

起源と歴史

The phrase combines 縁起 (from Buddhist terminology meaning karmic connection or omen) with 担ぐ (to carry on one's shoulders). The metaphor is 'shouldering' omens — allowing them to influence one's actions.

文化的背景

時代: Edo period

世代: All ages

社会的背景: Universal