顔色をうかがう

• 読み: かおいろをうかがう
• ローマ字: kaoiro wo ukagau
• 漢字の分解: 顔 (kao) — face; 色 (iro) — color, expression
• 発音: /ka.o.i.ɾo.o.ɯ.ka.ɡa.ɯ/

意味

To read someone's face; to be sensitive to another person's mood. To gauge someone's feelings from their expression.

A set phrase combining 顔色 (facial expression/complexion) with うかがう (to observe carefully/to probe). Describes the act of watching someone's face to judge their mood or intentions, often with the nuance of being overly cautious or deferential. People who constantly 顔色をうかがう may be seen as lacking confidence or being too dependent on others' approval.

例文

1. 上司の顔色をうかがいながら仕事をするのは疲れる。
2. 子供が親の顔色をうかがって行動するのは良くない。
3. 彼女はいつも周りの顔色をうかがっている。

使い方ガイド

場面: workplace, family, interpersonal

トーン: neutral

起源と歴史

A compound expression: 顔色 (kaoiro, facial color/expression) + を (object marker) + うかがう (ukagau, to observe/inquire). Literally 'to observe someone's facial color' — reading emotional cues from complexion changes.

文化的背景

時代: Historical

世代: All ages

社会的背景: Universal