疎遠

• 読み: そえん
• ローマ字: soen
• 漢字の分解: 疎 (so) — distant, sparse, estranged; 遠 (en) — far, distant
• 発音: /so.eɴ/

意味

Estranged; distant; out of touch. Describes a relationship where contact has been neglected.

A na-adjective and noun describing the state of having drifted apart or lost regular contact with someone. Most commonly used as 疎遠になる (to become estranged/lose touch). Applies to family, friends, and acquaintances who were once close but have grown distant. Not necessarily hostile — simply a fading of connection through neglect or circumstance. More nuanced than 離れる (to separate).

例文

1. 大学を卒業してから友人と疎遠になってしまった。
2. 実家と疎遠になっていたが、最近連絡を取り始めた。
3. 忙しさを理由に親戚付き合いが疎遠になりがちだ。

使い方ガイド

場面: relationships, family, personal reflection

トーン: melancholic

起源と歴史

From Sino-Japanese: 疎 (so, distant/sparse) + 遠 (en, far). Both characters emphasise distance, creating a powerful expression for emotional and relational distance.

文化的背景

時代: Classical

世代: All ages

社会的背景: Universal