それとなく

• 読み: それとなく
• ローマ字: soretonaku
• 発音: /so.ɾe.to.na.kɯ/

意味

Indirectly; obliquely; in a roundabout way; casually hinting at something without being explicit.

An adverb describing communication or behaviour that is subtly suggestive rather than direct. Formed from それ (that) + と + なく (without), literally 'without making it that.' Used when someone conveys a message, checks on something, or guides a situation without being obvious about their intention. Common in interpersonal and workplace contexts where directness might be uncomfortable.

例文

1. 彼女にそれとなく転職の意思を伝えた。
2. 友人がそれとなく別れた理由を聞いてきた。
3. 上司がそれとなく残業を減らすように促した。

使い方ガイド

場面: workplace, relationships, social situations

トーン: diplomatic

起源と歴史

Compound of the demonstrative pronoun それ (that), the quotative particle と, and なく (the negative continuative form of ある). Literally conveys 'without making it [apparent as] that.'

文化的背景

時代: Early Modern

世代: All ages

社会的背景: Universal