Leaning means to tilt or have a tendency towards something, either physically or metaphorically.
30秒でわかる単語
- Tilting or bending from an upright position.
- Expressing a preference or tendency.
- Requires support or shows inclination.
Overview
- 1Overview: The word 'leaning' primarily describes the action of tilting or bending away from a straight or upright position. This can be a physical action, like a person leaning against a wall, or a more abstract inclination, such as having a preference for a certain idea. It implies a state of not being perfectly balanced or upright, often suggesting support is needed or a tendency in a particular direction.
- 1Usage Patterns: As a verb, 'lean' is often followed by prepositions like 'on,' 'against,' or 'over.' 'Lean on' can mean to rest physically on something for support or metaphorically to rely on someone or something. 'Lean against' implies pressing oneself or an object onto a surface for support. 'Lean over' suggests bending forward or downward. As a present participle, 'leaning' describes an ongoing action or state, such as 'The tower is leaning.' In its adjectival use, 'leaning' describes something that is inclined, like 'a leaning tower.' It can also describe a tendency or preference, as in 'a liberal-leaning voter.'
- 1Common Contexts: You'll encounter 'leaning' in everyday physical descriptions: 'He was leaning out of the window.' It's used in discussions about opinions and preferences: 'She has a strong leaning towards environmental causes.' In construction and architecture, it's crucial for describing structural integrity: 'The building's foundation is weak, causing it to lean.' It can also appear in more figurative language: 'The evidence leans towards a guilty verdict.'
**Similar Words Comparison:**
- Tilting: Similar to physical leaning, but often implies a more sudden or less stable movement, like a table tilting precariously. 'Leaning' suggests a more sustained inclination.
- Sloping: Refers to a gradual incline or decline, typically of a surface like a hill or a roof. 'Leaning' is more about an object's orientation rather than a surface's gradient.
- Inclining: A broader term that can mean to bend or tilt, but also to have a tendency or preference. 'Leaning' often emphasizes the physical act of tilting or the direction of a preference more strongly.
- Favoring: When used metaphorically, 'leaning' is similar to 'favoring' a particular idea or option, indicating a preference. However, 'favoring' can sometimes imply a more active endorsement.
例文
The tower has been leaning for centuries.
everydayLa torre sta inclinata da secoli.
He found himself leaning towards the idea of a career change.
informalSi ritrovò a propendere per l'idea di un cambio di carriera.
The judge's questioning seemed to lean in favor of the prosecution.
formalLe domande del giudice sembravano pendere a favore dell'accusa.
Voters with a strong socialist leaning are rare in this region.
academicGli elettori con una forte tendenza socialista sono rari in questa regione.
よく使う組み合わせ
よく使うフレーズ
lean and mean
magro e scattante (efficiente e senza fronzoli)
lean on me
appoggiati a me / conta su di me
lean times
periodi magri (di ristrettezze economiche)
よく混同される語
'Slouch' specifically refers to sitting or standing in a slumped, often lazy or tired posture, with the shoulders rounded. 'Leaning' is a more general term for tilting or inclining.
'Stoop' means to bend the head and body forward and downward, often because of age, weakness, or to pick something up. 'Leaning' is typically a tilt from the vertical, not necessarily a downward bend.
文法パターン
How to Use It
使い方のコツ
The verb 'lean' can be used both literally for physical tilting and figuratively for expressing a preference or tendency. When used figuratively, it often implies a slight or developing inclination rather than a firm commitment. Pay attention to the prepositions used with 'lean' as they significantly alter the meaning.
よくある間違い
Avoid using 'lean' when you mean 'slouch' (hunching over) or 'stoop' (bending forward from the waist). Also, ensure you use the correct preposition; 'lean on' implies reliance, while 'lean against' implies physical support.
Tips
Visualize the tilt
Imagine an object or person bending or tilting away from its normal, straight position when you hear or use 'leaning'.
Beware of instability
Context is key. 'Leaning' can sometimes imply instability or weakness, so ensure your meaning is clear, especially when discussing structures or plans.
Famous leaning structures
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is a famous example, highlighting how 'leaning' can describe a unique, albeit unintended, characteristic.
語源
The word 'lean' comes from the Old English 'hlēanan,' meaning 'to incline, bend, or support oneself.' It shares roots with words in other Germanic languages that convey similar ideas of bending or resting.
文化的な背景
In many cultures, maintaining an upright posture is associated with respect, confidence, and attentiveness. Leaning, especially in formal settings or when addressing elders, can sometimes be perceived as disrespectful or overly casual.
覚え方のコツ
Imagine the Tower of Pisa 'leaning' – it's tilted and looks like it might 'fall over' if it doesn't have support. This helps remember the physical meaning and the need for support.
よくある質問
4 問'Leaning' often suggests a more stable, sustained inclination, perhaps for support, like leaning against a wall. 'Tilting' can imply a more sudden, less stable movement, like a glass tilting and spilling.
Yes, 'leaning' is frequently used metaphorically to describe a preference or tendency towards a particular opinion, belief, or political viewpoint, like 'a right-leaning politician'.
It means to rely on someone for emotional, practical, or financial support. It implies depending on that person when you need help.
Not at all. While it can describe something unstable like the Leaning Tower of Pisa, it can also describe a neutral position or a positive preference, like 'leaning towards a healthier lifestyle'.
自分をテスト
The old bookshelf was starting to ____ under the weight of the books.
'Lean' correctly describes the bookshelf tilting or bending due to the weight.
Which sentence uses 'leaning' correctly?
Sentence B uses 'leaning' metaphorically to express a preference or tendency.
Build a sentence using: against / the / wall / he / was / leaning
This is the standard and grammatically correct sentence structure.
スコア： /3
Summary
Leaning means to tilt or have a tendency towards something, either physically or metaphorically.
- Tilting or bending from an upright position.
- Expressing a preference or tendency.
- Requires support or shows inclination.
Visualize the tilt
Imagine an object or person bending or tilting away from its normal, straight position when you hear or use 'leaning'.
Beware of instability
Context is key. 'Leaning' can sometimes imply instability or weakness, so ensure your meaning is clear, especially when discussing structures or plans.
Famous leaning structures
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is a famous example, highlighting how 'leaning' can describe a unique, albeit unintended, characteristic.
例文
4 / 4The tower has been leaning for centuries.
La torre sta inclinata da secoli.
He found himself leaning towards the idea of a career change.
Si ritrovò a propendere per l'idea di un cambio di carriera.
The judge's questioning seemed to lean in favor of the prosecution.
Le domande del giudice sembravano pendere a favore dell'accusa.
Voters with a strong socialist leaning are rare in this region.
Gli elettori con una forte tendenza socialista sono rari in questa regione.
