To actively manage someone's mood through words or actions to maintain a smooth relationship.
Word in 30 Seconds
- To act in a way that pleases someone.
- Often used when someone is angry or upset.
- Can imply flattering someone to get what you want.
Overview
「機嫌を取る」は、他者の心理状態を良好に保つ、または悪化した状態を改善しようとする能動的な働きかけを指します。単に相手を喜ばせるというポジティブな意味だけでなく、自分にとって都合の良い状況を作るために相手に媚びるという、ややネガティブなニュアンスが含まれることもあります。2) Usage Patterns: この表現は「人の機嫌を取る」「上司の機嫌を取る」のように、目的語として「人」やその人の「機嫌」を伴って使われます。また、どのような手段で機嫌を取るかを説明する際、「プレゼントをして機嫌を取る」「褒めて機嫌を取る」といった形で動詞と組み合わされます。3) Common Contexts: 日常生活では、怒っている家族やパートナーに対して何かをしてあげる際に使われます。ビジネスシーンでは、取引先や上司に対して、円滑な関係を維持するために過度な配慮をすることを指す場合が多く、少し皮肉や批判的な文脈で用いられることもあります。4) Similar Words comparison: 「ごまをする」は、相手に気に入られるために媚びへつらうという、よりネガティブで卑屈なニュアンスが強い言葉です。「機嫌を取る」は、相手を落ち着かせるための配慮という意味合いが強いですが、「ごまをする」は自己利益のために行うという違いがあります。
Examples
彼女が怒っているので、ケーキを買って機嫌を取った。
everydayShe was angry, so I bought a cake to humor her.
取引先の機嫌を取るために、接待を繰り返した。
formalWe held repeated business dinners to appease the client.
そんなに無理して機嫌を取らなくてもいいよ。
informalYou don't have to try so hard to please them.
集団の調和を保つための機嫌取りは、時に疲弊を招く。
academicAppeasing others to keep group harmony can sometimes lead to exhaustion.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
ご機嫌取り
the act of trying to please someone
機嫌を取るのが上手
skilled at managing others' moods
Often Confused With
This implies insincere flattery specifically to gain a personal advantage. It is much more negative than 'kigen wo toru'.
This means to observe someone's mood to see if it is safe to approach them. It is more passive than 'kigen wo toru'.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
This phrase is neutral to slightly informal. It is frequently used in daily life but can sound unprofessional in formal written reports. Use it when describing the act of trying to make someone feel better.
Common Mistakes
Students often confuse this with 'kigen wo naosu' (to fix one's own mood). Remember that 'toru' is an action directed toward someone else's mood, not your own.
Tips
Use to describe conflict resolution
When someone is upset, using this phrase describes your attempt to smooth things over. It is very common in family and relationship contexts.
Be careful with professional settings
Avoid saying this to a boss directly, as it sounds like you are manipulating them. It is better to use it when talking to friends about your actions.
High-context culture and harmony
In Japan, maintaining 'wa' (harmony) is crucial. 'Kigen wo toru' is a necessary social skill to prevent conflict in group settings.
Word Origin
Kigen (機嫌) refers to one's mood or state of mind. Toru (取る) means to take or capture, suggesting you are capturing their mood to control or improve it.
Cultural Context
In Japanese society, reading the room (kuuki wo yomu) is vital. 'Kigen wo toru' is a practical application of this social norm to maintain smooth interpersonal relationships.
Memory Tip
Think of 'taking' (toru) the bad 'mood' (kigen) away from the person. You are 'taking' the bad mood out of them.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions状況によります。相手を思いやって関係を修復する場合は肯定的ですが、自分の利益のために媚びる場合は否定的な意味になります。
相手が怒っている時や、機嫌が悪そうな時に、それを解消しようと行動する時に使います。
「機嫌を損ねる」は相手を怒らせるという結果を指し、「機嫌を取る」はその状態を直そうとする行為を指します。
「機嫌を取る」という言葉自体は少し幼稚な印象を与えることがあるため、ビジネスの公的な場では「ご機嫌をうかがう」や「配慮する」という表現を使う方が無難です。
Test Yourself
怒っている上司の___ために、コーヒーを買ってきた。
相手の機嫌を良くしようと行動しているため「機嫌を取る」が適切です。
Score: /1
Summary
To actively manage someone's mood through words or actions to maintain a smooth relationship.
- To act in a way that pleases someone.
- Often used when someone is angry or upset.
- Can imply flattering someone to get what you want.
Use to describe conflict resolution
When someone is upset, using this phrase describes your attempt to smooth things over. It is very common in family and relationship contexts.
Be careful with professional settings
Avoid saying this to a boss directly, as it sounds like you are manipulating them. It is better to use it when talking to friends about your actions.
High-context culture and harmony
In Japan, maintaining 'wa' (harmony) is crucial. 'Kigen wo toru' is a necessary social skill to prevent conflict in group settings.
Examples
4 of 4彼女が怒っているので、ケーキを買って機嫌を取った。
She was angry, so I bought a cake to humor her.
取引先の機嫌を取るために、接待を繰り返した。
We held repeated business dinners to appease the client.
そんなに無理して機嫌を取らなくてもいいよ。
You don't have to try so hard to please them.
集団の調和を保つための機嫌取りは、時に疲弊を招く。
Appeasing others to keep group harmony can sometimes lead to exhaustion.
Related Content
Related Vocabulary
More emotions words
ぼんやり
B1Vaguely; absentmindedly; dimly.
夢中
B1Absorption; engrossment; infatuation.
受け止める
B1To accept; to take; to grasp.
達成感
B1Sense of accomplishment.
ひしひしと
B1Acutely; keenly; strongly (feeling something).
適応する
B1To adapt; to adjust.
健気な
B2Brave, admirable, or plucky (especially of a weaker person).
感心な
B1Admirable; deserving admiration.
感心
B1Admiration, impression, or being impressed.
感心する
B1To be impressed; to admire.
