liability

責任、賠償責任

特に損害などについて責任を負い、生じた費用を支払う義務。

やさしい英語で： The duty to accept responsibility for something, especially damage, and pay any resulting costs.

• The driver admitted liability.
• Our insurance covers liability for accidental damage.
• The court will decide whether the company has any liability.

使い方： liability for something (The hotel accepted liability for the damage.)

類義語： responsibility, accountability

よく使う表現： liability for something, legal liability, accept liability

負債、債務

人や企業が他者に支払わなければならないお金。

やさしい英語で： An amount of money that a person or business owes.

• The loan is a major liability.
• Our total tax liability was lower this year.
• The company must pay its liabilities before closing.

類義語： debt, financial obligation

反対語： asset

よく使う表現： tax liability, financial liability, liability of something, current liability

弱点、足手まとい

問題を起こしたり、成功を難しくしたりする人や物。

やさしい英語で： A person or thing that causes problems or makes success harder.

• His temper is a liability.
• Poor spelling became a liability in her new job.
• The unreliable goalkeeper was more of a liability than an asset.

使い方： a liability to someone/something (His careless driving is a liability to the team.)

類義語： disadvantage, handicap, burden

反対語： asset

よく使う表現： be a liability, become a liability, political liability