matter

問題、異常

これらの表現では、不具合や誰かの悩み、動揺を指す。

やさしい英語で： In these expressions, something is wrong or someone is upset.

• What is the matter?
• Nothing is the matter with me.
• She could see that something was the matter.

使い方： what is the matter with someone/something? (What is the matter with your phone?); something is the matter with someone/something (Something is the matter with my knee.)

類義語： problem, trouble

よく使う表現： the matter, matter with someone, matter with something

問題、事柄

話し合ったり、対応したりする対象となる問題や用事。

やさしい英語で： A subject, situation, or task that people discuss or deal with.

• We need to discuss this matter.
• Please deal with urgent matters first.
• How we spend our money is a private matter.

使い方： a matter of something (Keeping our promise is a matter of trust.)

類義語： issue, subject, affair

よく使う表現： urgent matter, private matter, matter of importance, serious matter

実は、実際には

この表現では、相手が意外に思うような事実を付け加える。

やさしい英語で： In this expression, you add a true fact, often one that surprises someone.

• As a matter of fact, I know her.
• He is not poor; as a matter of fact, he owns three houses.
• As a matter of fact, we met yesterday.

使い方： as a matter of fact, … (As a matter of fact, I have already finished.)

よく使う表現： matter of fact, as a matter

物質

物を構成するもの。固体、液体、気体などがある。

やさしい英語で： The physical stuff that things are made of, including solids, liquids, and gases.

• All matter has mass.
• Dead leaves add organic matter to the soil.
• Scientists study how matter changes when heated.

類義語： substance, material

よく使う表現： organic matter, solid matter, dark matter

時間の問題

この表現では、時間がたてば必ず起こることを表す。

やさしい英語で： In this expression, something will certainly happen after enough time has passed.

• It is only a matter of time.
• Her recovery is now a matter of weeks.
• It was only a matter of time before the old car broke down.

使い方： only a matter of time before … (It is only a matter of time before they find us.)

よく使う表現： matter of time, matter of days, matter of weeks

それどころか、ついでに言えば

この表現では、直前の発言を補強する関連情報を付け加える。

やさしい英語で： In this expression, you add another related point that supports what you just said.

• I do not like tea, or coffee, for that matter.
• He never calls, or writes, for that matter.
• She could lead this team, or the whole company, for that matter.

使い方： …, for that matter (I cannot cook, or bake, for that matter.)

よく使う表現： for that matter, that matter

重要である、大事である

重要であることや、状況や結果に影響すること。

やさしい英語で： If something has importance or makes a difference, it has this quality.

• Your happiness matters.
• Does the colour matter to you?
• It did not matter that we were late.

使い方： matter to someone (Your opinion matters to me.); it matters whether/what/how … (It matters how you treat people.)

類義語： count, be important

よく使う表現： matter to someone, really matter, matter a lot