「“Conclave”と“根比べ”――語源のすれ違いと英語イディオムの世界」
ローマ法王フランシスコが帰天し、世界中のカトリック信徒が深い喪失感に包まれている。バチカンでは次なる法王を選ぶ「コンクラーベ（conclave）」の準備が静かに進む。この「コンクラーベ」、日本語の「根比べ」と音が似ていることから「根気比べの会議」と誤解されることもあるが、実はまったく違う言葉だ▼「コンクラーベ」の語源はラテン語の「cum clave」――「鍵をかけて」という意味だ。中世ヨーロッパで教皇選出が長引かないよう、枢機卿たちを部屋に“鍵をかけて”閉じ込め、外部の影響を断ち切ったことに由来する。今も枢機卿たちはシスティーナ礼拝堂に集まり、厳重な秘密のもとで新法王を選ぶ▼一方、「根比べ」は「根（こん）」＝「忍耐力」や「気力」を競い合う日本語。語源も文化も、コンクラーベとは全くの別物だ。確かに長引くコンクラーベは「根比べ」の様相を呈することもあるが、語源的には偶然の一致にすぎない▼英語にも「根比べ」に近い表現がある。“play the waiting game”は「どちらが長く待てるか我慢比べをする」という意味だ。また、“hold out the longest”や“see who can hold out longer”も「根比べ」を表す。さらに、“on pins and needles（そわそわして待つ）”や“waiting with bated breath（息を詰めて待つ）”など、待つことや忍耐を表すイディオムも豊富だ▼コンクラーベの扉が閉じられるとき、世界は新たなリーダーの誕生を固唾を飲んで見守る。“All good things come to those who wait（待つ者には良いことが訪れる）”。語源の偶然と文化の違いを超えて、忍耐と決断の時がバチカンに再び訪れようとしている。
【英語訳】”Conclave” and “Konkurabe”: A Case of Etymological Coincidence and the World of English Idioms
With the passing of Pope Francis, Catholics worldwide are enveloped in a profound sense of loss. In Vatican City, preparations quietly advance for the “conclave” to elect the next pope. This term “conclave” sometimes gets misinterpreted in Japanese as meaning a “test of endurance” due to its phonetic similarity to the Japanese word “konkurabe” (root comparison), but they are entirely different words.
The etymology of “conclave” comes from the Latin “cum clave”—meaning “with a key.” In medieval Europe, to prevent papal elections from dragging on, cardinals were locked (“with a key”) in a room, isolated from outside influences. Even today, cardinals gather in the Sistine Chapel to elect a new pope under strict secrecy.
Meanwhile, “konkurabe” in Japanese refers to competing in patience, endurance, or willpower. Despite their phonetic similarity, the origins and cultural contexts of these words are completely unrelated. While a prolonged conclave may indeed resemble a test of endurance, etymologically speaking, this is merely a coincidental similarity.
English has expressions similar to “konkurabe.” “Play the waiting game” means to engage in a contest of patience. “Hold out the longest” or “see who can hold out longer” also express this concept. Additionally, idioms like “on pins and needles” (waiting anxiously) and “waiting with bated breath” (waiting in suspense) richly convey notions of waiting and patience.
As the doors of the conclave close, the world watches with bated breath for the birth of a new leader. “All good things come to those who wait.” Beyond etymological coincidences and cultural differences, a time of patience and decision once again approaches the Vatican.
