“situationship”
「はっきりしない恋愛関係／正式な関係ではないロマンス」
【例文】
・We both like each other, but we haven’t made it official yet. It’s just a situationship for now.
「お互いに好きだけど、まだ正式な関係にはなっていない。今のところ、はっきりしない恋愛関係だ。」
【解説・豆知識】
この言葉は、「situation（状況）」と「relationship（関係）」を組み合わせた造語です。situationshipは、お互いに恋愛感情があるものの、まだ正式なカップルとして認識されていない関係を指します。このような関係は、特に感情の話し合いがなく、恋人同士とははっきりしないままカジュアルに過ごすことが一般的です。この言葉は、現代の恋愛やデートの状況を表す際によく使われます。
【似た表現はコレだ！】
1. friends with benefits（恋人ではないが性的関係を持つ友達）
・We’re not dating, we’re just friends with benefits.
⇒付き合っているわけではなく、性的関係を持つだけの友達だ。
2. casual relationship（カジュアルな関係）
・We’re not looking for anything serious, just a casual relationship for now.
⇒真剣な関係を求めていない。今のところ、カジュアルな関係だ。
3. no strings attached（約束や義務のない関係）
・We both agreed to have a no strings attached relationship.
⇒お互いに約束や義務のない関係であることに同意した。
4. undefined relationship（定義されていない関係）
・We’ve been seeing each other for a while, but it’s still an undefined relationship.
⇒しばらく会っているけど、まだ定義されていない関係だ。
5. keeping it casual（カジュアルな関係を維持する）
・We’re not ready for a serious commitment, so we’re just keeping it casual.
⇒真剣なコミットメントにはまだ準備ができていないから、関係をカジュアルに保っている。
The Meaning and Origin of “Situationship”
Have you ever been in a relationship that wasn’t quite official? Maybe you’ve heard the term “situationship.” A situationship is a relationship that has not yet been defined. It is somewhere between a friendship and a romantic relationship, where both people involved have feelings for each other, but there is no commitment. Situationships might involve dates, physical intimacy, and emotional connection, but they do not include the labels and expectations of a traditional relationship.
The concept of a situationship is not new. People have been navigating undefined relationships for as long as romantic relationships have existed. However, the term “situationship” has become more popular in recent years, especially as dating has shifted to more casual and non-committal forms.
Some people might see situationships as a way to avoid the pressures and expectations of a traditional relationship. They may feel that labels and commitments are too constricting and prefer to keep things open-ended.
On the other hand, situationships can also be a source of frustration and confusion. There might be a lack of communication, leading to uncertainty and hurt feelings. One person may want to define the relationship while the other is content with the way things are. Situationships can also make it difficult to move on and pursue other potential relationships.
Ultimately, the meaning of a situationship is subjective and depends on the individuals involved. It’s important to communicate clearly and honestly with your partner(s) about your expectations and feelings.
Comprehension Questions
1. What is a situationship?
2. Is a situationship a new concept?
3. Why might someone prefer a situationship?
4. What are some potential problems with situationships?
5. Why is clear communication important in a situationship?
Answers
1. A situationship is a romantic relationship that hasn’t been defined or labeled. It’s somewhere between a friendship and a traditional relationship, with no commitment or expectations.
2. The concept of a situationship is not new, but the term has become more popular in recent years.
3. Some people might prefer situationships because they feel that labels and commitments are too constricting.
4. Situationships can be a source of frustration and confusion if there is a lack of communication. It can also be difficult to move on and pursue other relationships.
5. Clear communication is important in a situationship to avoid misunderstandings and hurt feelings. It’s important to communicate your expectations and feelings with your partner(s).
