Meaning
「If you ask me」は、話し手が自分の意見や考えを述べるときに使う表現です。このフレーズを使うことで、聞き手に対して自分の主観的な意見であることを示します。日本語では「私の意見では」や「もし私に尋ねるなら」といった意味合いになります。
例えば、誰かがある映画の評価について話しているとき、「If you ask me, that movie was great!」と言うことで、「私に言わせれば、その映画は素晴らしかったです!」というように自分の見解を伝えます。
この表現はカジュアルな場面でよく使われ、特に友人同士の会話や非公式なディスカッションで頻繁に登場します。自分の意見を述べたいときに、他人の意見と区別して伝えたい場合に便利です。
Today's Sentences
- If you ask me, I’ll say ‘yes’.
- If you ask me, you should speak your mind.
- If you ask me, dogs are a man’s best friend.
- If you ask me, fighting is never the solution.
- If you ask me, get rid of people who criticize you.
- Writer's Note
01
If you ask me, I’ll say ‘yes’.
Situation 1
Since it’s the New Year, let’s make some resolutions.
I don’t know about resolutions but I know I want to get married.
Really?
If you ask me, I’ll say ‘yes’.
Situation 2
I don’t believe in weddings.
Do you believe in marriage?
Of course.
And I’d love to be married to you.
そして、あなたと結婚できたら嬉しいです。
If you ask me, I’ll say ‘yes’.
02
If you ask me, you should speak your mind.
Situation 1
I have so many ideas but I’m scared that they’ll be rejected.
If you ask me, you should speak your mind.
So you think I should be more brave and speak out?
Always.
Situation 2
Look, you’re an intelligent woman.
I know you’ve got a lot more to say than what you’ve portrayed.
私は、あなたがこれまでに表現した以上のことを言いたいことを知っています。
Women aren’t given the same opportunities to express their thoughts and feelings in government.
That may be.
But if you ask me, you should speak your mind.
しかし、私に言わせれば、自分の考えを率直に話すべきです。
Thanks for your wisdom and advice.
03
If you ask me, dogs are a man’s best friend.
Situation 1
Your dog is so well behaved.
Thank you.
He’s been a good friend since he was a little puppy.
彼は小さな子犬だった頃からの良い友達です。
If you ask me, dogs are a man’s best friend.
I agree.
Situation 2
Is this your dog? He’s so friendly!
What’s his name?
名前は何ですか?
It’s Copper.
If you ask me, dogs are a man’s best friend.
Thanks for the compliment.
I’m sure you made Copper’s day.
きっとCopperも喜んでいると思います。
04
If you ask me, fighting is never the solution.
Situation 1
What happened to your face?
Well, I got in a brawl with some guys.
If you ask me, fighting is never the solution.
I hope nobody was seriously hurt.
誰も深刻な怪我をしていないことを願っています。
Those guys were such bullies.
They kept picking a fight with anyone in sight.
見える人すべてに喧嘩を売っていました。
Situation 2
I can’t believe politicians these days.
They fight and argue about everything except politics.
彼らは政治以外のすべてのことについて争い、議論しています。
If you ask me, fighting is never the solution.
I agree.
What ever happened to integrity.
誠実さは一体どうなってしまったのでしょうか。
That quality is hard to find in people these days.
05
If you ask me, get rid of people who criticize you.
Situation 1
I hate family gatherings.
Why?
There’s just so much jealousy and criticism.
If you ask me, get rid of people who criticize you.
It’s nasty and negative environment.
それは不快でネガティブな環境です。
Situation 2
Social networking is a powerful tool but there’s a darker side.
Why do you think so?
I think it causes a strain on mental health, along with depression, anxiety, and lower self-esteem. Have you seen the criticism on social media?
ソーシャルメディアでの批判を見たことがありますか?
You’re right on so many levels.
Writer's Note
Did you know you can add "If you ask me" at the end of a sentence, too? The examples, shown above, "If you ask me" as a sentence opener but let's see how it looks added to the end of a sentence.
- This coffee is horrible, if you ask me.
- She gets very defensive when it comes to her kids, if you ask me.
- His views on politics are too strong, if you ask me.
- He's an incompetent fool, if you ask me.
- They're too rowdy, if you ask me.
- This movie is overrated, if you ask me.
Do you notice that there's a comma before "if you ask me"? Make sure you add that comma to separate it! You can also replace "if you ask me" with "in my opinion".
- This is coffee is horrible, in my opinion.
- She gets very defensive when it comes to her kids, in my opinion.
- His views on politics are too strong, in my opinion.
- He's an incompetent fool, in my opinion.
- They're too rowdy, in my opinion.
- This movie is overrated, in my opinion.