1.
to shrug one's shoulders
A gesture indicating uncertainty, resignation, or indifference by raising both shoulders.
彼は肩をすくめた。
He shrugged.
仕方がないと肩をすくめるしかなかった。
I could only shrug, thinking there was nothing to be done.
質問に答えず、肩をすくめた。
Instead of answering the question, she just shrugged.
「知らない」と言いながら肩をすくめる彼を見て、本当に知らないのだと思った。
Watching him shrug while saying "I don't know," I believed he really didn't know.
遅刻の理由を聞かれて、彼女は困ったように肩をすくめるだけだった。
When asked why she was late, she could only shrug awkwardly.
STRUCTURE: 肩 (shoulder) + を + すくめる (to draw in, hunch)
GESTURE MEANING: Expresses:
- "I don't know"
- "It can't be helped"
- Resignation or indifference
- Non-commitment
CULTURAL NOTE: Shrugging is more common in Western cultures than traditional Japanese communication. However, it's understood in Japan, especially among younger generations and in international contexts. Traditional Japanese may express similar sentiments verbally with 「仕方がない」or through other gestures.
RELATED EXPRESSIONS:
- 首をかしげる (to tilt one's head - puzzlement)
- 手を挙げる (to raise one's hand - surrender or greeting)
OTHER 肩 EXPRESSIONS:
- 肩を落とす (to drop one's shoulders - disappointment)
- 肩の力を抜く (to relax one's shoulders)