歴史を紐解く
れきしをひもとく
expression, verb (godan)
to look back at history; to delve into history; to explore the past
Conjugation
| Affirmative | Negative | |
|---|---|---|
| Present | 歴史を紐解く | 歴史を紐解かない |
| Present polite | 歴史を紐解きます | 歴史を紐解きません |
| Past | 歴史を紐解いた | 歴史を紐解かなかった |
| Past polite | 歴史を紐解きました | 歴史を紐解きませんでした |
| て form | 歴史を紐解いて | 歴史を紐解かなくて |
| ている present | 歴史を紐解いている | 歴史を紐解いていない |
| ている polite | 歴史を紐解いています | 歴史を紐解いていません |
| ている past | 歴史を紐解いていた | 歴史を紐解いていなかった |
| ている past polite | 歴史を紐解いていました | 歴史を紐解いていませんでした |
| Conditional ば | 歴史を紐解けば | 歴史を紐解かなければ |
| Conditional たら | 歴史を紐解いたら | 歴史を紐解かなかったら |
| Volitional | 歴史を紐解こう | — |
| Volitional polite | 歴史を紐解きましょう | — |
| Potential | 歴史を紐解ける | 歴史を紐解けない |
| Passive | 歴史を紐解かれる | 歴史を紐解かれない |
| Causative | 歴史を紐解かせる | 歴史を紐解かせない |
| Imperative | 歴史を紐解け | 歴史を紐解くな |
1.
to examine the background of a subject by tracing it through history; to delve into or explore history
A literary, somewhat formal phrase meaning to investigate or narrate the historical background of a person, place, institution, or subject. Literally "to unbind (the cords of) history." The verb 紐解く comes from the old practice of untying the silk cord that held an ancient scroll or book shut in order to read it; the phrase therefore evokes the image of opening up history to examine it closely. Common in magazine articles, documentaries, book titles, and guided tours.
歴史を紐解く。
To delve into history.
As we delved into the history of this town, one surprising fact after another came to light.
Literally "to untie (the cord of) history." Composed of 歴史 (history) + を (object marker) + 紐解く (to unbind, to open a scroll, to read). The verb 紐解く is an older, literary verb originally meaning "to untie the silk cord of a book or scroll in order to open and read it." From this came the modern figurative meaning "to investigate or explore in depth."
Common collocations
- 歴史を紐解く: to trace / explore history
- 歴史を紐解くと: as one looks back through history, ...
- 歴史を紐解いてみる: to try delving into history
- 記録を紐解く: to go through the records
- 過去を紐解く: to delve into the past
Similar words
- 歴史を振り返る: to look back on history — a close synonym, plainer and more neutral in tone.
- 歴史を辿る: to trace the course of history — emphasizes following the chain of events.
- 歴史を掘り下げる: to dig deeper into history — emphasizes thorough, analytical investigation.
- 歴史を遡る: to go back up through history — emphasizes moving from the present toward the past.
Register
Literary and somewhat formal. Particularly common in:
- Newspaper and magazine essays
- TV documentaries and their narration
- Museum exhibition texts and audio guides
- Book titles, lecture titles, and travel-guide headings
In casual conversation, speakers more often say 歴史を見ていく ("let's look at the history") or 歴史を調べる ("to look into the history"). The verb 紐解く gives the phrase a cultured, slightly elegant flavor.
Note on the verb form
紐解く is also written 繙く with the single kanji 繙 in literary contexts. Either form is correct; 紐解く is more common in modern writing.