What Does 'Rule of Thumb' Mean? (よく使う英語慣用語句） -N0.536-

What Does 'Rule of Thumb' Mean? (よく使う英語慣用語句)

Introduction:
Have you ever needed a simple, practical way to make a quick decision? In English, when we talk about a general guideline that works in most situations, we often use the phrase “rule of thumb.”

1. What Does 'Rule of Thumb' Mean?
A “rule of thumb” is a general principle or guideline based on experience rather than a strict law. It’s not always 100% accurate, but it’s a useful way to make quick decisions.

2. When to Use It
Use this phrase when giving advice, tips, or a guideline that usually works, even if it’s not scientifically exact.

Example:
A: How much time should I spend studying each day?
B: As a rule of thumb, at least one hour is a good start.

3. 日本語の同じような表現
日本語では、「経験則」や「大体の目安」、「だいたいこうするといい」という表現が近いです。厳密なルールではなく、経験から導かれた便利な基準を示すときに使います。

Conclusion:
When you want to share a practical and simple guideline, you can use the phrase “rule of thumb.” It’s a handy way to give advice without needing exact details.

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