Lesson 34 Cheer up

ポイント
“Cheer” means 歓声を上げる, so you might think that “cheer up” has a similar meaning. But it doesn’t.

ダイアログ
Kenichi: When I was in New York, I went to see the Yankees and cheered up Masahiro Tanaka.
Michael: Why? Did you meet him?

解説
Kenichi wants to say “田中 将大に歓声を上げた.” But he actually says “田中 将大を元気づけた.” Of course, Mr. Tanaka is a rich and successful sportsman, so he probably doesn’t need someone to
cheer him up, which is why Michael is confused. Kenichi should just say, “I cheered Masahiro Tanaka.” “Cheer up” is also 自動詞: “I was sad after the Yankees lost, but I cheered up later.”