to humour

[Diafana]

Hello,

Could "to humour" sound natural in the following context (it's a translation from Spanish to English)?

"But...did she ever say that she didn't want sex?"
Husband: "No, never, she always humoured me. Always."

The verb needs to convey the idea that the woman always complies with her husband's sexual demands despite not wanting to engage in the act herself (in other words, she gives in to his demands to please him).

Any suggestions are most welcome!

Many thanks,

Diafana

[SoothingDave]

Sounds OK to me. "Humored" might seem a bit condescending. Maybe "obliged" is a better word. Maybe not.

[SlickVic9000]

(Not a Teacher)

I favor SoothingDave's suggestion of "obliged".

[5jj]

"Humored" might seem a bit condescending. Maybe "obliged" is a better word. Maybe not.

I think it's the other way round, but (as SD said) maybe not.

[waflob]

'Humoured' seems somehow wrong to me as well.

She may have "stoically fulfilled her marital obligations"

[Diafana]

Thanks to everybody for your invaluable feedback. The consensus seems to be that "to humour" isn't le mot juste in this particular context.

Diafana

[ieltsonly]

We humour someone because of their beliefs, ideas, whims or fantasies and not their actions.

Stephen
http://www.ieltsonly.co.uk

[5jj]

We humour someone because of their beliefs, ideas, whims or fantasies and not their actions.

I go with the Concise Oxford: "1. gratify or indulge (a person or taste, etc.). 2. adapt oneself to; make concessions to."

"But...did she ever say that she didn't want sex?"
Husband: "No, never, she always humoured me. Always."

In that example, the wife allowing (possibly gracefully) her husband to have sex with her was humouring his taste/desire for sex, but it effectively comes to the same thing as humouring him for the act, in my opinion.

[Raymott]

It sounds wrong to me, assuming the passage is meant to read without any irony.

Solider: "Yes, I shot the prisoner, but only to humour my colleagues." This also sounds wrong, even though it might fit one dictionary definition. I can't remember having heard it used that way unless, as I say, it's used ironically.

[emsr2d2]

I agree with 5jj. I can imagine the conversation going something like this:

Husband: Fancy a shag?
Wife: Not really, no.
Husband: Oh. Damn. I really want sex.
Wife: Well, that's no surprise.
Husband: Oh come on. Humour me!
Wife: OK. I will. As usual.

She then lies back and thinks of England!