在上一篇经济学人双语精读:微软转型要求文化变革精读中,我们看到有个单词“state”,这个单词看似简单,但是,它有很多不同的意思,比如:“情形、状态”等,作形容词的时候还有“国家的、州的、正式的”,当及物动词讲的时候,它还有:“陈述、规定、声明”的意思。后面的这些一些还是比较好理解的,那么从第一个意思来看这个单词,你知道它和condition, status, situation, circumstance之间的区别吗?
今天西贝君来给大家讲一讲:文章源自西贝博客-https://qinghe.me/how-to-differ-words-condition-state-status-situation-circumstance.html
相同之处:
当这些词当名词讲的时候,都有“状况、情况”的意思。文章源自西贝博客-https://qinghe.me/how-to-differ-words-condition-state-status-situation-circumstance.html
不同之处
- condition : 一般强调产生影响的原因或环境,复数形式指笼统的情况。
- state : 普通用词,指人或物在环境、外表、心灵以及健康方面的状况,或指在某一阶段的状态或形式。
- status : 指一个人在政治、社会、经济、法律上的地位或身份,暗含地位显要意味。也可用于指政治等事态的状况。
- situation : 指明确具体的环境情况或处境。
- circumstance : 多指周围的情况或某事发生时的情况。
我们来通过不同的例子,来分别看看这几个词的区别:文章源自西贝博客-https://qinghe.me/how-to-differ-words-condition-state-status-situation-circumstance.html
state
来看一个来自纽约客的例子:文章源自西贝博客-https://qinghe.me/how-to-differ-words-condition-state-status-situation-circumstance.html
- His stated ambition for moving to the city—to become an actor—has languished.— Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, "How Matthew Lopez Transformed “Howards End” Into an Epic Play About Gay Life," 2 Sep. 2019
- 他声称要搬到城里当演员的雄心壮志已荡然无存。
文章源自西贝博客-https://qinghe.me/how-to-differ-words-condition-state-status-situation-circumstance.html
condition
关联例子:文章源自西贝博客-https://qinghe.me/how-to-differ-words-condition-state-status-situation-circumstance.html
- Health spoke to two ob-gyns to learn more about the condition.— Maggie O'neill, Health.com, "What is HELLP Syndrome? What Ob-Gyns Want You to Know About This Dangerous Pregnancy Complication," 10 Sep. 2019
- 卫生部门的人与两名妇产科医生进行了交谈,以了解更多有关情况。
status
来看一个洛杉矶时报的例子:文章源自西贝博客-https://qinghe.me/how-to-differ-words-condition-state-status-situation-circumstance.html
- The landmark legislation, which could set a precedent in a national battle to improve pay and benefits for low- and middle-wage workers, would change the employment status of more than a million Californians.— Los Angeles Times, "A bill giving workplace protection to a million Californians moves one step closer to law," 30 Aug. 2019
- 这项具有里程碑意义的立法将改变超过100万加利福尼亚人的就业状况,它可能在全国范围内为改善中低工资工人的工资和福利而开创先例。
situation
来看一个来自纽约时报的例子:文章源自西贝博客-https://qinghe.me/how-to-differ-words-condition-state-status-situation-circumstance.html
- The situation is a reflection of an unwritten rule of Britain’s political system: The throne remains removed from politics.— Stephen Castle, New York Times, "Boris Johnson’s ‘Explosive’ Move to Get His Way on Brexit: Suspend Parliament," 28 Aug. 2019
- 这一情况反映了英国政治制度的一个不成文规则:王位仍被逐出政坛。
circumstance
来看一个来自经济学人的例子:文章源自西贝博客-https://qinghe.me/how-to-differ-words-condition-state-status-situation-circumstance.html
- In 1858 Prince Albert unveiled a statue to Jenner in Trafalgar Square, amid much pomp and circumstance.— The Economist, "The original anti-vaxxers," 30 Aug. 2019
- 1858年,阿尔伯特亲王在特拉法加广场为詹纳揭幕了一尊雕像,当时正处于盛况之中。
总结
从上面的例子不难看出,我们在进行外刊阅读的时候,要注意区分近义词或者相似词之间的差异,这样才有助于我们去了解和认识一个词的全部,也会对大家在以后的外刊阅读中起到一定的帮助作用。文章源自西贝博客-https://qinghe.me/how-to-differ-words-condition-state-status-situation-circumstance.html
如果你对外刊阅读还没有多少概念,不妨看看:
发愁不知道从哪里下载外刊?看看下面的链接:
2019年经济学人网盘下载(The Economist)-持续更新中
2019年国家评论(National Review)PDF杂志下载
2019美国国家地理下载(National Geographic USA)PDF下载汇总
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