希望自己說出來的英文不僵硬、死板、平淡,其實不難,很多時候只要換一個小字、一個單詞,就能達到效果。比較以下幾組例句:
1. 外面天氣好熱。
It's hot out there.
It's boiling out there.
說明:天氣有多熱呢?就像boiling(沸騰的、達到沸點的)的水一樣,熱得冒泡!
2. 我整天都很忙。
I'm busy all day long.
I'm tied up all day long.
說明:就像是被繩子纏住脫不了身,I’m tied up會比I’m busy更能表現出自己忙得不可開交。
3. 你沒有抓到重點。
You missed the point.
You missed the crux.
說明:英文慣用語裡有所謂the crux of a question、the crux of the matter,意指「問題的癥結」,因此若你用crux取代point,更能讓人警覺。
4. 選舉結果令他們大感意外。
The election results surprised them.
The election results bowled them over.
說明:bowl over是一個動詞片語,原指保齡球擊倒球瓶,後引申為「讓…大吃一驚」,比surprise更具動作感。
5. 去東京前,我必須練習一下日文。
I must review my Japanese before going to Tokyo.
I must brush up my Japanese before going to Tokyo.
說明:brush up是「刷拭衣物」的動作,為的是使衣物更新更乾淨,當你某項技能生疏了,不妨拿起相關工具brush up一下!
6. 那位主播喜歡炫耀知識。
That anchor likes to show his knowledge.
That anchor likes to parade his knowledge.
說明:parade當動詞時,有「炫耀、招搖而行」的意思,比show(展示)更添賣弄的意味。
7. 他忘光了自己的承諾。
He completely forgot his promise.
He clean forgot his promise.
說明:completely足以表達「完全地、徹底地」,但改用clean更能強化對方忘得「一乾二淨」。
本文經授權轉載自世界公民文化中心(原標題:換一個字,句子活起來)
責任編輯/趙元