1. 认识这个词(基础篇)
词:characterize
英英释义:to be typical of a person, place, or thing
例句:Phenomenal English is characterized by its emphasis on using English.
2. 体会这个词 (进阶篇)
我们常用名词/形容词“characteristic”表示“特征”/“典型的”,其实它的动词形式“characterize”也是个地道,可以让表达简洁优美的词。当我们想描述一个事物有某些特点时,就可以用到它。
“X具有Y特征”在英文中可以表达为“Y characterize(s) X”或者“X is characterized by Y”。这里的“characterize”也可以用“mark”完美同义替换。
比如,William Zinsser 的文字朴实、简洁,就可以说:
Plain and concise language characterizes/marks William Zinsser's writing.
法国足球运动员姆巴佩的特点是速度快、射门精准,就可以这样介绍:
Speed and high shot accuracy characterize/mark the French footballer Kylian Mbappé.(足球运动员除了用 footballer 外,也可以用 soccer player。)
就全球来看,城市发展的一大特征是交通拥堵,就可以说:
Traffic congestion characterizes/marks urban expansion worldwide.
《经济学人》的风格指南 The Economist Style Guide 序言中,开头部分有这么两句:
On only two scores can The Economist hope to outdo its rivals consistently. One is the quality of its analysis; the other is the quality of its writing.
这段话强调了《经济学人》特别看重分析质量和写作质量,因此我们可以用“characterize”和“mark”把这段话改写,比如可以写成:
The Economist is characterized/marked by its insightful analysis and high-quality prose.
3. 从认识到会用(作业)
1)翻译下面的句子:
三里屯以大量的潮牌和西餐厅著称。
(参考翻译:Sanlitun is characterized/marked by numerous fashion brands and Western food restaurants.)
2)结合自己的生活、学习、工作、兴趣等,先想象在什么语境下会用到这个表达,然后再进行造句。
场景:成功者具有不屈不挠的精神
造句:The successful people are characterized by perseverance.