内容简介

一位听众来信说自己很难区分 “vigorous、tough、robust” 和 “strong” 的用法，因为它们的意思与 “strong” 有重叠。 本期节目先讲 “strong” 的意思和用法，然后举例讲解如何把这三个和 “strong” 意思相似的单词区分开来。

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（关于台词的备注: 请注意这不是广播节目的逐字稿件。本文稿可能没有体现录制、编辑过程中对节目做出的改变。）

Jiaying
大家好，欢迎收听 BBC英语教学的 “你问我答” 节目。 I'm Jiaying.

Phil
And I'm Phil. We have a question from one of our listeners:

Question
I would like to distinguish the difference between some synonyms about 'strong'. It is puzzling to differentiate between 'robust', 'vigorous', 'tough' and 'strong'. These words overlap in some meaning with similarities to 'strong'. 

Phil
As you say, this is a question about how the meanings of words overlap. We're going to try and separate the meanings of these different words that are all similar in meaning to 'strong'. 

Jiaying
没错，首先，我们看一看形容词 “strong” 本身的用法。“Strong” 既可以表示 “事物是牢固的，结实的”，也可以表示 “强有力的”，它还可以用来表示 “一个人对某件事情是精通的，擅长的”。

先来看 “strong” 表示 “hard to break 牢固的，结实的，难易损坏的” 时候，与其它词语之间的区别。

Phil
Both 'tough' and 'robust' can also mean 'hard to break'. 

Jiaying
问题中的另外两个单词 “tough” 和 “robust” 作形容词时同样也有 “坚固的，牢固的” 意思。请听三个例句。

Examples
We get a lot of snow here, so the roof needs to be strong enough to hold its weight.
（我们这里经常下雪，所以屋顶必须足够牢固才能承受住雪的重量。）

I'm always dropping my phone. I need a case that's tough enough to protect it.
（我总把手机掉在地上。我需要一个足够结实的手机壳来保护它。）

The design for this bridge is robust enough to deal with heavy vehicles passing over it.
（这座桥的设计足够牢固，可以承受重型车辆通过。）

Jiaying
接下来看一看 “tough” 还有哪些用法。

Phil
A thing described as 'tough' might be physically hard. If we describe meat as 'tough', it means that it is difficult to chew.

Jiaying
The meat is tough. 肉很老，嚼不动。

Phil
If we describe a person as 'tough', it means they can put up with a lot of hardship, or that it can be difficult to get them to change their mind.

Jiaying
This person is tough. 这个人很坚强，经得起难事或者很有主见。我们来听两个使用了形容词 “tough” 的例句。

Examples
She's a tough negotiator. It won't be easy to get a good deal.
（她是个很强硬的谈判者。要和她谈成一笔好买卖并不容易。） 

The weather during this expedition is likely to be bad, but we're all pretty tough. We'll be fine!
（这次探险期间的天气可能会很糟糕，但我们都是硬汉，应该会没事的！）

Jiaying
形容词 “robust” 除了上面讲过的表示 “物体是结实的” 以外，还可以用来谈论 “计划、策略、论点是牢不可破的”。听两个例句。

Examples
We've put together a robust plan to save the company.
（我们制定了一个强有力的计划来拯救公司。） 

That's a very robust argument. I can't disagree with it.
（那是一个非常有力的论点。我没有什么要反驳的。）

Phil
Now, let's think about 'strong' meaning 'powerful'. 'Strong' can mean to do something with a lot of force, literal or figurative. We can sometimes use 'robust' in this way, especially when we're talking figuratively. 

Jiaying
是的，“strong” 还可以表示 “强大的，有力的”，这可能是具体或抽象层面上的 “强大”。有时，“robust” 也可以表达同样的含义，但 “robust” 尤其用来表示抽象层面上的含义，强调 “事物是有影响力的”。

Examples
The wind is very strong. You need to take care.
（风很大，你得小心。）

We need strong measures to deal with this problem.
（我们需要强有力的措施来解决这个问题。）

We need to provide a robust response to this criticism.
（我们需要对这种批评作出有力的回应。）

Jiaying
“Vigorous” 和 “tough” 通常可以用来形容类似的情况。其中，“vigorous” 更多地用来强调 “事物是充满活力或精力的”。另一方面，“tough” 则描述 “某件事情是艰巨的，很难处理的，艰难的”。

Examples
He made a vigorous attempt to convince me, but I still don't believe him.
（他极力试图说服我，但我还是不相信他。） 

We conducted a vigorous investigation to find the source of the problem.
（为了找到问题的根源，我们进行了深入的调查。）

This is a really tough job. I'm not sure I can do it.
（这是一份很困难的工作，我不知道我能不能胜任。）

As a manager, you need to take tough measures on anyone who isn't performing.
（作为经理，你需要对任何表现不佳的员工采取严厉措施。）

Phil
To see the difference between these words, maybe we should go to the gym. If someone is 'strong', then they can lift heavy weights. If someone is doing 'vigorous' exercise, then they are exercising intensively and using a lot of energy. If a workout is 'tough', then it's hard work.

Jiaying
在谈论身体素质和体育锻炼的语境中，“strong” 可以形容 “某人是力气大的，强壮的”。形容词 “vigorous” 可以表示 “运动是剧烈的，强度大的”。比如：“a vigorous exercise” 指 “一项高强度运动”。前面我们还讲过，形容词 “tough” 可以表示 “困难的”。所以，搭配 “a tough workout ” 就指 “一次难度大的锻炼”。

Phil
'Strong' can also mean being good at something. We can't use 'robust', 'tough' or 'vigorous' in this way.

Jiaying
没错。我们还可以用 “strong” 来形容 “一个人对某件事情是精通的，擅长的”。

Examples
You're a very strong candidate for this job.
（你是这份工作的有力候选人。）

She's a really strong performer in her role.
（她在工作中的表现非常出色。）

Jiaying
好了，关于形容词 “strong” 的多个用法，以及问题中的其它形容词 “vigorous、robust、tough” 与 “strong” 之间的相同和不同之处，我们就讲到这里。

Phil
We hope that we've answered your question. If you have questions that you'd like us to answer, you can email us too at: questions.chinaelt@bbc.co.uk 

Jiaying
你也可以以微博私信的方式把问题发送给我们，我们的微博账号是 “BBC英语教学”。Bye!

Phil
Bye.