你问我答
近义词辨析:indifferent、uninterested、apathetic、nonchalant
内容简介
在表达自己 “对某事感兴趣” 时,我们可能常用 “interested” 这个形容词;反之,用 “uninterested” 来描述 “对某事不感兴趣”。一位听众来信询问如何区分 “uninterested”、“indifferent”、“apathetic” 和 “nonchalant” 这四个表达 “不感兴趣,对某事不在意” 的形容词。本期节目就来详细讲解这四个单词的用法及区别。
文字稿
(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。)
Buli
大家好,欢迎收听 BBC 英语教学的 “你问我答” 节目。I'm Buli.
Georgie
And I'm Georgie. We've got a question from one of our listeners.
Question
可以帮忙区分以下形容词 “indifferent”、“uninterested”、“apathetic” 和 “nonchalant” 的用法吗?谢谢。
Georgie
What ties all of these words together is that they're all words to describe a person's lack of interest or enthusiasm, but there are definitely some differences.
Buli
是的。这个问题提到了四个和 “对某事没有兴趣” 或 “对某事缺少热情” 这个意思相关的形容词,而这些单词虽然意思相近,在使用上却有不小的区别。我们首先来看看和 “interested(感兴趣的)” 意思相反的 “uninterested(不感兴趣的)”。“Uninterested” 是由单词 “interested” 加上前缀 “un-” 组成的,这个前缀在英语中通常用来组成形容词或副词的反义词。
Georgie
Exactly, so we hope our listeners are interested – not uninterested – in this programme! Let's hear more examples.
Examples
He was uninterested in the history lesson and stared out the window instead.
(他对历史课提不起兴趣,于是转而盯着窗外看。)
I suggested we do a picnic this weekend, but they were uninterested in the plan.
(我提议周末大家去野餐,但他们对这个计划并不感兴趣。)
Buli
在上面的例子中,词组 “uninterested in something” 的意思是 “对某事不感兴趣的”。它的反义词 “interested” 也有同样的用法 “interested in something”,意思就是 “对某事感兴趣的”。
Georgie
Now, 'indifferent' is similar because it implies a lack of interest, but it's more about a lack of any strong feelings. If you're indifferent about something, it means you don't care either way. For example, I'm not really a big fan of football so I'm usually indifferent about who wins the match.
Buli
I have to say I feel the same way. “Indifferent” 的意思是 “冷漠的,漠不关心的”。它和 “uninterested” 的意思类似,也可以用来表达 “对某事不感兴趣”。但 “indifferent” 强调的是对某事并不关心或没有喜恶,特别是对事物的走向或结果并不在意,具有一定的感情色彩。比如,Georgie 刚刚提到她并不爱看足球,所以也就并不关心今晚的比赛是谁获胜,这时就可以使用 “indifferent” 这个词来形容自己的态度。来听接下来的例句。
Examples
John asked me which movie I wanted to watch, but I'm indifferent, I don't mind either way.
(约翰问我想看哪部电影,我其实无所谓,看哪一部都行。)
I'm indifferent about taking on the new project. I'll do it if needed, but I'm happy for someone else to lead it.
(新项目我做不做都可以。如果需要的话我可以来负责,但我也愿意让其他人来负责这个项目。)
Buli
上面的例子中,“indifferent” 被用来表示 “对某一件事的选择或结果毫不在意”。它还可以组成词组 “indifferent to something”,意思是 “对某事漠不关心”。接下来我们要介绍的第三个单词 “apathetic” 意思为 “漠不关心的,无动于衷的”,这个词和 “indifferent” 与 “uninterested” 相比强调失去了兴趣的事物或行为非常重要,或失去兴趣后的做法格外消极。
Georgie
Yes, apathy is a deep disinterest in what's going on around you. Not only that, it implies a lack of motivation or willingness to take action. Because of this, it can be a sign of decline in someone's mental health. Let's listen to two examples.
Examples
His friends noticed he had become apathetic, losing interest in hobbies and activities he once enjoyed.
(他的朋友发现他变得对事情漠不关心了,对自己曾经的爱好和各项活动都丧失了兴趣。)
The charity's effort to raise awareness about climate change was met with an apathetic response from the public – they showed little interest in changing their behaviour.
(面对这家公益组织为提高大众对气候变化的意识所做的努力,公众的反应十分冷淡。人们对改变自己的行为习惯兴趣寥寥。)
Buli
从上面的例子我们可以看出,“apathetic” 可以强调出缺少采取行动的意愿或是态度十分消极。和 “apathetic” 这个词所表达出的消极的意愿不同,“nonchalant(满不在乎,漠不关心)” 强调的则是某人的行为或表面上看起来冷静和放松,没有表现出对事情的焦虑、兴趣或热情。
Georgie
It suggests a cool, unconcerned attitude. Now, our colleague was very late for work this morning… but he arrived in a very nonchalant way without acknowledging he was late, as if there were no issues!
Buli
是的,当一个人明明做了一件令人尴尬的事情,却显得非常冷静,并不为此感到困扰时,就可以用 “nonchalant” 来形容这种表现。来听接下来的例句。
Examples
She gave a nonchalant shrug when asked about the missing report, not showing any concern.
(当被问及那份缺失的报告文件时,她毫不在乎地耸了耸肩,没有为此表现出任何担忧。)
Despite the chaos around him, he remained nonchalant, sipping his coffee and reading the newspaper.
(虽然他的周围一片混乱,但他依然若无其事,一边喝着咖啡,一边读着报纸。)
Buli
在上面的例子中大家可以看到,“nonchalant” 不但可以用来形容人,还可以用来形容某个动作或行为。比如,例子中的 “nonchalant shrug(满不在乎的耸肩)”。但需要注意的是,英语中 “nonchalant” 这个词一般用来形容他人,不常用来形容自己。
Georgie
I don't think you are very nonchalant, Buli! You definitely show when you are a bit stressed. OK, let's summarise.
Buli
“Uninterested”、“indifferent”、“apathetic” 和 “nonchalant” 四个形容词都可以表达 “某人对某事缺乏兴趣,漠不关心”。其中,“uninterested” 的意思是 “不感兴趣的”,是 “interested(感兴趣的)” 的反义词;“indifferent” 形容 “人对某事的态度是漠不关心的,无动于衷的”;“apathetic” 强调情绪或感情上 “对重要的事情非常不感兴趣,消极面对甚至不愿做出行动”;最后,“nonchalant” 形容 “人或人的动作表现得对某事非常冷静或毫不在乎”。
Georgie
Remember, if you have a question about the English language you'd like to ask us, please send us an email. Our email address is: questions.chinaelt@bbc.co.uk
Buli
你也可以通过微博向我们提问。我们的微博账号是 “BBC英语教学”。Bye, everyone.
Georgie
Bye!