| 例句 |
simple adj.
⇨ average (simple country people) ⇨ easy 1 (a simple method) ⇨ plain 1 (simple, elegant clothes) ⇨ plain 2 (the simple truth) average adjective average ♦︎ simple ♦︎ ordinary ♦︎ plain ♦︎ unremarkableThese words all describe things or people that are not special because they are not unusual, interesting or clever. 这些词均表示普通的、平庸的。PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS 句型和搭配◆an average / ordinary sort of person / thing◆an average / a simple / an ordinary / an unremarkable person◆average / ordinary players◆simple / plain ignorance / common sense◆pretty average / ordinary / unremarkable◆very average / simple / ordinary■ average (often disapproving) not special in any way; not better than most others 普通的；中等的；不出众的◆He was quite an average sort of student, nothing out of the ordinary.他是个相当普通的学生，一点也不出众。◆The quality has been pretty average.质量很一般。 see also average ⇨ normal ■ simple [usually before noun] (often approving) (of a person) not grand, rich, clever or hard to understand; (of a thing or quality) not special or complicated （人）普通的，平凡的；（事物或性质）普通的，简单的◆They were simple country people.他们是普普通通的乡下人。◆In some cases his argument is based on simple ignorance.某些时候，他的论点纯粹是出于无知。ⓘ When used to describe a person or a good quality simple is usually approving; when it is used to describe a bad quality it is usually disapproving. 用于形容人或高质量时，simple通常带褒义。用于形容低劣的品质时则带贬义。■ ordinary (disapproving) having no unusual or interesting features 平庸的；平淡无奇的◆The meal was very ordinary.这顿饭平常得很。◆I lead a very ordinary life.我过着平淡无奇的生活。ⓘ In this meaning ordinary very often follows very, which emphasizes that ordinary is being used in a disapproving way. 表达此义时，ordinary总跟在very后面，强调ordinary的贬义用法。 see also ordinary ⇨ normal OPP extraordinary ⇨ remarkable ■ plain [only before noun] (often approving) (of a quality) not special or complicated; (of a person) not trying to appear more important or intelligent than they are （性质）普通的，简单的；（人）朴素的，不张扬的◆It doesn't require special skills, just plain common sense.这个工作不要求有特殊技能，只要有普通常识就够了。◆He prided himself on being a plain, honest man with no nonsense about him.他为自己是个朴素、诚实、规规矩矩的人而感到自豪。 see also plain ⇨ plain adj. 2 NOTE 辨析 Simple or plain?Both these words can describe people or qualities, but simple is used more about people and plain is used more about qualities. When used to describe people, simple tells you how other people see sb (= not grand, rich or clever, but in a good way); plain tells you more about how sb sees himself/herself (= not pretending to be grand, rich or clever). 两个词均可以描述人或特质，但是simple多用于人，plain多用于特质。描述人时，simple指对他人的看法，即平凡的、普通的，但是属正面看法；plain多指对自己的看法，意为朴素的、不虚夸的。■ unremarkable not special in any way so that people do not take notice 一般的；平凡的；不起眼的◆It was a pleasant but unremarkable town.这是个温馨而又平淡无奇的小镇。OPP remarkable ⇨ remarkable easy1 adjective Is it easy to make? 这个容易做吗？anything for an easy life 使生活安逸舒适的东西easy ♦︎ simple ♦︎ straightforward ♦︎ effortless ♦︎ uncomplicated ♦︎ undemanding ♦︎ painless ♦︎ cushy ♦︎ plain sailingThese words all describe sth that is not difficult and that can therefore be done, obtained or understood without a lot of effort or problems. 这些词均表示容易的、轻易的、不费力的。PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS 句型和搭配◆to be easy / simple / straightforward / plain sailing for sb◆to be easy / simple / straightforward / painless / plain sailing to do sth◆an easy / a simple / a straightforward / an undemanding / a cushy job◆an easy / a simple / a straightforward / an undemanding task◆an easy / a simple / a straightforward / a painless method◆an easy / a simple / a straightforward matter / decision / test / question◆There's no easy / simple / straightforward answer.◆relatively easy / simple / straightforward / uncomplicated / undemanding / painless◆apparently easy / simple / straightforward / effortless■ easy done or obtained without a lot of effort or problems 容易的；轻易的；不费力的◆It was a really easy exam.这次考试真容易。◆This encyclopedia is designed for quick and easy reference.这部百科全书的特点在于查阅资料快捷、方便。◆Their house isn't the easiest place to get to.去他们家可不容易。◆It can't be easy for her, on her own with the children.她一个人带着这些孩子绝非易事。◆Several schools are within easy reach (= not far away).几所学校都在附近。OPP difficult , hard ⇨ difficult 1 ▸ ease noun [uncountable] ◆He passed the exam with ease.他轻而易举地通过了考试。◆The computer is popular for its good design and ease of use.这款电脑设计巧妙、简单易用，因而广受欢迎。 OPP difficulty ⇨ difficulty ▸ easily adverb ◆The museum is easily accessible by car.开车可以方便地到达博物馆。◆Learning languages doesn't come easily to him.学语言对他来说不是件容易的事。■ simple easy to understand or do because it contains very few, very basic parts or actions （因结构或操作简单）易于理解的，易做的◆I used a very simple method to obtain the answer.我用了非常简单的方法得出了答案。◆This machine is simple to use.这台机器操作很简单。◆Give the necessary information but keep it simple.说说基本情况，简单一点。◆ (especially spoken) We lost because we played badly. It's as simple as that.我们输了是因为我们打得不好，就这么简单。OPP complex , elaborate ⇨ complex , difficult ⇨ difficult 1 ▸ simplicity / /sɪmˈplɪsəti/ / noun [uncountable] ◆the relative simplicity of the new PC新型个人电脑的相对容易使用◆For the sake of simplicity, let's divide the discussion into two parts.为了方便起见，我们把讨论分成两部分。▸ simply adverb ◆Anyway, to put it simply, we still owe them £2 000.反正，简单地说，我们还欠他们2 000英镑。NOTE 辨析 Easy or simple? Easy means 'not difficult': an easy test/task is one that causes you no problems because you have the ability and understanding to do it; some people might find it easy, but some might not, depending on their abilities. Simple means 'not complicated': a simple test/task is one that only needs very few, very basic actions and does not really depend on people's abilities. Easily means 'without having any difficulty'. * easy指容易的；easy test/task指测试或任务能够做到或可以理解，不会造成问题；容易与否因人而异，取决于能力高低。simple指不复杂；simple test/task指只需要几个基本步骤便可完成，不太取决于人的能力。easily指不费力地◆I can easily finish it tonight.我今晚就能轻松完成。 Simply means 'without causing any difficulty of understanding'. * simply指简单易懂地◆The book explains grammar simply and clearly.该书把语法解释得简单、明了。 ■ straightforward easy to do or understand because it contains nothing unexpected （因一切都在预期之内）简单的，易懂的◆It's a relatively straightforward process.那是个相对简单的过程。◆It's quite straightforward to get here from your house.从你家来这儿相当容易。OPP complicated , involved ⇨ complex NOTE 辨析 Simple or straightforward?These two words are very similar in meaning and use. Collocates of both words include question, answer, case, matter, method, procedure and exercise. Something that is straightforward may not be quite as basic as sth that is simple but it causes no problems because there is nothing unusual or unexpected about it. 这两个词的意义和用法很相似，都可以与question、answer、case、matter、method、procedure、exercise等词搭配。straightforward的浅易程度不如simple，但是也并不困难，因一切都符合常规或预期。■ effortless seeming to need little or no effort 无需费力的；容易的◆She dances with effortless grace.她的舞蹈动作优美、轻松自如。◆He made playing the guitar look effortless.他弹起吉他来显得轻松自如。▸ effortlessly adverb ◆Your presentation must move effortlessly from one point to the next.你的报告必须从一个要点自然过渡到另一个要点。■ uncomplicated [uncountable] (rather formal) without any difficulty or confusion 简单的；率真的；不混乱的◆It's an uncomplicated computer interface that is truly easy to use.那是个简单的计算机界面，非常容易操作。◆It came as a relief to hold a light, uncomplicated conversation with an ordinary guy.跟一个普通人轻松、直率地聊天，真是畅快。ⓘ Uncomplicated is used especially to talk about life, relationships and emotions. It can describe people who have uncomplicated relationships and emotions. * uncomplicated尤用来形容生活、关系和情感，指关系或情感简单、不复杂◆He was an easygoing, uncomplicated young man.他是个随和、率真的年轻人。It is also used in medical contexts to mean 'without medical complications'. 在医学语境中，uncomplicated指无并发症的◆an uncomplicated pregnancy / birth无并发症妊娠／分娩 OPP complicated ⇨ complex ■ undemanding (written) not needing a lot of effort or thought 不费力的；不费神的；轻松容易的◆I wanted an undemanding job which would leave me free to pursue my hobbies.我想要找一个轻松的工作，使我有闲暇从事业余爱好。 OPP demanding ⇨ difficult 1 ■ painless (written) not unpleasant or difficult to do 愉快的；轻松的；不难的◆The interview turned out to be relatively painless.结果这次面试还算轻松。■ cushy / /ˈkʊʃi/ / (informal, often disapproving) very easy and pleasant; needing little or no effort 轻松愉快的；安逸的；不费劲的◆His father found him a cushy job in the office.他父亲给他找了个在办公室里不用费心劳神的工作。■ plain ˈsailing idiom simple and free from trouble 顺利；一帆风顺◆If you get the measurements right, the rest of the job should be plain sailing.如果测量工作做对了，余下的事情应该会很顺利。 plain1 adjective a plain white shirt 白衬衣the plain truth 显而易见的事实plain ♦︎ simple ♦︎ bare ♦︎ stark ♦︎ severe ♦︎ austereThese words all describe things that have no decoration or other unnecessary additions. 这些词均表示不加修饰的、简朴的。SYNONYM SCALE 词义标尺 下图显示这些词所表达简朴的程度| plain | ➔ | stark | | simple | | severe | | bare | | austere |
PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS 句型和搭配◆a plain / a simple / an austere design◆a plain / simple / bare interior◆the simple / stark / austere lines of sth◆a plain / simple / bare / stark white...◆a plain / simple / stark / severe black...◆very plain / simple / bare / austere◆rather plain / stark / severe / austere◆almost bare / severe / austere■ plain without decoration, a pattern, marks or other additions; not complicated 无修饰的；无花纹的；素的；简单的◆Wear it with a plain white shirt.把它和白衬衣配着穿。◆Patterned carpet shows the dirt less than a plain colour.花色地毯比单色地毯耐脏。◆Do you want plain or lined paper?你想要白纸还是条格纸？◆plain food / cooking清淡的食物；简单的烹调方法◆plain yogurt (= without sugar or fruit) 原味酸奶 OPP fancy ⇨ decorative see also plain ⇨ ugly ▸ plainly adverb ◆She was plainly dressed and wore no make-up.她穿着朴素，不施脂粉。■ simple (especially written, usually approving) basic or plain, without anything extra or unnecessary; consisting of only a few parts; not complicated in structure 朴素的；简朴的；部件少的；结构简单的◆The best gowns are simple and elegant.最好的礼服要简单、雅致。◆We had a simple meal of soup and bread.我们喝汤，吃面包，凑合了一顿。◆The accommodation is simple but spacious.住处很简朴，但很宽敞。◆It's quite a simple machine (= one that is not complicated and has only a few parts).这部机器一点也不复杂。◆ (grammar 语法) a simple sentence (= one with only one verb) 简单句 OPP fancy ⇨ decorative ▸ simplicity / /sɪmˈplɪsəti/ / noun [uncountable] ◆ (approving) the simplicity of the architecture建筑风格的简洁质朴▸ simply adverb ◆The rooms were simply furnished.房间配有简单的家具。◆They live simply (= they do not spend much money).他们过着简朴的生活。■ bare (especially written) (of surfaces) not covered with or protected by anything （表面）无遮盖的，没有保护物的◆bare wooden floorboards未铺地毯的木地板◆The walls were bare except for a small mirror.墙上光秃秃的，只有一面小镜子。◆They found themselves in a huge bare hall.他们发现自己在一个空荡荡的大厅里。■ stark (especially written, often disapproving) without any colour, decoration or comfort 了无修饰的；粗陋的◆The corridors were stark and uncarpeted.走廊上没有装饰，也没铺地毯。◆The hills stood stark against the winter sky.冬日的天空下，小山了无生气。■ severe (usually disapproving) extremely plain and without anything that makes it look soft or beautiful 过于简朴的◆Her hair was cut in a very short, severe style.她的头发剪得非常短，没有花样。◆She was wearing a severe dark grey jacket.她穿了一件很普通的深灰色夹克。▸ severely adverb ◆Her hair was tied severely in a bun.她的头发简单地盘成了一个发髻。■ austere /ɒˈstɪə(r), ɔːˈstɪə(r); NAmE ɔːˈstɪr/ (especially written, usually approving) simple and plain, with no decoration, usually because that is what sb prefers （通常因个人喜好）朴素的，简陋的，无华饰的◆the austere simplicity of the building建筑物的朴素无华◆the lonely, austere beauty of his painting of a station in the snow他那幅雪中车站油画的孤独、朴素之美 plain2 adjective a plain white shirt 白衬衣the plain truth 显而易见的事实 ➡ See also the entry for ⇨ honest 另见honest条plain ♦︎ simple ♦︎ stark ♦︎ bare ♦︎ unequivocal ♦︎ baldThese words are all used to describe facts and statements that are very clear and direct, especially when they are unpleasant in some way. 这些词均表示直接的、明显的，尤用于令人不快的事实。PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS 句型和搭配◆the plain / simple / stark / bare / unequivocal / bald truth◆a plain / a simple / a stark / a bare / an unequivocal / a bald fact / statement◆a plain / a simple / an unequivocal answer■ plain used to describe a fact that other people may not like to hear; honest and direct in way that other people may not like （事实）明显而令人不快的；坦白的；直接的◆The plain fact is that nobody really knows.事实很清楚：没有人真正了解。◆He's a politician with a reputation for plain speaking.他是说话直率出了名的政治人物。◆Let's be plain about this: we will need to make some difficult choices.我们还是直截了当地说吧：我们得作出艰苦的抉择。◆ (especially NAmE) He was a plain, straightforward sort of man.他这人很直率，从来不绕弯子。 see also plain ⇨ average , plain ⇨ clear adj. 2 ▸ plainly adverb ◆To put it plainly, he's a crook.挑明了说吧，他是个骗子。■ simple [only before noun] used to describe a fact that other people may not like to hear; very obvious and not complicated by anything else （事实）明显而令人不快的；简单易明的◆The simple truth is that we just can't afford it.明摆着，我们就是买不起。◆I had to do it for the simple reason that (= because) I couldn't trust anyone else.我之所以这么做，原因很简单，我信不过別人。◆It's a simple matter of giving them enough to eat.事情很简单，就是给他们足够吃的东西。▸ simply adverb ◆I don't want to be rude, it's simply that we have to be careful who we give this information to.我不想无礼，不过这信息到底给谁我们得谨慎。◆He was loud, vulgar and arrogant－quite simply the rudest man I've ever met!他说话粗声大气，举止粗俗傲慢－简直是我见过的最没教养的人！NOTE 辨析 Plain or simple?When it is being used to emphasize facts that other people may not like to hear, plain is usually used in the expression the plain fact/truth is that... Simple can be used in this way too, but it can also be used in a wider variety of structures and collocations (such as with reason and matter). * plain强调他人不愿听到的事实时，通常用于the plain fact/truth is that ...。simple也可以这么用，但是结构和搭配用法更多，如与reason和matter搭配◆The problem was due to the simple fact that...问题源于一个简单的事实⋯◆The problem was due to the plain fact that... ◆for the plain reason that... ◆It's a plain matter of... Expressions with simple often suggest impatience with other people's behaviour. * simple构成的表达法常有对他人的行为不耐烦之意◆Nobody wanted to believe the simple truth (= it was easy to see and understand the true facts; people just didn't want to believe them).事实明摆着，就是没有人相信。 ■ stark (especially written, usually disapproving) used to describe an unpleasant fact or difference that is very obvious （事实）严酷的；（区别）鲜明的◆The government faced a stark choice between civil war and martial law.政府面临残酷的选择，内战还是戒严。◆Social divisions in the city are stark.城市里社会分化很明显。◆The good weather was in stark contrast to the storms of previous weeks.这好天气和前几周的暴风雨形成鲜明的对比。 see also sharp ⇨ marked ▸ starkly adverb ◆These theories contrast starkly with the reality of everyday life.这些理论和日常生活现实形成鲜明对照。■ bare [only before noun] the most basic or simple, with nothing extra 最基本的；最简单的◆She gave me only the bare facts of the case.她只给我介绍了这一案件的基本情况。◆The family was short of even the bare necessities of life.这家人甚至没有最起码的生活所需。◆We only had the bare essentials in the way of equipment.我们只有最基本的设备。◆He did the bare minimum of work but still passed the exam.他只下了最少的功夫，但仍然通过了考试。■ unequivocal / /ˌʌnɪˈkwɪvəkl/ / (formal) expressing your opinion or intention very clearly and firmly 表达明确的；毫不含糊的；斩钉截铁的◆She gave a typically unequivocal answer.她一如既往，回答得斩钉截铁。◆The reply was an unequivocal 'no'.回答是个干脆利落的“不”字。 OPP equivocal ⓘ An equivocal statement does not have one clear or definite meaning and can be understood in more than one way. * equivocal指意思含混的，因而可能有不同的理解。▸ unequivocally adverb ◆He stated unequivocally that he knew nothing about the document.他明确地说他对那份文件一无所知。■ bald describing a rather unpleasant fact or statement that is given without any extra explanation or detail to help you accept what is being said 不加赘述的；简单的；赤裸裸的◆The bald fact is that we don't need you any longer.事实很简单，我们不再需要你了。◆The letter was a bald statement of our legal position.那封信直截了当地说明了我们的法律立场。ⓘ A bald fact is usually more unpleasant than a plain/simple fact, but not as unpleasant as a stark fact. * bald fact通常比plain/simple fact更让人不愉快，但是不及stark fact那样令人不快。 |