每日一词209|generic

2019.07.11 |  97 次学习

1. 认识这个词(基础篇)

词:generic

英英释义:shared by, typical of or relating to a whole group of similar things, rather than to any particular thing.

例句:This is a generic software, suitable for all operating systems.

2. 体会这个词 (进阶篇)

“generic”是个形容词,它的基本意思是“一般的”“通用的”,是 specific 的反义词,口语和写作中都能用得到。比如当我们想表示“通病”“统称”时就可以用到它,在一些语境中,generic 也可以替换 general/common/universal 等词,增强表达多样性。我们通过几个例子学习 generic 的用法。

比如有一个软件,在各种操作系统上都能通用,我们就可以说:

This is a generic software, suitable for all operating systems.

保温杯品牌“膳魔师”(Thermos)在英语中已经成为了“保温杯”的代名词,即使不是膳魔师牌的保温杯也可以称为 thermos。我们因此可以说:

“Thermos” is often used as a generic term for all vacuum flasks.

再比如你写了一份可以通用的简历,投了许多公司,这样的通用简历一般不会引起雇主的兴趣而遭到拒绝。我们可以说:

If your resumé comes across as generic and mediocre, chances are it will be rejected.

最后看几个《经济学人》中用到 generic 的例子:

1)Google and Facebook protect personal privacy, but they also make money by selling generic information to advertisers.(这里的 generic information 指的是一些不涉及个人隐私的信息,比如你的 IP 地址一类)

2)Successful contestants often offer a vague, generic Euro-music, a living metaphor for the EU's homogeneous mush. (这篇来自《经济学人》对欧洲歌唱大赛 Eurovision 的报道,这里的 generic Euro-music 可以理解为最普遍、耳熟能详的欧洲歌曲)

3)Politicians get around this problem by making their promises very generic—tax cuts will go to hard-working families, public spending will be reduced through cutting waste and the like.(这里的 generic 值得是许多政客承诺做的事情都是老生常谈的那些问题)

3. 从认识到会用(作业)

1)翻译下面的句子: 据说这一新系列的笔记本电脑有一个通病,就是风扇有问题。

It is said that this new series of laptops have a generic problem on their fans.

(参考翻译:The new series of laptops are said to have a generic problem with their fans.)

2)结合自己的生活、学习、工作、兴趣等,想象在什么语境下会用到这个表达。先简要描述这个场景,再造句。

"Tops" is often used as a generic term for a variety of clothes.

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