about
about(关于)是一个本身没有确定的含义,必须结合上下文才会发生作用的虚词。
例句:
His new book is about the situation in Bosnia.
他的新书是关于波斯尼亚局势的。
Mr. Smith loves to talk about what's wrong with the government.
史密斯先生爱谈政府有什么不对。
通常about后面会跟名词或作为名词用的词组,但是美语中的用法却有一些不同。
例句:
Midterm elections are all about voter turnout.
中期选举完全是“关于”选民出动。
其实这句话的意思就是:The key to winning midterm elections is voter turnout.(中期选举取胜的关键在于发动选民“出来投票”。 )
Business travel isn't about adventure - it's about controlling your temple and keeping boredom at bay.
出差旅行不是“关于”新奇经验--而是“关于”不发脾气,避免烦闷。
这句话的意思其实就是:There's no adventure in business travel - you just have to control your temper and keep from getting bored.(出差旅行不是什么新奇经验--主要的是“机场遇到麻烦”别发火,“长途飞行”别感觉烦闷。)
The mouse is about money - nothing more or less.
老鼠是不折不扣的“关于”钱。
其实也就是:Mickey Mouse is in business only to make money - that's all.(“米”老鼠做生意只是为了赚钱--别无其他。)