affairs
/əˈfeər/ (bre, ipa) · [əfˈɛrz] /əˈfer/ (ame, ipa) · [əfˈɛrz] /ə-ˈfer/ (ame, mw)
affairs — 名詞
- affairssingular
- affairsesplural
1. matters or topics that people are dealing with, discussing, or thinking about
事情
正在處理、討論或關心的事
matters or topics that people are dealing with, discussing, or thinking about
Current affairs were the first topic in today's English class.
時事是今天英文課第一個討論的主題。
collocation: current affairs for topics in public life
Village affairs kept the council busy through the winter.
村裡的事情讓議會整個冬天都忙個不停。
Family affairs often return to the table during holiday visits.
逢年過節時，家庭事情常會再次被拿到飯桌上談。
Campus affairs rarely stay quiet once tuition fees begin rising.
校園事情一旦牽涉學費上漲，通常很難平靜。
文法句型
affairs + of a person, group, or place
用法筆記
Often used for issues or topics that occupy people's attention. Unlike sense 6, it does not have to focus on formal business or office management.
2. scandals or controversial cases that make many people angry or shocked
醜聞
引起公憤或爭議的事件
scandals or controversial cases that make many people angry or shocked
The bribery affairs shocked voters across the country before the election.
那些賄賂醜聞在選前震驚了全國選民。
collocation: bribery affairs for linked scandals
New evidence tied the affairs to senior officers in city hall.
新證據把那些醜聞指向市政廳的高階官員。
These school affairs revealed years of cheating by administrators.
這些校園醜聞揭露了行政人員多年的作弊行為。
TV debates returned to the affairs every night that month.
那個月的電視辯論每晚都會再提起那些醜聞。
- scandals
the closest everyday word, with strong public shame
- controversies
can be broader and not always morally shocking
文法句型
affairs + involving crime, cheating, or public shame
用法筆記
This sense is used for cases that become public controversies, not for ordinary private matters in sense 1.
3. secret romantic or sexual relationships, especially ones people try to hide
私情
秘密的戀愛或性關係
secret romantic or sexual relationships, especially ones people try to hide
Rumors about the mayor's affairs filled every talk show that week.
關於市長私情的傳聞，那一週塞滿了每個談話節目。
pattern: reports of affairs = secret relationships
The novel follows three affairs that slowly destroy one family.
這本小說寫了三段私情如何慢慢毀掉一個家庭。
The affairs remained hidden until the old emails reached court.
那些私情一直被藏著，直到舊電子郵件送進法庭。
The singer denied reports of affairs with two former dancers.
那位歌手否認自己和兩名前舞者有私情。
- liaisons
more formal and often literary
- relationships
broader and not always secret or sexual
文法句型
affairs + with someone
reports of affairs
用法筆記
Usually suggests secrecy and personal betrayal. It is far narrower than sense 1 and more personal than sense 2.
4. events or occasions of a particular kind, especially social ones
活動
某一類型的活動或場合
events or occasions of a particular kind, especially social ones
Wedding affairs at the hotel often continue until well after midnight.
飯店裡的婚禮活動常常一路持續到半夜過後。
pattern: [type] affairs = events of that kind
These outdoor affairs need extra tents in case of rain.
這些戶外活動遇到下雨時需要多準備帳篷。
Charity affairs filled the town hall calendar every December.
慈善活動把市政廳十二月的行事曆排得滿滿的。
These summer affairs usually end with music and a long meal.
那些夏季活動通常會以音樂和一頓長餐收尾。
文法句型
adjective or type word + affairs
用法筆記
Common with a describing word before affairs, such as wedding or charity. Unlike sense 5, it refers to occasions, not objects.
5. objects or items of a stated kind, usually described in an informal way
玩意
某種類型或樣子的東西
objects or items of a stated kind, usually described in an informal way
The curtains were cheap affairs that tore after one wash.
那些窗簾只是便宜玩意，洗一次就破了。
pattern: adjective + affairs for objects of a type
Their first phones were plastic affairs with tiny screens.
他們第一批手機都是塑膠玩意，螢幕小得可憐。
The cakes looked fancy but were dry affairs inside.
那些蛋糕看起來很講究，其實只是乾巴巴的玩意。
Those boots were heavy affairs made for snow and ice.
那雙靴子是為雪地和冰面做的厚重玩意。
文法句型
adjective + affairs for objects
用法筆記
This informal sense comments on what a thing is like as an object. Unlike sense 4, it does not refer to an event or gathering.
6. practical business or official matters that someone manages as part of work or d
業務
商業、公務或個人財務等事務
practical business or official matters that someone manages as part of work or daily responsibilities
A new director now handles the museum's affairs in Seoul.
現在有一位新主管在首爾管理這家博物館的業務。
pattern: handle affairs = manage official or business matters
The lawyer put Adina's financial affairs in order before surgery.
律師在手術前替 Adina 把財務事務整理妥當。
Foreign affairs officials briefed reporters after the border talks.
外交事務官員在邊境會談後向記者做簡報。
Vikram left his office affairs to his deputy during leave.
Vikram 休假期間把辦公室業務交給副手處理。
文法句型
handle affairs
put affairs in order
用法筆記
Often appears with words such as financial, foreign, or office. Unlike sense 1, it usually points to organized business, public work, or practical management.