nay
nay — 副詞
1. added before a stronger word to lift what you just said to a more extreme level
甚至；更
用於把前面說的話再提高一個程度
added before a stronger word to lift what you just said to a more extreme level — for example, 'a good speech, nay, a brilliant one'.
Lan's painting is beautiful, nay, a masterpiece worthy of any museum.
Lan 的這幅畫很美，甚至可以說是任何博物館都值得收藏的傑作。
lifts an adjective to a stronger one: '[adj1], nay, [adj2]'
The new bridge is impressive, nay, a triumph of modern engineering and design.
這座新橋令人印象深刻，甚至可說是現代工程與設計的勝利之作。
noun phrase upgrade after 'nay'
Justin called the dessert delicious, nay, the finest cake he had ever tasted.
Justin 形容這道甜點很美味，甚至是他這輩子吃過最棒的蛋糕。
literary tone in a written or spoken review
It would be unwise, nay, foolish, to drive home through such a heavy storm.
在這種大風雨裡開車回家是不智的，甚至可以說是愚蠢的。
comma-bracketed insertion between two adjectives
- good, nay, excellent
- important, nay, vital
- difficult, nay, impossible
- unwise, nay, foolish
文法句型
[adjective/noun], nay, [stronger adjective/noun]
用法筆記
Frequently sits between two parallel words of the same word class — the second word must be stronger than the first. Mostly written or formal speech; rare in casual conversation.
常見錯誤
2. in the speech of Northern England, used the way most English speakers use 'no' —
不；不是
英格蘭北部方言的「不」
in the speech of Northern England, used the way most English speakers use 'no' — as a short refusal or denial.
Jabari asked if the door was unlocked, and old Tom answered, "Nay, lad."
Jabari 問門有沒有上鎖，老 Tom 回答：「不，小伙子。」
Northern English one-word reply
"Nay, I'll not be walking that far in this rain," the Yorkshire farmer told Ilan.
「不，我才不要在這種雨裡走那麼遠的路。」這位約克郡農夫對 Ilan 說。
register: Yorkshire / Northern English speech
Nila offered the old man a lift, but he just said, "Nay, lass."
Nila 提議要載這位老先生一程，但他只是說：「不用啦，小姐。」
polite refusal in dialect
When Rania asked about the missing dog, every drinker in the pub said, "Nay."
當 Rania 問起那隻走失的狗，酒吧裡的每位客人都說：「沒看到。」
stand-alone 'Nay' as a full reply
- "Nay, lad"
- "Nay, lass"
- "Nay, never"
- aye
Northern English / Scottish 'yes' — the natural dialect partner of 'nay'
文法句型
Nay, [clause].
用法筆記
Limited to Northern English speech and to writing that represents it (novels, plays, dialect poetry). Outside Yorkshire / Lancashire contexts a Taiwanese learner should default to 'no'.
常見錯誤
nay — 名詞
- naysingular
- naysplural
1. in a formal vote, especially in parliament or congress, a 'no' vote — or the per
反對票
正式表決中的反對票或投反對票的人
in a formal vote, especially in parliament or congress, a 'no' vote — or the person casting it. The plural 'nays' is the standard way to count votes against a proposal.
The bill passed easily: forty-two ayes against just seven nays in the chamber.
這項法案輕鬆通過：議場內 42 票贊成、只有 7 票反對。
plural count: 'X ayes against Y nays'
Senator Mauricio cast a firm nay, refusing to support the new tax bill.
Mauricio 參議員投下堅定的反對票，拒絕支持這項新稅法。
collocation: 'cast a nay'
The Speaker counted the votes and declared, "The nays have it."
議長清點完票數後宣布：「反對方獲勝。」
fixed phrase: 'the nays have it' (the no-voters have won)
Iris listened as each council member shouted either aye or nay on the motion.
Iris 聽著議會裡每位議員針對動議大聲喊出贊成或反對。
paired with 'aye' in formal voice votes
- cast a nay
- vote nay
- the nays have it
- ayes and nays
文法句型
vote / cast a nay
the nays have it
[number] nays
用法筆記
Almost always paired with 'aye' (yes vote) in a single sentence — outside that pairing, 'no vote' is more natural in everyday English. Distinguish from adverb sense 2: a parliamentary 'nay' is a noun (you 'cast a nay'); the Northern English 'nay' is a one-word reply.
常見錯誤
同根字
- naysayer名詞C2
- aye副詞 / 名詞C1
常見搭配
名詞搭配
- a nay vote
- ayes and nays
常用片語
- the nays have it
介系詞搭配
- nay to (a proposal)