pathetically
pathetically — 副詞
1. to a degree that falls so far below what is needed or expected that it almost se
差勁地
差到或少到遠不及格的程度
to a degree that falls so far below what is needed or expected that it almost seems laughable.
The new bridge was pathetically weak and cracked under the first heavy truck.
新建的橋脆弱得可憐，第一輛重卡車一壓就裂開了。
pathetically + adjective (weak) for something far below standard
Vikram trained hard, but his first race time was pathetically slow.
Vikram 訓練得很努力，但他第一場比賽的成績卻慢得可憐。
The charity raised a pathetically small sum after weeks of hard work.
經過好幾週的辛苦努力，這個慈善團體只募到少得可憐的一筆錢。
Layla's garden produced a pathetically thin crop during the long dry summer.
Layla 的菜園在漫長乾旱的夏天裡，只長出稀疏得可憐的作物。
Our team played pathetically and lost every game this season.
我們這隊打得很差勁，這個球季每一場都輸。
- inadequately
plainer, no emotional colour — just falls short of what is needed
- woefully
similar 'strikingly insufficient' force, but more formal and regretful
- impressively
to a degree that earns admiration
文法句型
pathetically + gradable adjective
verb + pathetically
用法筆記
Most often modifies gradable adjectives of size, amount, or quality (small, thin, weak, low) or a verb of performance; the standard it falls short of is understood from context.
常見錯誤
2. in a manner so feeble or shameful that it makes people lose respect and feel ang
可鄙地
差勁到讓人看不起又生氣
in a manner so feeble or shameful that it makes people lose respect and feel anger.
Ramón begged pathetically for his job back after lying to the whole office.
Ramón 對全公司說謊之後，居然還不要臉地哀求主管讓他保住工作。
verb + pathetically describing behaviour that loses respect
The manager behaved pathetically, blaming the youngest worker for his own mistake.
這位經理的行為很可鄙，把自己的錯怪到最年輕的員工頭上。
Christopher lied pathetically, and even the children could see through his story.
Christopher 撒謊撒得令人不齒，連小孩都看穿了他的說詞。
The politician's apology was pathetically weak and only made the angry crowd shout louder.
這位政治人物的道歉軟弱又可鄙，只讓憤怒的群眾喊得更大聲。
Adina whined pathetically about the homework instead of just finishing it.
Adina 不去把作業寫完，反而為了作業可鄙地抱怨個不停。
- contemptibly
focuses on deserving scorn; more formal
- shamefully
stresses the loss of respect and dignity
- admirably
in a way that earns respect
文法句型
verb + pathetically
pathetically + adjective
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: this sense judges a person's behaviour as shameful and respect-losing, not merely a quantity or result as insufficient.
常見錯誤
3. in a sad or feeble manner that makes other people feel sympathy and want to help
可憐地
令人感到難過、想同情的樣子
in a sad or feeble manner that makes other people feel sympathy and want to help.
The lost puppy whined pathetically at the cold gate all night.
那隻走失的小狗整晚在冰冷的大門邊可憐地嗚咽。
pathetically describing a sound that arouses sympathy
The old dog limped pathetically across the yard toward Rin's empty food bowl.
那隻老狗一跛一跛地、可憐兮兮地穿過院子，走向 Rin 那個空了的飯碗。
The sick child looked up pathetically and asked for her mother.
生病的孩子可憐地抬起頭，吵著要找媽媽。
Trapped in the storm, the kitten cried pathetically under the broken fence.
被困在暴風雨裡，那隻小貓在斷掉的圍籬下可憐地哀叫。
Luca smiled pathetically from his hospital bed, too weak to lift his hand.
Luca 在病床上虛弱得連手都抬不起來，只能可憐地笑了笑。
- pitifully
near-synonym; emphasises arousing pity
- plaintively
specifically of sad, mournful sounds (a plaintive cry)
文法句型
verb + pathetically
用法筆記
Subject is usually a suffering person or animal; pairs with verbs of sound or movement (whine, cry, limp) to draw sympathy rather than scorn.