proverb
/ˈprɒvɜːb/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈprɑːvɜːrb/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈprä-ˌvərb/ (ame, mw)
proverb — 名詞
- proverbsingular
- proverbsplural
1. a short, well-known saying that states a general truth or offers practical guida
諺語
廣為流傳的簡短格言，表達普遍經驗或道理
a short, well-known saying that states a general truth or offers practical guidance, typically one handed down over many generations within a culture
The teacher explained the proverb 'Don't count your chickens before they hatch' to curious students.
老師向好奇的學生們解釋了那句諺語：「別在雞蛋孵化前就數小雞。」
collocation: explain + proverb for teaching context
When Lin felt discouraged about English, her father quoted a Chinese proverb: a thousand-mile journey starts with one step.
當 Lin 對英文感到灰心時，她父親引用了一句中國諺語：千里之行始於足下。
quotation after quote + proverb + colon pattern for encouragement
My grandmother used the proverb 'A stitch in time saves nine' when chores were delayed.
我的祖母在雜事被延誤時使用那句諺語：「及時一針省九針。」
While hiking, Lara recalled an African proverb: if you want to go fast, go alone; to go far, go together.
爬山時，Lara 想起一句非洲諺語：若想走得快，就獨行；若想走得遠，就同行。
At work, Yumi's colleague reminded her of the proverb 'A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.'
工作時，Yumi 的同事用那句諺語提醒她：「雙鳥在林不如一鳥在手。」
- saying
more general than proverb; can refer to any common expression without requiring it to give advice or state a truth
- maxim
expresses a rule of conduct or principle; more formal and less likely to be tied to folk tradition
- adage
slightly formal synonym for an old, widely accepted proverb; often implies long-standing wisdom
- aphorism
a concise, clever statement of a truth; usually attributed to a specific writer or thinker rather than anonymous folk tradition
文法句型
proverb + says/goes/reminds
as the + proverb + goes/says
there is a + proverb + that-clause
用法筆記
Proverbs are typically quoted in the present tense because they express timeless truths. Common introductory patterns include 'as the proverb says/goes' and 'there is a proverb that states…'.
常見錯誤
proverb — 動詞
- proverbpresent simple I / you / we / they
- proverbs3rd person singular
- proverbing-ing form
- proverbedpast simple
1. to describe a person, event, or thing by comparing it to a well-known saying, or
用諺語表達
用諺語或諺語風格描述事物
to describe a person, event, or thing by comparing it to a well-known saying, or by using the short, memorable language typical of proverbs
The storyteller proverbed the hero's bravery by comparing it to a lion's courage.
那位說書人用諺語來描述英雄的勇氣，將其比作獅子的膽量。
archaic transitive usage: proverb + noun phrase + by + gerund
The ancient Greeks proverbed thunderstorms by calling them the anger of Zeus in their myths.
古希臘人在神話中把雷暴稱為宙斯的憤怒，以諺語方式來描述自然現象。
archaic: proverb + noun + by + gerund pattern with named culture
Brother Anselm, a medieval monk, proverbed the harsh winter by comparing it to a long penance in his sermons.
中世紀修士 Anselm 在講道中將嚴冬比作長期的贖罪苦修，以諺語方式描述寒冬。
Villagers proverbed the river's danger by calling it a dragon in local stories.
村民們在地方故事中用諺語稱呼那條河的危險，叫它作巨龍。
文法句型
proverb + noun phrase
用法筆記
This sense is archaic and rarely encountered outside historical literary texts. Modern speakers use 'mention proverbially' or 'describe with a proverb' instead.
2. to add or attach a proverb to a piece of writing, a speech, or a story
附上諺語
在言辭末尾附上諺語
to add or attach a proverb to a piece of writing, a speech, or a story
The editor proverbed the manuscript by inserting a folk saying on the final page.
編輯在稿子的最後一頁插入一句民間諺語。
archaic transitive usage: proverb + noun phrase + by + gerund
The scribe proverbed the royal decree with a warning about dishonest ministers.
那位抄寫員在皇家法令中加入一則關於防範奸臣的警語。
In Confucian academies, tutors proverbed each lesson with a short moral so young pupils could recall the rule.
在儒家書院中，老師為每堂課附上一則簡短道德教訓，好讓小學徒記住規則。
The poet proverbed the final stanza with a line borrowed from village wisdom.
那位詩人在最後一節中加入一句來自民間智慧的諺語。
文法句型
proverb + noun phrase (speech or writing)
用法筆記
Archaic sense. The equivalent modern expression is 'to add a proverb to' or 'to conclude with a proverb.'