yonks
yonks — 名詞
1. an informal British expression meaning a period that feels very long, often stre
很久；長久
很長的一段時間，通常數年
an informal British expression meaning a period that feels very long, often stretching over several years
I haven't been to the seaside in yonks — not since Grandma retired to Devon.
我很久沒去海邊了——自從奶奶退休搬到德文郡之後就沒去過。
collocation: in yonks — used in negative present perfect
Feng said they hadn't enjoyed a film this much in yonks — not since the old cinema closed.
Feng 說他們很久沒這麼享受一部電影了——自從老電影院關門之後就沒有。
informal British register in reported speech
We waited yonks for the number 42 bus, and then three arrived at the same time.
我們等 42 號公車等了很久，結果一次來了三輛。
Ada has been writing that novel for yonks — she started before her first child was born.
Ada 那本小說寫了很久了——她在生第一個孩子之前就動筆了。
collocation: for yonks with present perfect continuous
It took yonks to get a straight answer from the council about the pavement repairs.
花了好久的時間才從市議會那裡得到關於人行道維修的直接答覆。
- for yonks
- in yonks
- not ... in yonks
- be yonks since ...
- ages
more common across all English varieties; less distinctly British
- an eternity
more dramatic and exaggerated in tone
- donkey's years
also British informal; even more old-fashioned and humorous
- a short time
neutral and literal opposite
- a moment
implies a very brief, specific duration
文法句型
for yonks
in yonks
用法筆記
Almost always used with 'for' or 'in' (e.g. 'for yonks' / 'in yonks'). Frequent in negative sentences and questions about the last time something happened. Never used in formal writing.