好词典

apology

UK //əˈpɒlədʒi//US //əˈpɑːlədʒi//

词源

源自希腊语 'apologia'(辩护),通过拉丁语 'apologia' 进入英语,最初指正式的辩护演说,16世纪后逐渐转为'道歉'的含义。

noun

❶ 道歉,指因做错事或冒犯他人而表达歉意的话语或行为,通常包含承认错误和表达悔意。

“She made a sincere apology for being late.”

(她为迟到真诚地道了歉。)

“He owes you an apology for his rude behavior.”

(他应该为自己的粗鲁行为向你道歉。)

❶ 辩解,指为某种行为或观点进行辩护或解释,通常带有正当化的意图。

“His speech was more of an apology for his policies than an explanation.”

(他的演讲更像是对自己政策的辩解而非解释。)

“The book serves as an apology for the author's controversial views.”

(这本书是为作者有争议的观点进行辩护。)

同义词:excuse, justification, defense, regret, amends

常见短语

make an apology — 正式道歉,指主动承认错误并表示悔意,通常用于较正式的场合。

“The ambassador made an apology to the host country for the incident.”

(大使就这一事件向主办国正式道歉。)

owe someone an apology — 欠某人一个道歉,表示应该向某人道歉但尚未做到,强调责任和义务。

“You owe your sister an apology for breaking her favorite vase.”

(你打碎了姐姐最喜欢的花瓶,应该向她道歉。)

accept an apology — 接受道歉,表示原谅对方的过错,常用于人际关系的修复场景。

“After his sincere explanation, she decided to accept his apology.”

(在他真诚解释后,她决定接受他的道歉。)