
challenged
词源
源自中古英语 chalengen(挑战),后加-ed形成形容词,20世纪后期发展出委婉用法。
adjective
❶ 指某人在身体、智力或情感方面存在困难或障碍,委婉表达其缺陷或不足。常用于描述有特殊需求的人群。
“The school provides special programs for physically challenged children.”
(这所学校为身体有障碍的儿童提供特殊课程。)
“She works with visually challenged individuals to help them navigate daily life.”
(她与视力障碍者一起工作,帮助他们应对日常生活。)
❶ 委婉表示某人在某方面能力不足或表现不佳,常用于幽默或讽刺的语境中。
“He's fashion-challenged and always wears mismatched clothes.”
(他时尚感极差,总是穿不搭调的衣服。)
“My math-challenged brother needs help with his homework.”
(我数学很差的弟弟需要辅导作业。)
常见短语
physically challenged — 委婉指身体残疾或有行动障碍的人,强调他们面临的挑战而非缺陷。
“The marathon has a special category for physically challenged athletes.”
(这场马拉松为身体残障运动员设置了特别组别。)
mentally challenged — 礼貌用语,指智力发展迟缓或有认知障碍的人,避免使用过时的贬义词汇。
“The center provides vocational training for mentally challenged adults.”
(该中心为智力障碍成年人提供职业培训。)