
gentle
词源
源自中古英语gentil,来自古法语gentil(高贵的,优雅的),最终源自拉丁语gentilis(属于同一家族或氏族的)。
adjective
❶ 形容人或行为温和友善,不粗暴或激烈。常用于描述性格、动作或处理方式。
“She has a gentle voice that calms everyone around her.”
(她说话声音轻柔,能让周围的人平静下来。)
“Be gentle with the baby when you hold her.”
(抱婴儿的时候动作要轻柔些。)
❶ 形容事物不强烈或剧烈,如坡度、颜色、味道等。
“The hill has a gentle slope that's easy to climb.”
(这座小山坡度平缓,很容易爬上去。)
“The painting uses gentle colors that create a peaceful feeling.”
(这幅画用了柔和的色调,营造出宁静的氛围。)
verb
❶ 使某物变得温和或驯服,常用于驯服动物或软化态度。
“It took months to gentle the wild horse.”
(驯服这匹野马花了几个月时间。)
“Her kindness gentled his angry heart.”
(她的善良软化了他愤怒的心。)
常见短语
gentle reminder — 温和的提醒,通常为避免让对方感到冒犯而采用的友善提示方式。
“Just a gentle reminder that the report is due tomorrow.”
(只是友善地提醒一下,报告明天就要交了。)
gentle giant — 形容体型庞大但性格温和的人或动物,强调外表与性格的反差。
“Despite his size, the basketball player is known as a gentle giant.”
(尽管身材高大,这位篮球运动员却以温和的巨人著称。)