
mean
词源
源自古英语 'mǣnan',意为“打算、表示”,与德语 'meinen' 同源,最终源自原始日耳曼语 *mainijaną。
verb
❶ 表示某种含义或意图,指某人想表达的内容或某事物所代表的意思。
“What do you mean by that?”
(你那么说是什么意思?)
“The red light means you have to stop.”
(红灯表示你必须停下。)
❶ 打算或计划做某事,表达某种意图或目的。
“I mean to finish this project by Friday.”
(我打算在周五前完成这个项目。)
“He means to travel around the world next year.”
(他计划明年环游世界。)
adjective
❶ 形容人或行为小气、吝啬,不愿意分享或给予。
“He's too mean to lend his friends money.”
(他太小气,不肯借钱给朋友。)
“Don't be mean—share your snacks!”
(别那么吝啬,分享你的零食吧!)
❶ 形容事物质量低劣或令人不愉快,通常指恶劣的条件或态度。
“The hotel room was small and mean.”
(酒店房间又小又简陋。)
“He gave me a mean look.”
(他恶狠狠地瞪了我一眼。)
❶ 形容某人或某事物非常熟练或出色,通常用于非正式场合表示赞赏。
“He plays a mean guitar.”
(他吉他弹得棒极了。)
“She cooks a mean lasagna.”
(她做的千层面非常好吃。)
noun
❶ 数学中的平均值,指一组数字的总和除以数字的个数。
“The mean of 2, 4, and 6 is 4.”
(2、4 和 6 的平均值是 4。)
“Calculate the mean of these numbers.”
(计算这些数字的平均值。)
❶ 中间状态或中庸之道,指避免极端的态度或方法。
“He believes in the golden mean.”
(他信奉中庸之道。)
“The mean between two extremes is often the best solution.”
(两个极端之间的中庸通常是最好的解决办法。)
常见短语
by all means — 表示完全同意或鼓励某人做某事,相当于“当然可以”或“务必”。
“By all means, take the day off if you're not feeling well.”
(如果你感觉不舒服,当然可以请一天假。)
mean business — 表示某人是认真的,尤其指在严肃或重要的事情上表现出决心。
“When she started preparing contracts, I knew she meant business.”
(当她开始准备合同时,我知道她是认真的。)
no mean feat — 表示某事不容易完成,强调其难度或成就。
“Winning the championship was no mean feat.”
(赢得冠军绝非易事。)