好词典

reciprocate

UK //rɪˈsɪprəkeɪt//US //rɪˈsɪprəkeɪt//

词源

源自拉丁语 'reciprocus'(意为来回移动),通过法语 'réciproquer' 进入英语,最初指交替运动,后引申为相互回应的行为。

verb

❶ 以相同方式回应他人的行为或情感,常用于表达回报善意、回应帮助或互赠礼物等场景。

“She helped me move house, so I reciprocated by cooking her dinner.”

(她帮我搬家,所以我做了晚餐回报她。)

“If someone smiles at you, it's polite to reciprocate.”

(如果有人对你微笑,礼貌的做法是回以微笑。)

❶ 机械或物理系统中,指部件做往复运动,如发动机活塞的来回运动。

“The pump uses a reciprocating piston to move water.”

(这个泵利用往复运动的活塞来输送水。)

“Reciprocating engines are common in older cars.”

(往复式发动机在老式汽车中很常见。)

同义词:return, repay, respond, exchange, requite

常见短语

reciprocate the favor — 回报别人的帮助或善意,通常指用类似的方式回应对方的好意。

“When she babysat my kids, I reciprocated the favor by helping her with gardening.”

(当她帮我照看孩子时,我通过帮她打理花园来回报这个好意。)