
好词典

名词义源自古英语‘wille’(意愿),后演变为儿童用语;形容词义可能源自‘willful’(任性的)的缩略形式。短语‘willy-nilly’来自‘will he, nill he’(无论他愿意与否)的缩合。
❶ 指男性生殖器的非正式说法,属于儿童用语或幽默表达,需注意使用场合避免冒犯他人。
“The little boy pointed and asked, 'What's that willy for?'”
(小男孩指着问:‘那个小鸡鸡是做什么用的?’)
“In some countries, it's common for babies to run around without covering their willies.”
(在某些国家,婴儿光着身子跑来跑去不遮住生殖器很常见。)
❶ 形容某人行为任性或反复无常,带有轻微贬义,多用于英式英语口语。
“She's being willy today, changing her mind every five minutes.”
(她今天很任性,每隔五分钟就改主意。)
“Don't be so willy about the schedule - we need to stick to the plan.”
(别对时间表这么反复无常——我们需要按计划行事。)
willy-nilly — 表示无论愿意与否、胡乱地或没有计划地做某事,常带有被迫或混乱的意味。
“The papers were scattered willy-nilly across the floor after the wind blew them.”
(文件被风吹得乱七八糟地散落在地板上。)