PDA
Meaning: Public display of affection — physical intimacy shown between partners in public, like kissing or holding hands.
PDA covers everything from holding hands to full-on making out in public. Americans have mixed feelings about it — light PDA like hand-holding is widely accepted, but heavy PDA can make people uncomfortable. The term is often used to either celebrate or critique public affection, depending on context and comfort level.
Examples
- They're always doing PDA in the hallway — get a room! 他们总在走廊里秀恩爱——去开个房吧!Siempre se están dando el lote en el pasillo — ¡buscaos una habitación!あの二人、廊下でいつもイチャイチャしてる——よそでやってよ!둘이 복도에서 맨날 PDA 해 — 방 잡아!
- I'm not big on PDA, but I don't mind holding hands. 我不太喜欢在公共场合秀恩爱,不过牵手我不介意。No soy muy de muestras de cariño en público, pero no me importa ir de la mano.人前でのイチャイチャは苦手だけど、手をつなぐくらいなら気にしないよ。나는 PDA를 잘 못 하는데, 손잡는 건 괜찮아.
- The amount of PDA at this party is out of control. 这个派对上的PDA已经失控了。La cantidad de PDA en esta fiesta está fuera de control.このパーティーのPDAの量、もう手に負えないレベルだよ。이 파티의 PDA 수준이 감당이 안 돼.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: relationships, social situations, school, public spaces
Tone: neutral to disapproving
✓ Do Say
- They're big on PDA.他们特别喜欢秀恩爱。Son muy de muestras de cariño en público.あの二人はPDA多めだよね。걔네 PDA 심해.
- Too much PDA at the office is unprofessional.在办公室PDA太多不专业。Demasiado PDA en la oficina es poco profesional.職場でのPDAはプロとしてふさわしくない。직장에서 PDA가 너무 심하면 비전문적이야.
✗ Don't Say
- Don't use PDA to refer to digital devices (Personal Digital Assistant) — that meaning is obsolete不要用PDA指代数码设备(Personal Digital Assistant,个人数字助理)——那个含义已经过时了No uses PDA para referirte a dispositivos digitales (Personal Digital Assistant) — ese significado está obsoletoPDAをデジタル機器(Personal Digital Assistant)の意味で使わないこと——その用法はもう廃れているPDA를 디지털 기기(Personal Digital Assistant)의 의미로 사용하지 말 것 — 그 뜻은 이미 사어가 됨
Origin & History
The abbreviation PDA for 'public display of affection' has been in American English since at least the 1960s, commonly used in schools and social settings to discuss or criticize couples being overly affectionate in public.
Cultural Context
Era: 1960s onwards
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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