Feeling peaky
含义: Looking or feeling unwell; appearing pale and sickly.
If someone says you're looking 'peaky,' they're politely noting you look ill—pale, drawn, under the weather. It's classic British understatement; rather than saying 'you look terrible,' 'peaky' softens the observation. The word captures that washed-out appearance of someone fighting off a cold or recovering from illness. It's often used by concerned relatives: 'You're looking a bit peaky, love.'
例句
- You're looking a bit peaky—are you feeling alright? 你看起来脸色不太好——没事吧?Tienes mala cara, ¿te encuentras bien?ちょっと顔色悪くない?大丈夫?안색이 좀 안 좋아 보여——괜찮아?
- I've been feeling peaky all week. 我整个星期都觉得不太舒服。Me he sentido pachucho toda la semana.一週間ずっと体調がイマイチだ。일주일 내내 몸이 안 좋았어.
- She looked quite peaky after the flight. 飞行之后她看起来脸色很差。Tenía bastante mala cara después del vuelo.フライトの後、彼女はかなり顔色が悪かった。비행기 타고 나서 안색이 많이 안 좋아 보였다.
发音
/ˈpiːki/
用法指南
语境: health, family, concern
语气: concerned, gentle
✓ 正确说法
- Looking a bit peaky看起来有点脸色不好Tener un poco de mala caraちょっと顔色が悪い안색이 좀 안 좋아 보여
- Feeling peaky感觉不舒服Sentirse pachucho体調がすぐれない몸이 안 좋아
- You seem peaky today你今天看起来气色不好Hoy pareces estar pachucho今日は調子悪そうだね오늘 좀 안 좋아 보여
✗ 错误说法
- It's a gentle observation, not an insult—don't be offended if someone says it to you这是温和的关心,不是侮辱——别人这么说不要介意Es una observación amable, no un insulto; no te ofendas si alguien te lo dice穏やかな観察であり侮辱ではない——言われても気分を害さないこと부드러운 관찰이지 모욕이 아니다——누가 이렇게 말해도 기분 나빠할 필요 없다
常见错误
- Peaky (ill-looking) vs Peaky Blinders (the gang)—different references
- Not as severe as 'you look terrible'—it's understated concern
起源与历史
The word 'peaky' likely derives from 'peak' in the sense of being pointy or sharp—a peaky face is thin and drawn. It emerged in British English in the early 19th century. The word gained cultural prominence through 'Peaky Blinders,' though the Birmingham gang's name referred to razor blades in caps, not ill health.
词源: From 'peak' meaning pointed/sharp; peaky face is thin/drawn
最早记录: Early 19th century
文化背景
Era: 19th century onwards
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal, often associated with maternal concern
Pop culture: Peaky Blinders (different meaning)
Regional notes: Particularly British. Americans might say 'you look pale' or 'under the weather.'
故事与趣闻
While 'Peaky Blinders' popularised the word internationally, the show's title actually refers to the razor blades Birmingham gang members allegedly sewed into their flat caps to use as weapons—a different 'peaky' altogether. The illness meaning is entirely separate.
变体
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