literal
含义: Taking words in their most basic, exact sense without metaphor or exaggeration; also used colloquially as an intensifier, though this usage is contentious.
Literal is the counterpart to figurative, denoting language that means exactly what it says. In academic and professional writing, 'literal' signals precision: a 'literal translation' follows the source text word for word. The informal use of 'literally' as an intensifier ('I literally died laughing') is widespread in spoken English but draws criticism from prescriptivists. It collocates with 'literal meaning', 'literal translation', 'literal interpretation', and 'in the literal sense'.
例句
- The literal meaning of the Greek word 'democracy' is 'rule by the people,' from demos and kratos. 希腊语'democracy'一词的字面意思是'人民的统治',由demos(人民)和kratos(统治)组成。El significado literal de la palabra griega 'democracy' es 'gobierno del pueblo', de demos y kratos.ギリシャ語の「democracy」の字義通りの意味は「人民による支配」であり、demosとkratosに由来する。그리스어 'democracy'의 축자적 의미는 demos와 kratos에서 유래한 '인민에 의한 지배'이다.
- A literal translation of the French title renders it as 'Remembrance of Things Past,' though the more faithful version is 'In Search of Lost Time. 对法语标题的直译将其译为'Remembrance of Things Past'(追忆逝水年华),尽管更忠实的版本是'In Search of Lost Time'(寻找失去的时光)。Una traducción literal del título francés lo convierte en 'Remembrance of Things Past', aunque la versión más fiel es 'In Search of Lost Time'.フランス語の題名を逐語訳すると「Remembrance of Things Past」となるが、より忠実な訳は「In Search of Lost Time」である。프랑스어 제목을 축자적으로 번역하면 'Remembrance of Things Past'가 되지만, 더 충실한 번역은 'In Search of Lost Time'이다.
- The building had literally been reduced to rubble by the force of the explosion — not a single wall remained standing. 那栋建筑确实被爆炸的力量夷为平地——没有一面墙还立着。El edificio había sido literalmente reducido a escombros por la fuerza de la explosión; no quedó un solo muro en pie.その建物は爆発の威力で文字通り瓦礫と化し、壁一枚も残っていなかった。그 건물은 폭발의 위력으로 말 그대로 잔해로 변했으며, 벽 하나도 남아 있지 않았다.
发音
用法指南
语境: academic, literary, everyday
语气: neutral
起源与历史
From Late Latin literalis meaning 'of or relating to letters or writing,' from Latin littera meaning 'letter, character.' Entered English in the late 14th century, initially in the sense of 'relating to the letter of a text.'
文化背景
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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