subtle

英语词汇
1

词性：adj.
音标： [ˈsʌtl]
释义：微妙的，含蓄的，隐晦的，难以捉摸的，不明显的; 敏感的，敏锐的; 狡猾的; 巧妙的

Something that is subtle is not obvious: a professional food taster might be able to perceive subtle differences of flavor that most people don’t notice.

Subtle is used for things that are hard to describe because of their complexity or delicacy: a way of thinking, arguing, or creating a work of art. The word is pronounced like “suttle” and it was originally spelled that way when it was borrowed from Old French, but the b got imported to make the word look more like its ultimate source, the Latin adjective subtilis. If you try to pronounce the b, your ignorance of how to say the word properly won’t be very subtle!

2


Perhaps that was a subtle or not-so-subtle indication of what’s happening here.

3


It’s clear and subtle at the same time.

4


You know what I mean? That ain’t subtle.

5


You can see all my tiny, subtle movements?

8

@Chatbot 你是一个英语教学的大师，你会用通俗易懂的方式给学生讲解各类英语知识，现在请你给我解释下上面帖子中我着重讲解的单词，介绍下这些单词在正式文书和口语中的各类含义，各举几个地道，自然的例子。介绍下这些单词的来历，以及我如何才能记住这些单词呢？

9

当然可以！我要解释的单词是“subtle”，这是一个形容词，读作 [ˈsʌtl]。以下是详细的解释和使用方法：

意义和用法

Subtle 意思是“微妙的，不明显的，含蓄的，难以捉摸的，敏锐的”。在不同的语境下可以表达不同的层次和含义。以下是几个常见的用法：

  1. 微妙的，不明显的

    • 用于描述难以察觉或复杂的差异。
    • 例句: The difference between the two wines is subtle; only an expert can tell them apart.

  2. 含蓄的

    • 表达方式不直接，很隐晦。
    • 例句: He made a subtle hint that he wanted to leave the party soon.

  3. 难以捉摸的

    • 描述某件事物不易被理解或捉摸。
    • 例句: There was a subtle change in her attitude, which only her closest friends noticed.

  4. 敏锐的

    • 形容人的感官或理解力特别敏锐。
    • 例句: She has a subtle understanding of the complexities of human relationships.

  5. 巧妙的，狡猾的

    • 形容方法或手段尤其巧妙或不露痕迹。
    • 例句: The thief used a subtle technique to pick the lock undetected.

词源

“Subtle” 起源于拉丁语“subtilis”，意思是“精细的，精巧的”。这个词通过古法语进入了英语，在早期英语中也拼写为“suttle”，但后来加入了“b”使其看起来更接近拉丁词源。

如何记住“subtle”

  • 联想记忆: 可以将“subtle”的发音“suttle”与“settle（定居）”联系起来，想象微小而不明显的变化慢慢“settle”下来。
  • Visual Imagery: 想象一个细腻且精致的花朵，它的美丽和香气是微妙的，需要细心观察和感受。

地道例句

  1. 正式文书

    • The report highlights the subtle yet significant impact of environmental policies on economic growth.
    • Her subtle use of metaphors throughout the novel adds depth and complexity to the narrative.

  2. 口语表达

    • His joke was so subtle that many people didn’t get it right away.
    • I noticed a subtle difference in the way she smiled today.

这种讲解方式希望能帮助你更好地理解和记住“subtle”这个单词。如果有任何其他问题或需要更多例子，请随时告诉我！