內容簡介
一位聽眾來信說自己很難區分 “vigorous、tough、robust” 和 “strong” 的用法，因為它們的意思與 “strong” 有重疊。 本期節目先講 “strong” 的意思和用法，然後舉例講解如何把這三個和 “strong” 意思相似的單詞區分開來。
文字稿
（關於臺詞的備註: 請註意這不是廣播節目的逐字稿件。本文稿可能沒有體現錄制、編輯過程中對節目做出的改變。）
Jiaying
大傢好，歡迎收聽 AYYBLOG英語教學的 “你問我答” 節目。 I’m Jiaying.
Phil
And I’m Phil. We have a question from one of our listeners:
Question
I would like to distinguish the difference between some synonyms about ‘strong’. It is puzzling to differentiate between ‘robust’, ‘vigorous’, ‘tough’ and ‘strong’. These words overlap in some meaning with similarities to ‘strong’.
Phil
As you say, this is a question about how the meanings of words overlap. We’re going to try and separate the meanings of these different words that are all similar in meaning to ‘strong’.
Jiaying
沒錯，首先，我們看一看形容詞 “strong” 本身的用法。“Strong” 既可以表示 “事物是牢固的，結實的”，也可以表示 “強有力的”，它還可以用來表示 “一個人對某件事情是精通的，擅長的”。
先來看 “strong” 表示 “hard to break 牢固的，結實的，難易損壞的” 時候，與其它詞語之間的區別。
Phil
Both ‘tough’ and ‘robust’ can also mean ‘hard to break’.
Jiaying
問題中的另外兩個單詞 “tough” 和 “robust” 作形容詞時同樣也有 “堅固的，牢固的” 意思。請聽三個例句。
Examples
We get a lot of snow here, so the roof needs to be strong enough to hold its weight.
（我們這裡經常下雪，所以屋頂必須足夠牢固才能承受住雪的重量。）
I’m always dropping my phone. I need a case that’s tough enough to protect it.
（我總把手機掉在地上。我需要一個足夠結實的手機殼來保護它。）
The design for this bridge is robust enough to deal with heavy vehicles passing over it.
（這座橋的設計足夠牢固，可以承受重型車輛通過。）
Jiaying
接下來看一看 “tough” 還有哪些用法。
Phil
A thing described as ‘tough’ might be physically hard. If we describe meat as ‘tough’, it means that it is difficult to chew.
Jiaying
The meat is tough. 肉很老，嚼不動。
Phil
If we describe a person as ‘tough’, it means they can put up with a lot of hardship, or that it can be difficult to get them to change their mind.
Jiaying
This person is tough. 這個人很堅強，經得起難事或者很有主見。我們來聽兩個使用瞭形容詞 “tough” 的例句。
Examples
She’s a tough negotiator. It won’t be easy to get a good deal.
（她是個很強硬的談判者。要和她談成一筆好買賣並不容易。）
The weather during this expedition is likely to be bad, but we’re all pretty tough. We’ll be fine!
（這次探險期間的天氣可能會很糟糕，但我們都是硬漢，應該會沒事的！）
Jiaying
形容詞 “robust” 除瞭上面講過的表示 “物體是結實的” 以外，還可以用來談論 “計劃、策略、論點是牢不可破的”。聽兩個例句。
Examples
We’ve put together a robust plan to save the company.
（我們制定瞭一個強有力的計劃來拯救公司。）
That’s a very robust argument. I can’t disagree with it.
（那是一個非常有力的論點。我沒有什麼要反駁的。）
Phil
Now, let’s think about ‘strong’ meaning ‘powerful’. ‘Strong’ can mean to do something with a lot of force, literal or figurative. We can sometimes use ‘robust’ in this way, especially when we’re talking figuratively.
Jiaying
是的，“strong” 還可以表示 “強大的，有力的”，這可能是具體或抽象層面上的 “強大”。有時，“robust” 也可以表達同樣的含義，但 “robust” 尤其用來表示抽象層面上的含義，強調 “事物是有影響力的”。
Examples
The wind is very strong. You need to take care.
（風很大，你得小心。）
We need strong measures to deal with this problem.
（我們需要強有力的措施來解決這個問題。）
We need to provide a robust response to this criticism.
（我們需要對這種批評作出有力的回應。）
Jiaying
“Vigorous” 和 “tough” 通常可以用來形容類似的情況。其中，“vigorous” 更多地用來強調 “事物是充滿活力或精力的”。另一方面，“tough” 則描述 “某件事情是艱巨的，很難處理的，艱難的”。
Examples
He made a vigorous attempt to convince me, but I still don’t believe him.
（他極力試圖說服我，但我還是不相信他。）
We conducted a vigorous investigation to find the source of the problem.
（為瞭找到問題的根源，我們進行瞭深入的調查。）
This is a really tough job. I’m not sure I can do it.
（這是一份很困難的工作，我不知道我能不能勝任。）
As a manager, you need to take tough measures on anyone who isn’t performing.
（作為經理，你需要對任何表現不佳的員工采取嚴厲措施。）
Phil
To see the difference between these words, maybe we should go to the gym. If someone is ‘strong’, then they can lift heavy weights. If someone is doing ‘vigorous’ exercise, then they are exercising intensively and using a lot of energy. If a workout is ‘tough’, then it’s hard work.
Jiaying
在談論身體素質和體育鍛煉的語境中，“strong” 可以形容 “某人是力氣大的，強壯的”。形容詞 “vigorous” 可以表示 “運動是劇烈的，強度大的”。比如：“a vigorous exercise” 指 “一項高強度運動”。前面我們還講過，形容詞 “tough” 可以表示 “困難的”。所以，搭配 “a tough workout ” 就指 “一次難度大的鍛煉”。
Phil
‘Strong’ can also mean being good at something. We can’t use ‘robust’, ‘tough’ or ‘vigorous’ in this way.
Jiaying
沒錯。我們還可以用 “strong” 來形容 “一個人對某件事情是精通的，擅長的”。
Examples
You’re a very strong candidate for this job.
（你是這份工作的有力候選人。）
She’s a really strong performer in her role.
（她在工作中的表現非常出色。）
Jiaying
好瞭，關於形容詞 “strong” 的多個用法，以及問題中的其它形容詞 “vigorous、robust、tough” 與 “strong” 之間的相同和不同之處，我們就講到這裡。
Phil
We hope that we’ve answered your question. If you have questions that you’d like us to answer, you can email us too at: questions.
Jiaying
你也可以以微博私信的方式把問題發送給我們，我們的微博賬號是 “AYYBLOG英語教學”。Bye!
Phil
Bye.
免費試聽
填表領取25分鐘真人外師課＋英文程度分析
