This week we answer a question from Shahram in Iran.
这周我们回答一个来自伊朗的Shahram的问题。
He writes: "Hi. I want to know about the meaning of the words ‘settle' and -set.' – Shahram, Iran
他问到:“你好,我想知道“settle”和“set”这两个单词的含义。——来自伊朗的Shahram
Dear Shahram,
亲爱的Shahram,
The two words may look similar, but each has a different meaning.
这两个单词可能看起来相似,但是含义不同。
Both can be used either as a noun or as a verb.
这两个词既可以用作名词,也可以用作动词。
We begin with the word "set."
我们先说“set”吧。
The noun form of "set" means a group of similar things that belong together.
“set”的名词形式是指一组相似的东西放在一起。
Take, for example, a tea set, which is a group of cups and dishes used for serving tea.
以茶具为例,茶具是一组用来盛茶的杯子和盘子。
The verb form of "set" has many different meanings: Merriam Webster Learner's Dictionary lists 17 meanings alone for the single verb, and another 30 phrasal verbs with "set."
“set”的动词形式有很多不同的含义:《韦氏学习词典》列出了作为动词的17个含义,以及另外30个带有“set”的动词短语。
Luckily, you do not need to worry about all of those now.
好在你现在不需要担心所有的那些含义和词组。
Generally speaking, the verb "set" means "to put (something) in a place or position."
一般来说,动词“set”的意思是“把(某物)放在某个地方或位置”。
It always has an object, a word that receives the action of the verb.
它需要有一个宾语,一个接受动词动作的词。
Here are two examples:
下面是两个示例:
Susan always sets her purse under the desk when she comes into the office. The object is "purse."
苏珊进办公室时总是把钱包放在桌子下面。宾语是“钱包”。
Larry set his hat on his head as he walked out the door. The object is "hat."
拉里走出门时把帽子戴在头上。宾语是“帽子”。
We also can talk about a literary work or a play being "set" in a place, which means the story happens there.
我们也可以说一部文学作品或一部戏剧被“设定”在一个地方,意思是故事发生在那里。
The book Big Little Lies is set in Australia.
《大小谎言》以澳大利亚为背景。
Another meaning of "set" is to make something ready for use.
“set”的另一个意思是使某物准备好使用。
As a child, one of my jobs was to "set the table."
当我还是个孩子的时候,我的工作之一就是“摆桌子”。
This meant putting the dishes, cups, and silverware out around the table, with one "set" for each person.
意思是把盘子、杯子和银器放在桌子周围,每人一套。
And, one last meaning of "set" for now; you will hear people talk about "setting a clock," that is, to make sure the clock has the correct time.
“set”的最后一个意思是:你会听到人们谈论“setting a clock(设置时钟)”,也就是说,确保时钟的时间正确。
Now we turn to the word "settle."
现在我们来看看单词“settle”。
The noun form of "settle" once meant a long seat or bench, but we no longer use that definition these days.
“settle”的名词形式曾经表示长椅子或长凳,但我们现在不再使用这个含义。
Instead let me give you three meanings of the verb form.
让我告诉你动词形式的三种含义。
The first one is to end a discussion or an argument by reaching an agreement.
第一个是通过达成协议来结束讨论或争论。
I had to settle a fight between two boys in class today.
今天班上有两个男生打架,我得解决一下。
We also use "settle" to talk about paying money.
我们也用settle来表示付钱。
After dinner, I settled the restaurant bill for my family.
晚饭后,我为家人付了餐馆的账单。
One more meaning is to move to a place and make it your home.
还有一个意思是搬到一个地方,把它当成自己的家。
The young couple settled in a small house in New York.
这对年轻夫妇在纽约的一所小房子里安顿下来。
A related phrasal verb is "settle down," which can mean to get quiet, or to begin living a quiet life by getting married and having a full-time job.
一个相关的动词短语是“settle down”,意思是安静下来,或者结婚、有一份稳定的全职工作之后开始过安定的生活。
Nasrin was a wild child but she settled down after getting married.
纳斯林是个野孩子,但结婚后就安定下来了。
The baby settled down to sleep after drinking his bottle.
婴儿喝了奶瓶后,安静地睡着了。
I hope these examples help to settle your mind about the differences between the words "set" and "settle."
我希望这些例子能帮助你理解“set”和“settle”之间的区别。
And that's Ask a Teacher!
以上就是本期名师答疑的全部内容。
I'm Jill Robbins.
我是吉尔·罗宾斯。