thing /θɪŋ/ CET4

• 1. 

  N-COUNT You can use thing to refer to any object, feature, or event when you cannot, need not, or do not want to refer to it more precisely. (不具体指称的) 东西; 事情

  例：

  "What's that thing in the middle of the fountain?"—"Some kind of statue, I guess."

  “喷泉中间那个东西是什么？”—“我想是雕像之类的吧。”

  例：

  She was in the middle of clearing the breakfast things.

  她正忙着清理早餐后的那些东西。

• 2. 

  N-COUNT Thing is used in lists and descriptions to give examples or to increase the range of what you are referring to. (用于举例或扩大所指范围) 等事物

  例：

  They spend their money on things like rent and groceries.

  他们把钱花在房租和杂货之类的事情上。

• 3. 

  N-COUNT Thing is often used after an adjective, where it would also be possible just to use the adjective. For example, you can say it's a different thing instead of it's different. 东西 (用于形容词后，单用该形容词也可表示相同的意思)

  例：

  Of course, literacy isn't the same thing as intelligence.

  当然，识字与智力不是一回事。

• 4. 

  N-SING Thing is often used instead of the pronouns "anything," or "everything" in order to emphasize what you are saying. 任何事情 (用于强调) [强调]

  例：

  I haven't done a thing all day.

  我一整天还没做任何事情。

  例：

  It isn't going to solve a single thing.

  这解决不了任何问题。

• 5. 

  N-COUNT Thing is used in expressions such as such a thing or a thing like that, especially in negative statements, in order to emphasize the bad or difficult situation you are referring back to. 这种事情 (尤用于否定句，强调前面提到的糟糕或困难情况) [强调]

  例：

  I don't believe he would tell Leo such a thing.

  我不信他会告诉利奥这种事。

• 6. 

  N-COUNT You can use thing to refer in a vague way to a situation, activity, or idea, especially when you want to suggest that it is not very important. (尤指不重要的) 情形; 活动; 想法 [非正式]

  例：

  I'm a bit unsettled tonight. This war thing's upsetting me.

  我今晚有点儿不安，这种争斗很让我心烦。

• 7. 

  N-COUNT You often use thing to indicate to the person you are addressing that you are about to mention something important, or something that you particularly want them to know. 表示将要提及重要的事情或特别希望对方知道的事情

  例：

  One thing I am sure of was that she was scared.

  有一点我可以肯定的是她被吓坏了。

• 8. 

  N-COUNT A thing is often used to refer back to something that has just been mentioned, either to emphasize it or to give more information about it. 常指前面曾提到的内容，表示强调或提供更多信息

  例：

  Getting drunk is a thing all young men do.

  喝醉酒是所有小伙子都会干的事。

• 9. 

  N-COUNT A thing is a physical object that is considered as having no life of its own. (无生命的) 物体; 东西

  例：

  It's not a thing. It's a human being!

  这不是一件东西，这是一个人！

• 10. 

  N-COUNT Thing is used to refer to something, especially a physical object, when you want to express contempt or anger toward it. (用于表示蔑视或愤怒) 东西 [口语]

  例：

  Turn that thing off!

  把那个东西关掉！

• 11. 

  N-COUNT You can call a person or an animal a particular thing when you want to mention a particular quality that they have and express your feelings toward them, usually affectionate feelings. 东西 (常指惹人怜爱的人或动物) [非正式]

  例：

  She is such a cute little thing.

  她是个非常可爱的小东西。

• 12. 

  N-PLURAL Your things are your clothes or possessions. 衣物; 财物

  例：

  Sara told him to take all his things and not to return.

  萨拉叫他带上他的所有东西离开，别再回来。

• 13. 

  N-PLURAL Things can refer to the situation or life in general and the way it is changing or affecting you. 情况

  例：

  Everyone agrees things are getting better.

  大家都认为情况正在好转。