Perpetually
“Perpetually”是副词,意为持续不断、似乎没有尽头。可描述时间上的“永远”(perpetually in debt 永远负债),也可略带抱怨地指“老是、总是”(He is perpetually late 他总是迟到)。
- “The machine runs perpetually without stopping.” (这台机器持续运转,从不停歇。)
- “She seems perpetually busy with work and family.” (她似乎永远忙于工作和家庭。)
- “He was perpetually asking questions during the lecture.” (他在讲座期间不停地提问。)
源自拉丁语 perpetuus(连续的、永久的),经古法语进入英语。词根 perpetu- 与 “perpetual”(永久的)同源,副词形式 “-ly” 表示方式。
由形容词 “perpetual” 加副词后缀 “-ly” 构成。核心词根 perpetu- 表示“贯穿始终”。
在英语中,“perpetually” 有时带轻微负面色彩,暗示令人厌烦的重复或无法改变的困境,如 “perpetually broke”(永远缺钱)。与 “constantly” 近义,但 “perpetually” 更强调时间跨度上的“无尽”。
- 固定搭配: “perpetually in debt” (永远负债), “perpetually late” (总是迟到), “run perpetually” (持续运转)
想到 “perpetual”(永久的)加 “-ly”:以永久的方式做事,就是 perpetually——不停地、始终如此。
“The old clock in the hallway ticked perpetually, marking each second of the long winter night.” (门厅里那台旧钟整夜滴答作响,一秒一秒地走过漫长的冬夜。)