“间谍”常见的英文表达是 spy,既可以作名词,也可以作动词。具体用法如下:
名词(n.):指从事间谍活动的人,即间谍、特工。例如:
The spy was caught trying to smuggle secret documents out of the country.(这名间谍在试图将机密文件偷运出境时被捕。)
He worked as a spy for the government during the war.(他在战争期间为政府担任间谍。)
动词(v.):指进行间谍活动,即刺探情报、当间谍。例如:
She was accused of spying on the enemy.(她被指控刺探敌方情报。)
The company suspected that a rival firm was spying on them.(该公司怀疑一家竞争对手在监视他们。)
此外,还有一些相关的短语和词汇:
secret agent:特工、密探,通常指为政府或组织秘密执行任务的人。
undercover agent:卧底特工,指以隐蔽身份执行任务的特工。
mole:内奸、卧底,通常指隐藏在组织内部的间谍。
snoop:动词,指窥探、刺探,常用于描述非正式的间谍行为。