“削弱”常见的英文表达有 weaken、undermine、cripple、dilute 等,具体使用哪个词取决于语境:
weaken:最常用,指使力量、影响力、效果等变弱,或身体变得虚弱。例如:
The new policy will weaken the company's competitiveness.(新政策将削弱公司的竞争力。)
His illness has weakened his body.(他的病使他的身体变虚弱了。)
undermine:侧重于暗中逐渐削弱基础、信心、权威等,有破坏根基的意味。例如:
Constant criticism can undermine a person's self-esteem.(不断的批评会削弱一个人的自尊心。)
Rumors are undermining our team's morale.(谣言正在削弱我们团队的士气。)
cripple:强调严重削弱到几乎无法正常运转或行动的程度,常用于形容机构、系统、经济等遭受重大打击。例如:
The economic crisis has crippled many small businesses.(经济危机使许多小企业陷入困境,几近瘫痪。)
A severe injury crippled his career.(一次重伤严重影响了他的职业生涯。)
dilute:原意是“稀释”,引申为削弱(浓度、重要性、效果等),使原本强烈或集中的东西变得不那么显著。例如:
Adding too much water will dilute the flavor of the soup.(加太多水会冲淡汤的味道。)
Too many advertisements can dilute the main message of the program.(过多的广告会冲淡节目的主要信息。)