“事情”常见的英文表达有 thing、matter、affair 等,具体使用哪个词取决于语境:
thing:最常用、最通用的词汇,指任何事物、情况或事件,无论大小、重要与否。例如:
There are so many things to do today.(今天有很多事情要做。)
It's just a small thing, don't worry about it.(这只是件小事,别担心。)
matter:侧重指需要关注、处理或考虑的事情、问题,常带有一定的严肃性或重要性。例如:
What's the matter with you? You look upset.(你怎么了?你看起来很不安。)
This is a serious matter that needs to be dealt with immediately.(这是一件需要立即处理的严肃事情。)
affair:常指与个人、组织或国家相关的具体事务、事件,也可指风流韵事(此时通常用复数形式 affairs)。在正式语境中,常用于表示政治、商业等领域的事务。例如:
Foreign affairs are very important to a country.(外交事务对一个国家来说非常重要。)
The company's financial affairs are in good order.(公司的财务状况良好。)