“污点”常见的英文表达有 stain、blemish、smudge、tarnish 等,具体使用哪个词取决于语境:
Stain:最常用,指液体或物质留下的痕迹,使表面不洁净,也可引申为声誉上的“污点” 。例如:There's a coffee stain on the tablecloth.(桌布上有个咖啡渍。)A scandal left a stain on his political career.(那场丑闻给他的政治生涯留下了污点。)
Blemish:常指皮肤上的瑕疵、斑点,也可用于比喻事物不完美的小缺陷、污点 。例如:The small blemish on the painting doesn't affect its overall beauty.(画上那处小瑕疵并不影响整体美感。)His honesty has never had a blemish.(他的诚实从未有过任何瑕疵。)
Smudge:指模糊、不清晰的污迹,常因不小心或摩擦造成 。例如:There's a smudge of ink on your shirt.(你衬衫上有一块墨水污渍。)
Tarnish:原义指金属表面失去光泽,变得暗淡,常用来比喻声誉、名誉等受损,出现“污点” 。例如:The scandal has tarnished the company's reputation.(那场丑闻损害了公司的声誉。)