"in itself"是英语中常用的介词短语,核心含义是“本身;本质上;就其本身而言”,用于强调事物自身的属性、状态或价值,不涉及外部因素(如环境、附加条件等)。
突出“事物自身的性质”,即不考虑其他关联因素时,事物“本身”的样子。
"in itself"通常放在所修饰的名词/代词之后,或句末,作状语。
强调某事物“本身”的特点,不依赖外部条件。
The gift is not expensive in itself, but it has great sentimental value.
(这份礼物本身不贵,但有很高的情感价值。)
The job in itself is easy—what makes it hard is the long commute.
(这份工作本身很简单——难的是通勤时间太长。)
对前文提到的事物进行评价,聚焦其“内在性质”。
This problem is not serious in itself, but it could lead to bigger issues if ignored.
(这个问题本身不严重,但如果忽视,可能引发更大的问题。)
The idea sounds good in itself, but we need to test its practicality.
(这个想法本身不错,但我们需要测试它的实用性。)
突出某事物“仅仅本身”的状态,不含其他目的或关联。
Learning a language in itself is a rewarding experience, even if you never use it.
(学习语言本身就是一种有意义的经历,即使你永远不用它。)
The painting is beautiful in itself—you don’t need to know the artist’s story to appreciate it.
(这幅画本身很美——你不需要知道艺术家的故事就能欣赏它。)
注意与by itself(独自;自动)区分:
The cat opened the door by itself.(猫自己打开了门。→ 强调“独自完成”)
The door in itself is made of solid wood.(这扇门本身是实心木做的。→ 强调“门的内在材质”)
"in itself"的关键是“剥离外部因素,聚焦事物本身”,用于评价或描述事物的“内在属性”,是英语中表达“本质”“本身”的常用短语。