“keep on good terms”是一个常用的英语短语,核心含义是“保持良好关系”“维持和睦/友好的往来”。其中:
“keep”表示“维持、保持”;
“on good terms”是固定搭配,指“处于良好的关系状态”(term 此处意为“关系、交情”)。
该短语通常需与介词 with 搭配,后接“对象”(人或群体),表示“与某人/某群体保持良好关系”。
基本结构:主语 + keep on good terms with + 某人/某群体1、 日常社交:
I always try to keep on good terms with my neighbors—you never know when you might need their help.
(我总是尽量和邻居保持良好关系——你永远不知道什么时候会需要他们的帮助。)
2、 职场场景:
It’s wise to keep on good terms with your colleagues, even if you don’t agree with them on everything.
(即使你和同事不是事事都合得来,和他们保持良好关系也是明智的。)
3、 家庭/亲密关系:
Even after their breakup, Sarah and Tom keep on good terms for the sake of their dog.
(即使分手了,萨拉和汤姆还是为了他们的狗保持着友好关系。)
4、 否定形式(表示“关系不好”):
He doesn’t keep on good terms with his uncle—they had a big argument last year.
(他和叔叔关系不好——去年他们大吵了一架。)
stay on good terms (with sb):与“keep on good terms”几乎完全同义,更强调“持续保持”的状态(stay 侧重“维持现状”)。
例:We’ve stayed on good terms since we graduated.(我们毕业后一直保持着良好关系。)
be on good terms (with sb):表示“目前处于良好关系”(状态描述),而“keep/stay”更强调“主动维持”的动作。
例:Are you still on good terms with your ex?(你和前任还保持着友好关系吗?)
“keep on good terms with sb”是主动维持友好关系的常用表达,适用于各种人际场景(社交、职场、家庭等),强调“刻意保持和睦”的态度。掌握其搭配(with sb)和语境,就能灵活使用啦!