英语短语"be obliged to sb."的核心含义是“感激某人;对某人怀有谢意”,强调因对方的帮助、恩惠而产生的感恩之情。它是正式语境下表达“感谢”的常用结构,需与另一个相似结构"be obliged to do sth."(有义务做某事)区分开。
"be obliged to sb." = feel grateful/indebted to sb.(因对方的帮助而感激)
相当于口语中的"thank sb.",但更正式、庄重。
通常搭配"for sth./doing sth.",说明“感激的原因”(即对方做了什么事让自己感激)。
结构:主语 + be obliged to + 某人 + for + 某事/doing sth.
1、 基础用法(直接感谢某人):
I'm obliged to you for your timely help.(我感谢你及时的帮助。)
She was deeply obliged to her friend for lending her money.(她非常感谢朋友借钱给她。)
2、 强调程度(用much/very/most等修饰):
We are much obliged to the volunteers for their hard work.(我们非常感谢志愿者的辛勤付出。)
If you could pass this message to him, I'd be most obliged.(如果你能把这个消息转告他,我会万分感激。)
3、 被动/正式语境:
The company is obliged to all its customers for their continued support.(公司感谢所有客户的持续支持。)
注意不要混淆两个结构:
"be obliged to sb.":接人,表“感激某人”;
"be obliged to do sth.":接动作(to do),表“有义务/被迫做某事”(因法律、规则、承诺等)。
例:
I'm obliged to my parents for raising me.(我感激父母养育我。)→ 感谢人
I'm obliged to pay back the money by the end of the month.(我有义务月底前还钱。)→ 义务做某事
"be obliged to sb."偏正式,常见于书面语(如感谢信、正式邮件)、商务语境或礼貌场合,口语中更常用"thank you",但"be obliged"能体现更郑重的谢意。
总结:"be obliged to sb."是正式感谢他人的表达,核心是“因对方的帮助而感激”,搭配"for"说明原因,需与表“义务”的"be obliged to do sth."区分。