“by nature”是介词短语,核心意为:天生地;本质上;生性。
用于强调人或事物与生俱来的、固有的特质(非后天培养或环境影响的结果),突出“本质如此”的属性。
“by nature”通常作状语,修饰形容词、名词或整个句子,常见结构如下:
结构:主语 + be + 形容词 + by nature
说明主语“天生具有某种性格/特征”。
She is kind and compassionate by nature.(她生性善良且有同情心。)
Dogs are loyal by nature—they form strong bonds with their owners.(狗天生忠诚——会与主人建立深厚的羁绊。)
Some people are introverted by nature; they recharge by being alone.(有些人天生内向;独处能让他们恢复精力。)
结构:主语 + be + a/an + 名词 + by nature
强调主语“本质上是某种人/物”,突出天生的身份或属性。
He is a fighter by nature—he never backs down from challenges.(他天生是个斗士——从不对挑战退缩。)
She’s an artist by nature; every sketch she draws is full of creativity.(她本质上是个艺术家;每幅素描都充满创意。)
Cats are hunters by nature—they instinctually chase small moving objects.(猫天生是猎手——会本能地追逐移动的小物体。)
结构:By nature, + 主语 + 谓语
前置“by nature”以强化“天生如此”的语气,更突出本质属性。
By nature, children are curious about the world.(孩子们天生对世界充满好奇。)
By nature, I’m a homebody—I’d rather read than go to a party.(我天生是个宅人——宁愿看书也不愿去派对。)
By nature, water is liquid at room temperature.(水本质上在室温下是液态的。)
用于回答“为什么”,说明行为或特征的本质根源。
Why does she always volunteer? Because she’s generous by nature.(她为什么总做志愿者?因为她生性慷慨。)
He never gives up—he’s persistent by nature.(他从不放弃——天生执着。)
by nature vs. in nature
by nature:天生/本质上(强调固有属性);
in nature:实际上;究竟(用于强调或提问,如:What in nature are you doing? 你究竟在做什么?)。
by nature vs. human nature
human nature是固定短语,意为“人性”(如:It’s human nature to desire love. 渴望爱是人性。)。
“by nature”仅用于描述稳定、长期的特质(如性格、本质属性),不用于临时状态(如不能说He is tired by nature.,因为“累”是临时感受)。
常见搭配词:描述性格/特征的形容词(kind, loyal, curious, introverted)或名词(leader, artist, hunter)。
总结:“by nature”是表达“天生特质”的关键短语,核心是突出“本质上的、与生俱来的”属性,用法灵活但需结合“稳定特质”的语境。