英语短语be of an age主要有两种核心含义,需结合语境区分,以下是详细解析:
相当于"be the same age (as sb)",强调两个人或多人年龄相同。
相当于"be old enough to do sth"或"have reached an age when...",侧重年龄对应的能力/阶段。
结构:主语 + be of an age (+ with sb)
My sister and her roommate are of an age—both turn 20 this year.
我妹妹和她室友同龄,今年都满20岁。
The two boys are of an age with each other, so they get along well.
这两个男孩年纪相仿,所以相处得很好。
结构:主语 + be of an age + to do sth / when 从句
The child is of an age to start kindergarten.
这孩子到了上幼儿园的年龄。
She is of an age when she should learn to take responsibility for her actions.
她到了该学会为自己行为负责的年龄。
They are of an age to understand the importance of hard work.
他们到了能理解努力重要性的年龄。
be of age(无"an"):成年(法律上达到法定年龄)。
例:In most countries, you are of age at 18.(多数国家18岁成年。)
be of a certain age:到了一定年龄(常委婉指“中年以上”,带轻微调侃或回避)。
例:She's of a certain age, but still looks youthful.(她虽不年轻,但依然显年轻。)
"be of an age" 更偏向书面或正式语境,日常口语中更常用"be the same age"(同龄)或"be old enough to"(到了…年龄)。
当需要强调“年龄对应的能力/阶段”时,用"be of an age to do sth"比"be old enough to"更具文学性。
综上,"be of an age"的核心是围绕“年龄的匹配性”——要么和他人年龄一致,要么和某个人生阶段的年龄要求一致。通过语境和结构(是否接"with sb"或"to do sth")可快速判断具体含义。