"be content to do" 是英语中常用的形容词短语,表达“满足于做某事;愿意做某事(因对现状满意而无更高要求)”。
其中:
content 是形容词,意为“满意的、满足的”(强调“没有更多需求”的状态);
to do 是不定式,说明“满足于/愿意做的具体动作”。
主语(通常是人)+ be动词(am/is/are/was/were)+ content + to do sth.
该短语侧重“对当前的选择/状态感到满足,不追求更多”,常见于描述人的生活态度或行为选择:
She is content to stay at home and take care of her kids.(她满足于待在家里照顾孩子。)
He was content to work as a farmer all his life.(他一辈子都满足于当农民。)
Are you content to live in this small town forever?(你愿意永远住在这个小镇吗?/你满足于永远住在这里吗?)
两者都表达“满足”,但搭配不同:
be content to do:后接动作(不定式),强调“满足于做某件事”;
be content with:后接事物/状态(名词/代词),强调“对某事物/状态满意”。
例:
She is content to cook for her family every day.(她满足于每天给家人做饭。)
She is content with her simple life.(她对自己的简单生活很满足。)
在be动词后加not,表示“不满足于做某事;不愿意只做某事”:
He is not content to just work in an office.(他不满足于只在办公室工作。)
They were not content to accept the low salary.(他们不愿意接受低薪。)
"be content to do" 是描述“满足于某种行为”的常用表达,核心是“对当前的动作/选择无额外需求”,需结合具体语境理解“满足”或“愿意”的侧重。