习惯用语:have a soft spot for(音频文字)

习惯用语:have a soft spot for(音频文字)ZT
http://www.voachinese.com/content/wi-have-a-soft-spot-for/2711229.html
http://av.voanews.com/clips/VCH/2015/04/08/dea314c3-4a48-472c-8109-be0085872a0f_hq.mp3?download=1


周末朋友从外地来华盛顿玩,我陪他们去参加一日游。那个可怜的导游,一看就是新手,被七嘴八舌的游客问得难以招架。我年轻的时候也当过导游,所以感同身受,深知她的苦衷。

这也让我想起一个习惯用语可以跟大家分享。那就是:have a soft spot for. To have a soft spot for something or someone, 意思是因为喜爱,所以对某个人或是某件事心软。

比如说,Grandpa has a soft spot for Jimmy, his first grandson. 爷爷偏爱长孙Jimmy. 在刚才的例子中,正因为我以前做过导游,所以很能理解那个年轻导游的感受,you have a soft spot for tour guides.

下面例子中的这个人谈到了自己一个表面冷酷无情、其实内心善良的叔叔。让我们听听他是怎么说的。

例句-1:Uncle Phil has a reputation as a tough guy who's unfeeling. But what most people don't know is that he can be quite caring. He's donated a lot of time and money to charities that help those less fortunate than him. Clearly, he has a soft spot for the underprivileged.

这个人说:菲尔叔叔一直以冷酷无情的硬汉形象著称。可是,大多数人并不了解的是,他是一个很关心别人的人。他向一些慈善机构捐赠了很多时间和金钱,帮助那些不如他幸运的人。显然,他很同情那些弱势人群。

这也让我想起2009年刚去世的美国政治家泰德.肯尼迪。他是美国前总统约翰.肯尼迪的弟弟,在国会参议院当了46年参议员。虽然他生长在一个富有的政治世家,Ted Kennedy had a soft spot for people who didn't grow up with the advantages he had. 泰德.肯尼迪对生长环境不如他优越的人格外关心。他将自己毕生的精力用于争取民权、消费者利益和医疗保健。

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美国人非常关心动物。在下面的例子中,一位妇女开办了一个服务中心,为狗寻找温暖的家。让我们听听她先生是怎么说的。

例句-2:My wife started an adoption service for dogs. What started out with finding a home for one unwanted puppy became a full-time occupation. Thanks to her, over 200 dogs have been rescued. She could have chosen a job that's easier and higher paying. But she has a soft spot for dogs in need. It's very fulfilling.

他说:我太太办了一个狗收养中心。最初只是要给一只没人要的小狗找个家,后来居然变成了全职工作。在她的帮助下,已经有两百多只狗被救。她本可以选择一个更容易做、工资更高的工作,但是她看见那些需要帮助的狗就会心软。这份工作让她很充实。

我一直想去动物收容所做义工,可我老公不同意,因为他知道,I have a soft spot for kittens. 我特别喜欢小猫咪,一定会带一堆回家。不过,如果我女儿提出养猫,那就另当别论了。Doug你知道为什么吗? Your husband has always had a soft spot for your daughter. 你说得太对了。我老公特别疼爱女儿,对她百依百顺。

 



 

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Nice explanation and examples. Thanks 婉蕠 for sharing:) -南山松- 给 南山松 发送悄悄话 南山松 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 04/22/2015 postreply 18:14:19

Songsong, thanks for your comments. -婉蕠- 给 婉蕠 发送悄悄话 婉蕠 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 04/23/2015 postreply 20:38:33

Great learning material. Thanks, dear sister! -~叶子~- 给 ~叶子~ 发送悄悄话 ~叶子~ 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 04/22/2015 postreply 21:38:04

Sis,thanks. Have a nice evening. -婉蕠- 给 婉蕠 发送悄悄话 婉蕠 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 04/23/2015 postreply 16:47:31

I learned "have a soft spot for".Thanks for sharing! -beautifulwind- 给 beautifulwind 发送悄悄话 beautifulwind 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 04/23/2015 postreply 19:41:44

beautifulwind, l learned it,too. Good night. -婉蕠- 给 婉蕠 发送悄悄话 婉蕠 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 04/23/2015 postreply 20:39:44

Can one have more than one soft spot? -肖庄- 给 肖庄 发送悄悄话 肖庄 的博客首页 (70 bytes) () 04/23/2015 postreply 23:01:39

My answer is yes. -婉蕠- 给 婉蕠 发送悄悄话 婉蕠 的博客首页 (30 bytes) () 04/24/2015 postreply 20:05:40

Having a soft spot is good for your heart^_^ -京燕花园- 给 京燕花园 发送悄悄话 京燕花园 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 04/24/2015 postreply 18:54:02

Yeah, compassion is good for the heart and soul. -婉蕠- 给 婉蕠 发送悄悄话 婉蕠 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 04/24/2015 postreply 20:20:03

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