一、Tough的基本含义
Tough是一个极其多面的英语形容词，其含义根据上下文可以发生显著变化。核心含义围绕着"不易破坏、困难、严格"等概念展开。
词性：形容词 | 比较级：tougher | 最高级：toughest | 名词形式：toughness
二、六大使用场景详解
1. 物理特性：坚固的，不易破损的
描述物体材质坚固，经得起磨损或撕裂：
- These tough boots are designed for mountain climbing.（这些结实的靴子是专为登山设计的。）
- The material is tough enough to withstand extreme weather conditions.（这种材料足够坚韧，能够承受极端天气条件。）
2. 难度描述：困难的，棘手的
形容任务、问题或情况具有挑战性：
- The math exam was really tough; only a few students passed.（这次数学考试真的很难，只有少数学生通过了。）
- It's a tough decision to make without all the facts.（在没有所有事实的情况下做出决定很困难。）
3. 人的特质：坚强的，坚韧的
形容人能够应对困难，心理或身体强健：
- She's a tough negotiator who never gives up easily.（她是个顽强的谈判者，从不轻易放弃。）
- You have to be tough to survive in the business world.（要在商界生存，你必须坚强。）
4. 严格与严厉：强硬的，不妥协的
形容政策、措施或人采取强硬立场：
- The company has a tough policy against迟到.（公司对迟到有严格的政策。）
- The coach is tough but fair on his players.（教练对球员很严厉，但很公平。）
5. 食物质地：嚼不动的，老的
描述食物难以咀嚼：
- This steak is too tough to chew.（这块牛排太老了，嚼不动。）
- The meat becomes tough if overcooked.（如果煮过头，肉会变韧。）
6. 不幸与困难：艰难的，严酷的
形容处境困难或不幸：
- He's had a tough life growing up in poverty.（他在贫困中长大，过着艰难的生活。）
- These are tough times for many businesses.（对许多企业来说，这是困难时期。）
三、常见搭配与短语
| 短语 | 含义 | 例句 |
|---|---|---|
| tough luck | 坏运气（常带有不同情色彩） | You failed the test? Tough luck!（你考试没通过？真倒霉！） |
| tough it out | 坚持到底，硬挺过去 | The training is hard, but we just have to tough it out.（训练很艰苦，但我们只能坚持到底。） |
| tough cookie | 坚强的人（通常指女性） | Don't worry about her—she's a tough cookie.（别担心她——她是个坚强的人。） |
| get tough with | 对...采取强硬态度 | The government decided to get tough with tax evaders.（政府决定对逃税者采取强硬态度。） |
| tough break | 不幸的遭遇，坏运气 | Losing his job right after buying a house was a tough break.（刚买了房子就丢了工作，真是倒霉。） |
四、同义词与反义词对比
| 含义 | 同义词 | 反义词 |
|---|---|---|
| 坚固的 | durable, sturdy, strong | fragile, weak, delicate |
| 困难的 | difficult, hard, challenging | easy, simple, effortless |
| 坚强的 | resilient, strong, hardy | weak, fragile, vulnerable |
| 严厉的 | strict, severe, stern | lenient, gentle, mild |
五、常见错误与注意事项
1. Tough vs. Rough
虽然中文都可能翻译为"粗糙的"，但两词有显著区别：
- Tough 强调强度和耐久性（The leather is tough. 皮革很坚韧。）
- Rough 强调表面不平滑或行为粗鲁（The surface is rough. 表面很粗糙。/ He has rough manners. 他举止粗鲁。）
2. 副词形式
Tough的副词形式是toughly，但使用频率较低：
- 正确：He was toughly criticized by his boss.（他被老板严厉批评。）
- 更常见：He was severely criticized by his boss.
3. 口语中的特殊用法
在美式英语口语中，"That's tough!"可以表示不同情或无奈：
A: I forgot to do my homework.（我忘记做作业了。）
B: That's tough! You should have remembered.（那太糟了！你应该记住的。）
六、实战应用练习
填空练习
1. The ________ competition made it hard for new businesses to succeed.
2. These shoes are made of ________ leather that lasts for years.
3. After his father died, he had to be ________ for his younger siblings.
4. The teacher is ________ but everyone respects her fairness.
5. This meat is too ________ to eat without a sharp knife.
查看答案
1. tough
2. tough
3. tough
4. tough
5. tough