eavesdrop
【偷听】
"Eavesdrop" 是一个动词,意思是偷听,指故意或秘密地听别人的谈话,通常是不被允许的情况。
1. 含义和用法
1.1. 动词:偷听
指故意或秘密地听取他人对话,而对方不知情。这种行为通常是不礼貌或不道德的。
✅ 例句:
- He was caught eavesdropping on their conversation.
(他被发现偷听他们的谈话。) - I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but I overheard something interesting.
(我不是故意偷听的,但我无意中听到了有趣的事情。) - She eavesdropped outside the door to find out what they were planning.
(她在门外偷听,想知道他们在计划什么。)
2. 相关词汇
2.1. Overhear
"Overhear" 也是“听到别人谈话”的意思,但它通常指无意中听到,不是故意偷听。
✅ 例句:
- I overheard them talking about the party.
(我无意中听到他们谈论派对的事。)
区别:
- "Eavesdrop" → 有意 偷听(故意在一旁听)。
- "Overhear" → 无意 听到(偶然听到别人讲话)。
2.2. Spy
"Spy" 主要指间谍活动,秘密地监视某人或收集情报,比 "eavesdrop" 更有间谍、监视的意味。
✅ 例句:
- The agent was sent to spy on the enemy.
(特工被派去监视敌人。)
2.3. Listen in
"Listen in" 也可以表示偷听,但有时是指故意收听广播、电话或别人的谈话。
✅ 例句:
- I listened in on their phone call.
(我偷听了他们的电话。)
3. 近义词对比
词汇 | 含义 | 例句 |
---|---|---|
Eavesdrop | 偷听(故意地、不被察觉地听别人讲话) | He tried to eavesdrop on their conversation. |
Overhear | 无意中听到(不是故意的) | I accidentally overheard their secret. |
Spy | 监视、暗中调查(通常是间谍行为) | The detective was sent to spy on him. |
Listen in | 偷听或监听(可指监听电话等) | The police were listening in on their call. |
4. 常见搭配
短语 | 含义 |
---|---|
Eavesdrop on a conversation | 偷听某人的谈话 |
Eavesdrop behind the door | 在门后偷听 |
Caught eavesdropping | 被发现偷听 |
5. 例句总结
- (故意偷听) She eavesdropped on their private conversation.
(她偷听了他们的私人谈话。) - (被抓到偷听) He was caught eavesdropping outside the office.
(他被发现躲在办公室外偷听。) - (不小心听到 vs. 偷听)
- I overheard them talking about the meeting. 🟢(无意听到)
- I eavesdropped on their conversation. 🔴(故意偷听)
6. 结论
- "Eavesdrop" 主要指故意偷听别人说话,是不礼貌或不道德的行为。
- 与 "Overhear" 的区别在于:"eavesdrop" 是故意的,而 "overhear" 是无意的。
- 还可以用 "spy"(监视)和 "listen in"(监听)。