我常常用混这两个词,例如,a fatal decision, a fateful decision。请帮助辨析。
fatal['feitl]作“致命的”“极其危险的”“悲惨的”(leading to death or disaster)解：
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He struck the guard a fatal blow. (a blow which killed the guard) (Wood) 他给了卫兵致命的一击(这一击把卫兵打死了)。
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The cyclist was knocked down by a lorry and received fatal injuries. (ALD) 那个骑自行车的人被一辆卡车撞倒, 受到了致命的伤害。
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The piece of news was fatal to the President's political future. (LDCE) 这则新闻对于总统的政治前途是致命的。
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He took the fatal decision to marry Martha. (LDCE) 他做出了不幸的决定,要与玛莎结婚。
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an illness which might not be serious for a young person, but which will almost certainly prove fatal to the old lady 一种对青年人没有什么危险而对老年妇女却几乎是致命的疾病
fateful ['feitfəl] 则作“决定命运的”“关系重大的”解：
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When the judge pronounced the fateful words ... eg sentence of death ... 当法官宣布决定命运的话时……例如宣判死刑……
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That fateful day when I decided to join the army ... (Wood) 我决定参军的那决定命运的一天……
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these fateful events 这些决定命运的重大的事件
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a fateful decision 关系重大的决定(决定命运的决定)
In spite of medical advances, that disease is usually fatal. A. curable B. painful C. deadly D. disabling (TOEFL)