though ¹

句中的 though 并不是引出让步状语从句的连词,因此不能译作“尽管”“虽然”。“渴”是一时的生理要求,它不是身体健康与否的一项内容,因此“口渴”与“身体健康”不能构成让步关系,例如我们不能说,“尽管我很渴,但我身体很健康”。

应当记住, though 除引出让步状语从句外, 还可以用在主句后引出补充说明, 在意义上相当于 and, yet, however。R. Quirk 等人曾经指出, He is poor — though he is satisfied with his condition. 在意义上并不等于 Though he is satisfied with his condition, he is poor. 而是等于 Though he is poor, he is satisfied with his condition. 类例:

1. I knew his story, though I didn't want to tell it just then. (EE) 我知道他的身世,但是当时我不想把这一点告诉你们。

2. I shall come to the meeting, though I can't stay till the end. 我可以到会，不过不能一直待到会议开完。

[试译]它看上去很健康,不过很口渴,一下子喝了半瓶牛奶。