But as they soon discovered, disguises can sometimes be too perfect. (New Concept English, Book 2, L.74)
我通过课堂学习和课外阅读,已清楚地了解 too 是指“太”“过分”(more than enough),即表示“过了头”的意思。如 too fast(太快),too much(太多),too large(太大),too long a speech(过长的讲话),too expensive(太贵)。但是,上句中的 too 也是表示“过分”“过度”的意思吗?
在非正式语体中,too 常用来作 very 的同义词。因此,too bad = very bad, not too well = not very well。有趣的是,汉语的“太”也具有两种不同的意思:1、表示程度过头;2、表示程度高(太好了!)。请研究下面的实例:
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They don't drive too fast. = They don't drive very fast. 他们车开得不很快。
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I am only too pleased to help you. 我很乐意帮助你(我太乐意帮助你了)。
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Electric power was too important to the country. (RL) 电能对于国家太重要了。
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It was too bad Bill had measles when the circus came to town. (DAI) 真糟糕, 马戏团进城时比尔患了麻疹。
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It's too kind of you. (CGEL) 你真是太好了。
因此,下面的句子都可以作两种理解。
- They drive too fast.
(a)他们开车开得太快。
(b)他们开车开得很快。
- The coat is too long.
(a) 这大衣太长。
(b)这大衣很长。
[参见 too (all too, but too, only too)]