VOA一分鐘英語：Break 五個用法

在英語中，一個單詞擁有多個詞性或多個用法的現(xiàn)象并不少見。單詞 “break” 就是一個典型的例子。它既可以作動詞，也可以作名詞使用。作動詞時，“break” 除了指物體 “破碎” 以外，還有哪些意思？作名詞時的用法又有哪些呢？
 
We're going to look at five different uses of the word 'break'.
As a verb, 'break' can have many meanings, but today, we are only going to look at three.
Number 1: it means 'to separate into pieces'.
Oh no! I sat on my glasses! But thankfully they didn't break!
2: 'break' means that something doesn't operate, or doesn't function properly.
Why is my laptop not working? Don't tell me it's broken!
And meaning number 3: it means 'to surpass', or 'do better than something else'.
Have you seen that new horror film? It broke all the box office records!
As an adjective, 'breaking' is very often used together with the word 'news' to mean the news is very very recent.
I get breaking news notifications on my phone.
And, finally, as a noun, 'break' means 'to stop working for a short time'.
It's time for a break!
 
用法總結(jié)
 
1. 動詞 “break” 可以表達 “打破” 某物，或某物 “破碎，碎裂”。 
He broke the window to get into the house.
Oh no! I sat on my glasses! But thankfully they didn't break!
 
2. 動詞 “break” 還可以表達機器等物品不能正常運轉(zhuǎn)，“弄壞，壞掉”。
Why is my laptop not working? Don't tell me it's broken!
My phone broke down. It's too old.
 
3. 動詞 “break” 也可以用來描述 “超越成績，打破紀(jì)錄”。
Have you seen that new horror film? It broke all the box office records!
Once again, this athlete has broken the world record!
 
4. 形容詞 “breaking” 可與 “news” 搭配，用來表達新聞、消息是 “突發(fā)的，最新的”。
I get breaking news notifications on my phone.
 
5. 名詞 “break” 可以表達 “（短暫的）休息，休息時間”。
It's time for a break!
Come back inside class, children! Break time is over.