執筆者 Modern English | 2016年06月21日 | Words
“Cats lick their front paws and use them to wash their faces.” “The dog’s paws slipped on the ice.” Animals like cats and dogs don’t have hands and feet—they have paws instead. The fleshy lumps on the bottoms of their paws are called paw pads. Some animals,...
執筆者 Modern English | 2016年06月14日 | Words
“Do I detect a hint of vanilla?” “Fortunately the intruder was detected before he got very far.” When you detect something, you notice that it’s there. This is also where the word “detective” comes from! 「バニラが少し入っていませんか？ 「運よく、侵入者が入り込む前に発見されました。」...
執筆者 Modern English | 2016年06月07日 | Words
“Just tap this button to take a picture.” “It’s common to tap someone on the shoulder if you have trouble getting their attention.” A tap is in between a gentle touch and a hit. If I hit your shoulder, it will hurt and you will be angry. If I touch your shoulder, you...
執筆者 Modern English | 2016年05月31日 | Words
“Do you have any spare change?” “Don’t worry. There’s a spare tire in the trunk.” Something that is spare is extra. It’s not needed, at least not right now. A spare tire becomes necessary when one of your regular tires goes flat. 「小銭はありますか？」 「心配ない。トランクに予備タイヤがあります。」...
執筆者 Modern English | 2016年05月24日 | Words
“Can you spare a dollar?” “Spare my life,” said the magical fish, “and I’ll grant you one wish.” In war stories or fairy tales, “spare” is often used to mean “not hurt or kill”. “Do what you want to me, but spare my children.” A more everyday use is “Can...
