不可不知 英语中最常用的6个外来语表达

Whether you like it or not, foreign expressions represent an integral part of the English language (and of many other languages, too). Knowing the meaning and usage of the most used ones is very important. First of all because it will enable you to understand pieces of text that include them. Secondly, because you might also need to use those expressions on particular situations (avoid using them just to sound smart though). Below you will find 6 foreign expressions commonly used in English, enjoy!

无论你是否喜欢，外来语表达都是英语和许多其它语种的一部分。了解最常用的外来语表达都非常重要。首先，你能够懂得包含这些表达的文章。其次，在某些场合，你可能需要用到它们（但不要为了炫耀聪明而使用它们）。下面是英语中常用的6个外来语表达。

1. De Facto

De facto is a Latin expression that means “actual” (if used as an adjective) or “in practice” (if used as an adverb). In legal terms, de facto is commonly used in contrast to de jure, which means “by law.” Something, therefore, can emerge either de facto (by practice) or de jure (by law).

拉丁语表达de facto用作形容词时意味“事实上”，而用作副词时意味着“实践上”。在法律术语里，de facto通常和de jure（法律上）相对。因此，事物要么是“事实上的”（de facto），要么是法律上的（de jure）。

And what of the plastic red bench, which has served as his de facto home for the last 15 years and must by now be a collector’s item? (NY Times)

2. Vis-à-Vis

The literal meaning of this French expression is “face to face”(used as an adverb). It is used more widely as a preposition though, meaning “compared with”or “in relation to.”

这一法语表达的字面意思是“面对面”（副词）。它被更广泛的用作介词，意为“和…相比”或“与…有关”。

It’s going to be a huge catalyst in moving the whole process forward and it really strengthens the U.S. position vis-a-vis our trading partners (Yahoo! News)

3. Status quo

This famous Latin expression means “the current or existing state of affairs.”If something changes thestatus quo, it is changing the way things presently are.

这一著名的拉丁语表达意为“事件的现状或存在的状态”。如果某事改变了status quo，这意味着它改变了当前的事物。

Bush believes that the status quo — the presence in a sovereign country of a militant group with missiles capable of hitting a U.S. ally — is unacceptable. (Washington Post)

4. Cul-de-sac

This expression was originated in England by French-speaking aristocrats. Literally it means “bottom of a sack,” but generally it refers to a dead-end street. Cul-de-sac can also be used metaphorically to express an action that leads to nowhere or an impasse.

这一表达起源于英国那些说法语的贵族们。它的字面意思是“麻袋底部”，但通常它指死胡同。Cul-de-sac也用于比喻没有结果或陷入绝境的行动。

But the code of omerta was in effect for two carloads of fans circling the cul-de-sac to have a look at the house. (Reuters.com)

A cul-de-sac of poverty (The Economist)

5. Per se

Per se is a Latin expression that means “by itself”or “intrinsically.”

Per se是拉丁文表达，意思是“它自己”或“本质上的”。

The mistake it made with the Xbox is that there is no game console market per se; there are PlayStation, GameCube, and Xbox markets. (PCMag.com)

6. Ad hoc

Ad hoc, borrowed from the Latin, can be used both as an adjective, where it means “formed or created with a specific purpose,”and as an adverb, where it means “for the specific purpose or situation.”

Ad hoc来自拉丁文，可以作形容词和副词。形容词的ad hoc意为“为特定目的组建或创立的”，作为副词时，它的意思是“为了特定的目的和情况”。

The World Bank’s board on Friday ordered an ad hoc group to discuss the fate of President Paul Wolfowitz (CNN)