Feet
人体部位时为不规则复数(非 “foots”)。度量衡中,“feet” 是英制长度单位英尺的复数,与英寸搭配常见。习语 “on your feet” 表示站立或恢复。
- “Her feet were sore after the long walk.” (走了很久之后她的脚很酸。)
- “The ceiling is about nine feet high.” (天花板大约九英尺高。)
- “They stood on their feet and applauded.” (他们站起来鼓掌。)
“Foot” 源自古英语 “fōt”,与德语 “Fuß”、拉丁语 “pes” 同属印欧语系身体词根,复数 “feet” 保留日耳曼语强变化痕迹。
无派生词缀,属于完全不规则复数;相关复合词 “footprint”、“footage” 仍用单数词形作构词成分。
英美日常仍混用英制单位描述身高房间尺寸;习语 “cold feet” 表示临阵胆怯,属于固定隐喻。
- 固定搭配: “at someone’s feet” (拜倒在某人脚下), “six feet under” (入土;幽默指去世)
“foot” 变 “feet” 就像一只脚变成两只脚,元音从 oo 变成 ee,发音也跟着“迈开步”。
“Snow reached his ankles, so each step left a clear print of his feet.” (雪没过脚踝,所以每一步都留下清晰的脚印。)