saying ♦︎ maxim ♦︎ proverb ♦︎ platitudeThese are all words for a well-known statement that says sth that is generally true or gives advice.这些词均表示谚语、格言。PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS 句型和搭配◆the saying / maxim / platitude that...◆a / an well-known / old saying / maxim / proverb■saying [countable] a well-known statement that gives advice or says sth that is generally true about life谚语;格言;警句◆'Accidents will happen,' as the saying goes.常言道:“意外事,总难免。”◆the sayings of Jesus / the Prophet耶稣/穆罕默德的格言■maxim [countable] a statement that says sth that is generally true or gives a rule for sensible behaviour格言;箴言;座右铭◆There is some truth in the old maxim, 'You get what you pay for.'常言说得好:“一分钱一分货。”■proverbˈprɒvɜːb; NAmEˈprɑːvɜːrb [countable] a traditional saying that gives advice or says sth that is generally true about life谚语;格言◆a dictionary of proverbs谚语词典◆As a Chinese proverb has it: 'The fish will be the last to discover the water.'正如中国有句谚语所说:“当事者迷。”NOTE辨析 Saying or proverbA saying is any kind of phrase, old or new, used to express an idea that people believe to be wise or true. A proverb is a traditional saying that is usually expressed as a metaphor(= in terms of sth else). * saying可指各种新旧谚语,用来表达人们认为明智或正确的观点;proverb则指通常以隐喻形式表达的传统谚语◆Don't count your chickens before they are hatched(= Don't depend on money or success that you think you are going to get before you have actually got it).不要蛋未孵化先数小鸡。Especially in British English, proverbs are often used in a short form, sometimes with the phrase it's a case of or and all that.尤其在英式英语中,谚语常用简约形式,有时会与it's a case of或and all that连用◆Well, I suppose it's a case of not counting your chickens.噢,我觉得这事就是先别急着数小鸡。◆Better the devil you know, and all that.熟悉的魔鬼比较好,诸如此类的。■platitudeˈplætɪtjuːd; NAmEˈplætɪtuːd [countable] (ratherformal, disapproving) a comment or statement that has been made very often before and is therefore not interesting陈词滥调;老生常谈◆The prime minister's speech was full of platitudes and empty promises.首相的演说中尽是陈词滥调和兑现不了的承诺。