在英汉翻译中,"credulous"和"gullible"虽都表示"易受骗的",但存在以下关键区别:
1. 词源差异
-- credulous:源自拉丁语"credulus"(轻信的),强调因天真而轻信
-- gullible:词源与古英语"gull"(欺骗)相关,隐含容易上当的意味
2. 语义强度
credulous(轻度)→ gullible(重度)的渐进关系:
• credulous:倾向于不加质疑地相信(中性偏贬)
• gulli ...(以上内容有节略,please sign in for more)
word-vs-word-cn
【Credulous】 , 【gullible】 both mean unduly trusting or confiding but they differ significantly in their implications as do their corresponding nouns credulity and gullibility.
【Credulous】 and credulity stress a tendency to believe readily and uncritically whatever is proposed for belief without examination or investigation; typically they suggest inexperience, naïveté, or careless habits of thought rather than inherent incapacity.
【Gullible】 and gullibility, on the other hand, stress the idea of being duped; they suggest more the lack of necessary intelligence than the lack of skepticism, and connote the capacity for being made a fool of.