litotes

简明释义

[laɪˈtəʊtiːz][laɪˈtoʊtiːz]

n. 曲言法;间接肯定法;反叙法

复 数 l i t o t e s

英英释义

A figure of speech that employs understatement by using double negatives or a positive statement expressed by negating its opposite.

一种修辞手法,通过使用双重否定或通过否定其反义词来表达正面陈述的轻描淡写。

单词用法

not uncommon

并不罕见

not bad

不错

not without merit

并非没有优点

a not insignificant amount

相当可观的数量

no small feat

不小的成就

not exactly a genius

并不算天才

同义词

understatement

低调的陈述

Saying 'not bad' to mean 'good' is an example of understatement.

说‘不错’来表示‘好’就是一个低调的陈述的例子。

double negative

双重否定

Using a double negative can create a litotes, such as saying 'not uncommon' instead of 'common'.

使用双重否定可以形成一个litotes,例如说‘不常见’而不是‘常见’。

反义词

hyperbole

夸张法

I've told you a million times to clean your room.

我已经告诉你一百万次要整理你的房间。

exaggeration

夸大

This bag weighs a ton!

这个包重得像吨一样!

例句

1.Resorting to litotes, it said "the accession negotiations with Turkey have regrettably not moved into any new areas for a year."

使用反叙法这种修辞方法来说,很可惜,土耳其的入盟谈判一年内都没有任何新的进展。

2.Resorting to litotes, it said "the accession negotiations with Turkey have regrettably not moved into any new areas for a year."

使用反叙法这种修辞方法来说,很可惜,土耳其的入盟谈判一年内都没有任何新的进展。

3.Using the phrase 'not unfamiliar' to indicate that something is known is an instance of litotes.

使用短语‘不陌生’来表示某事是已知的,这是一个litotes的实例。

4.When someone says, 'She's no genius,' they might be using litotes to imply she's not very smart.

当有人说,‘她不是天才’时,他们可能在使用litotes暗示她不太聪明。

5.Saying 'not bad' when something is actually quite good is an example of litotes.

说‘不错’当事情实际上相当好时就是一个litotes的例子。

6.When a person says, 'It's not the worst movie I've seen,' they are employing litotes.

当一个人说,‘这不是我看过的最糟糕的电影’时,他们在运用litotes

7.Describing a difficult task as 'not the easiest thing in the world' is a form of litotes.

把一项困难的任务描述为‘世界上不是最简单的事情’是一种litotes的形式。

作文

In the realm of language, various rhetorical devices enhance our communication skills and enrich our expressions. One such device is litotes, a figure of speech that employs understatement by using double negatives or, in other words, negating the opposite of what one means. This technique is often used to create a subtle emphasis or to convey a point in a more nuanced manner. For instance, when someone says, 'It's not the worst idea,' they are employing litotes to suggest that it might actually be a good idea without stating it outright. Such expressions can add a layer of sophistication to our dialogues and writings.The use of litotes can be traced back to ancient literature, where authors utilized this device to evoke emotions and provoke thought in their readers. Shakespeare, for instance, often employed litotes in his plays, allowing characters to express complex feelings through seemingly simple statements. When a character says, 'I am not ungrateful,' the audience understands that there is a depth of gratitude being conveyed, albeit in a roundabout way. This indirectness can make the statement more powerful and memorable.Moreover, litotes can also serve as a form of irony. By downplaying a situation, the speaker may highlight its significance through contrast. For example, saying, 'He’s not exactly a genius' implies that the person is quite the opposite, perhaps even foolish. This clever usage invites the listener to read between the lines, engaging them in a deeper level of understanding.In everyday conversation, litotes can soften criticism or negative feedback. Instead of bluntly stating that something is bad, one might say, 'It’s not my favorite.' This approach can help maintain a polite tone and prevent offense, making it easier to navigate sensitive topics. In professional settings, this can be particularly useful, as it allows for constructive criticism without damaging relationships.Furthermore, litotes is prevalent in various forms of media, including advertising and political discourse. Advertisers often use this device to create a positive impression of their products. For example, a car commercial might claim, 'This model is not cheap,' implying that it is of high quality without directly stating a price. Politicians, too, employ litotes to frame their policies in a favorable light while avoiding direct confrontation.In conclusion, the rhetorical device of litotes offers a unique way to communicate ideas with subtlety and sophistication. Whether in literature, conversation, or media, its ability to convey meaning through understatement makes it an invaluable tool for effective communication. By mastering the use of litotes, we can enhance our writing and speaking skills, allowing us to express ourselves more eloquently. As we continue to explore the intricacies of language, let us appreciate the power of litotes and the richness it brings to our expressions, enabling us to connect with others on a deeper level.

在语言的领域中,各种修辞手法增强了我们的沟通技巧,丰富了我们的表达。其中一种手法是litotes,这是一种通过使用双重否定或以否定相反的方式来进行低调表达的修辞手法。这种技巧通常用于创造微妙的强调或以更细腻的方式传达观点。例如,当有人说“这不是最糟糕的主意”时,他们正在使用litotes来暗示这实际上可能是一个好主意,而不是直接表述。这样的表达可以为我们的对话和写作增添一层复杂性。litotes的使用可以追溯到古代文学,作者利用这种手法在读者中唤起情感和引发思考。例如,莎士比亚在他的戏剧中经常使用litotes,让角色通过看似简单的陈述表达复杂的情感。当一个角色说“我不是不知恩图报”时,观众理解到这里传达了一种深层的感激,尽管是间接的。这种间接性可以使陈述更有力量和记忆点。此外,litotes也可以作为一种讽刺的形式。通过轻描淡写地描述某个情况,演讲者可能通过对比突出其重要性。例如,说“他并不算天才”暗示这个人恰恰相反,可能甚至是愚蠢的。这种巧妙的用法邀请听者去领会隐含的意思,使他们能够更深入地理解。在日常对话中,litotes可以软化批评或负面反馈。与其直接说某事不好,不如说“这不是我最喜欢的”。这种方式可以帮助保持礼貌的语气,避免冒犯,使得处理敏感话题变得更加容易。在职业环境中,这尤其有用,因为它允许建设性的批评而不损害关系。此外,litotes在各种媒体形式中也很普遍,包括广告和政治话语。广告商经常使用这种手法来营造产品的积极印象。例如,一则汽车广告可能会声称“这个型号并不便宜”,暗示它质量高而不直接说明价格。政治家们也利用litotes将政策框架放在有利的光环下,同时避免直接对抗。总之,修辞手法litotes提供了一种独特的方式,通过低调的方式来传达思想。无论是在文学、对话还是媒体中,它通过低估的能力传达意义,使其成为有效沟通的宝贵工具。通过掌握litotes的使用,我们可以提高我们的写作和演讲技巧,使我们能够更优雅地表达自己。在继续探索语言的复杂性时,让我们欣赏litotes的力量及其为我们的表达带来的丰富性,使我们能够在更深层次上与他人建立联系。