英文字par的意思同standard,指一般可接受的水準,常用於一些短語中。其中比較常見的是below par,亦可寫作under par或 not up to par。這些短語有兩個意思。一是照字面的意思,指不合標準,不達標,在水準以下。
Do you know what has happened to him? His work has been below par recently.
你知不知道他怎麼了?他最近的工作表現在水準以下。
The World No. 1 tennis player did not play quite well in the match. His under par performance disappointed many of his fans.
那個世界排名第一的網球員在這場比賽中表現欠佳。他的失水準表現令很多球迷失望。
Customers do not have confidence in the company because most of their products are not up to par.
顧客對這家公司沒有信心,因為他們的產品大都不合標準。
解作生病 身體非最fit
除了這字面解釋外,below par也可以解作生病,即是身體不在最佳狀態,水準之下。
Since I got the flu, I have been feeling below par.
自從染上流感後,我一直覺得身體不在狀態。
Are you feeling a bit under par? You don't look completely well.
你是否有點不舒服?你看起來不是那麼好。
同等水準 不相伯仲
除此之外,par亦會出現在其他短語,例如on a par with,表示與某些人或事有同等的水準,與這些人或事相當、一樣好。
He is not seen as an outstanding artist as his paintings are not on a par with those of his contemporaries.
他不被視為傑出的藝術家,因為他的畫作未及同期畫家的水平。
In terms of facilities and service, the Hong Kong International Airport is on a par with all other prominent airports in major cities around the world.
就設施和服務而言,香港國際機場堪可媲美世界各大城市的著名機場。
We may be new to the business but we hope that our application can be put on a par with those from big companies.
我們雖在這行業是新人,但我們希望提出的申請可獲得與那些大公司平等的看待。
所以par可視作一條線,一條界定優劣的線,on a par/up to par就是達標;under/below par就是不達標,清楚易明,用以評價人或事的高下。 ■Lina CHU
linachu88@netvigator.com
逢星期三見報
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