| 释义 |
soften | BrE ˈsɒf(ə)n, AmE ˈsɔfən | A. intransitive verb ① (become less hard) «ground, material» 变软 biànruǎn ; «light, outline, voice, consonant» 变柔和 biàn róuhé ; «colour» 变淡 biàndàn ② (become less harsh) «person, character, attitude, expression» 变温和 biàn wēnhé B. transitive verb ① (make less firm or rough) 使…变软 shǐ… biànruǎn ‹ground, material›; 使…变柔和 shǐ… biàn róuhé ‹light, voice, music, outline›; 使…变淡 shǐ… biàndàn ‹colour›; 使…变缓和 shǐ… biàn huǎnhé ‹resistance›② Chemistry 软化 ruǎnhuà ‹water›③ (cause to become kinder) 使变温和 shǐ biàn wēnhé ▸ to soften sb's attitude 软化某人的态度 ④ (make less painful, harsh) 使…减轻 shǐ… jiǎnqīng ‹effect, blow, shock›; 使…变委婉 shǐ… biàn wěiwǎn ‹refusal›PHRASAL VERB soften up transitive verb [soften sb up, soften up sb] 打动 dǎdòng ‹person, client, customer›; 削弱 xuēruò ‹enemy› |