cement作为名词的含义“水泥、胶结剂、加强剂、纽带”(不可数),作为动词,意为“把……粘结在一起,加强、巩固”。英英释义:to make a relationship, idea etc stronger or more certain,和同样可以表示“巩固” “加强”的表达来说,比如 “consolidate” “make something stronger”,cement 更富有画面感。
① 比如共同的目标可以让一个群体更团结:Collective goals can help cement solidarity.
② cement 后常接表示“关系”的名词,比如 relationship, friendship, tie, bond, connection 等词。比如,相似的价值观和阅历可以加强关系: Shared values and experiences can cement a bond.
③ 在《经济学人》中:
Republicans won statehouses that Democrats had held for decades; in several competitive states they cemented their hold on power through gerrymandering.('they cemented their hold on power through gerrymandering' 表示“他们(民主党)通过改划选区加强了他们对权利的掌控”)。
(1)翻译
八卦可以让人们迅速增强友谊。
The exchange of gossip can efficiently cement a friendship.
The commute of Entertainment gossip can rapidly cement a friendship.
(2)场景:困难时期的共同进退更加固了他们的关系。
造句: In times of difficulty, the many hours they spent overcoming prejudices and working together helped to cement their relationship.