中小学英语常考词汇:cost、price与value的区别
在《新概念英语》第二册第61课的难点部分(Special difficulties)中,提到了cost、price与value的用法区别。这三个词因为意思相近,而且都可以同时用作名词和动词,所以的确容易混淆,今天我们就来做个梳理对比。
【注】
为了更好地理解和对比三个单词的用法,在以下的内容中,我会引用柯林斯在线词典的定义(www.collinsdictionary.com),以下就简称为“词典定义”了。
一、cost
(一)用做名词
【词典定义】The cost of something is the amount of money that is needed in order to buy, do, or make it.
由该定义我们可以得知:
cost作为名词,主要表示“费用;成本”。但是,cost也因此可以引申为“代价”的意思,此时常用于at a cost of及其变形的短语中。如:
费用:We calculated the cost of building a new house. (我们计算了造1座新房子的费用。)
成本:We have to sum up the costs of production. (我们得计算一下生产成本。)
代价:I'm determined to attain my purpose at any cost. (我决心不惜任何代价达到目的。)
(二)用作动词
【词典定义】If something costs a particular amount of money, you can buy, do, or make it for that amount.
由该定义可以得知:
cost作为动词,主要表示“值多少钱;花费”,但也因此可以引申为“使付出...代价”。如:
值多少钱:How much do the vegetables cost? (这些蔬菜怎么卖?)
花费:That car must have cost a fortune. (这辆汽车一定花了不少钱。)
使付出...代价:Her irresponsible behaviour cost her father many sleepless nights. (她那不负责任的行为使她父亲许多夜不得安眠。)
二、price
(一)作为名词
【词典定义】The price of something is the amount of money that you have to pay in order to buy it.
由该定义可以得知:
与cost不同的是,price侧重表达的是“价格;物价”。不过,price也可以表示“代价”,而且也常用语at a price及其变形的短语中。如:
价格:I wonder why the company keeps its price so low. (我奇怪那个公司为什么把他们的价格压得那么低。)
代价:But prosperity comes at a price. (但繁荣是有代价的。)
【cost与price】
这两个词都有“价格”的意思,有时可以互换。如:
What's the cost/price of this pen? (这支笔多少钱?)
两者的区别是:
cost侧重“原价;成本”的意思,而price指的是商品的“销售价格”,尤指卖方对商品所要求的价格,所以一般情况下,物品的price总比它的cost高些。
(二)作为动词
【词典定义】If something is priced at a particular amount, the price is set at that amount.
由该定义可以得知:
price作为动词,表示的是“定价;估价”。如:
I'll ask an expert to price the old car. (我将请一位专家来给这辆旧车定价。)
三、value
(一)作为名词
【词典定义】The value of something such as a quality, attitude, or method is its importance or usefulness. If you place a particular value on something, that is the importance or usefulness you think it has.
由该定义可以得知:
value作为名词,主要表示的是“价值;重要性”。如:
价值:This book will be of great value to him in his study. (这本书将对他的研究有很大价值。)
重要性:No one knows the value of health until he loses it. (直到失去了健康,人们方知健康的重要性。)
(二)作为动词
【词典定义】If you value something or someone, you think that they are important and you appreciate them.
由该定义可以得知:
value作为动词,主要表示的是“估价;重视”。如:
估价:You'd better ask an expert concerned to value your apartment. (你应该请一位有关的专家来对你的房子进行估价。 )
重视:The Chinese highly value the strong family ties. (中国人高度重视家庭关系。)
四、小试牛刀
下面我们就来看看教材上配套的这7道题,大家可以试试选择适合的词语:
1. There has been a sharp rise in the price/cost/value of living.
2. Whenever I buy anything new, my father always asks me the value/cost/price.
3. If you have to work for something, you will value/price/cost it more.
4. That house valued/cost/priced a fortune to build.
5. Dr. James's work is of enormous value/cost/price to the community.
6. Jane has valued/cost/priced the alternative products and she recommends this one.
7. So far, ten countries have given money towards the value/price/cost of rebuilding after the earthquake.
参考答案请到文章底部的留言处查找。
劳烦您顺手点点文章底部的广告链接?
感谢您对原创分享的支持!