亲密关系 (intimacy) 可以大致分为以下六个阶段:
Table of Contents
阶段一:单身
阶段二:迷恋
阶段三:开始相爱、约会
阶段四:稳定交往
阶段五:步入婚姻
阶段一:单身
单身用 single 表示。单身的人可能有以下几种状况:
1. 眼光 (期待) 很高
形容挑选对象的眼光很高,可以说 have high expectations 或 set one’s standard too high。
I’m still single because I have high expectations for a partner.
I’m still single because I set my standards too high.
我还单身,因为我挑伴侣的眼光很高。
此外,也可以用 too picky 来形容找对象很挑:
Jill is still single because she’s very picky. She only dates guys between 35-45, above 180cm, especially those who have a high-paying job.
Jill 还单身,因为她很挑剔。她只和那些35至45岁、180公分以上的男性约会,尤其是那些有高薪的男人更受她喜爱。
2. 单身比较自由
有人觉得单身比较自由,可以想干嘛就干嘛,不必受到拘束,因此你可以说:
I enjoy staying single because I can have more freedom.
我想单身,因为有比较多自由。
3. 对感情慎重
对一件事情慎重谨慎,我们可以说 take something seriously,或是反过来说 not be taken lightly。
Despite a lot of pressure from her parents, she still stays single because she believes a relationship should be taken seriously/ should not be taken lightly.
尽管爸妈给她很多压力,她仍然选择单身,因为她相信感情是件必须慎重谨慎的事。
阶段二:迷恋
迷恋的片语是 have a crush on someone,这是指对一位异性十分地着迷、崇拜,而且通常是有一定熟识的异性。此外 be into someone、have feelings for someone 也有相同的意思 。至于对不太熟的异性有兴趣,我们可以用 be attracted to someone。如果是暗恋的话,只需在 crush 前加上 secret,变成 have a secret crush on someone 即可。
Every little boy has ever had a crush on the cute little girls sitting next to them.
每个小男生都有过喜欢上邻座可爱小女生的经验。
I am having a secret crush on the cute clerk working at the 7-11 on the corner of the street.
我偷偷暗恋街角 7-11 的可爱店员。
阶段三:开始相爱、约会
喜欢上彼此、坠入爱河可以说 fall in love with,通常是指刚开始热恋、交往的阶段。这时你们会开始约会培养感情,渐渐对彼此越来越了解,然后考虑要不要长久交往。
Bella and I only know each other for 6 months, yet we’ve already fallen in love with each other.
Bella 与我仅认识6个月,然而我们已经坠入爱河了。
至于开始约会,你可以说 start dating someone,或是 start seeing someone。至于约对方出去的说法则是 ask someone out。
A: Are you dating Betty now?
A: 你现在在与 Betty 约会吗?
B: Yes, we’ve been seeing each other for a while.
B: 对啊,我们约会好一阵子了。
Jamie just called to ask my sister out.
Jamie 刚刚打来约我姐姐出去。
阶段四:稳定交往
在约会一阵子,也确定对方就是你的 Mr./Ms. Right 后,你们就可以对外宣称 “we are in a relationship”,也就许多人脸书感情状态栏会显示的「稳定交往中」。若要额外强调「稳定」的关系,可以在 relationship 前加上 firm 或 steady 这两个形容词。
We are in a relationship and it’s going steady.
我们俩正在交往而且关系渐趋稳定。
I’ve heard that Jun’s ex-girlfriend is in a relationship again.
我听说 Jun 的前女友又有交往对象了。
阶段五:步入婚姻
通常交往一段日子,年龄到了、工作稳定了,双方就会到了论及婚嫁的地步。订婚是用 engage 并采被动用法,结婚 marry 则是主、被动用法都可以。
Geroge and Marry got engaged after his romantic proposal.
在 George 的浪漫求婚后,Mary 跟他就订婚了。
My cousin is getting married next month. I’m glad she finally found her happiness.
我表妹下个月要结婚了。我很高兴她终于找到属于她的幸福。