看美剧学英语:实用词汇“Bar”的立体解读
The core meaning of “bar” refers to a long, stiff piece of material (like metal or wood), which can serve as a physical obstruction or barrier, and gives rise to its other meanings: a place to drink alcohol (a barroom), a legal profession (passing the bar), and an act of hindering or preventing something. In summary, the central idea is a linear, often solid, entity or concept that can physically block or conceptually impede.

中文释义:“bar”的核心含义指的是一根长而坚硬的材料(如金属或木头),它可以充当一种物理上的障碍或屏障,由此引申出其他含义:饮酒的场所(酒吧)、法律职业(通过律师资格考试,即“passing the bar”)、以及阻止或妨碍某事的行为。总的来说,它的中心概念是一个线性、通常坚固的实体或抽象概念,既可以在物理上阻挡,也可以在概念上妨碍。
🔹常用语义
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酒吧,酒馆
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We met at a bar near campus. (我们在校园附近的酒吧见面。)
👉 最常见的生活场景义。
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栏杆,横木,障碍物
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She leaned against the bar of the gate. (她靠在门的横杆上。)
👉 可以联想到“横在面前的东西”,阻挡或支撑。
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障碍,阻碍(抽象义)
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Poverty is often a bar to education. (贫穷常常是教育的障碍。)
👉 从“栏杆”引申为“阻碍”。
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法庭;律师行业(the bar)
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He was called to the bar last year. (他去年取得律师资格。)
👉 “bar” 原指法庭的栏杆,后来演变成“法律界、律师”。
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计量单位,棒状物
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a bar of chocolate / a gold bar / A bar of soap(一块巧克力 / 一根金条 / 一块香皂)
👉 “条状、块状”意义。
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音乐小节
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The song has 12 bars. (这首歌有12个小节。)
👉 乐谱上小节之间的竖线就是 bar。
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除…之外(介词义)
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Bar none, she’s the best player on the team. (毫无例外,她是队里最棒的。 Second to none.)
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图像联想:想象一根“横杠/栏杆”(核心形象),从这个画面出发,延伸出“酒吧柜台的横杠 → 酒吧”,“法庭前的栏杆 → 律师行业”,“横杠阻碍 → 障碍”。
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语境记忆:
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去夜店 → bar = 酒吧
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法庭场景 → bar = 法律界
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吃巧克力/黄金条 → bar = 条状物
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学音乐 → bar = 小节
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关键词法:
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“barrier”(障碍)→ 记“bar”有“阻碍”之意
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“bartender”(调酒师)→ 记“bar”是“酒吧”
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“behind bars”(坐牢)→ bars 是“铁栏杆”
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场景一:选自美剧《生活大爆炸》S09E20 05:37
Sheldon:Well…cell service is down to one bar, 好吧……手机信号只剩下一格了,
——>> so if anyone needs medical attention or to tell a stranger their political views are stupid, now’s the time. 所以如果有人需要医疗救助,或者想告诉陌生人他们的政治观点很蠢,现在就是时候。
场景二:选自美剧《亿万》S01E09 32:46
Mike:I figured this would be a good place to talk. I usually get full bars. Now…nothing. 我估摸这个地方谈事情会非常好,平常信号都是满格,现在一格都没了。
场景三:选自TED演讲《Our dangerous obsession with perfectionism is getting worse》11:09
Thomas Curran:Socially prescribed perfectionists feel a unrelenting need to meet the expectations of other people. 被社会期待塑造出来的完美主义者,会感到一种无法缓解的压力去满足他人的期待。
——>> And even if they do meet yesterday’s expectation of perfection, 即使他们满足了昨天的完美标准,
——>> they then raise the bar on themselves to an even higher degree 因为他们会给自己设立更高的标准,
——>> because these folks believe that the better they do, the better that they’re expected to do. 因为他们相信,自己做得越好,别人对他们的期待就会更高。
——>> This breeds a profound sense of helplessness and, worse, hopelessness. 这会滋生一种深刻的无助感,更糟的是,绝望感。
场景四:选自美剧《生活大爆炸》S09E20 05:37
Sheldon:I sense you’re trying to tell me something. 我感觉你在暗示我什么。
Leonard:You were a colossal asshat. 你真是个大号混蛋。
Sheldon:No, I beg to differ. 不,我不同意。
——>> Of the three of us, I was by far the most supportive. 在我们三个人里,我显然是最支持的。
Leonard:Really? do tell. 真的吗?说来听听。
Sheldon:How will Raj ever reach true greatness if his friends lower the bar for him? 如果拉杰的朋友们总是降低对他的标准,他又怎么可能真正成就伟大?
场景五:选自美剧《绝望的主妇》S09E20 25:54
Lynette:Porter decided to name the baby after your mother? 波特决定用你母亲的名字给孩子命名?
Susan:He did ask me for some suggestions. 他确实向我征求过一些建议。
Lynette:Interesting. He told me he was naming her Lynette. 有意思。他跟我说要叫她“林内特”。
Susan:I know, but…Baby Lynette? 我知道,可是……“小林内特”?
Lynette:What’s wrong with that? 这有什么不对吗?
Susan:Oh, nothing. It’s just, “Lynette” is so…You. 哦,没什么。只是“林内特”太……像你了。
Lynette:Really? 真的吗?
Susan:Well, yeah. And you have set the bar so high on that name. 是啊。而且你已经把“林内特”这个名字的标准定得太高了。
——>> Do you want to burden a tiny little baby with trying to live up to that? 你真的想让一个小婴儿背负起要达到那个高度的压力吗?
场景六:选自美剧《生活大爆炸》S03E18 05:37
Sheldon:Leonard? 伦纳德?
Leonard:I thought I could try to analyze you and get to the root of your anxiety. 我觉得我可以试着分析你,找到你焦虑的根源。
——>> My mother is a highly regarded psychiatrist, and I’ve been in therapy ever since she accused me of breast-feeding codependently. 我母亲是一位备受尊敬的精神科医生,而我从小就在心理治疗中长大,因为她说我在母乳喂养时就已经形成了依赖。
Howard:Raj says he can teach you…What did you call it? 拉杰说他可以教你……你刚才叫它什么来着?
——>> I don’t know– some Indian meditation crap. 我也不知道——什么印度冥想的玩意儿。
Sheldon:I see. Well, I assume, since the rest of you have set the bar so low, you’re saving the most impressive contribution for last. 我明白了。嗯,我猜既然你们其他人已经把标准定得这么低了,那你一定是留着最后一手来震撼我的。
——>> Go ahead, Howard. Dazzle me. 来吧,霍华德。让我眼前一亮。



