Word · Frequency #14115
Fully loadedunderstatements
轻描淡写；低调陈述；克制的说法
understatements is the plural of understatement.
a statement that deliberately makes something seem less important or serious than it really is, often for ironic effect
常含修辞色彩，表示故意把事情说得比实际轻；与overstatement（夸大其词）相对。
- 1.
An instance of such phrasing or lack of emphasis; an incomplete statement.
轻描淡写或缺乏强调的实例；不完整的陈述。
- 2.
An incomplete disclosure that intentionally withholds relevant information.
故意隐瞒相关信息的不完整披露。
轻描淡写或缺乏强调的实例；不完整的陈述。；故意隐瞒相关信息的不完整披露。；软弱无力的陈述；克制的说法；[经] 少报
In use
Saying the test was a bit difficult was an understatement; most students failed it.
To call the traffic jam annoying would be an understatement after we waited for two hours.
Her remark that the project had a few problems was a classic understatement.
be an understatement
用于强调实际情况比所说的话严重得多。
Calling the film bad would be an understatement.
说这部电影很差，恐怕是轻描淡写了。
It is an understatement to say that ...
It is an understatement to say that the new system had some problems.
说新系统存在一些问题，其实是低估了。
an understatement of [sth]
此义侧重少报、低估，常用于财务语境。
Connections
Collocations
- be an understatement
- 是轻描淡写；说得太轻了
- To say the concert was good is an understatement—it was unforgettable.说这场音乐会好听是轻描淡写——它令人难忘。
- a gross understatement
- 严重轻描淡写的说法
- Calling the delay 'minor' was a gross understatement.把延误称为“小事”是对事实的严重轻描淡写。
- British understatement
- 英式低调陈述；英国式的轻描淡写
- 'It's a bit chilly' is a classic example of British understatement.“有点冷”是英式低调陈述的典型例子。
- the understatement of the year
- 年度最轻描淡写的话；极度克制的说法
- Saying he was 'slightly annoyed' was the understatement of the year.说他“有点恼火”是今年最轻描淡写的话。
- it is no understatement to say
- 毫不夸张地说
- It is no understatement to say this decision changed our lives.
Learner notes
Memory Tip
under（低）+ statement（陈述）→把话说低，即轻描淡写。
Context & Register
语域：neutral 常见场景：日常对话、学术或文学讨论、新闻报道 该词为中性语体，日常对话和正式写作中都比较常见；在文学或修辞讨论中指“低调陈述”这一手法，在一般表达中则常用来强调某说法过于保守。具体含义需看搭配。
Pronunciation & Spelling
真正与 understatement 押韵的是 statement 和 misstatement，它们的重读元音及之后部分与 understatement 一致（/steɪtmənt/）。注意 movement、arrangement、basement、treatment 虽然都以 -ment 结尾，且词尾发音都是 /mənt/，但重读元音不同或重读元音后的辅音不同，并不押韵。
Usage priority
Collins 词频等级为 1，建议结合例句记忆，而不是只背中文释义。
Learn the forms together
页面下方列出了常见词形变化。学习时注意它们在句子中的语法位置。
Dictionary facts from ECDICT, WIKTIONARY.