phrase

Compared meaning: a group of words with a particular meaning (noun).

比较义项：由若干词构成、整体具有某种意义的词组（名词）。

• phrase 本词

  Phrase is a neutral, general term for a short multi-word unit with a particular meaning; it does not imply the meaning is figurative or different from what the individual words suggest.

  phrase 是一个中性、通用的说法，指由几个词构成、整体具有某种意义的短语；它并不暗示该意义是比喻性的，也不表示其含义不同于各个词本身的意思。

  Good morning is a simple phrase people use as a greeting.

  “早上好”是人们用作问候语的一个简单短语。

• idiom

  Idiom specifically means a fixed expression whose overall meaning cannot be guessed from its individual words; it is always figurative, never literal.

  idiom 特指一种固定表达，其整体意义无法从其中各个词的意思推断出来；它总是比喻性的，而非字面意思。

  Break a leg is an idiom that has nothing to do with actually breaking a leg.

  “Break a leg”是一个习语，与真的摔断腿毫无关系。

Phrase and idiom both name a group of words with one meaning. Phrase is neutral and general, not implying anything beyond the literal words. Idiom specifically means a fixed expression whose meaning cannot be guessed from the individual words; it is always figurative.

phrase 和 idiom 都指由几个词组成的词组，容易被学习者混淆；但 idiom 特指意义无法从字面词义推断出来的固定习语，而 phrase 是中性说法，不暗示字面之外的含义。

Compared meaning: to express something in words (verb).

比较义项：用言辞表达（动词）。

• word

  Emphasizes choosing the exact words for a statement, often about a specific phrase or sentence in writing; a matter of careful wording, not overall clarity.

  强调为一段话选择准确的措辞，常指书面语中某句话或某个短语的具体用词，侧重措辞是否恰当，而不是整体表达是否清楚。

  Let me think about how to word this apology carefully.

  让我想想该怎么措辞才能把这句道歉说得恰当。

• phrase 本词

  Very close to 'word', but stresses the manner or tone of expression, especially making something sound polite, tactful or diplomatic; common with criticism or requests.

  与 word 意思非常接近，但更强调表达的方式或语气，尤指让内容听起来礼貌、委婉或得体，常用于表达批评或请求时。

  She phrased her criticism gently so no one felt attacked.

  她措辞委婉地提出批评，没有让任何人觉得受到攻击。

• articulate

  Stresses expressing an idea or feeling clearly and coherently, especially aloud; about the clarity and fluency of thought, not the choice of specific words or tone.

  强调把想法或感受表达得清楚连贯，尤指口头表达；侧重思路是否清晰流畅，而不是具体用词或语气。

  He struggled to articulate exactly why the plan worried him.

  他很难清楚地表达出这个计划到底哪里让他担心。

Word, phrase and articulate all mean to express something in words, but differ in focus. Word and phrase stress choosing the right wording, and are very close in meaning. Articulate stresses saying an idea or feeling clearly, often about speaking fluently rather than word choice.

这三个词在“用言辞表达”这一动词义项上意思相近，但侧重点不同：word 和 phrase 强调选择恰当的措辞方式，两者非常接近；articulate 则强调把想法或感受说得清楚明白，多指口头表达是否流畅。这里不比较 word 的“单词”这一名词义、phrase 的“短语”这一名词义，以及 articulate 作形容词时“表达清楚的；口齿伶俐的”这一义项。