vanish、disappear、fade与evaporate这些动词均有“消失”之意。
vanish : 语气强,指完全、往往是神秘而突然的消失,不留任何蛛丝马迹。
- The child vanished while on her way home from school.
那个小女孩在放学回家的路上不见了。
disappear : 普通用词,强调从视线或脑海中消失。这消失可能是暂时的、突然的或永久的,视上下文而定。
- I can't find my keys anywhere - they've completely disappeared.
我怎么也找不到自己的钥匙——它们彻底不见了。
fade : 侧重逐渐消失。
- My suntan is already fading.
我晒黑的肤色已经开始变浅了。
evaporate : 侧重指像水变成蒸汽那般(使)某个东西悄无声息、不引人注意地完全逝去,也可以用来描述人偷偷摸摸、谨慎或突然地离去,并进一步引申指“死亡”。
- 他的盛怒渐渐消失,想大哭一场。
His wrath evaporated and he wanted to cry. - 那个项目逐渐叫停,特朗普陷入了困境。
The project evaporated and Trump was left high and dry. - 他在原配妻子死后与这位奔放的姑娘结了婚。
After his first wife evaporated, he married the ebullient girl.
(拓展学习:小词详解 | evaporate)