condition、state、status、situation与circumstance这些名词均有“状况、情况”之意。
condition : 一般强调产生影响的原因或环境，复数形式指笼统的情况。
- Mum's still got our pram - it's very old, but it's in perfect condition.
妈妈还留着我们的婴儿车——虽然很旧了，但仍然完好。 - They left the flat in a terrible condition - there was mess everywhere.
他们把公寓弄得一团糟——到处一片狼藉。
state : 普通用词，指人或物在环境、外表、心灵以及健康方面的状况，或指在某一阶段的状态或形式。
- The building was in a state of disrepair.
这栋大楼年久失修。 - She was found wandering in a confused state (of mind).
有人发现她到处游荡，神志恍惚。 - Give me the keys - you're not in a state to drive.
把钥匙给我——你状态不佳，不能开车。
status : 指一个人在政治、社会、经济、法律上的地位或身份，暗含地位显要意味。也可用于指政治等事态的状况。
- The association works to promote the status of retired people as useful members of the community.
这个协会旨在提高退休人员的地位，使其成为社会中有用的成员。 - There has been an increase in applications for refugee status.
越来越多的人申请难民身份。
situation : 指明确具体的环境情况或处境。
- the economic/political situation
经济／政治形势 - Her news put me in a difficult situation.
她的消息让我陷入困难的境地。
circumstance : 多指周围的情况或某事发生时的情况。
- I think she coped very well under the circumstances.
我觉得在那种情况下她处理得很不错。 - Obviously we can't deal with the problem until we know all the circumstances.
显然，我们只有了解全部情况后才能处理这问题。 - She died in suspicious circumstances.
她死得很蹊跷。
