critical、acute与urgent这些形容词均有“紧急的”或“严重的”之意。
critical : 指极为危急或缺乏的状况，而这种状况标志一种转折点。
- a critical decision
重大决定 - Both drivers are critical/in a critical condition (= so badly hurt that they might die) after the 120 mph crash.
两车在时速为120英里的情况下相撞，司机均身受重伤，情况危急。
acute : 通常指需要和缺乏的紧急程度。也指病情的严重。
- acute abdominal pains
剧烈腹痛 - an acute attack of appendicitis
阑尾炎急性发作 - The problem of poverty is particularly acute in rural areas.
贫困问题在农村地区尤为严重。
urgent : 指情况紧急，急需解决问题。
- He's got to sign that paper - will you tell him it's urgent?
他务必要签署那份文件——请你告诉他这很紧急，好吗? - The most urgent thing in a fire is to make sure everyone is out of the building.
失火时最紧要的事是确保所有人都撤离大楼。 - Many people are in urgent need of food and water.
很多人亟需食物和水。
