understate
用法要点
句型搭配
常用于及物动词结构，后接名词或名词短语作为宾语，表示对某事物进行低调描述。
介词用法
常与介词“in”连用，表示在某个方面或情境下轻描淡写，如“understate in a report”。
语域说明
多用于正式或书面语境，如学术、商务、新闻报道中，表示客观或保守的陈述。
否定形式
常用否定形式“not understate”来强调某事的重要性或严重性，避免被误解为轻视。
基础例句
She tends to understate her achievements, so you might not realize how talented she is.
她总是轻描淡写自己的成就，所以你可能没意识到她有多才华横溢。
He understated the difficulty of the hike, and we were all exhausted by the end.
他轻描淡写了徒步的难度，结果我们最后都累坏了。
In the interview, she understated her role in the project to sound more humble.
在面试中，她轻描淡写了自己在项目中的角色，以显得更谦虚。
They understated the cost of the trip, and we ended up spending more than expected.
他们轻描淡写了旅行的费用，结果我们花的比预期多。
高级例句
The report understates the potential environmental impact of the new policy, which could lead to unforeseen consequences.
这份报告轻描淡写了新政策的潜在环境影响，可能导致不可预见的后果。
In the financial analysis, the company understated its liabilities to present a more favorable balance sheet.
在财务分析中，公司轻描淡写了其负债，以呈现更有利的资产负债表。
The researcher understated the limitations of the study in the conclusion, which may affect the validity of the findings.
研究者在结论中轻描淡写了研究的局限性，这可能影响研究结果的有效性。
During the negotiation, they understated their bargaining power to secure a better deal from the other party.
在谈判中，他们轻描淡写了己方的议价能力，以从对方那里获得更有利的交易。
高频搭配
verb
adjective
noun
adverb
preposition
phrase
常见错误
“understate”是及物动词，直接接宾语，不需要介词“about”。错误用法可能受中文“关于”影响。
在英语中，“very much”通常不直接修饰动词“understate”，应使用副词如“greatly”或“significantly”来强调程度。
近义词辨析
downplay
“downplay”更强调有意淡化某事的重要性或严重性，常带贬义；而“understate”更中性，可能出于谦虚或客观描述。
He downplayed the risks to make the project seem safer. (有意淡化风险) vs. He understated the risks in the report. (报告中轻描淡写风险)
minimize
“minimize”指减少某事的程度或重要性，可能涉及实际行动；而“understate”主要指在语言或陈述上轻描淡写。
She minimized the damage by acting quickly. (通过行动减少损害) vs. She understated the damage in her account. (在描述中轻描淡写损害)
underestimate
“underestimate”指低估某事物的价值、能力或难度，常导致错误判断；而“understate”指在表达上保守陈述，不一定是低估。
They underestimated the time needed for the task. (低估所需时间) vs. They understated the time needed in the plan. (在计划中轻描淡写所需时间)