explains; explained; explaining
explains; explained; explaining
Learner's definition of EXPLAIN
1
[+ object] : to make (something) clear or easy to understand说明;讲解;阐明 -
I need a lawyer to explain this contract to me.我需要律师给我说明一下这份合同。
-
The professor explained the poem to the class.教授给学生讲解了这首诗歌。
-
She explained how the machine worked.她讲解了这台机器的工作原理。
-
I explained to them that I would be available by phone.我告诉他们可以打电话找我。
2
: to tell, show, or be the reason for or cause of something解释;说明…的原因 [+ object]
-
Scientists could not explain the strange lights in the sky.科学家无法解释天空出现的奇异的光。
-
I don't know how to explain the dog's strange behavior.我不知道如何去解释那条狗的奇怪行为。
-
“I need to rest,” I explained to them. = I explained to them that I needed to rest.“我需要休息。”我对他们解释道。
-
We asked him to explain his reasons to us.我们要求他向我们说明原因。
-
Can you explain why no one was informed earlier?你能否解释一下为什么没有人事先得到通知?
-
Well, that explains it!好的,这样就说得通了!
-
That explains why we we're so far behind schedule.那就是我们远远落后于计划的原因。
[no object]
explain away
[phrasal verb] 1 explain away (something) or explain (something) away
: to make (something) seem less important by telling how it happened, what caused it, etc.搪塞;敷衍应对 2
: to give a reason for (a fault, a mistake, etc.) so that you will not be blamed for it为…做辩解;找借口
explain yourself
1
: to give a reason for your behavior解释自己的行为 2
: to say something clearly so that it can be understood说明自己的意思
hasten to explain
— see hasten — explainable
/ɪkˈspleɪnəbəl/ adjective [more explainable; most explainable]