boundary 的核心是「范围的边界线」——可以是土地的分界(the boundary between two countries),可以是学科领域的边界(the boundaries of science),可以是人际关系的界限(personal boundaries)。与 border:border 通常指国境线等具体地理界线;boundary 更常用于抽象含义和范围性边界。push the boundaries = 突破界限,是高频固定表达。
释义
1
n.边界;界限(物理或抽象)
The river marks the boundary between the two districts.
这条河是两个区之间的边界。
2
n.(知识/能力/行为的)界限
Scientists are constantly pushing the boundaries of human knowledge.
科学家们不断突破人类知识的边界。
语感
boundary = 抽象界限首选,border = 具体国境线首选
边界界限范围
四词辨析:boundary = 划定范围的线,物理/抽象均可(the boundary of a field / personal boundaries);border = 国界、边境地带(cross the border);limit = 最大/最小可接受的量(speed limit / the limit of my patience);edge = 物体的边缘(the edge of a table / the edge of a cliff)。push the boundaries 是固定搭配,表示「突破限制」,写作高频。
陷阱
⚠️boundary vs border 混用
✗
They crossed the boundary between France and Spain.
他们越过了法国和西班牙之间的边境。
具体的国境线用 border;boundary 用于「范围划定」,越界到抽象含义更常见
✓
They crossed the border between France and Spain.
他们越过了法国和西班牙之间的边境。
⚠️push the boundaries 固定搭配
This research pushes the boundaries of what is scientifically possible.