WOTW: slay
| - Gorka Dieitz-Sanxurxo |
今週の #WOTW は 'slay’ です。’Slay’ is a verb and it can be used both in a literary way or informally. Its conjugation is rather tricky. Depending on the meaning it goes like this: slew/slayed for the past and slain/slayed for the participle. Intrigued? Okay, let’s go!
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- Saint George slew the dragon and saved the princess. (This is archaic — which means very old — and literary. It means to kill a person or animal in a violent way. Remember, if you use ‘slay’ with this meaning, the past is ‘slew’ and the participle ‘slain’.)
- The lord of the manor had slain countless peasants, so everybody hated him. (See above.)
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In North America they use ‘slay’ as a synonym for ‘murder’.
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- I woman was slain in the alley.
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The following meanings are more fun.
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- It’s such a joy to spend time with my nephew. He slays every time. (This is informal and it means to greatly impress or amuse someone.)
- The actress slayed in a sparkly black gown. (Be extremely impressive, stylish, or successful.)
- A: How did the game go?
B: We slayed. (see above.)
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Now, we’ve said that ‘slay’ is a verb. However, it can also be a noun when used instead of ‘sley’. In that case, we’re talking about a tool used in weaving. Not that you will be using it, but good to know!
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発音は/sleɪ/です。音節は1つだから、2つの音節の「スレイ」を言わないようにしましょう。また来週!
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