When something is absorbing, it holds you for a long time. A book, a film, a game, a long talk — you sit down for a little while, and then an hour has gone. You are not just a bit interested; you do not want to stop.

When something is absorbing當某樣東西是absorbing(引人入勝), it holds you for a long time它會讓你沉浸很久。A book, a film, a game, a long talk一本書、一部電影、一場遊戲、一段長談 — you sit down for a little while你坐下來一下子, and then an hour has gone結果一個小時就過去了。You are not just a bit interested你不只是有點感興趣; you do not want to stop你是不想停下來。

People say an absorbing story, an absorbing documentary, an absorbing conversation. It is a warm compliment, used by teachers, reviews, and ordinary talk, though it sounds a little more careful than “so interesting” or “I couldn’t put it down.” Younger speakers often choose those plainer phrases; absorbing is still alive, just a shade more bookish. People stretch it a little: an absorbing problem, an absorbing hobby, even an absorbing afternoon.

People say人們會說 an absorbing story an absorbing story(引人入勝的故事), an absorbing documentary an absorbing documentary(引人入勝的紀錄片), an absorbing conversation an absorbing conversation(引人入勝的對話)。It is a warm compliment這是個溫暖的稱讚, used by teachers, reviews, and ordinary talk老師、書評、和日常對話都會用, though it sounds a little more careful不過聽起來更講究一點 than “so interesting” or “I couldn't put it down.”比「so interesting(好有趣)」或「I couldn't put it down(讓人放不下)」 Younger speakers often choose those plainer phrases年輕人比較常選那些更平白的說法; absorbing is still alive absorbing依然活著, just a shade more bookish只是多了一點書卷氣。People stretch it a little人們也會延伸使用: an absorbing problem an absorbing problem(引人入勝的難題), an absorbing hobby an absorbing hobby(引人入勝的嗜好), even an absorbing afternoon甚至an absorbing afternoon(引人入勝的下午)。

Though actually, the older picture inside the word is “to soak up,” like a cloth taking in water. When we call a film absorbing we do not mean it is wet. We mean it soaks up your attention and keeps it.

Though actually不過其實, the older picture inside the word is “to soak up,”這個詞裡更古老的畫面是「吸收」 like a cloth taking in water就像布吸水那樣。When we call a film absorbing當我們說一部電影absorbing, we do not mean it is wet不是說它濕了。We mean it soaks up your attention我們是說它吸走了你的注意力 and keeps it並且留住不放。

One small care: the thing is absorbing; you are absorbed in it.

One small care有一點要小心: the thing is absorbing東西本身是absorbing(引人入勝); you are absorbed in it你則是absorbed in it(沉浸在裡面)。