核心畫面

One way to picture it: something inside is pushing you, and the brake does not work. You may even know it is a bad idea — you do it anyway, because the push is stronger than the choice.

有一股力量從裡面推著你走,而煞車踩不住。你甚至可能清楚知道這樣不好,但還是做了——因為那股推力比「決定」更大。com更多收起有一股力量從裡面推著你走,而煞車踩不住。你甚至可能清楚知道這樣不好,但還是做了——因為那股推力比「決定」更大。compulsive 描述的就是這種「停不下來」的狀態:重點不在做的內容有多糟,而在於當事人失去了說不的餘地。

From the word’s history

From Latin compellere 'to drive together, force' (com- 'together' + pellere 'to drive, push'), via the past participle compulsus — the same root as compel and propel.

來自拉丁文 compellere:com-(一起)+ pellere(驅趕、推),過去分詞 compulsus。pellere 這個「推」的動作也藏在 propel(推進)、expel(趕出去)裡面。所以 compulsive 骨子裡就是「被推著走的」——推力來自哪裡,正是這個字有趣的地方:不是別人在推你,是某種你管不住的東西在推你。

Wiktionary entry for compulsive / compel (Latin compellere, com- + pellere)

Two branches

煞不住的人與行為

這一支直接承接核心畫面:推力在人身上,剎不住的是自己。差別只在形容的是「那個行為」還是「那個人」。

hard to control (behaviour) · adjective · C2

Used about behaviour that is very hard to stop or control, and that is often a sign of a deeper problem in the mind.

強迫性的

讓人放不下的東西

推力換了方向:不再是從人的內在往外推,而是那本書、那個節目太好看,把人黏住不放。同樣是「停不下來」,但這次是輕鬆的、正面的評價,講的是東西的吸引力,不是人的病症。

impossible to put down · adjective · C2

Used about a book, programme, or similar thing that is so interesting that you cannot stop reading or watching it.

欲罷不能的

原始詞典資料3 筆記錄

以下是外部詞典記錄的用法,原文照列,我們還沒有寫成教學內容。上面的說明才是我們自己寫的;有些用法可能上面已經講過了。

compulsiveadj/kəmˈpʌlsɪv/

  • 1

    Uncontrolled or reactive and irresistible.

    • Jenny is a compulsive liar—don't believe a thing she says.
    • Under this Act, the term "disability" shall not include—...(2) compulsive gambling, kleptomania, or pyromania; or[…]
  • 2

    Having power to compel; exercising or applying compulsion.

    • Religion is […] inconsistent with all compulsive Motives.

compulsivenoun/kəmˈpʌlsɪv/

  • 1

    One who exhibits compulsive behaviours.

資料來源:英文維基詞典 English WiktionaryCC BY-SA 4.0)。 原文照列,未經改寫。