A cynic is someone who will not easily believe that people have good, honest reasons. You donate money; a cynic says you only want to look kind. A friend praises you; a cynic waits for the favour they will ask next.

A cynic憤世嫉俗的人 is someone who will not easily believe是不太容易相信 that people have good, honest reasons別人有良善、真誠的動機的人。You donate money你捐錢; a cynic says憤世嫉俗的人會說 you only want to look kind你只是想讓自己看起來很善良。A friend praises you朋友稱讚你; a cynic waits for憤世嫉俗的人會等著看 the favour they will ask next他們接下來會提出什麼要求。

In everyday English this is the main meaning, and it is a little sharp — not a compliment, though some people say “I’m just a cynic” as if it were wisdom. The adjective cynical and the noun cynicism show up even more than cynic itself.

In everyday English在日常英文裡, this is the main meaning這是主要的意思, and it is a little sharp而且語氣有點尖銳 — not a compliment不是稱讚, though some people say "I'm just a cynic" as if it were wisdom不過有些人會說「I'm just a cynic」，好像那是一種智慧一樣。The adjective cynical形容詞cynical and the noun cynicism和名詞cynicism show up even more than cynic itself出現的頻率比cynic本身還要高。

Though actually, the word is older than this sour mood. In ancient Greece the Cynics were philosophers who lived very simply and snapped at empty manners and show. Later people tied the name to the Greek word for “dog,” because their ways seemed rough.

Though actually不過其實, the word is older than this sour mood這個字比這種酸溜溜的語氣還要古老。In ancient Greece在古希臘, the Cynics犬儒學派的人 were philosophers who lived very simply是一群活得非常簡樸的哲學家 and snapped at empty manners and show而且會譏諷那些虛浮的禮節和排場。Later people tied the name to the Greek word for "dog,"後來人們把這個名字和希臘文裡「狗」這個字連在一起 because their ways seemed rough因為他們的作風看起來很粗野。

Today’s cynic is rarely a philosopher in a torn coat. They are just someone who doubts nice motives — about ads, politics, or love. You can be a bit of a cynic about marketing without hating the whole world.

Today's cynic現在的cynic is rarely a philosopher in a torn coat很少是穿著破爛外套的哲學家。They are just someone who doubts nice motives他們只是會懷疑善意動機的人 — about ads, politics, or love不管是廣告、政治，還是愛情。You can be a bit of a cynic about marketing你可以對行銷這件事有點憤世嫉俗 without hating the whole world但不用因此討厭整個世界。