Lively, quick-moving, full of energy — but with one important condition: it is almost always used about older people.

Lively, quick-moving, full of energy —活潑、動作俐落、精力充沛— but with one important condition:但有一個重要的條件: it is almost always used about older people這個詞幾乎都是用在老年人身上。

If you say 'a spry old man', you mean he moves easily and quickly in a way that surprises you a little, given his age. That surprise is built into the word.

If you say 'a spry old man',如果你說 'a spry old man' you mean你的意思是 he moves easily and quickly他動作又輕鬆又快 in a way that surprises you a little,快得讓你有點意外 given his age畢竟考慮到他的年紀。That surprise is built into the word這種意外感是這個詞本來就帶有的。

This is why you would sound strange saying 'my spry three-year-old son' — a child being energetic is not news.

This is why這就是為什麼 you would sound strange saying 'my spry three-year-old son' —你說 'my spry three-year-old son' 會顯得很怪— a child being energetic is not news小孩子精力充沛根本不是新聞。

Because the surprise is part of it, some older people find the word slightly annoying, as if you are saying 'good for you, still walking!' It is warm and admiring in tone, but it does quietly point at age. It is often paired with 'still': 'still spry at ninety'.

Because the surprise is part of it,正因為帶著這種意外感 some older people find the word slightly annoying,有些老人家會覺得這個詞聽了有點惱人 as if you are saying 'good for you, still walking!'好像在說「你還能走路，真不錯喔！」 It is warm and admiring in tone,語氣上是溫暖、帶著讚賞的 but it does quietly point at age但它確實悄悄點出了年紀這件事。It is often paired with 'still':它常常跟 'still' 搭配用: 'still spry at ninety''still spry at ninety'九十歲了還是老當益壯。