state
Definitions
The condition that someone or something is in
状态，状况
A nation or its government; a region within a country
国家；（联邦内的）州
To say or write something clearly and formally
陈述，声明
Of or run by the national government; ceremonial
国家的，政府的；正式的
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedFrom Latin status, 'a way of standing.' A state is how something stands at a given moment — its condition. The 'nation' sense grew from 'the standing/estate of a ruler or realm' (the state of the realm). The verb 'to state' is separate but related: to set down a position firmly, to make your stance stand on record.
Root st still carries 376 more wordsWhy It Means This
One short word covers three big ideas, all from 'a standing.' (1) Condition: water in a frozen state, a state of panic. (2) The political body: a nation 'stands' as an organized whole, hence the state, and its sub-units in the US are states. (3) The verb to state: to put your position on the record, making it stand. The capitalized, formal adjective ('state visit, state dinner') reflects the dignity of the standing realm.
Common Collocations
- 1.state of mind心境
- 2.state of emergency紧急状态
- 3.head of state国家元首
- 4.state clearly明确陈述
Example Sentences
- 1.
The house was in a terrible state of disrepair.
- 2.
Texas is the second-largest state in the US.
- 3.
Please state your name and address.
- 4.
The president is on a state visit to Japan.
Easily Confused
state vs status — both come from status, but state is the broad word for condition or a nation; status is narrower: rank, official classification, or a tracked live condition. 'The state of the economy' (general) vs 'her marital status' (a formal category).