China(首字母大写)是"中国",指 the People's Republic of China;china(首字母小写)是"瓷器",尤指优质瓷器。例:
This car is made in China.
这辆汽车是中国制造的。
She laid out a small tray with the best china on the table.
她把盛着上等瓷具的小托盆放在桌上。
与之类似区别的词有:
有趣的是,类似区别的现象不但出现于单词中,也见诸于短语里。如: in the Doldrums和 in the doldrums。前者的意思是"在Doldrums海域里"。Doldrums位于非洲海岸大西洋内,是个热带无风带。该海域的特点为,当大西洋其他地区刮大风时,海浪滔天,而the Doldrums 海面依旧平静如常,后来人们由此而引伸出另一个意义,当他们感到"意志消沉"、"毫无生气"或"闷闷不乐"时,就用 to be in the doldrums这个短语来表示。现在请对比 in the Doldrums和 in the doldrums在下列句中的不同涵义:
Our ocean liner is now sailing in the Doldrums.
我们的轮船现在正在Doldrums海域航行。
Recently,trade appeared to be in the doldrums.
近来商业一片萧条。
You look as though you were in the doldrums.Cheer up!