区别辨析critical、acute与urgent

这些形容词均有“紧急的”或“严重的”之意。

critical : 指极为危急或缺乏的状况,而这种状况标志一种转折点。

  • The president's support is critical (to this project).
    总统的支持(对该计划)至关重要。
  • a critical decision
    重大决定
  • Both drivers are critical/in a critical condition (= so badly hurt that they might die) after the 120 mph crash.
    两车在时速为120英里的情况下相撞,司机均身受重伤,情况危急。

acute : 通常指需要和缺乏的紧急程度。也指病情的严重。

  • She felt acute embarrassment/anxiety/concern at his behaviour.
    她对他的行为感到极其尴尬/忧虑/担忧。
  • The problem of poverty is particularly acute in rural areas.
    贫困问题在农村地区尤为严重。
  • acute abdominal pains
    剧烈腹痛
  • an acute attack of appendicitis
    阑尾炎急性发作

urgent : 指情况紧急,急需解决问题。

  • He's got to sign that paper - will you tell him it's urgent?
    他务必要签署那份文件——请你告诉他这很紧急,好吗?
  • The most urgent thing in a fire is to make sure everyone is out of the building.
    失火时最紧要的事是确保所有人都撤离大楼。
  • Many people are in urgent need of food and water.
    很多人亟需食物和水。