identify、recognize与make out这些动词均含“认出、识别”之意。
identify : 指辨别、确定人的身份或物品的归属等。
- Even the smallest baby can identify its mother by her voice.
就连年龄最小的婴儿也能根据声音分辨出自己的妈妈。 - The gunman in Wednesday's attack has been identified as Lee Giggs, an unemployed truck driver.
周三袭击事件中的枪手已被确认为李‧吉格斯，一个失业的卡车司机。 - The police officer identified himself (= gave his name or proved who he was) and asked for our help.
警官亮明身份并请求我们帮助。
recognize : 指所辨认的人或物多是以前所熟悉的。
- I hadn't seen her for 20 years, but I recognized her immediately.
我20年没见她了，但我还是一眼就认出了她。 - Do you recognize this song?
“你听出这首歌来了吗？” - Doctors are trained to recognize the symptoms of different diseases.
医生受过训练可以辨识出不同疾病的症状。
make out : 通常指通过人的感觉器官来辨别事物。
- 我只依稀看见一个高个的模糊身影穿过了矮树丛。
I could just make out a tall, pale, shadowy figure tramping through the undergrowth. - 我听不清她说的话。
I could not distinguish her words. - 我听不清她在说什么。
I couldn't make out what she was saying.
