英倫翻譯社/ Trsmaster

這兩個字發音相同，拼字僅一個字母之差，有時不免搞混，尤其是名詞複數時，一為 canvases，另一為 canvasses，稍一不慎就會把「馮京」看作「馬涼」。所幸，這兩個字的意思截然不同。

Canvas 僅當名詞用，意為「帆布；油畫布；帆布畫；油畫」，如 a canvas bag (帆布袋)；We spent two months living under canvas. (我們在帳篷裡住了兩個月) － under canvas 為一英式英語片語，意為「在帳篷裡」(= in a tent)；He bought the canvas for one thousand dollars. (他以一千美元買下這幅油畫)；The artist showed us her canvases. (那位畫家給我們看了她的油畫)。

Canvass 可當動詞和名詞用。當動詞時，這個字可以是及物或不及物，意為「(向…) 遊說；(為…) 拉票」，如 The president has spent the day canvassing in Kaohsiung. (總統在高雄遊說了一天)；He canvassed the district for votes. (他在選區裡拉票)；Party supporters were called on to help canvass for their candidate. (該黨的支持者被動員來為候選人拉票)；The justice minister has been canvassing support for his new crime bill. (法務部長一直在為新的刑事法案尋求支持)。

除上述外，當動詞用的 canvass 還意為「(廣泛) 徵詢 (意見)；詳細或徹底地討論」，如 I’ve been canvassing the views of our members about the suggestions. (我一直在廣泛徵詢會員們對建議的看法)；Various possibilities have been canvassed. (各種可能性都有討論)。至於當名詞用的 canvass，意為「遊說；拉票；討論」，如 door-to-door (or house-to-house) canvasses (挨家挨戶的拉票活動)。