Tedwonny
Member
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2012
- Member Type
- Student or Learner
- Native Language
- Chinese
- Home Country
- Hong Kong
- Current Location
- UK
The translations for the captioned (can I use this word here?) adjectives are similar and they all refer to something that causes sympathy; make your heart go out to something. However, interestingly, I've come across quite many examples in which their use is rather sarcastic:
You are pathetic [in the context of 'you're hopeless']
That wretched assignment [= that annoying assignment]
So,
1) Is this a more common use of these adjectives in English? Has the original meaning bleached?
2) Is it possible to say
Oh, that boy is pitiable/pathetic/wretched. [to describe I feel sorry for that boy as he has no food to eat...]
Very Many Thanks!![Smile :) :)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
You are pathetic [in the context of 'you're hopeless']
That wretched assignment [= that annoying assignment]
So,
1) Is this a more common use of these adjectives in English? Has the original meaning bleached?
2) Is it possible to say
Oh, that boy is pitiable/pathetic/wretched. [to describe I feel sorry for that boy as he has no food to eat...]
Very Many Thanks!