The difference between "try" or "do one's best"
Today we answer a question from Alan in China.
今天我們回答來自中國的Alan提出的一個問題。
I'm wondering about the difference between "try" or "do one's best." My English teacher told me they are same. But I believe every word has a difference. Can you help me? - Alan, China
我想知道try和do one's best之間的區別。我的英語老師告訴我它們是一樣的。但我相信每個詞都有區別。你能幫助我嗎？
Dear Alan,
親愛的Alan，
Thank you for writing, and yes, we can help!
謝謝你的來信，我們可以幫助你的！
Your teacher is right that the two expressions can mean about the same thing. But you are right that there is small but important difference between "try" and "do one's best."
你的老師是對的，這兩個表達方式的意思是一樣的。但是你也是對的，try和do one's best之間有一個細小但非常重要的區別。
"Try" means to make an effort, to attempt to accomplish or complete something. But the effort may or may not be successful.
try的意思是努力、試圖完成某事。但這種努力可能會成功，也可能不會。
Like this:
例如：
I tried to do my school work, but it was so hard I had to give up!
我試著做我的作業，但是太難了，我不得不放棄！
The person was trying, but did not finish the job.
這個人很努力，但並沒有完成任務。
Now, let's look at "do one's best." The word "do" means to perform an action or an activity. It suggests that the work is happening. "One's best" means to put your maximum effort or attention into the job. Here's how the expression sounds in a sentence:
現在，讓我們看看do one's best。do這個詞的意思是執行一項行動或活動。這表明這項工作正在進行。one's best意思是把最大的努力或注意力放在這件事情上。下面是這個短語在句子中的讀音：
My school work was hard, but I did my best to get it right. I even stayed after class to ask my teacher to explain it to me.
我的學校作業很難，但我盡最大努力把它做好了。我甚至下課後留下來請老師給我解釋。
This person made an extra effort to get the work done. He figured out how to get help. He was not just trying, he was doing his best!
這個人付出了額外的努力來完成作業。他想出了獲得幫助的辦法。他不僅僅是在努力，他是在盡全力！
However, sometimes people say they are trying, but they are not putting in much effort. That means they are not doing their best. This is where you can really see the difference between "trying" and "doing your best." It can depend on effort.
然而，有時人們說他們在努力，但他們並沒有付出太多的努力。也就是說他們並沒有盡全力。這是你真正能看到的try和do one's best的區別之處。這取決於努力程度。
As a wise person once told me, "Trying is not always doing." Those are words I try to live by.
一位智者曾告訴我：Trying is not always doing。這是我的人生信條。
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