nature
noun
ˈneɪtʃə noun
1
PLANTS/ANIMALS ETC
植物/动物等
also 又作 everything in the physical world that is not controlled by humans, such as wild plants and animals, earth and rocks, and the weather 大自然，自然界 U
We grew up in the countryside, surrounded by the beauties of nature.
我们在乡村长大，周围是美丽的大自然。
nature conservation
自然保护
the laws/forces of nature
The inhabitants of the island fight a constant battle against the forces of nature.
那座岛上的居民们经常和大自然的力量抗争。
in nature
All these materials are found in nature.
所有这些材料都能在自然界中找到。
Disease is nature’s way of keeping the population down.
疾病是大自然控制人口的方法。
2
SB’S CHARACTER
某人的性格
someone’s character 本性，天性 C,U
a child with a happy, easy-going nature
个性开朗、容易相处的孩子
sb’s nature
It’s just not in Jane’s nature to lie.
简天生不会撒谎。
by nature
She was by nature a very affectionate person.
她生性就是个极富爱心的人。
I tried appealing to his better nature (=his feelings of kindness) but he wouldn’t agree to help us.
我设法唤起他的善良本性，但他就是不同意帮助我们。
Of course she’s jealous – it’s only human nature (=the feelings and ways of behaving that all people have) .
她当然嫉妒啦 — 这是人的天性。
3
QUALITIES OF STH
某事物的特征
the qualities or features that something has 特点，性质 singular 单数, U
[+ of ]
They asked a lot of questions about the nature of our democracy.
他们询问了很多关于我们民主制度本质的问题。
He examined the nature of the relationship between the two communities.
他调查了那两个社区之间的关系的特点。
exact/precise/true nature
The exact nature of the problem is not well understood.
该问题的确切本质还不太明白。
different/political/temporary etc in nature
Any government funding would be temporary in nature.
任何政府资助终究是暂时的。
Capitalist society is by its very nature unstable.
从本质而言，资本主义社会是不稳定的。
4
TYPE
类型
a particular kind of thing 类别，种类 singular 单数
of a personal/political/difficult etc nature
The support being given is of a practical nature.
提供的支持是实用性的。
of this/that nature
I never trouble myself with questions of that nature.
我从不自寻烦恼考虑那类问题。
5
in the nature of things
according to the natural way things happen 按照事物的规律
In the nature of things, there is bound to be the occasional accident.
按照事物的规律，偶尔发生事故是必然的。
6
be in the nature of sth
to be similar to a type of thing [正式] 类似于某事物 formal
The enquiry will be more in the nature of a public meeting than a formal hearing.
该调查更像是一次公众会议而不是正式的听证会。
7
let nature take its course
to allow events to happen without doing anything to change the results 顺其自然，任其自然发展
The best cure for a cold is to let nature take its course.
治疗感冒最好的办法就是顺其自然。
8
back to nature
a style of living in which people try to live simply and not use modern machines 〔生活方式的〕返璞归真，回归自然
city workers who want to get back to nature in their holidays
希望休假时可以回归自然的城市上班族