thing (english) - meaning, definition, translation, pronunciation

Part of Speech

• Noun

Phonetic Transcription

• /θɪŋ/

Meaning and Usage

The word "thing" is a general noun that refers to an object, concept, or entity, which can be either concrete or abstract. It is widely used in everyday conversation and writing, making it a common part of the English lexicon. The frequency of use is quite high, as "thing" serves as a versatile placeholder in speech and writing alike, although it tends to appear more often in oral speech due to its informal and ambiguous nature.

Example Sentences

1. I left my thing on the table.
   Я оставил свою вещь на столе.

2. What’s that thing over there?
   Что это за вещь вон там?

3. You need to finish that thing by tomorrow.
   Тебе нужно закончить эту вещь к завтрашнему дню.

Idiomatic Expressions

The word "thing" is frequently used in various idiomatic expressions, reflecting its informal nature and flexibility in language. Here are some idiomatic usages:

1. Get your act together

2. You really need to get your act together if you want to succeed in that thing.
   Тебе действительно нужно собраться, если ты хочешь добиться успеха в этом деле.

3. The real thing

4. This is the real thing; you won't find anything better.
   Это настоящее дело; ты не найдешь ничего лучше.

5. Think outside the box

6. The key to solving this problem is to think outside the box when it comes to that thing you are working on.
   Ключ к решению этой проблемы - мыслить нестандартно, когда дело касается той вещи, над которой ты работаешь.

7. Do your own thing

8. Sometimes you just have to do your own thing and ignore the noise around you.
   Иногда тебе просто нужно заняться своими делами и игнорировать шум вокруг.

9. No such thing as a free lunch

10. Remember, there's no such thing as a free lunch in this world.
    Помни, что в этом мире нет ничего бесплатного.

11. Big thing

12. That's a big thing for our company; we can't mess it up.
    Это важное дело для нашей компании; мы не можем всё испортить.

Etymology

The word "thing" originates from Old English "þing," meaning "a matter, event, or occurrence." Its roots are traced back to Proto-Germanic *þingą, which has meanings associated with gatherings and discussions, emphasizing its historic context of relevance to events and legal assemblies.

Synonyms and Antonyms

• Synonyms: item, object, entity, matter, aspect
• Antonyms: nothing, non-entity

In summary, "thing" serves as a ubiquitous noun in English that reflects both concrete items and abstract concepts, frequently utilized in oral discourse and diverse idiomatic expressions.