英语中有些词虽然看起来意思相近，但用法却不尽相同，指导并掌握它，提高自己的英语水平。
difficulty, hardship
这两个名词都表示“困难”之意。
difficulty : 指需大量思考和技巧或努力才能克服的任何困难。
She has difficulty breathing.(她呼吸有困难。)
hardship : 侧重指生活上令人难以承受的艰难困苦，如疾病、贫穷等磨难。
He was willing to face any hardship in fulfillment of his duty.(他愿意面对任何困难去履行他的职责。)
die, decease, expire, perish, pass away
这些动词或短语动词均有“死”或“死亡”之意。
die : 最普通用词，指某人或某物失去生命而永远不存在。
He became very ill and then he died.(他病得很重, 接着就死了。)
decease : 正式用词，多指法律上的用语。
Upon his decease the house will pass to his wife.(他死后房屋归他太太所有。)
expire : 委婉用词。从本义“从肺部吐出气来”引申为吐出最后一口气，断气而死。
He expired at midnight.(他在午夜死去。)
perish : 书面用词，多指夭折或不幸暴亡。
Hundreds of sheep perished that year because of drought.(那年由于干旱, 几百头羊突然死去。)
pass away是die的委婉用语。
He passed away peacefully.(他安详地去世了。)
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