broad侧重指表面或幅面的宽广,wide则强调从一边到另一边的距离。所以:
在形容人的脸、肩、背、胸以及植物的叶时,通常用broad而不用wide。如:
broad chest宽胸;broad shoulder宽肩;a broad leaf阔叶。
在形容人的口、眼睛等之大以及与open连用时通常用wide而不用broad。如:
She stared at him with wide eyes.她睁大眼睛注视着他。
注:用于引申义,表示“广泛的”,通常用wide。
We walked down a broad avenue lined with trees.
我们走在林荫大道上。
He flashed a broad grin at us.
他冲我们咧嘴笑了笑。
My brother is very broad-shouldered.
我兄弟肩膀很宽。
His eyes were wide (= opened much more than usual) with surprise.
他惊讶得睁大了眼睛。