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B1 noun #30 最常用 14分钟阅读

truce

A truce is a short break from fighting or arguing. Imagine you are playing a game with a friend and you are both tired. You say, 'Let's stop for five minutes.' That is like a truce. It is not the end of the game, just a rest. In a war, a truce means the soldiers stop shooting for a little while. They might do this to help sick people or to talk. It is a simple word for a 'time-out.' You can use it at home too. If you and your brother are shouting, you can say 'Truce!' and both be quiet for a while. It is a very helpful word when things are difficult and you need a break.
A truce is an agreement to stop fighting for a certain amount of time. It is a noun. You usually 'call a truce' or 'make a truce.' It is different from 'peace' because peace usually lasts a long time, but a truce might only last for one day or one week. For example, if two countries are at war, they might agree to a truce for a holiday so soldiers can see their families. In everyday English, we use it when two people are having a big disagreement. If they decide to stop being angry for a little while, they have made a truce. It is a way to have a rest from a conflict.
A truce is a temporary agreement between opposing groups to stop fighting or arguing for a specific period. It is often used in the context of war to allow for negotiations or to provide humanitarian aid. For instance, a truce might be called to allow prisoners to be exchanged or for civilians to leave a dangerous area. The word is also commonly used metaphorically in personal relationships. If two friends have been feuding, they might 'call a truce' to attend a mutual friend's wedding. It implies that the underlying problem isn't necessarily solved, but the active hostility has paused. It is a countable noun and is often described as 'fragile' or 'uneasy.'
In formal and international contexts, a truce represents a cessation of hostilities agreed upon by the warring parties. It is a provisional arrangement that does not terminate the state of war but merely suspends military operations. A truce can be local, affecting only a specific area, or general, covering the entire theater of war. The term is frequently heard in news reports regarding diplomatic efforts to 'broker a truce' in conflict zones. Metaphorically, it describes a suspension of any kind of intense competition or conflict, such as a 'price war' between companies. The effectiveness of a truce often depends on the trust between the parties and the presence of neutral observers to ensure its terms are respected.
A truce is a formal or informal suspension of hostilities, often serving as a critical precursor to more substantive diplomatic negotiations or a permanent armistice. Unlike a ceasefire, which may be a unilateral or tactical pause in combat, a truce typically implies a bilateral or multilateral agreement with specific terms and a defined duration. In political discourse, the term 'truce' can also refer to a 'political truce,' where rival parties agree to suspend partisan attacks during a national crisis. The nuance of the word lies in its inherent instability; a truce is a delicate equilibrium that can be shattered by a single provocative act. It requires a high degree of strategic restraint from all involved parties to maintain.
The concept of a truce, or *treuga*, has deep historical and legal roots, often representing a precarious hiatus in a broader conflict. It is a functional instrument of international law that allows for the temporary abatement of active belligerence without prejudice to the ultimate claims of the parties involved. In sophisticated discourse, a 'truce' is often analyzed through the lens of game theory as a 'cooperative pause' where both sides calculate that the costs of continued conflict temporarily outweigh the benefits. Whether it is the 'Truce of God' in medieval Europe or a modern-day 'technological truce' between patent-holding giants, the term encapsulates a strategic decision to prioritize stability over immediate victory, often under the pressure of external mediation or internal exhaustion.
开始练习 例句 笔记与提示

truce 30秒了解

  • A truce is a temporary pause in a fight or argument agreed upon by both sides.
  • It is often used in war to allow for negotiations, medical help, or holidays.
  • Metaphorically, it refers to a break in any conflict, such as between siblings or companies.
  • A truce is not a permanent peace; it is a fragile and time-limited agreement.

At its core, a truce is a specific kind of agreement where two sides who have been fighting decide to stop for a while. It is not necessarily the end of the war or the conflict, but rather a pause. Imagine two boxers in a ring who are exhausted; if they both agree to step back and catch their breath for a minute before the next round, that is a physical version of a truce. In international politics, a truce is often the first step toward a more permanent peace treaty. It allows both sides to stop the violence, tend to their wounded, and talk about how to solve their problems without bullets or bombs. However, a truce is inherently temporary. It is a 'time-out' in the middle of a struggle. People use this word most often in the context of war, but it has a very common metaphorical use in daily life. If two siblings are constantly arguing over a toy, a parent might suggest they 'call a truce' so they can eat dinner in peace. In this sense, it means a break from hostility.

The Essence of Time
A truce is defined by its duration. It is rarely permanent. It is a bridge between active conflict and potential resolution.

After three days of intense negotiation, the rebel forces and the government finally signed a truce to allow humanitarian aid into the city.

Historically, the most famous example is the Christmas Truce of 1914 during World War I. Soldiers from both the British and German sides stepped out of their trenches, sang carols, and even played football in 'No Man's Land.' This was a spontaneous truce—a moment where humanity overcame the orders of generals. It highlights that a truce can be unofficial and driven by the people on the ground, not just by high-ranking officials. In modern usage, you will hear news anchors talk about 'fragile truces' in regions like the Middle East or Eastern Europe. The word 'fragile' is often paired with truce because, without a permanent solution, the fighting can break out again at any moment. It is a delicate state of affairs that requires constant maintenance and respect from both parties involved.

Metaphorical Conflict
In office environments or marriages, a truce is an agreement to stop bringing up a specific point of contention to maintain a working relationship.

'Can we just call a truce for the holidays?' Sarah asked her brother, tired of their year-long feud over the inheritance.

Understanding the nuances of a truce involves recognizing that it doesn't solve the underlying problem. If two countries are fighting over land, a truce stops the shooting, but it doesn't decide who owns the land. That is why truces are often followed by 'talks' or 'summits.' The truce provides the safety needed for those talks to happen. If the talks fail, the truce often expires, and the fighting resumes. This cyclical nature is a key part of the word's meaning. It is a breath of fresh air in a smoky room, but the fire might still be burning in the corner. When you use the word, you are emphasizing the temporary nature of the peace.

The referee called a truce between the two players who were arguing on the field, warning them both with yellow cards.

Legal and Formal Contexts
In legal disputes, lawyers might suggest a truce in the form of a 'stay of proceedings' to allow for out-of-court settlements.

The ceasefire was more than just a truce; it was the beginning of a new era of cooperation.

They reached a truce regarding the chores: he would do the dishes if she handled the laundry.

Using the word truce correctly requires understanding its grammatical environment. It is a countable noun, which means you can have 'a truce' or 'several truces.' Most commonly, it is paired with verbs like 'call,' 'agree to,' 'sign,' 'break,' or 'broker.' When you 'call a truce,' you are suggesting that the fighting should stop. When a third party 'brokers a truce,' they are acting as a mediator to help two other groups reach an agreement. The preposition 'between' is almost always used to identify the parties involved, as in 'a truce between the rebels and the army.' You can also use 'with' if you are one of the parties: 'We made a truce with our rivals.'

Common Verb Pairings
To call, to sign, to broker, to violate, to uphold, to negotiate.

The UN representative worked tirelessly to broker a truce that would last at least through the winter months.

Adjectives play a massive role in how we describe a truce. An 'uneasy truce' suggests that while the fighting has stopped, both sides are still very angry and might start fighting again at any moment. A 'fragile truce' is one that is easily broken by a small misunderstanding or a single shot. Conversely, a 'long-standing truce' implies that the pause has lasted for a significant amount of time, perhaps even becoming the status quo. In more formal writing, you might see the phrase 'observance of the truce,' which refers to the act of following the rules of the agreement. If one side starts fighting again, they are said to have 'violated the truce' or 'broken the truce.'

Descriptive Adjectives
Fragile, uneasy, temporary, brief, shaky, formal, informal, mutual.

Despite the truce, both armies remained in their defensive positions, eyes fixed on the horizon.

In casual conversation, 'truce' is a great word to de-escalate a situation. If you are debating a topic with a friend and it's getting too heated, saying 'Let's call a truce' is a polite way to say 'Let's stop talking about this before we get really mad at each other.' It acknowledges the conflict but prioritizes the relationship. It is also used in games. Children playing tag might shout 'Truce!' if they need to tie their shoes or catch their breath. In this context, it functions almost like a 'safe' command. Notice how the word moves from high-stakes international diplomacy to playground games seamlessly. The core meaning—a temporary cessation of conflict—remains identical across all these levels of formality.

Sentence Patterns
[Party A] and [Party B] agreed to a [Adjective] truce. / To call a truce on [Subject].

The two tech giants called a truce in their patent war to focus on developing new AI standards together.

An informal truce was observed during the harvest season so that both sides could gather their crops.

The truce held for exactly forty-eight hours before the first mortar shell was fired.

The word truce is a staple of news reporting, particularly in international affairs and war correspondence. When you turn on a news channel like the BBC or CNN, you will frequently hear reporters discussing 'truce negotiations' or 'the collapse of the truce.' In these contexts, the word carries a heavy, serious weight. It represents the hope of thousands of people who want the violence to end. You will also find it in history books, where it is used to describe specific periods in long-running conflicts, like the 'Truce of God' in the Middle Ages, which was an attempt by the Catholic Church to limit private warfare between feudal lords on certain days of the week.

News and Media
Used to describe diplomatic breakthroughs or the temporary halting of military operations.

'Breaking News: A 72-hour truce has been declared to allow civilians to evacuate the besieged city.'

In literature and film, the 'truce' is a powerful plot device. It is that moment in an action movie where the hero and the villain have to work together to survive a greater threat. They 'call a truce' for the duration of the crisis. This creates tension because the audience knows that as soon as the threat is gone, they will go back to being enemies. In fantasy novels, truces are often signed with blood or magic, emphasizing the solemnity of the agreement. In dramas, a truce might happen between two family members at a funeral—they agree to stop fighting for one day out of respect for the deceased. This highlights the emotional and social utility of the word.

Pop Culture and Fiction
A common trope where enemies must cooperate, creating 'frenemy' dynamics.

In the movie, the two rival gangs called a truce to fight off the alien invasion threatening their neighborhood.

You will also hear 'truce' in corporate settings. When two companies are involved in a 'price war' (lowering prices to steal each other's customers), they might eventually reach a 'truce' because the competition is hurting both of their profits. Similarly, in legal battles over patents or trademarks, companies might 'call a truce' and agree to share the technology instead of spending millions on lawyers. In these cases, the word 'truce' implies a pragmatic, business-minded decision to stop the 'fighting' for the sake of mutual survival or profit. It is a word that signals a shift from aggression to negotiation.

Business and Law
Refers to the cessation of aggressive marketing, legal suits, or competitive pricing strategies.

The marketing departments of the two soft drink giants finally called a truce after months of aggressive 'taste test' commercials.

'Let's have a truce,' the CEO suggested during the heated board meeting, 'and look at the data again tomorrow.'

The documentary explored the 1914 Christmas truce through the letters of the soldiers who lived it.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is confusing truce with 'peace.' While they are related, they are not the same. Peace is a state of harmony and the absence of war, often permanent. A truce is just a temporary stop. You can have a truce in the middle of a war, but you cannot have 'peace' in the middle of a war. If you say 'The war ended with a truce,' you might be technically wrong if the fighting started again a week later. It is better to say 'The fighting paused with a truce.' Another common error is using 'truce' when you mean 'surrender.' In a truce, both sides agree to stop. In a surrender, one side gives up and the other side wins. They are very different power dynamics.

Truce vs. Peace
Truce = Temporary pause. Peace = Long-term resolution.

Incorrect: 'They signed a truce and the war was over forever.' (Better: They signed a peace treaty.)

Learners also sometimes struggle with the difference between 'truce,' 'ceasefire,' and 'armistice.' A 'ceasefire' is usually very short-term and often local (just in one city, for example). A 'truce' is often broader and might involve more formal negotiations. An 'armistice' is the most formal of the three and is often the precursor to a peace treaty (like the Armistice that ended the fighting in WWI). While they are often used as synonyms in casual speech, in political science or history, the distinctions matter. Using 'truce' for a permanent end to a conflict can lead to misunderstandings about the stability of the situation. Always remember: a truce is a 'break,' not necessarily a 'finish.'

Truce vs. Ceasefire
Ceasefire is often immediate and tactical; Truce is often negotiated and strategic.

Incorrect: 'The boxer surrendered and called a truce.' (Correct: The boxer conceded or threw in the towel.)

Grammatically, a common mistake is using the wrong preposition. People sometimes say 'a truce of' two groups, but it should be 'a truce between' two groups. Also, remember that 'truce' is a noun. You cannot 'truce' someone. You have to 'call a truce' or 'agree to a truce.' If you use it as a verb, you are making a mistake. For example, 'We truced for the day' is non-standard English; 'We called a truce for the day' is correct. Lastly, be careful with the phrase 'break a truce.' It implies a betrayal of trust. If you use it lightly for a minor disagreement, it might sound too dramatic. Save 'truce' for situations where there was real, sustained conflict or disagreement.

Preposition Pitfalls
Always use 'between' for groups or 'with' for a single partner. Avoid 'of' or 'for' when identifying the parties.

Correct: 'The truce between the warring tribes lasted for three generations.'

Incorrect: 'They truced after the argument.' (Correct: They called a truce.)

Correct: 'The general was accused of breaking the truce by ordering a midnight raid.'

When looking for synonyms for truce, the most common is 'ceasefire.' In most casual contexts, they are interchangeable. However, 'ceasefire' sounds more modern and military, while 'truce' can sound a bit more historical or personal. Another strong alternative is 'armistice.' This is a very formal word, usually reserved for the official end of hostilities in a major war. If you are talking about a temporary break in a non-violent situation, you might use 'lull' or 'respite.' For example, 'a lull in the storm' or 'a respite from the heat.' These words don't imply an agreement, just a natural pause, whereas a truce always involves a conscious decision by both sides.

Ceasefire vs. Truce
Ceasefire is the physical act of stopping shooting; Truce is the agreement that governs that act.

The ceasefire went into effect at midnight, but the official truce wasn't signed until the following morning.

In a metaphorical sense, if you want to avoid the word 'truce,' you could use 'peace offering' or 'olive branch.' These refer to the *thing* you do to get a truce started. If you bring a cake to a neighbor you've been arguing with, the cake is an olive branch. If they accept it, you might then have a truce. 'Detente' is another high-level word, often used in history to describe the easing of hostility or strained relations between countries (most famously between the US and the USSR during the Cold War). 'Detente' is more about a general 'cooling off' period rather than a specific agreement to stop fighting on a specific day.

Armistice vs. Truce
Armistice is the formal 'big brother' of the truce, usually leading to a permanent treaty.

The armistice of 1918 effectively ended the fighting on the Western Front, though the war didn't officially end until 1919.

Finally, consider 'standoff' or 'stalemate.' These are the *opposite* of a truce in terms of action, but they often lead to one. A 'stalemate' is when neither side can win, so they are stuck. A 'truce' is the logical next step to get out of that stuck position. If you are writing a story, using these words in sequence can show the progression of a conflict: 'The battle reached a stalemate, leading both generals to agree to a temporary truce so they could reconsider their strategies.' By understanding these related terms, you can describe conflict and its resolution with much greater precision and variety.

Lull vs. Truce
Lull is a natural, often accidental pause; Truce is a deliberate, agreed-upon pause.

There was a brief lull in the shouting match, but it wasn't a real truce; they were just catching their breath.

He offered an olive branch by apologizing for his rude comments, hoping for a truce.

The detente between the two rival political parties allowed for the passage of the infrastructure bill.

How Formal Is It?

正式

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中性

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非正式

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Child friendly

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俚语

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趣味小知识

Because 'trewes' sounded like a plural word, people eventually started using 'truce' as a singular noun, similar to how 'pease' became 'pea'.

发音指南

UK /truːs/
US /truːs/
Single syllable word; the stress is on the entire word.
押韵词
Goose Moose Loose Juice Spruce Produce Reduce Seduce
常见错误
  • Pronouncing the 'ce' as a 'k' sound (like 'truck').
  • Making the 'u' sound too short (like 'truss').
  • Adding an extra syllable at the end (like 'tru-see').
  • Confusing the pronunciation with 'truth' (ending with 'th' instead of 's').
  • Confusing it with 'trees'.

难度评级

阅读 3/5

Common in news and history, but the concept is simple.

写作 4/5

Requires knowledge of specific collocations like 'broker' or 'uneasy'.

口语 3/5

Easy to pronounce and very useful in de-escalating arguments.

听力 3/5

Clearly distinguishable from other words in context.

接下来学什么

前置知识

War Fight Stop Agreement Peace

接下来学习

Ceasefire Armistice Negotiation Treaty Mediation

高级

Belligerent Hostilities Cessation Provisional Hiatus

需要掌握的语法

Nouns as Objects

They signed the truce.

Prepositional Phrases

A truce between the nations.

Adjective Placement

A fragile truce.

Gerunds as Subjects

Calling a truce is difficult.

Passive Voice

A truce was agreed upon.

按水平分级的例句

1

The children called a truce so they could eat lunch.

Los niños pidieron una tregua para poder almorzar.

Used as a noun with the verb 'call'.

2

Let's have a truce for five minutes.

Hagamos una tregua por cinco minutos.

Used with 'have a'.

3

The dog and the cat made a truce.

El perro y el gato hicieron una tregua.

Metaphorical use for animals.

4

Is there a truce today?

¿Hay una tregua hoy?

Simple question format.

5

They stop fighting during the truce.

Ellos dejan de pelear durante la tregua.

Used with the preposition 'during'.

6

We need a truce right now.

Necesitamos una tregua ahora mismo.

Used with the verb 'need'.

7

The truce was very short.

La tregua fue muy corta.

Modified by the adjective 'short'.

8

No more fighting, it is a truce.

No más peleas, es una tregua.

Used as a predicate nominative.

1

The two brothers agreed to a truce for the weekend.

Los dos hermanos acordaron una tregua para el fin de semana.

Used with 'agree to'.

2

They signed a truce to stop the war.

Firmaron una tregua para detener la guerra.

Formal use with 'sign'.

3

The truce lasted only two hours.

La tregua duró solo dos horas.

Used with the verb 'last'.

4

Can we call a truce and be friends?

¿Podemos pedir una tregua y ser amigos?

Interrogative sentence with 'call a truce'.

5

There was a truce during the football match.

Hubo una tregua durante el partido de fútbol.

Existential 'there was' construction.

6

The soldiers enjoyed the quiet of the truce.

Los soldados disfrutaron del silencio de la tregua.

Used as the object of a prepositional phrase.

7

He broke the truce by shouting again.

Él rompió la tregua al gritar de nuevo.

Used with 'break' to show violation.

8

The truce helped the people get food.

La tregua ayudó a la gente a conseguir comida.

Subject of the sentence.

1

The government and the rebels negotiated a fragile truce.

El gobierno y los rebeldes negociaron una tregua frágil.

Modified by the adjective 'fragile'.

2

After weeks of arguing, they finally called a truce.

Después de semanas de discutir, finalmente pidieron una tregua.

Used with 'finally' to show resolution.

3

The truce was called to allow for the exchange of prisoners.

La tregua fue convocada para permitir el intercambio de prisioneros.

Passive voice 'was called'.

4

Neither side was willing to break the truce first.

Ninguna de las partes estaba dispuesta a romper la tregua primero.

Used with 'willing to break'.

5

The UN is trying to broker a truce between the two nations.

La ONU está tratando de mediar una tregua entre las dos naciones.

Used with the verb 'broker'.

6

A temporary truce provided a brief respite from the violence.

Una tregua temporal proporcionó un breve respiro de la violencia.

Used with 'temporary' and 'brief respite'.

7

They reached a truce regarding the use of the shared office.

Llegaron a una tregua con respecto al uso de la oficina compartida.

Used with 'reach a' and 'regarding'.

8

The truce was violated when a single shot was fired.

La tregua fue violada cuando se disparó un solo tiro.

Used with 'violated'.

1

The uneasy truce held for several months before hostilities resumed.

La tregua tensa se mantuvo durante varios meses antes de que se reanudaran las hostilidades.

Used with 'uneasy' and 'held'.

2

Diplomats are working on a long-term truce to stabilize the region.

Los diplomáticos están trabajando en una tregua a largo plazo para estabilizar la región.

Used with 'long-term' and 'stabilize'.

3

The truce was contingent upon the withdrawal of heavy weaponry.

La tregua dependía de la retirada de armamento pesado.

Used with 'contingent upon'.

4

Calling a truce was seen as a sign of weakness by some generals.

Pedir una tregua fue visto como un signo de debilidad por algunos generales.

Gerund phrase 'Calling a truce' as subject.

5

The ceasefire was upgraded to a formal truce after successful talks.

El alto el fuego fue elevado a una tregua formal después de conversaciones exitosas.

Contrast between 'ceasefire' and 'formal truce'.

6

Both parties agreed to a truce in their legal battle over the patent.

Ambas partes acordaron una tregua en su batalla legal por la patente.

Metaphorical use in law/business.

7

The terms of the truce were strictly monitored by international observers.

Los términos de la tregua fueron estrictamente monitoreados por observadores internacionales.

Used with 'terms of' and 'monitored'.

8

The truce offered a window of opportunity for peace negotiations.

La tregua ofreció una ventana de oportunidad para las negociaciones de paz.

Metaphorical 'window of opportunity'.

1

The brokered truce was a testament to the mediator's exceptional skill.

La tregua mediada fue un testimonio de la habilidad excepcional del mediador.

Used with 'brokered' as a participial adjective.

2

Despite the formal truce, a state of cold war persisted between the rivals.

A pesar de la tregua formal, persistió un estado de guerra fría entre los rivales.

Contrast using 'despite'.

3

The truce was merely a tactical maneuver to allow for reinforcement.

La tregua fue simplemente una maniobra táctica para permitir el refuerzo.

Used with 'tactical maneuver'.

4

A political truce was declared to ensure the passage of the emergency budget.

Se declaró una tregua política para asegurar la aprobación del presupuesto de emergencia.

Used in a political context.

5

The fragility of the truce was evident in the frequent border skirmishes.

La fragilidad de la tregua era evidente en las frecuentes escaramuzas fronterizas.

Abstract noun 'fragility' of the truce.

6

The truce effectively neutralized the immediate threat of escalation.

La tregua neutralizó efectivamente la amenaza inmediata de escalada.

Used with 'neutralized' and 'escalation'.

7

He extended an olive branch, hoping to initiate a truce in their long-standing feud.

Él extendió una rama de olivo, esperando iniciar una tregua en su enemistad de larga data.

Used with 'initiate' and 'long-standing feud'.

8

The truce was undermined by radical elements on both sides of the conflict.

La tregua fue socavada por elementos radicales en ambos lados del conflicto.

Used with 'undermined'.

1

The armistice was preceded by a series of localized truces that gradually coalesced into a general ceasefire.

El armisticio fue precedido por una serie de treguas localizadas que gradualmente se fusionaron en un alto el fuego general.

Complex sentence structure with 'coalesced'.

2

The truce served as a vital, albeit precarious, hiatus in the relentless cycle of retribution.

La tregua sirvió como un hiato vital, aunque precario, en el ciclo implacable de retribución.

Use of 'albeit' and 'hiatus'.

3

Scholars argue whether the 1914 Christmas Truce was a genuine humanitarian impulse or a strategic necessity.

Los estudiosos discuten si la Tregua de Navidad de 1914 fue un impulso humanitario genuino o una necesidad estratégica.

Academic inquiry structure.

4

The inherent instability of the truce necessitated the presence of a robust peacekeeping force.

La inestabilidad inherente de la tregua requirió la presencia de una fuerza de mantenimiento de la paz robusta.

Subject-verb agreement with 'instability'.

5

The truce was predicated on the mutual recognition of a strategic stalemate.

La tregua se basó en el reconocimiento mutuo de un estancamiento estratégico.

Used with 'predicated on'.

6

The collapse of the truce precipitated a renewed and even more virulent phase of the conflict.

El colapso de la tregua precipitó una fase renovada y aún más virulenta del conflicto.

Used with 'precipitated' and 'virulent'.

7

The diplomatic efforts were aimed at transforming the temporary truce into a permanent settlement.

Los esfuerzos diplomáticos tenían como objetivo transformar la tregua temporal en un acuerdo permanente.

Used with 'transforming... into'.

8

The truce was a cynical ploy by the aggressor to regroup and rearm.

La tregua fue una estratagema cínica del agresor para reagruparse y rearmarse.

Used with 'cynical ploy'.

常见搭配

call a truce
fragile truce
uneasy truce
broker a truce
violate a truce
temporary truce
sign a truce
hold a truce
truce negotiations
agree to a truce

常用短语

Call a truce

Declare a truce

Observe a truce

Break a truce

Christmas truce

A truce of sorts

Fragile truce

Uneasy truce

Seek a truce

Under a truce

容易混淆的词

truce vs Peace

Peace is usually permanent and total; a truce is temporary and specific.

truce vs Ceasefire

A ceasefire is the act of stopping shooting; a truce is the agreement behind it.

truce vs Surrender

Surrender is one side losing; a truce is both sides stopping by agreement.

习语与表达

"Bury the hatchet"

To stop being angry and become friends again (related to the goal of a truce).

After years of silence, the sisters finally buried the hatchet.

Informal

"Hold out an olive branch"

To offer a sign of peace or a desire for a truce.

The company held out an olive branch by offering a refund.

Neutral

"Smoke the peace pipe"

To sit down and reach an agreement (often used humorously or historically).

The two managers finally smoked the peace pipe.

Informal

"Throw in the towel"

To give up or surrender (often confused with calling a truce).

The candidate threw in the towel after the latest polls.

Informal

"Call it a day"

To stop doing something for the time being (can be a very informal truce).

Let's call it a day and finish the project tomorrow.

Informal

"Patch things up"

To fix a relationship after a conflict.

They are trying to patch things up after their big fight.

Informal

"Keep the peace"

To prevent fighting or arguments from starting.

She always tries to keep the peace at family dinners.

Neutral

"A temporary fix"

A solution that won't last long (like many truces).

The truce was just a temporary fix for a deep problem.

Neutral

"Walk on eggshells"

To be very careful not to break an uneasy truce.

Ever since the argument, I've been walking on eggshells around him.

Informal

"The calm before the storm"

A quiet period (like a truce) before a big conflict starts again.

The truce felt like the calm before the storm.

Neutral

容易混淆

truce vs Armistice

Both mean stopping a war.

An armistice is much more formal and usually ends the fighting for good, leading to a treaty.

The Armistice ended the Great War.

truce vs Lull

Both mean a quiet period.

A lull is accidental or natural; a truce is a planned agreement.

A lull in the storm.

truce vs Respite

Both mean a break.

Respite is a break from something difficult (like work or heat), not necessarily a fight.

A respite from the sun.

truce vs Moratorium

Both mean a delay.

A moratorium is usually a legal delay of an activity, not a pause in a fight.

A moratorium on debt.

truce vs Stalemate

Both involve no fighting.

A stalemate is when you *can't* move or win; a truce is when you *choose* to stop.

The game ended in a stalemate.

句型

A1

It is a truce.

It is a truce.

A2

They made a truce.

They made a truce.

B1

They called a truce to [verb].

They called a truce to talk.

B2

A [adj] truce was [verb].

A fragile truce was brokered.

C1

The truce, [adj] as it was, [verb].

The truce, uneasy as it was, held.

C2

Predicated on [noun], the truce [verb].

Predicated on exhaustion, the truce held.

Mixed

Neither side [verb] the truce.

Neither side violated the truce.

Mixed

Under the terms of the truce...

Under the terms of the truce, they moved.

词族

名词

相关

如何使用

frequency

Common in news, history, and literature; moderately common in daily speech.

常见错误
  • Using 'truce' as a verb. → Call a truce / Make a truce.

    Truce is a noun. You cannot 'truce' someone. You have to 'call' or 'agree to' one.

  • Confusing truce with peace. → They signed a peace treaty.

    A truce is temporary. If the conflict is over forever, use 'peace'.

  • Saying 'a truce of' two people. → A truce between two people.

    The preposition 'between' is the standard way to link the parties involved.

  • Using truce for a surrender. → The army surrendered.

    A truce is a mutual agreement to stop. Surrender is one-sided.

  • Pronouncing it like 'truth'. → Truce (ends with 's' sound).

    The 'ce' makes an 's' sound, while 'truth' ends with 'th'.

小贴士

Use with 'Fragile'

The word 'fragile' is the most common adjective used with 'truce' in news reports. It emphasizes how easily the peace can break.

De-escalation

Using the word 'truce' in an argument can be a powerful psychological tool to stop the anger without anyone having to admit they were wrong.

Countable Noun

Remember that you can have 'truces' (plural). 'The history of the region is a series of broken truces.'

Truce vs. Treaty

A truce is the 'break'; a treaty is the 'end'. Don't use them interchangeably in formal writing.

The White Flag

Always associate 'truce' with the white flag. It's the universal visual symbol for the word.

Metaphorical Power

Use 'truce' for non-violent conflicts like 'a truce between the marketing and sales departments' to add flavor to your writing.

Soft 'S'

Make sure the end of the word sounds like 's' (as in 'nice'), not 'z' (as in 'size').

Global Word

This is a high-frequency word in global politics. Learning it helps you understand international news much better.

Ceasefire

If you find yourself using 'truce' too much, switch to 'ceasefire' for military contexts.

The 'U' in Truce

Think of the 'U' as two people standing together, separated but not fighting.

记住它

记忆技巧

Think of the word 'TRUE'. A TRUCE is when you are TRUE to your promise to stop fighting.

视觉联想

Imagine two people holding a white flag between them. The flag is in the shape of the letter 'T' for Truce.

Word Web

War Peace Break Agreement Fighting Negotiation Ceasefire Temporary

挑战

Try to use the word 'truce' in a sentence about a small argument you had recently with a friend or family member.

词源

The word comes from the Middle English 'trewes', which was the plural of 'trewe', meaning 'belief' or 'pledge'. It is related to the modern word 'true'.

原始含义： A pledge of truth or a promise to stop fighting.

Germanic (via Old English and Middle English).

文化背景

Be careful when using 'truce' in highly sensitive political contexts, as it can imply that the conflict is still ongoing and unresolved.

Commonly used in both serious news and very casual family settings.

The Christmas Truce of 1914 (WWI) The Truce (book by Primo Levi) The Truce (film by Francesco Rosi)

在生活中练习

真实语境

International Conflict

  • Broker a truce
  • Violate the truce
  • Terms of the truce
  • Fragile truce

Family Arguments

  • Call a truce
  • Need a truce
  • Holiday truce
  • Temporary truce

Business Competition

  • Price war truce
  • Patent truce
  • Call a truce
  • Market truce

Sports and Games

  • Game truce
  • Call a truce
  • Playground truce
  • Brief truce

Legal Disputes

  • Litigation truce
  • Agree to a truce
  • Formal truce
  • Signed truce

对话开场白

"Have you ever had to call a truce with a sibling or a friend?"

"What do you think is the difference between a truce and a real peace?"

"Do you know any famous truces from history besides the Christmas one?"

"Is it hard to keep a truce when you are still very angry?"

"If you were a world leader, what would you offer to get a truce started?"

日记主题

Describe a time you called a truce in an argument. What happened next?

Write about a fictional war where a truce is called for a very strange reason.

Do you think truces are actually helpful, or do they just delay the inevitable?

How does the concept of a 'truce' apply to your internal mental conflicts?

Imagine a world where truces were mandatory every weekend. How would society change?

常见问题

10 个问题

In casual talk, yes. But technically, a ceasefire is just the stopping of shooting, while a truce is the agreement that explains why and for how long. A truce is often more formal.

Usually, no. By definition, a truce is temporary. If it becomes permanent, it is usually called a peace treaty or a settlement.

You simply suggest it to the other person. For example, 'I don't want to fight anymore. Can we call a truce?' If they agree, the truce begins.

It's a truce where both sides are still very angry and don't trust each other. It feels like the fighting could start again at any second.

Anyone who is not involved in the fight can be a mediator and broker a truce. This could be the UN, a mutual friend, or a parent.

No, 'truce' is a noun. You cannot say 'We truced.' You must say 'We called a truce' or 'We made a truce.'

Breaking a truce usually leads to more fighting and a loss of trust. In war, it can be seen as a very serious betrayal.

It refers to the famous time in 1914 when soldiers stopped fighting on Christmas Day during World War I.

Metaphorically, yes. If a cat and dog stop chasing each other, we might say they have made a truce.

In international law, yes, if it is a formal agreement. In personal life, it is just a social promise.

自我测试 97 个问题

writing

Write a sentence using 'truce' and 'friend'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正确！ 不太对。 正确答案：
writing

Write a sentence about a truce during a holiday.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正确！ 不太对。 正确答案：
speaking

Explain what a 'fragile truce' means in your own words.

Read this aloud:

正确！ 不太对。 正确答案：
listening

Listen to the sentence: 'The UN brokered a fragile truce between the warring factions.' What did the UN do?

正确！ 不太对。 正确答案：
正确！ 不太对。 正确答案：

/ 97 correct

Perfect score!

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