Afford

[əˈfɔːd]

vt. 承担得起;支付得起 ;提供

Afford = af-(同ad-,去,往)+ -ford(同forth,往前),即推动前进,能够承担费用或代价,引申为负担得起。

Afford在商务英语里出现频率较高,常见表达形式有can afford买得起,有能力负担、afford to do sth负担得起做某事,有经济条件做某事,afford to wait等得起。词组举例如afford the cost of inaction承担无所作为的后果、afford the expense负担费用、afford the monthly charge支付每个月电话费、afford education负担教育

我们来看2个例句:

We cannot afford to drop behind our competitors.

我们可担当不起落后于竞争对手的后果。

Only the rich can afford these houses.

只有富人能买得起这些房子。