近段时间以来,新闻媒体关于非典的报道很多。在报道非典疫情突然发生的情况时,新闻媒体用词各异,有的使用“爆发”,有的却用“暴发”。 据《现代汉语词典》(2002年修订版)的解释,“爆发”的意思是“(力量、情绪等)忽然发作;(事变)突然发生”,例如发生战争。而“暴发”的意思之一是突然发作,例如“山洪暴发”。 Recently, there have been many reports in the news media about SARS. When reporting the sudden outbreak of the SARS epidemic, the news media used different terms, some using the “outbreak” and others using “outbreaks.” According to the Interpretation of the Modern Chinese Dictionary (revised 2002 edition), “outbreak” means “a sudden onset of (force, emotion, etc.); a sudden occurrence” (such as a war). And one of the “outbreaks” is a sudden attack, such as “flash floods.”