很多人在任何上下文都会把“几个”翻译成英语的“several”。Angry Editor觉得这个翻译常常有问题。
我认为“several”这个英语单词有稍微的“判断”，这里表达的是：你认为你写的“几个”在这个上下文是个相对大的数字。
例如，I waited for him for several minutes.
这句英语的字面意思是“我等他几分钟”，而且在很多场合下没有错。不过，这句话给人的感觉是“我等他几分钟 ，而且我觉得已经很久了”。
你想告诉对方你只等了几分钟，而且你觉得几分钟不是很久，你就可以写：
I waited for him for just a few minutes.
I waited for him for a few minutes 也可以。
小心，下面写的这句话也有点问题：
I waited for him for just several minutes.
因为Angry Editor认为“just”和“several”这两个英语单词有着矛盾的意思。
“几个”容易用错的地方不仅限于于时间，例如：
I had several meetings today，并不是表达你觉得今天有几个会议是很少的。
你觉得你去一个地方的次数少，你并不应该写：I have been several times， 等等。
#1 by Jackie (http://maydaily.com) on 2010/06/08 - 10:58 am
so you mean “several” generally could mean “a lot” even though it’s not really a lot?
#2 by Angry Editor on 2010/06/08 - 11:03 am
That is exactly what I mean, yes.
#3 by Passing by on 2010/06/09 - 6:22 am
Thanks for sharing, I must agree that’s a very accurate observation. Never thought of it. Although probably not in the dictionary, but nuances like this are similar to the fact that not a lot of people can say the phrase “yeah right” without sounding sarcastic. Heh heh.
…unless it’s done in this manner: “yeah…*nodding profusely and a 4-second gap later*…right”
#4 by 小骆驼商队 on 2010/06/10 - 3:08 pm
这么说“several”翻译成“好几个”更准确一点吧。
另外，不知道你有没有玩过游戏“英雄无敌”（Heores），那里面 a few 意为 1-4个，several 意为 5-9 个 ：）
#5 by Ben on 2010/06/14 - 11:55 pm
i think the issue relates to the associated connotation of the word or expression. for example, aftermath means bad result; when you hear someone say “never mind”, they usually convey a meaning that you did something that upset me, but you are excused. correct me if i m wrong.
#6 by charles_china on 2010/06/20 - 3:18 pm
i have to say i have made such mistakes as you said.
Here is a suggestion for you,Angry Editor
i hope you can answer our questions if you have time.
we will be grateful.