believe
英 [bɪ’liːv] 美 [bɪ’liːv]
v. 相信；认为
1. believe某人和believe in某人意义不同。前者是相信某人在某一次或几次具体场合所说的话，后者是对某人的人品予以信赖。【例如】There’s a big difference between believing someone and believing in someone. 相信某人所言和信赖某人，两者有很大的不同。believe in还有信仰或相信某一主张的意思。【例如】believe in God信仰上帝 / believe in Buddhism信仰佛教 / believe in the generation gap相信代沟之说 / believe in exercising every day相信每天做运动有效果。
2. believe somebody是相信某人所说的话。但是后面如果加上一个动词不定式，就成了“相信某人具有某种性质或处于某种状态”。【例如】I believe him to be honest. （加强语气可以省略to be）我相信他是老实的。/ I believe him to be dying.我相信他快要死了。同时要注意，后面加上的to inf.，其动词必须是表示性质或状态的静态动词，不能说*I believe him to die. 这是因为believe与后面动词所表示的事情是同时发生的，我不可能现在这一刹那相信他现在这一刹那死去。如果是瞬时的动态动词，唯有采取完成式，才可以与believe相容：I believe him to have died. 因为完成式间接表示了一种状态“死了”，“人在死亡状态”。同样，这个某人也可以改成为某物。【例如】I believe the story to be true. 我相信故事是真实的。从逻辑分析，这时候真正被相信的已经不是某人或某物，而是某人或某物具有某性质或处于某状态的这件事。
3. 此外，believe的宾语补足语可以不是动词不定式而是动词过去分词，此时这个过去分词所表示的是一种持续状态。【例如】Electricity was considered a mysterious force believed entwined with mind and body. (The Sunday Gazette, Schenectady, New York, Sept. 12, 2004, G8) 从前电被看作是一股同心灵和肉体都交织在一起的神秘力量。
4. 由此出发，这个believe还可以采取被动语态，此时，原先是直接宾语的人或物变成主语，后面的to inf. 情况不变。同样，这时候真正被相信的，不是某人或某物，而是某人或某物具有某性质或处于某状态的这件事。【例如】Oil prices are believed to be the biggest threat to the economy. 据信油价是对经济的最大威胁。/ The FBI released photographs of 19 individuals believed to be the hijackers of the four airliners that crashed on September 11. 联邦调查局公布了十九名据信是“9·11”撞毁的四架客机的劫持者的照片。/ The fugitive cocaine importer is believed to have fled Australia dressed as a priest. 据信那个在逃的携带可卡因入境者已经乔装教士逃出了澳大利亚。/ At least 21,000 people are believed to have been killed by the earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia. 据信印尼至少有两万一千人在地震和海啸中丧生。
否定时，可以否定后面的动词不定式，也可以否定to be believed。但后一种否定比前一种强烈。【例如】This product is believed not to contain toxic materials. 该产品据信不包含毒性材料。/ The plan is believed not to require approval. 据信计划不需要经过批准。/ The plan is not believed to require approval.人们并不认为计划需要经过批准。/ Five Iraqis believed not to have been enemy combatants have died. 五名据信并非敌方战斗人员的伊拉克人丧生。/ Bin Laden is not believed to have nuclear weapons. 据信本·拉登并没有核武器。/ Judging from the relatively weak axial musculature and the thick bones in the limbs, Basilosaurus is not believed to have been capable of sustained swimming. 从基底龙的中轴肌肉系统比较弱以及四肢骨头很厚看来，估计它不会有持续游泳的能力（与此相类似的动词，还有assume, say, report, schedule, fear等，均参见各单词）。
/bɪˈliːv/
/bɪˈliːv/
not used in the progressive tenses不用于进行时
Verb Forms
Idioms Phrasal Verbs
feel certain相信
[transitive] to feel certain that something is true or that somebody is telling you the truth相信；认为真实
believe somebody I don’t believe you!我不相信你的话！
The man claimed to be a social worker and the old woman believed him.那个男人自称是社会福利工作者，老妇人信以为真。
Do you really believe her?你真的相信她吗
Believe me, she’s not right for you.相信我，她不适合你。
believe something I believed his lies for years.我很多年都对他的谎话信以为真。
I find that hard to believe.我对此感到难以相信。
Don’t believe a word of it (= don’t believe any part of what somebody is saying).一点也不要相信那些话。
believe (that)… People used to believe (that) the earth was flat.人们一度认为地球是平的。
He refused to believe (that) his son was involved in drugs.他不愿相信他的儿子沾染毒品。
I do believe you’re right (= I think something is true, even though it is surprising).我的确相信你是对的。
Extra Examples
Topics Doubt, guessing and certaintyA1
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
think possible认为有可能
[intransitive, transitive] to think that something is true or possible, although you are not completely certain把（某事）当真；认为有可能
‘Where does she come from?’ ‘Spain, I believe.’“她是哪里人？” “我想是西班牙人。”
‘Does he still work there?’ ‘I believe so/not.’“他还在那里工作吗？” “我想是／不是。”
believe (that)… Police believe (that) the man may be armed.警方认为那个人可能携有武器。
Experts believe that the diamond is the only one of its kind.专家认为，钻石是唯一的一种。
l firmly believe that she is still alive.我坚信她还活着。
There is no reason to believe he is dangerous.没有理由相信他很危险。
it is believed (that)… It is believed that the couple have left the country.据信那对夫妇已经离开了这个国家。
It is widely believed that he was forced to resign.人们普遍认为他被迫辞职。
believe something Few people believe the claim that the cost of living has not risen since last year.很少有人相信自去年以来生活费用没有增加的说法。
be believed to be, have, etc. something The vases are believed to be worth over $20 000 each.那些花瓶据估计每个价值都超过 2 万美元。
be believed + adj. Three sailors are missing, believed drowned.有三位船员失踪，相信是淹死了。
Synonyms think
Extra Examples
Topics Opinion and argumentA1, Doubt, guessing and certaintyA1
have opinion认定
[transitive] believe (that)… to have the opinion that something is right or true认定；看作
The party believes (that) education is the most important issue facing the government.该党把教育视为政府面临的最重要的问题。
She believes that killing animals for food or fur is completely immoral.她认为，为获取食物或皮毛而杀害动物是完全不道德的。
I strongly believe that competition is a good thing. 我坚信竞争是一件好事。
She truly believes that love can change the world.她坚信爱情可以改变世界。
Language Bank according to
Language Bank opinion
Extra Examples
Topics Opinion and argumentA1
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
be surprised/annoyed吃惊；恼怒
[transitive] don’t/can’t believe used to say that you are surprised or annoyed at something（表示对某事吃惊或恼怒）
believe (that)… She couldn’t believe (that) it was all happening again.她简直无法相信整件事又在重演。
I don’t believe I’m doing this!我不相信我正在这样做！
believe how, what, etc… I can’t believe how much better I feel.真想不到我觉得好多了。
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.我无法相信自己所听到的。
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
religion宗教
[intransitive] to have a religious faith有宗教信仰
The god appears only to those who believe.信神则神在。
Topics Religion and festivalsA1
Word Origin
Idioms
believe it or not
(informal) used to introduce information that is true but that may surprise people信不信由你
Believe it or not, he asked me to marry him!信不信由你，他向我求婚了！
believe (you) me
(informal) used to emphasize that you strongly believe what you are saying我敢保证
You haven’t heard the last of this, believe you me!我敢保证你没听说过最新的消息。
don’t you believe it!
(informal) used to tell somebody that something is definitely not true绝对不正确（不可相信）
‘She wouldn’t do a thing like that.’ ‘Don’t you believe it!’“她不会那样做。” “你不相信！”
give somebody to believe/understand (that)…
[often passive] (formal) to make somebody believe/understand something使某人相信；使某人理解
I was given to understand that she had resigned.我得知她已经辞职了。
I don’t believe it!
(informal) used to say that you are surprised or annoyed about something（表示吃惊或恼怒）我简直无法相信
I don’t believe it! What are you doing here?我简直无法相信！你在这里干什么？
if you believe that, you’ll believe anything
(informal) used to say that you think somebody is stupid if they believe that something is true你要是连这都相信，还有什么不信的
‘He promised not to do it again.’ ‘Sure, and if you believe that, you’ll believe anything.’他答应不再做。“当然，如果您相信这一点，那么您将相信任何事情。”
make believe (that…)
to pretend that something is true假装
related noun make-believe
not believe your ears/eyes
(informal) to be very surprised at something you hear/see不相信自己的耳朵（或眼睛）；对所闻（或所见）非常吃惊
I couldn’t believe my eyes when she walked in.她走进来时我简直不相信自己的眼睛。
seeing is believing
(saying) used to say that somebody will have to believe that something is true when they see it, although they do not think it is true now眼见为实；百闻不如一见
would you believe (it)?
(informal) used to show that you are surprised and annoyed about something（表示惊讶或气愤）你能相信吗
And, would you believe, he didn’t even apologize!而且，可气的是，他连个道歉都没有！
you/you’d better believe it!
(informal) used to tell somebody that something is definitely true当然没错；千真万确
‘He’s not a bad player, is he?’ ‘You’d better believe it!’“他打得不错，是吗？”“没错！”
Phrasal Verbs
believe in
believe of
believe /bəˈliːv/ ●●● S1 W1 verb
1[transitive] to be sure that something is true or that someone is telling the truth相信:
You shouldn’t believe everything you read.你不应尽信书上看来的东西。
I believed him, even though his story sounded unlikely.我相信了他﹐尽管他的话听上去不太可信。
believe (that)
I don’t believe he’s only 25.我不相信他只有25岁。
I don’t believe a word of it (=I think it is completely untrue).我一句话也不相信。
2[transitive] to think that something is true or possible, although you are not completely sure认为﹔料想﹐猜想
believe (that)
Detectives believe that the victim knew his killer.侦探们认为被害人认识凶手。
it is believed (that)
It is believed that the house was built in 1735.据信这房子建于1735年。
believe so
(=think that something is true)
‘Have they arrived yet?’ ‘Yes, I believe so.’“他们到了吗？”“嗯﹐我想到了。”
be believed to be something
At 115, Mrs Jackson is believed to be the oldest person in the country.115岁的杰克逊夫人被认为是国内最高寿的人。
The four men are widely believed (=believed by a lot of people) to have been killed by their captors.人们普遍认为﹐那四名男子已遭劫持者杀害。
Did you honestly believe that I’d be stupid enough to do that?你真的认为我会傻到做那样的事情吗？
I firmly believe that the business will be a success.我坚信公司会成功的。
► see thesaurus at think
3it’s difficult/hard to believe (that) used when you are surprised that something is true很难相信〔用于表示惊异〕:
Sometimes, it’s hard to believe we’ve been married for 50 years.有时很难相信我们已经结婚50年了。
SPOKEN PHRASES
4can’t/don’t believe something used when you are very surprised or shocked by something不能/不敢相信某事〔用于表示惊异或震惊〕:
I can’t believe he’s expecting us to work on Sunday!我真不敢相信﹐他竟然要我们星期天上班！
I couldn’t believe it when he told me what had happened.当他告诉我发生的这一切时﹐我简直没法相信。
can hardly/scarcely believe something
I could scarcely believe my luck.我几乎不敢相信自己有这样的运气。
5believe it or not used when you are saying something that is true but surprising信不信由你:
He enjoys school, believe it or not.信不信由你﹐他喜欢上学。
6would you believe it! (also I don’t believe it!) used when you are surprised or angry about something你能相信吗！我不能相信！〔表示惊讶或生气〕:
And then he just walked out. Would you believe it!然后他就走出去了。你能相信吗！
7believe (you) me used to emphasize that something is definitely true相信我〔用于强调某事绝对是真的〕:
There’ll be trouble when they find out about this, believe you me!相信我﹐这件事如果给他们发现了会很麻烦的！
8 you’d better believe it! used to emphasize that something is true你最好相信！〔用于强调某事是真的〕
9 don’t you believe it! used to emphasize that something is definitely not true千万不要相信！〔用于强调某事绝对不是真的〕
10can’t believe your eyes/ears used to say that someone is very surprised by something they see or hear不敢相信自己的眼睛/耳朵
11if you believe that, you’ll believe anything used to say that something is definitely not true, and that anyone who believes it must be stupid你要是连这都相信﹐还有什么不信的﹔谁相信谁就是傻瓜
12seeing is believing (also I’ll believe it when I see it) used to say that you will only believe that something happens or exists when you actually see it眼见为实
13[intransitive] to have a religious faith有宗教信仰﹐信教:
She says those who believe will go to heaven.她说信教的人可以进天堂。
→ make believe at make1(19)
GRAMMAR
Patterns with believe
• You believe that something is true: 可以用believe that表示认为某事属实
· We believe that all men are equal.我们认为人人平等。
• You believe that something should happen: 可以用believe that something should happen表示认为某事应当发生
· We believe all men should be treated equally.我们认为所有人应该受到平等的对待。
• You believe that someone can do something: 可以用believe that someone can do something表示认为某人有可能做某事
· I still believe that we can win.我仍然认为我们能赢。
• You believe that something might or could happen: 可以用believe that something might/could happen表示认为某事有可能发生
· Do you believe that things might change?你相信形势会有所变化吗？
• In more formal English, you can say it is believed that: 在较正式的英语中，可以用it is believed that表示据信某事会发生
· It was believed that the King’s touch could cure diseases.据信国王的按抚可以治愈疾病。
• In all the above patterns with that, ‘that’ can be omitted: 以上所有含that的语法结构中，that均可省略
· We believe all men are equal.我们认为人人平等。
grammar guide ‒ verbs
• You can use the phrases I believe so or I don’t believe so, usually to give a short answer: 短语I believe so（我觉得是）或I don’t believe so（我觉得不是）一般用于简略作答
· ‘Are they married?’ ‘I believe so.’“他们结婚了吗？”“我觉得是。”
· ‘Were there any problems?’ ‘I don’t believe so.’“有什么问题吗？”“我觉得没有。”
✗Don’t say: I believe it.
Using the progressive
Believe is not used in the progressive. You say: believe不用进行式。
· I believe you.我相信你。
✗Don’t say: I am believing you.
grammar guide ‒ verbs
THESAURUS
TO BELIEVE SOMETHING
believe to be sure that something is true or that someone is telling the truth相信:
· I believed her when she said that she loved me.她说她爱我﹐我相信了。
· Don’t believe anything he tells you.他告诉你的任何话都别信。
accept to believe that something is true, especially because someone has persuaded you to believe it〔尤指经说服而〕接受﹐相信:
· His wife accepted his explanation for why he was late.他妻子接受了他对于迟到的解释。
· Leah had slowly come to accept her brother’s version of events.
take somebody’s word for it especially spoken to believe what someone says is true, even though you have no proof or experience of it〔在没有证据或经验的情况下〕相信某人的话:
· I don’t know anything about him, so I’ll just have to take your word for it.我对他一点也不了解﹐所以只能相信你的话。
· You don’t have to take my word for it – go and see for yourself.
· ‘Cakes are very easy to make.’ ‘I’ll take your word for it.’
give somebody the benefit of the doubt to believe what someone says, even though you think it might not be true姑且先相信某人:
· Unless you have proof, you should give him the benefit of the doubt.除非你有真凭实据﹐否则只能姑且相信他的话。
TO BELIEVE SOMETHING THAT IS UNTRUE
be taken in (also fall for something informal) to be tricked into believing something that is not true受骗﹐上当:
· A lot of people were taken in by these claims.许多人都给这些说法蒙骗了。
· I can’t believe she fell for that old excuse!我简直不敢相信她竟会听信那种惯用的借口！
swallow informal to believe a story or explanation that is not true, especially when this makes you seem silly〔尤指愚蠢地〕轻信﹐误信:
· His aunt had swallowed his story unquestioningly.他姑妈毫无疑心地相信了他的说法。
· Police refused to swallow his story, and put him in a cell.
believe in somebody/something phrasal verb
1to be sure that someone or something exists相信…存在:
Do you believe in God?你相信有上帝吗？
2to think that something is effective or right相信…有用﹔相信…正确:
I don’t believe in these diets.我不相信这些节食方法。
believe in doing something
The school believes in letting children learn at their own pace.这所学校认为要让孩子按着自己的进度学习。
3to trust someone and be confident that they will be successful信任﹐信赖﹐相信〔某人会成功〕:
The people want a president they can believe in.老百姓想要一个可以信赖的总统。
Believe in yourself, or you’ll never succeed.相信自己﹐否则你永远不会成功。
1.VERB 动词相信；认为 If you believe that something is true, you think that it is true, but you are not sure.
【语法信息】：V that
【语法信息】：V n to-inf
【语法信息】：V so/not
【语法信息】：Also V n adj
【STYLE标签】：FORMAL 正式
Experts believe that the coming drought will be extensive…
专家们认为即将发生的旱灾将侵袭大片地区。
I believe you have something of mine…
我想你拿了我什么东西。
The main problem, I believe, lies elsewhere…
主要的问题，我认为，出在别的地方。
We believe them to be hidden here in this apartment…
我们相信他们就被藏在这套公寓里。
‘You’ve never heard of him?’ — ‘I don’t believe so.’
“你从来没有听说过他？”——“我认为不是这样的。”
2.VERB 动词相信（某人或某人的话） If you believe someone or if you believe what they say or write, you accept that they are telling the truth.
【语法信息】：V n
He did not sound as if he believed her…
他听起来似乎并不相信她。
Never believe anything a married man says about his wife…
永远不要相信一个已婚男人说的任何有关他妻子的话。
Don’t believe what you read in the papers.
不要相信报纸上看到的东西。
3.VERB 动词相信有…；认为…存在 If you believe in fairies, ghosts, or miracles, you are sure that they exist or happen. If you believe in a god, you are sure of the existence of that god.
【语法信息】：V in n
【语法信息】：Also V
I don’t believe in ghosts…
我不相信有鬼。
Do you believe in magic?
你相信魔法真的存在吗？
4.VERB 动词认为…是应该的（或正确的） If you believe in a way of life or an idea, you are in favour of it because you think it is good or right.
【语法信息】：V in n
He believed in marital fidelity.
他认为婚内应该忠诚。
…decent candidates who believed in democracy.
信奉民主政治的正派候选人
5.VERB 动词对…有信心；信任；信赖 If you believe in someone or what they are doing, you have confidence in them and think that they will be successful.
【语法信息】：V in n
If you believe in yourself you can succeed.
只要自信，就能成功。
Usage Note :
Note that when you are using the verb believe with that-clause in order to state a negative opinion or belief, you normally make believe negative, rather than the verb. For instance, it is more usual to say ‘He didn’t believe she could do it…’ than ‘He believed she couldn’t do it’. The same applies to other verbs with a similar meaning, such as consider, suppose, and think. I don’t consider that you kept your promise… I don’t suppose he ever saw it… I don’t think he saw me.
注意，当 believe 和 that 从句连用陈述否定的观点或看法时，通常对 believe 而不是从句中的动词加以否定。例如，通常说 He didn’t believe she could do it（他认为她做不到），而很少说 He believed she couldn’t do it。同样的句型结构也适用于 consider, suppose 和 think 等意思相近的动词：I don’t consider that you kept your promise（我认为你没有遵守诺言），I don’t suppose he ever saw it（我想他从没见过它），I don’t think he saw me（我认为他没有看到我）。
6.VERB 动词（表示惊奇）难以置信 Believe is used in expressions such as I can’t believe how or it’s hard to believe that in order to express surprise, for example because something bad has happened or something very difficult has been achieved.
【语法信息】：V wh
【语法信息】：Also V that
【搭配模式】：with brd-neg
【语用信息】：feelings
Many officers I spoke to found it hard to believe what was happening around them…
很多和我谈过的官员都觉得发生在他们周围的事情令人难以置信。
I was a physical and emotional wreck — I still can’t believe how I ever got any work done.
我那时身心俱疲——现在还难以相信我是怎么把一些事情做成的。
7.PHRASE 短语（表示对所见所闻惊讶不已）相信自己的眼睛/耳朵 If you say that you cannot believe your eyes or cannot believe your ears, you are emphasizing that you are very surprised about something you have seen or heard.
【搭配模式】：V inflects
【语用信息】：emphasis
I could not believe my eyes. She was far more beautiful than I had imagined.
我简直不敢相信自己的眼睛。她比我想象的漂亮多了。
8.PHRASE 短语（强调刚才所述之事令人吃惊）信不信由你 You can use believe it or not to emphasize that what you have just said is surprising.
【搭配模式】：PHR with cl
【语用信息】：emphasis
That’s normal, believe it or not.
那很正常，信不信由你。
9.PHRASE 短语（强调对某事感到惊讶）你会相信吗？ If you say would you believe it, you are emphasizing your surprise about something.
【搭配模式】：PHR with cl
【语用信息】：emphasis
And would you believe it, he’s younger than me!
你信吗？他比我年轻！
10.PHRASE 短语（强调所述属实）相信我 You can use believe you me to emphasize that what you are saying is true.
【搭配模式】：PHR with cl
【语用信息】：emphasis
It’s absolutely amazing, believe you me.
这太不可思议了，真的。
believes; believed; believing not used in progressive tenses
1
[+ object] a : to accept or regard (something) as true相信
The scientists believed the reports.
科学家们相信这些报告。
Many people seem to believe that theory, but I find it hard/difficult to believe.
许多人似乎都相信那个理论，可我却觉得难以置信。
You shouldn’t believe everything you read.
不要全信你所读到的东西。
I knew that he was a liar and so I didn’t believe a word he said. [=I didn’t believe anything he said] 我知道他是个撒谎大王，所以他说的话我一句都不信。
I did not want to believe (that) it could happen.
我不愿意相信会发生这种情况。
He says he’ll help us, but I don’t believe what he says.
他说他会帮我们，但我不相信他的话。
They were tricked into believing that he was a doctor.
他们被骗了，竟然相信他是个医生。
— opposite disbelieve
b : to accept the truth of what is said by (someone)相信…说的话
He says he’ll help us, but I don’t believe him.
他说他会帮我们，但我不相信他的话。
— opposite disbelieve
2
[+ object] : to have (a specified opinion) : think认为；料想
I’m beginning to believe (that) this war will never end.
我开始认为，这场战争永远不会结束了。
I used to believe (that) I was the only one who felt that way but now I know (that) there are others like me.
过去，我一直认为只有我一个人有这种感受，但现在我知道还有其他人也和我一样。
He clearly/firmly/honestly believes (that) it is possible. = He clearly/firmly/honestly believes it (to be) possible.
他清楚地/坚定地/的确认为那是可能的。
He had reason to believe that they would accept his offer. = He had reason for believing that they would accept his offer.
他有理由相信他们会接受他的报价。
She was widely believed to be guilty. [=many people believed that she was guilty] 人们普遍认为她是有罪的。
We were led to believe it was true. [=we heard, saw, or read something that made us think it was true] 我们的所见所闻让我们相信那是真的。
“Has he accepted the job?” “I believe so.” = “So I believe.”
“他接受那份工作了吗？”“我想是的。”
“Has he accepted the job?” “I believe not.” = “I don’t believe so.”
“他接受那份工作了吗？”“我想没有。”
3
[no object] : to regard the existence of God as a fact : to have religious beliefs信仰上帝；有宗教信仰
She went to church because her family expected it, but she didn’t really believe.
她去教堂做礼拜是因为家人希望她这样做，但她并非真的信仰上帝。
4
[no object] : to have trust in the ability, worth, etc., of someone or something相信（能力、价值等）
The team hasn’t won a championship in many years, but their fans still believe. [=their fans still believe in them; their fans still believe that they will win] 这个队多年来一直未能夺冠，但粉丝们依然相信他们总有一天会赢得冠军。
5
informal — used for emphasis in phrases that express certainty, surprise, annoyance, etc.在表达肯定、惊讶、气恼等的短语中用于强调
“Do you think they can win?” “You/You’d better believe it!” [=yes, I definitely think so] “你认为他们能赢吗？”“那当然！”
Believe me, he can really play the game. = Believe you me, he can really play the game.
相信我，他办事非常公道。
I can’t believe how ugly that dress is. [=what an ugly dress] 我真不敢相信，那条连衣裙竟然这么难看。
You broke the window? I can’t believe you guys! [=I’m annoyed and shocked by what you did] How could you do such a thing?
是你们把玻璃窗打碎的吧？我真的不敢相信是你们干的！你们怎么可以做这种事呢？
I can’t believe [=I am amazed/surprised] that that terrible restaurant is still in business.
我简直不敢相信，那家糟糕的餐馆居然还在营业。
That terrible restaurant is still in business, if you can believe it/that.
你能相信吗，那家糟糕的餐馆居然还在营业。
Can/Would you believe it?! That terrible restaurant is still in business.
你相信吗？！那家糟糕的餐馆居然还在营业。
You won’t believe what I just heard! [=you will be very surprised by what I just heard] 你绝不会相信刚才我听到了什么！
You wouldn’t believe how long it took us to get here. [=it took us a surprisingly long/short time to get here] 你不会相信我们花了多长时间才到达这里。
I don’t believe it! I swept the floor 10 minutes ago, and it’s already dirty again!
我简直无法相信！我10分钟前才扫完地，现在又脏了！
I could not believe my good fortune/luck.
我真不敢相信我的运气居然这么好。
It’s hard to believe that he’s gone.
真难以相信，他居然离开了。
His latest movie, believe it or not, is a romantic comedy about a group of lawyers. [=it is surprising but true that his latest movie is a romantic comedy about a group of lawyers] 信不信由你，他最新的影片是关于一群律师的浪漫喜剧。
“I hear that their marriage is in trouble.” “Don’t you believe it! [=that is completely untrue] They’re the happiest couple I know!”
“我听说他们的婚姻出了问题。”“千万别信！他们可是我认识的最幸福的一对了！”
“He says he’s going to become a doctor.” “If you believe that, you’ll believe anything!” [=it would be very foolish to believe that he is going to become a doctor] “他说他要当医生了。”“你这话也信，真是没有不相信的了！”
“He says he’s going to become a doctor.” “I’ll believe that when I see it!”
“他说他要当医生了。”“除非亲眼看到，否则我才不信！”
believe in [phrasal verb] 1
believe in (something)
a : to have faith or confidence in the existence of (something)相信…的存在
Do you believe in ghosts?
你相信有鬼吗？
b : to have trust in the goodness or value of (something)相信…的益处（或价值）
She believes in (the value of) regular exercise.
她相信经常锻炼是有好处的。
They believed in liberty for all.
他们信奉人人享有自由的理念。
I believe in working hard to achieve success.
我相信取得成功在于努力进取。
She doesn’t believe in using pesticides. [=she doesn’t believe that it’s right to use pesticides; she believes that pesticides do more harm than good] 她认为使用杀虫剂没有任何益处。
2
believe in (someone) : to have trust in the goodness or ability of (someone)相信…的优点（或能力）
Despite his problems, his parents still believe in him.
尽管他有一些毛病，他的父母仍相信他是个好孩子。
She believes in herself and in her abilities.
她相信自己，也相信自己的能力。
can’t believe your eyes/ears
◊ If you can’t believe your eyes/ears or can hardly/scarcely believe your eyes/ears, you are very surprised at or upset by what you are seeing or hearing.不敢相信自己的眼睛（或耳朵）；对于所见所闻非常吃惊
I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw what he was wearing.
看到他的穿着，我简直不敢相信自己的眼睛。
make believe
: to act as though something that is not true or real is true or real : pretend假装；假扮
When we were children we used to make believe (that) we were soldiers fighting in a war.
小时候我们常常玩士兵打仗的游戏。
He isn’t really angry, he’s just making believe (that he is).
他并没有真的生气，他只是假装而已。
They want to make believe that everything is all right.
他们想装出一切都安然无恙的样子。
— see also make-believe
seeing is believing
◊ The expression seeing is believing means that when you actually see something, you have to believe that it exists or is true.眼见为实
I didn’t think it could happen, but seeing is believing. [=I saw it happen, so now I believe it’s possible] 我以为这不会发生，可现在是眼见为实。
— believable /bəˈliːvəbəl/ adjective [more believable; most believable] The novel’s ending is not very believable.
小说的结局并不十分可信。
His excuse was barely/scarcely believable.
他的理由很值得怀疑。
— believably /bəˈliːvəbli/ adverb
The characters are all believably portrayed.
所有人物都刻画得惟妙惟肖。
— believer noun, plural believers [count] a believer in religion
宗教信徒
devout believers
虔诚的信徒
She’s a firm/great/strong believer in adult education. [=she firmly/strongly believes in the value of adult education; she thinks adult education is very useful and important] 她坚信成人教育确有裨益。
I was doubtful that he could run his own company, but he’s made a believer out of me. = He’s made me a believer. [=he’s convinced me that he can run his own company] 我曾对他能经营好自己的公司持怀疑态度，结果他让我信服了。
