"kernel of truth" in Chinese (Traditional)

• 一絲真相
• 一點點事實

Definition

「Kernel of truth」是指一個說法或故事中雖然很小但是真實的部分，即使其他部分不完全正確或被誇大。

Usage Notes (Chinese (Traditional))

這是日常及中性口語用語，用來指謠言、故事或玩笑中包含一小部分真實內容。常見於“there’s a kernel of truth in...”等句型。和“grain of truth”意思相近。中文不宜直譯，要根據語境解釋。

Examples

There's a kernel of truth in every rumor.

每個傳言中都包含一絲**真相**。

His story has a kernel of truth, but most of it is made up.

他的故事有一絲**真相**，但大部分是編造的。

People laugh because there's often a kernel of truth in a joke.

人們會笑，因為笑話裡往往有一絲**真相**。

Even wild stories sometimes contain a kernel of truth if you look closely.

就算是離奇的故事，仔細看仍然能找到一絲**真相**。

Her apology had a kernel of truth, but she still avoided the main issue.

她的道歉有一絲**真相**，但她還是迴避了主要問題。

Tabloid stories are rarely true, but they sometimes start from a kernel of truth.

小報的故事很少是真實的，但有時也是根據一絲**真相**發展出來的。