close contact
اتصال وثيق
Use it to describe physical proximity or a strong, ongoing connection with another person.
15秒了解
- Being physically near someone or in regular communication.
- Used in health, business, and personal relationship contexts.
- Commonly paired with verbs like 'maintain', 'keep', or 'avoid'.
意思
This phrase describes being physically very near someone or maintaining a deep, consistent relationship with them over time.
关键例句
3 / 6Talking about a best friend
I've stayed in close contact with Sarah since primary school.
لقد بقيت على اتصال وثيق مع سارة منذ المدرسة الابتدائية.
A doctor giving advice
Please avoid close contact with others until your tests come back.
يرجى تجنب الاتصال وثيق مع الآخرين حتى تظهر نتائج فحوصاتك.
Business networking
We work in close contact with our partners in London.
نحن نعمل باتصال وثيق مع شركائنا في لندن.
文化背景
While it has always existed in English, 'close contact' saw a massive surge in usage during the COVID-19 pandemic. It shifted from a technical medical term to a household phrase. Culturally, it now carries a dual meaning: either a sign of intimacy and trust or a warning about health and safety.
Verbs matter
Pair it with 'keep in', 'stay in', or 'maintain' for relationships. Use 'have' or 'avoid' for physical proximity.
The Pandemic Shift
In the UK and US, saying 'I am a close contact' now almost always implies you might have been exposed to a cold or flu.
15秒了解
- Being physically near someone or in regular communication.
- Used in health, business, and personal relationship contexts.
- Commonly paired with verbs like 'maintain', 'keep', or 'avoid'.
What It Means
Close contact is all about proximity and connection. It means being within arm's reach of someone or staying in touch frequently. Think of it as the opposite of being a stranger or a distant acquaintance. You use it for physical space and emotional or professional bonds.
How To Use It
You can use it as a noun phrase. Usually, you have, maintain, or avoid close contact. If you are talking about a virus, it is physical. If you are talking about a mentor, it is about communication. It is a very flexible tool for your vocabulary kit.
When To Use It
Use it when discussing health and safety protocols. It is perfect for professional networking follow-ups. Use it when describing your relationship with your best friend or family. It works well in academic writing or casual storytelling. It sounds smart but remains very easy to understand.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for romantic 'sparks' on a first date. That might sound a bit too clinical or like a doctor's report. Avoid it when talking about inanimate objects, like your keys. You don't have close contact with your phone; you just use it. Keep it human-centric for the best results.
Cultural Background
In Western cultures, 'personal space' is a big deal. Close contact often implies entering someone's 'bubble.' Since 2020, this phrase became a global superstar due to health guidelines. Before that, it was mostly used by detectives or social scientists. Now, everyone from your grandma to your boss uses it daily.
Common Variations
You might hear direct contact for physical touching. In close contact with is the most common prepositional bridge. Some people say staying in close touch, which is a friendlier cousin. In business, you might hear frequent points of contact. All of them circle the same idea: staying near.
使用说明
The phrase is highly versatile. In medical contexts, it is literal and physical. In social and professional contexts, it is metaphorical and refers to the frequency of communication.
Verbs matter
Pair it with 'keep in', 'stay in', or 'maintain' for relationships. Use 'have' or 'avoid' for physical proximity.
The Pandemic Shift
In the UK and US, saying 'I am a close contact' now almost always implies you might have been exposed to a cold or flu.
Don't be too robotic
If you are dating someone, say 'we are getting close' instead of 'we are in close contact' to sound more natural and romantic.
例句
6I've stayed in close contact with Sarah since primary school.
لقد بقيت على اتصال وثيق مع سارة منذ المدرسة الابتدائية.
Here it refers to emotional and communicative closeness.
Please avoid close contact with others until your tests come back.
يرجى تجنب الاتصال وثيق مع الآخرين حتى تظهر نتائج فحوصاتك.
This is the physical/medical usage of the phrase.
We work in close contact with our partners in London.
نحن نعمل باتصال وثيق مع شركائنا في لندن.
Refers to frequent collaboration and updates.
I was in close contact with a sick person, so I'm staying home.
كنت على اتصال وثيق مع شخص مريض، لذا سأبقى في المنزل.
Informal way to explain an absence.
I had close contact with a cake today, and now it's gone.
لقد كان لي اتصال وثيق مع كعكة اليوم، والآن اختفت.
Using a serious phrase for a silly situation.
I miss the daily close contact we had when we lived together.
أفتقد الاتصال الوثيق اليومي الذي كان بيننا عندما كنا نعيش معاً.
Expresses a sense of loss of intimacy.
自我测试
Choose the best verb to complete the professional sentence.
It is important to ___ close contact with your clients to ensure they are happy.
'Maintain' is the standard professional verb used with 'close contact' to mean keeping a relationship going.
Complete the health warning.
The virus spreads through ___ contact with infected surfaces.
'Close contact' is the standard collocation for physical proximity in health contexts.
🎉 得分： /2
视觉学习工具
Formality of 'Close Contact'
Talking to friends about hanging out.
Stay in close contact!
General everyday use.
I had close contact with him.
Medical or legal reports.
The subject maintained close contact.
Where to use Close Contact
Doctor's Office
Avoid close contact.
Office Space
Work in close contact.
Old Friends
Keep in close contact.
Police Report
A close contact of the suspect.
常见问题
10 个问题No, it often means being within 2 meters (6 feet) of someone or communicating very often. For example, We work in close contact means you collaborate daily.
Absolutely. It is very common to say you maintain close contact with suppliers or clients to show you are attentive.
It is similar, but close contact sounds slightly more constant or formal. Staying in touch is the casual way to say it.
In this phrase, 'close' is an adjective and 'contact' is a noun. Together they act as a compound noun phrase.
You can say I have had no close contact with him to distance yourself from someone legally or socially.
Yes, it's perfect for saying I keep in close contact with my parents if you call them every day.
It refers to a person who has been near an infected individual long enough to potentially catch the illness.
It is neutral. It works in a hospital, a boardroom, or a coffee shop without sounding out of place.
No, that sounds unnatural. Stick with close contact as it is a fixed collocation.
Yes, you can say you are in close contact with someone via WhatsApp or email if you message them frequently.
相关表达
In close proximity
Keep in touch
Direct contact
Hand-in-glove
On close terms
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