Current Goal: Learn 50 American Phrases in 25 Days!
Today I learned the following new English word: TO SHIRK.
What does it mean?
Well, you may as well open the Free Dictionary Website and type it in!
It says black on white that it might mean all of the following:
- To neglect
- To avoid
- To evade
Now, tell me honestly – does this clarify the meaning of the word TO SHIRK by a 100%? And most importantly – does it make it clear exactly WHEN this English word can be used? I mean – would you be able to actually use this new English word in your conversations just by memorizing the word and its meanings?
I strongly doubt so! 😀
You see, one of the biggest problems when building our English vocabulary is that when you learn individual words, they’re not associated with other English words.
The thing is, our brain is largely dependent on all sorts of mental associations; it’s simply how any living creature is built and we humans are no exceptions.
Our language is also based on associations – whether you’re aware of it or not – and just about ANY word in your native language (and also the English language for that matter) associates with some other word, it’s just the nature of things.
Now, the word TO SHIRK can go together with a number of words, but this time around I’m going to learn the following association – TO SHIRK WORK, which obviously means to avoid work or to be absent!
Watch the video above where I’m using this American word combination – TO SHIRK WORK – quite a lot, and I’m also speaking with the General American Pronunciation for the simple reason that this blog is for those foreigners who aspire to become native-like English speakers in terms of accent and pronunciation!
Chat soon,
Robby 😉
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