Translation guide
The English word "sap" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common ones for learners: tree sap, to drain energy, and a foolish person.
The fluid that circulates in plants, especially trees.
General term for sap from trees or plants. Used in botanical or everyday contexts.
To gradually make someone weaker or less energetic.
Means 'to exhaust' or 'to wear out'. Transitive verb. Commonly used for draining energy.
A silly or gullible person (slang).
Means 'fool' or 'idiot'. Common and mildly insulting. Similar tone to 'sap' as a foolish person.
Avoid directly translating 'sap' as 樹液 when you mean 'to weaken'. Use verbs like 消耗させる or 弱らせる instead.
The sap of this tree is sweet.
Means 'liquid' or 'juice'. Can refer to sap in context, but is broader. Often used in compounds.
The plant's sap is oozing out.
Means 'juice' or 'broth'. Can refer to plant sap, but sounds more colloquial or culinary. Use with caution.
The grass sap got on my clothes.
Long meetings sap your energy.
Means 'to weaken'. Can be used for physical or mental weakening.
The illness sapped his strength.
Literally 'to take away spirit/energy'. Natural phrase for sapping morale or motivation.
Monotonous work saps your motivation.
Means 'to eat into' or 'to erode'. Used figuratively for something that gradually weakens, like disease or worry.
Anxiety is sapping my spirit.
I've never seen such a sap.
Means 'soft-hearted person' or 'pushover'. Emphasizes being too nice or gullible, like a sap who is easily taken advantage of.
He's such a sap; he gets fooled easily.