1
- on the subject of; concerning关于, 有关：
I was thinking about you
我正想着你
I asked him about his beliefs.
我向他询问他的信仰。
1.1
- so as to affect对于, 在…方面：
there's nothing we can do about it.
我们对此无能为力。
1.2
be about
be involved or to do with; have the intention of涉及; 为了：it's all about having fun.
都是为了好玩。
2
- used to indicate movement within a particular area表示在特定区域内移动在…各处, 围绕着：
she looked about the room.
她环顾房间。
3
- used to express location in a particular place［表示在特定场所的方位］在…中各处：
rugs strewn about the hall
在大厅中四处铺放的小地毯
he produced a knife from somewhere about his person.
他从身上什么地方摸出了把刀。
3.1
- used to describe a quality apparent in a person描述某人表露出的某种情状在…上显出：
there was a look about her that said everything.
她脸上的表情说明了一切。
1
- used to indicate movement within an area表示在某个区域内移动各处, 到处：
men were floundering about
人们踉跄着四处走去
finding my way about.
到处找我的路。
2
- used to express location in a particular place［表达在特定场所的位置］在里面各处, 四下：
there was a lot of flu about
流感在这一带肆虐
a thief about in the hotel.
在旅馆里四下行窃的小偷。
3
- (used with a number or quantity) approximately与数目或数量连用大概, 大约：
reduced by about 5 per cent
大约减少了5%
he's about 35.
他35岁上下。
短语
about to do something
- intending to do something or close to doing something very soon想要, 就要（做某事）：
the ceremony was about to begin.
仪式就要开始了。
be not about to do something
- be unwilling to do something不愿意（做某事）：
he is not about to step down after so long.
这么久了他还不想下台。
be on about
- 见ON.
how about
- 见HOW1.
just about
- 见JUST.
know what one is about
- informal be aware of the implications of one's actions or of a situation, and of how best to deal with them〈非正式〉明白, 知道, 心中有数。
what about
- 见WHAT.
词源
Old English onbūtan, from on 'in, on' + būtan 'outside of ' （see BUT2）.