Picture a wall of doubt inside the other person's mind. To convince them is to keep pushing — with reasons, proof, arguments — until that wall gives way and they think 'yes, this is true.' You are not forcing them; you are overcoming the resistance that sits inside their own head.
From the word’s history
From Latin convincere: com- (intensive) + vincere 'to conquer, overcome' — originally 'to overcome someone in argument' (1520s), softening to 'firmly persuade' around 1600. The overcoming picture never left: convincing is beating down the other person's doubt until they yield.
來自拉丁文 convincere：com-（加強語氣）+ vincere「征服、擊敗」，本來指「在辯論中把對方駁倒」，後來才軟化成「使人信服」。那個「攻下懷疑」的畫面一直都在。
etymonline.com/word/convince
原始詞典資料6 筆記錄
以下是外部詞典記錄的用法，摘錄並精簡格式，我們還沒有寫成教學內容。上面的說明才是我們自己寫的；有些用法可能上面已經講過了。
convinceverb/kənˈvɪns/
- 1
To make someone believe, or feel sure about something, especially by using logic, argument or evidence.
- I wouldn't have or do something, unless I'm convinced that it's good.
- Such convincing proofs and assurances of it as might enable them to convince others.
- 2
To persuade.
- 3
obsoleteTo overcome, conquer, vanquish.
- […]his two Chamberlaines / Will I with Wine, and Waſſell, ſo conuince, / That Memorie, the Warder of the Braine, / Shall be a Fume,[…]
- 4
actingbroadcastingentertainmentTo behave believably in a role; to make someone perceive oneself as the character being portrayed.
- 5
obsoleteTo confute; to prove wrong.
- For hee mightily conuinced the Iewes, and that publikely, shewing by the scriptures, that Iesus was Christ.
- And therfore, God neuer wrought Miracle, to conuince Atheiſme, becauſe his Ordinary Works conuince it.
- 6
obsoleteTo prove guilty; to convict.
- Which of you conuinceth mee of ſinne?
- O ſeek not to convince me of a Crime / Which I can ne'er repent, nor can you pardon.
摘錄自 英文維基詞典 English Wiktionary，已精簡格式；依 CC BY-SA 4.0 授權使用，改動後的內容同樣以此授權提供。