So 'lay' always has an object, and it means 'put something or someone down carefully' – normally in a flat position.

「lay」後面一定會有受詞，其意思是小心地放下某物或某人，通常指的是在平面的位置上。

When I eat I lay a cloth on the table.

當我吃飯時，我將桌巾「鋪」在餐桌上。

You can lay a baby in a cot.

你可以將嬰兒「放」在嬰兒床內。

The past tense is 'laid', but careful with the spelling.

過去式是「laid」，要小心拼法。

I laid all my cards on the table.

我把我的卡「攤」在桌面上。

The verb 'lie' doesn't have an object and it means that you are 'in a flat position' or you 'put yourself in a flat position'- so you move on your own.

另一個動詞「lie」後面沒有受詞，指的是，你處於一個「平面的狀態上」或是讓自己「平躺」下來，也就是你自己躺下的。

Tonight I want to lie on the sofa and watch a film.

今天，我想要「躺」在沙發上看電影。

But be careful.

但是，要小心，

Now, the past of 'lie' is 'lay'.

「lie」的過去式是「lay」。

Yesterday I lay on the beach and read my book.

昨天我「躺」在沙灘上閱讀。