1. to choose not to vote for or against something
（投票時）棄權
Three members of the committee abstained from the final vote.
委員會中有三名成員在最終投票中棄權。
She decided to abstain on the controversial proposal.
她決定對這項有爭議的提案投棄權票。
Abstain Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
abstain
verb
快速理解
What does "Abstain" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Abstain"?
指自願選擇不做某事，尤指克制自己不參與或享用某物。
- 1
克制不參與
EN: to choose not to vote
翻譯: （在投票中）選擇棄權
- 2
戒除、禁絕
EN: to refrain from drinking alcohol
翻譯: 戒酒；不飲酒
- 3
節制、避免
EN: to abstain from unhealthy foods
翻譯: 避免食用不健康的食物
- 4
自願放棄
EN: to abstain from making a comment
翻譯: 自願選擇不發表評論
小提醒：注意：abstain 通常與介系詞 'from' 連用，表示「避免做某事」。它強調的是出於自願、有意識的選擇，而非被迫。
發音（How to Pronounce "Abstain" in English）
How to pronounce "Abstain" in English?"Abstain" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Abstain" from YouTube Videos
Emily Oster: What do we really know about the spread of AIDS?
TED
“Using a campaign that encouraged people to abstain, be faithful and use condoms -- the ABC campaign --.”
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Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Abstain"?How does "Abstain" change by context?
2. to choose not to do or have something, especially something you like or enjoy, often for health or moral reasons
戒除；節制；避免
He has abstained from alcohol for over a year.
他已經戒酒超過一年了。
For health reasons, she abstains from eating red meat.
出於健康原因，她避免食用紅肉。
The doctor advised him to abstain from smoking.
醫生建議他戒菸。
3. to deliberately avoid using or expressing something
刻意避免（使用或表達某事物）
The report abstains from making any direct accusations.
這份報告刻意避免作出任何直接指控。
In his speech, he abstained from mentioning his political rivals.
在他的演講中，他刻意避免提及他的政治對手。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Abstain"?How to make natural sentences with "Abstain"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| abstain | 戒除；放棄 | He decided to abstain from alcohol for health reasons. (他為了健康原因決定戒酒。) |
| abstain from + noun/gerund | 戒除、避免（某事物或行為） | Many voters chose to abstain from the election. (許多選民選擇在這次選舉中棄權。) |
| abstain from + V-ing | 克制不做…；避免做… | She abstains from eating meat on Fridays. (她每逢週五避免吃肉。) |
| abstain + adverb (e.g., voluntarily, completely) | （自願地、完全地）戒絕 | The participants were asked to abstain completely for the study. (參與者被要求在研究期間完全禁絕。) |
| abstain on + issue/matter | 對（某議題）棄權 | The delegate abstained on the controversial resolution. (該代表對這項具爭議性的決議案投了棄權票。) |
用法說明
How is "Abstain" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Abstain"?
abstain from doing vs abstain to do
- "abstain" 的正確文法結構是 abstain from + noun/gerund，表示「戒除、避免」某個事物或行為。
- 常見錯誤是將 "abstain" 直接與不定詞 "to do" 連用，例如 "abstain to vote"，這在標準英文中是不正確的。
- 在正式或法律語境中，"abstain" 也可單獨使用，不接任何受詞，特別指「（投票時）棄權」。
對比範例： EN: The doctor advised him to abstain from drinking alcohol. 翻譯: 醫生建議他戒酒。
EN:He decided to abstain from voting on the controversial issue.
翻譯:他決定對這個具爭議性的議案投棄權票。
總結建議
使用 "abstain" 時，請記住其固定搭配為 "abstain from something" 或 "abstain from doing something"，避免使用 "abstain to do" 的錯誤結構。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Abstain" and similar words?How to choose "Abstain" vs alternatives?
abstain vs refrain
「abstain」強調完全戒除或避免參與某種行為（如投票、飲酒），通常涉及較長期的克制或原則性選擇；「refrain」則指在特定時刻或情境下暫時忍住不做某事（如忍住不笑、不發言）。
abstain vs avoid
「abstain」是主動、有意識地克制自己不去做或參與某事，常出於紀律、原則或承諾；「avoid」範圍更廣，指避開任何不想要的人、事、物或情況，可能出於喜好、恐懼或便利。
abstain vs cease
「abstain」指從一開始就選擇不參與或不進行某行為；「cease」則指停止一個已經在進行或存在的活動、狀態或動作。
口語用法
How is "Abstain" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Abstain"?
引述
在口語中，當引述自己或他人的決定時，常用來解釋行為背後的動機。 EN: I'm abstaining from the vote because I don't have enough information. 翻譯: 我這次投票要棄權，因為我掌握的資訊不夠。
EN:She said she would abstain from commenting until the official report is out.
翻譯:她說在官方報告出來之前，她會先不作評論。
語氣強調
為了強調決心或選擇的刻意性，常與「決定」、「選擇」等詞連用，或使用加重語氣的副詞。 EN: I've made a conscious choice to abstain from social media this month. 翻譯: 我這個月是刻意選擇不用社群媒體的。
EN:You can't just passively avoid it; you need to actively abstain from getting involved.
翻譯:你不能只是被動避開，你得積極地選擇不參與。
停頓填充
在即時對話中組織思路時，可用來作為表達立場前的緩衝或過渡。 EN: As for the dessert... I think I'll abstain, thanks. 翻譯: 至於甜點嘛…我想我還是不用了，謝謝。
EN:Well, on that issue, I prefer to abstain from making a judgment right now.
翻譯:嗯，關於那個問題，我目前傾向先不做出判斷。
正式書寫注意：在正式或學術寫作中（如論文、報告），應避免上述口語化的引述或填充結構，建議使用更精簡、直接的表述，例如直接說明「選擇不參與」(chose not to participate) 或「決定棄權」(decided to abstain)。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Abstain"?What fixed phrases with "Abstain" should I remember?
abstain from
abstain from [noun/gerund]
戒除、避免（某事物或行為）
abstain (from voting)
abstain (from voting)
（投票時）棄權
the right to abstain
the right to abstain
棄權的權利
completely/totally abstain
[adverb] abstain
完全戒除、徹底避免
abstain from sex
abstain from sex
禁慾
abstain from one's duty
abstain from [possessive] duty
不履行職責、怠職
abstain from the urge
abstain from the urge to [infinitive]
克制衝動
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Abstain"?Which "Abstain" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×I abstained from laughing during the serious meeting.
✓I refrained from laughing during the serious meeting.
"Abstain" 通常用於正式或結構性的情境，如投票、飲食、或特定行為（如飲酒），強調出於原則或規則的完全放棄。"Refrain" 則用於日常情境中暫時忍住某種衝動或行為。在此句中，忍住笑是暫時性的克制，因此使用 "refrain" 更為自然。
×She decided to abstain alcohol.
✓She decided to abstain from alcohol.
"Abstain" 是不及物動詞，後面必須接介系詞 "from" 才能帶出所避免的事物。直接接名詞是錯誤的。
×I will abstain smoking.
✓I will abstain from smoking.
錯誤的句子試圖將 "abstain" 當作及物動詞使用。正確用法是 "abstain from + 名詞/動名詞"，表示避免某項活動或事物。
×You should abstain to vote if you are unsure.
✓You should abstain from voting if you are unsure.
"Abstain" 的固定搭配是 "abstain from + 名詞/動名詞"，不能接不定詞 "to vote"。這是常見的介系詞使用錯誤。
×I abstained from buying the expensive shoes today.
✓I decided not to buy the expensive shoes today. / I resisted the urge to buy the expensive shoes today.
"Abstain" 語氣正式，常用於嚴肅、官方或涉及原則/規則的語境（如政治、宗教、健康）。在日常購物等非正式情境中使用會顯得不自然。應改用更口語的表達，如 "decided not to" 或 "resisted the urge to"。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Abstain"?What are tense/participle forms of "Abstain"?
abstains(3rd_singular)abstaining(present_participle)abstained(past)abstained(past_participle)