1. the process of doing something to achieve a goal
為達成目標而做某事的過程
We need to take action to solve this problem.
我們需要採取行動來解決這個問題。
The government's action was too slow.
政府的行動太慢了。
She is a woman of action, not just words.
她是個行動派,不只是說說而已。
「action」主要指行為、動作或事件,也指法律訴訟或電影中的情節。
行為或動作
EN: The action of lifting the heavy box hurt his back.
翻譯: 抬起那個重箱子的動作傷到了他的背。
事件或活動
EN: There was a lot of action at the city center during the festival.
翻譯: 節日期間,市中心有許多活動。
法律程序
EN: She decided to take legal action against the company.
翻譯: 她決定對那家公司提起法律訴訟。
電影情節
EN: The movie is full of exciting action and special effects.
翻譯: 這部電影充滿了刺激的動作場面和特效。
小提醒:注意「action」在「take action」片語中不可數,指「採取行動」;但在指具體的「訴訟」或「動作場面」時可數。
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Action" from YouTube Videos
Why is social media actually dumb.
meiqiii
“you know, what my mom told me was that like, literally, action is the best teacher, like experience is the best teacher, and instead of actually experiencing things for ourselves, we're living vicariously through these content creators or through these people who are giving advice based on of their experience, which is valid, which is like sometimes you have to take the advice but at the same time, you can't just sit and take the advice, like you have to go out and do [ __ ].”
1. the process of doing something to achieve a goal
為達成目標而做某事的過程
We need to take action to solve this problem.
我們需要採取行動來解決這個問題。
The government's action was too slow.
政府的行動太慢了。
She is a woman of action, not just words.
她是個行動派,不只是說說而已。
2. something that is done; a deed or act
所做之事;行為或舉動
His kind actions were appreciated by everyone.
他友善的行為受到大家的讚賞。
The police are investigating his actions on that night.
警方正在調查他那天晚上的行為。
Actions speak louder than words.
行動勝於空談。
3. the events in a story, play, or movie
故事、戲劇或電影中的情節事件
The action of the novel takes place in Paris.
這部小說的情節發生在巴黎。
The movie is full of exciting action scenes.
這部電影充滿了刺激的動作場面。
The play's action moves quickly in the second act.
這齣戲的情節在第二幕進展得很快。
4. legal proceedings; a lawsuit
法律程序;訴訟
They are considering legal action against the company.
他們正在考慮對該公司提起法律訴訟。
She brought an action for damages.
她提起了損害賠償訴訟。
The court dismissed the action due to lack of evidence.
法院因證據不足駁回了該訴訟。
5. the way something works or moves
某物的運作或移動方式
The action of this machine is very smooth.
這台機器的運作非常平順。
He studied the action of the heart muscle.
他研究了心肌的活動方式。
The rifle has a quick bolt action.
這把步槍的槍機動作很快。
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| take + action | 採取行動 | The government must take decisive action to address the crisis. (政府必須採取果斷行動來應對危機。) |
| action + against + someone/something | 對…採取的行動 | The company faces legal action for violating regulations. (該公司因違反規定而面臨法律訴訟。) |
| be in action | 在運作中;在活動中 | The new security system is now in action. (新的安全系統現已啟用。) |
| put + something + into action | 將…付諸實施 | It's time to put our plan into action. (是時候將我們的計畫付諸行動了。) |
| a course of action | 行動方針 | We need to decide on the best course of action. (我們需要決定最佳的行動方針。) |
| action + to + V | 為做…而採取的行動 | Immediate action is required to prevent further damage. (需要立即採取行動以防止進一步損害。) |
| spring into action | 迅速行動起來 | The emergency team sprang into action as soon as the alarm sounded. (警報一響,應急小組就迅速行動起來。) |
| out of action | 無法運作;無法行動 | The star player is out of action due to an injury. (這位明星球員因傷無法上場。) |
love, hate, prefer)後,兩種結構意思相近,但 doing 形式仍偏向一般情況,to do 形式偏向特定場合。begin, start, continue 等動詞後,兩種結構皆可,但 doing 形式在口語中更為常見。
EN: They started taking action to reduce waste in the office.
翻譯: 他們開始採取行動以減少辦公室的浪費。EN:The committee proposed an action to review the policy immediately.
翻譯:委員會提議了一項立即審查政策的行動。
在表達一般性或持續性的行動時,多用 action doing;若要強調具體、有目的或單一的行動,則使用 action to do。
action vs act
「action」通常指較廣泛、抽象或持續的行為或過程;「act」則多指具體、單一或已完成的行為。
action vs activity
「action」強調「做」的行為本身或產生的效果;「activity」則指一項具體的活動或事務,常帶有常規性或娛樂性。
action vs deed
「action」是較通用的詞;「deed」則較為正式或文學化,常指值得注意的、重大的(尤指英勇或高尚的)行為。
在對話中,有時會用 "action" 來引述或總結一個情境,特別是當對方在描述一個動態過程時。 EN: So what's the plan? Are we just waiting, or is there some action? 翻譯: 所以計畫是什麼?我們就乾等,還是有什麼行動?
EN:All the action happened after midnight.
翻譯:所有精彩的事情都發生在午夜之後。
在口語中,常透過重音或語調強調 "action",以表達對事件發生或進展的期待、催促或興奮。 EN: Don't just stand there—I need some action! 翻譯: 別光站在那——我需要點行動!
EN:Okay, people, let's see some action!
翻譯:好了各位,讓我們看到點進展吧!
在思考或組織句子時,有時會用 "action" 作為一個短暫的停頓填充詞,尤其是在討論計畫或步驟時。 EN: The next step... action... we should contact the team. 翻譯: 下一步…行動…我們應該聯繫團隊。
EN:We need to, uh, take action... maybe start with a meeting.
翻譯:我們需要,呃,採取行動…或許先開個會。
正式寫作注意:上述口語用法(尤其是「停頓填充」和隨意的「語氣強調」)在正式報告、學術論文或商業文件中應避免使用,請改用更精確、完整的表述,如 "measures", "activities", 或 "proceed with the plan"。
take action
verb + action
採取行動
in action
preposition + action
在行動中;在運作中
course of action
noun + of + action
行動方針;做法
action plan
noun + action
行動計畫
spring into action
verb + into + action
迅速行動;立即採取行動
out of action
preposition + of + action
無法運作;無法行動
legal action
adjective + action
法律行動;訴訟
×He took an action to solve the problem.
✓He took action to solve the problem.
當 'action' 表示『採取行動』這個一般概念時,通常為不可數名詞,前面不加冠詞 'an'。
×It was a kind action to help the elderly.
✓It was a kind act to help the elderly.
指具體、單一的『行為』或『舉動』時,通常用 'act' 而非 'action'。'Action' 更常指較為抽象、涉及過程或一系列步驟的行為。
×His actions in the meeting was inappropriate.
✓His actions in the meeting were inappropriate.
'Actions' 是複數名詞,後面的動詞必須使用複數形式 'were',而非單數的 'was'。
×The summer camp is full of outdoor actions.
✓The summer camp is full of outdoor activities.
指為娛樂、教育或特定目的而進行的『活動』時,應使用 'activity' 或 'activities'。'Action' 通常不指這類休閒或計畫性的活動。
×The new policy will be on action next month.
✓The new policy will be in action next month.
表示某事物『生效中』、『運作中』或『實施中』的固定片語是 'in action',而非 'on action'。
×Can you action this request by Friday?
✓Can you take action on this request by Friday? / Can you process this request by Friday?
在標準英語中,'action' 主要作為名詞使用。雖然商業俚語有時會將 'action' 當動詞用(意為『處理』),但對學習者而言,使用 'take action on' 或更明確的動詞(如 process, handle, address)更為恰當且正式。