1. to come close to in quality, quantity, or value
在質量、數量或價值上接近
The cost of the project will approximate two million dollars.
這個專案的成本將接近兩百萬美元。
Her test score approximated the class average.
她的測驗分數接近班級平均。
Approximate Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
approximate
verb
快速理解
What does "Approximate" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Approximate"?
指透過估計或計算，使某事物接近於一個特定值、狀態或事實。
- 1
估算數值
EN: to estimate a number, amount, or time as close to the correct one as possible
翻譯: 估算一個數字、數量或時間，使其盡可能接近正確值。
- 2
接近狀態
EN: to be similar or close to something in quality, nature, or condition
翻譯: 在品質、性質或狀態上與某事物相似或接近。
- 3
模仿或模擬
EN: to imitate or simulate the characteristics of something else
翻譯: 模仿或模擬其他事物的特徵。
小提醒：注意詞性變化：形容詞 'approximate' 發音為 /əˈprɑːksɪmət/，而動詞 'approximate' 發音為 /əˈprɑːksɪmeɪt/，重音位置相同但結尾音節不同。
發音（How to Pronounce "Approximate" in English）
How to pronounce "Approximate" in English?"Approximate" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Approximate" from YouTube Videos
Neil Gershenfeld: The beckoning promise of personal fabrication
TED
“It's about 20,000 dollars in equipment that approximate both what the 20 million dollars does and where it's going: A laser cutter to do press-fit assembly with 3D from 2D. a sign cutter to plot in copper to do electromagnetics.”
(1 out of 4)
Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Approximate"?How does "Approximate" change by context?
2. to estimate or calculate something fairly accurately but not exactly
估算或計算出相當準確但不完全精確的結果
Can you approximate how many people attended the event?
你能估算一下有多少人參加了這場活動嗎？
The software approximates the time needed for the task.
這個軟體會估算完成該任務所需的時間。
3. to imitate or simulate the appearance or effect of something
模仿或模擬某物的外觀或效果
The artist used simple lines to approximate the shape of a mountain.
藝術家用簡單的線條來模擬山的形狀。
This fabric approximates the look and feel of silk.
這種布料模仿了絲綢的外觀和觸感。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Approximate"?How to make natural sentences with "Approximate"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| approximate + noun | 接近（某物）；估算（某物） | The model can approximate the real-world conditions. (這個模型可以模擬真實世界的條件。) |
| approximate + to + noun | 接近於（某物）；趨近於（某物） | The sound approximates to a low hum. (這聲音接近於低沉的嗡嗡聲。) |
| be approximated + as + noun/number | 被近似為（某物/某數字） | The cost was approximated as 500 dollars. (成本被估算為大約500美元。) |
| approximate + how/what/where + clause | 估算（如何/什麼/在哪裡…） | We need to approximate how long the project will take. (我們需要估算這個專案將花費多長時間。) |
用法說明
How is "Approximate" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Approximate"?
approximate doing vs approximate to do
- approximate doing 通常用於描述一個動作或過程本身接近於另一種狀態或行為。
- approximate to doing 則強調動作的結果或意圖是為了接近某個目標或標準，其中 "to" 帶有方向性或目的性。
- 在正式或學術寫作中，approximate to 的結構更為常見，用以精確表達「趨近於」某個數值、狀態或理想。
- 當與情態動詞（如 would, could）連用時，approximate to 結構能更清楚地表達一種潛在的或假設性的接近。 EN: The simulation results approximate achieving a 95% accuracy rate. 翻譯: 模擬結果接近達到 95% 的準確率。
EN:Our model is designed to approximate to achieving perfect efficiency.
翻譯:我們的模型旨在趨近於達到完美效率。
EN:His actions approximate following the protocol.
翻譯:他的行為近似於遵循協議。
EN:We strive to approximate to meeting the international gold standard.
翻譯:我們努力趨近於達到國際黃金標準。
總結建議
在表達「接近」某個動作或狀態時，若強調過程或事實上的相似，可用 "approximate doing"；若強調有意識地趨近某個目標或標準，則使用 "approximate to doing" 更為精準。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Approximate" and similar words?How to choose "Approximate" vs alternatives?
approximate vs estimate
「approximate」強調得出一個接近但不精確的數值或結果，通常作為形容詞或動詞使用；「estimate」則強調基於有限資訊進行推測、計算或判斷的過程，更常作為動詞或名詞。
approximate vs resemble
「approximate」指在數值、程度或特性上「接近」某個標準或目標；「resemble」則指在外觀、性質或特徵上「相似」或「像」另一個人或物。
approximate vs imitate
「approximate」指在結果或狀態上達到近似，不強調模仿行為；「imitate」則指有意地模仿、仿效他人的行為、風格或外觀。
口語用法
How is "Approximate" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Approximate"?
引述
在口語中，常用來引述或轉述一個不精確的數字或說法。 EN: He said the cost would be approximate to a thousand dollars. 翻譯: 他說費用大概接近一千美元。
EN:I approximate it'll take about an hour, but don't quote me on that.
翻譯:我估計大概要花一小時，但別把我的話當作準確答案。
語氣強調
與副詞連用，強調估算的粗略性或主觀性。 EN: That's only a very approximate guess on my part. 翻譯: 那只是我個人一個非常粗略的猜測。
EN:We can roughly approximate the time based on past experience.
翻譯:我們可以根據過去的經驗大致推估一下時間。
停頓填充
在思考或尋找合適詞語時，用作填充詞，表示話語中的不確定性。 EN: The meeting will last... approximate... two hours, I'd say. 翻譯: 會議會持續...大概...兩小時吧，我想。
EN:We need, uh, approximate... twenty people to help out.
翻譯:我們需要，呃，大概...二十個人來幫忙。
正式寫作注意：在正式或學術寫作中，應避免將 "approximate" 用作填充詞或帶有過多口語遲疑的表述。建議使用更精確、肯定的詞語，如 "estimate", "roughly", 或 "approximately"。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Approximate"?What fixed phrases with "Approximate" should I remember?
approximate to
verb + to + noun
接近於，大致等於
closely approximate
adverb + verb
非常接近，高度近似
approximate the value
verb + noun
估算數值
difficult to approximate
adjective + to + verb
難以估算/近似
approximate a solution
verb + noun
求得近似解
roughly approximate
adverb + verb
粗略估算
approximate the cost
verb + noun
估算成本
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Approximate"?Which "Approximate" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×The model approximates the real situation.
✓The model approximates to the real situation.
作為動詞時，'approximate' 通常需要搭配介系詞 'to' 來表示「接近於」某事物。
×We need to approximate the data.
✓We need an approximate figure.
此處想表達的是「一個大概的數字」，應使用形容詞 'approximate' 來修飾名詞 'figure'。動詞 'approximate' 意指「使...接近」或「近似於」，語意不符。
×The cost was approximated $100.
✓The cost approximated to $100.
動詞 'approximate' 的過去式是規則變化 'approximated'，但後面仍需接介系詞 'to'。此外，不應在動詞後直接加金額數字，需有 'to' 連接。
×We approximated the result closely.
✓Our calculation closely approximated the actual result.
動詞 'approximate' 的主語通常是「估算、模型、方法」等，其後接的受詞是「要接近的目標」。原句主語 'We'（人）使用 'approximate' 較不自然，通常用 'estimate'。應調整主語使語意更清晰。
×Please aproximate the value.
✓Please approximate the value.
拼寫錯誤。動詞 'approximate' 有兩個 'p'，且結尾是 '-mate'。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Approximate"?What are tense/participle forms of "Approximate"?
approximates(3rd_singular)approximating(present_participle)approximated(past)approximated(past_participle)