1. a ship's officer in charge of equipment and the crew
船上負責設備和船員管理的高級船員
The boatswain supervised the loading of cargo.
水手長監督了貨物的裝載。
He reported the damaged rigging to the boatswain.
他向水手長報告了損壞的索具。
Boatswain Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
boatswain
noun
快速理解
What does "Boatswain" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Boatswain"?
Boatswain 是船上負責管理甲板設備與水手的高階船員。
- 1
主要職責
EN: A ship's officer in charge of equipment and the crew.
翻譯: 船上負責管理設備與船員的高階船員。
- 2
歷史職位
EN: A warrant officer or petty officer responsible for the sails, rigging, and anchors.
翻譯: 負責船帆、索具和船錨的海軍准尉或士官。
- 3
現代用法
EN: The senior crew member of a deck department on merchant ships.
翻譯: 商船上甲板部門的資深船員。
小提醒：注意發音：這個字常被誤讀為 /ˈboʊt.sweɪn/，但正確的傳統發音是 /ˈboʊ.sən/（與「bosun」同音）。
發音（How to Pronounce "Boatswain" in English）
How to pronounce "Boatswain" in English?"Boatswain" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Boatswain" from YouTube Videos
暫無 YouTube 示例，重新生成該詞頁可自動補上 1 條。
Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Boatswain"?How does "Boatswain" change by context?
2. a petty officer on a merchant ship who supervises the deck crew
商船上管理甲板船員的士官
The boatswain's whistle signaled the start of the watch.
水手長的哨聲標誌著值班的開始。
The boatswain was responsible for the maintenance of the ship's boats.
水手長負責船上小艇的維護。
3. a senior crew member in charge of sails, rigging, anchors, and cables on a sailing ship
帆船上負責船帆、索具、船錨和纜繩的高級船員
In the age of sail, the boatswain was a key figure for the ship's operation.
在帆船時代，水手長是船舶運作的關鍵人物。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Boatswain"?How to make natural sentences with "Boatswain"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| the boatswain | 水手長 | The boatswain called the crew to muster. (水手長召集船員集合。) |
| boatswain + noun (e.g., pipe, call) | 水手長的... | The boatswain's pipe signaled the start of the watch. (水手長的哨聲標誌著值班開始。) |
| under the boatswain | 在水手長的指揮下 | The new recruits worked under the boatswain. (新船員在水手長的指揮下工作。) |
| appoint someone (as) boatswain | 任命某人為水手長 | The captain appointed him boatswain of the vessel. (船長任命他為這艘船的水手長。) |
用法說明
How is "Boatswain" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Boatswain"?
boatswain 的發音與拼寫
- boatswain 的標準發音為
/ˈboʊsən/，聽起來像 "bosun"，這與其拼寫（boat + swain）差異很大，是常見的發音陷阱。 - 在航海術語中，常直接使用縮寫形式 "bosun" 來指代此職位，拼寫與發音一致，更為直觀。
- 其複數形式為 boatswains，但發音仍為
/ˈboʊsənz/，而非根據拼字發音。 EN: The boatswain called the crew to assemble on deck. 翻譯: 水手長召集船員到甲板上集合。
EN:The bosun is responsible for all the rigging and deck equipment.
翻譯:水手長負責所有的索具和甲板設備。
總結建議
在口語或非正式書寫中，使用 "bosun" 可以避免發音混淆，但在正式文件或傳統語境中，仍應使用完整的 "boatswain" 拼寫。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Boatswain" and similar words?How to choose "Boatswain" vs alternatives?
boatswain vs bosun
「boatswain」與「bosun」指涉同一職位，後者是前者的口語或簡化拼寫，在現代航海用語中更為常見。
boatswain vs quartermaster
「boatswain」主要負責甲板設備與船體維護；「quartermaster」則側重航行值班、操舵與航海儀器。
boatswain vs sailor
「boatswain」是管理階層的資深船員；「sailor」則是泛指一般水手或船員。
口語用法
How is "Boatswain" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Boatswain"?
引述
在對話中，當引述或提及這個特定職位時，可能會直接使用英文原詞，以確保準確性。 EN: "In the old sailor's story, he kept referring to the 'boatswain' as if everyone knew what that was." 翻譯: 在那位老水手的故事裡，他不斷提到『boatswain』，好像每個人都知道那是什麼職位。
EN:"The captain yelled, 'Boatswain, secure the rigging!' and everyone sprang into action."
翻譯:船長大喊：『Boatswain，固定好索具！』所有人立刻行動起來。
語氣強調
當需要強調職位的權威性或傳統性時，可能會特別點出這個詞，以區別於一般的水手或船員。 EN: "He wasn't just any crew member; he was the boatswain, responsible for the entire deck crew." 翻譯: 他不只是普通船員；他是boatswain，負責管理整個甲板上的水手。
EN:"For that task, you don't ask a sailor, you need to speak to the boatswain himself."
翻譯:那項任務你不能隨便找個水手，你得跟boatswain本人談。
停頓填充
在描述航海場景或回憶時，說話者可能會在提及此詞前稍作停頓，以表示這是一個專業或古老的術語。 EN: "The hierarchy on the ship was clear... the boatswain, then the able seamen, and so on." 翻譯: 船上的階級制度很明確… 首先是boatswain，然後是一等水兵，依此類推。
EN:"We had this experienced guy, the... boatswain, I think his title was, who taught us all the knots."
翻譯:我們有位經驗豐富的老手，那位… 我想他的職稱是boatswain，他教了我們所有的繩結。
正式書寫注意：在正式或學術性文件中，若預期讀者不熟悉航海術語，應在首次出現時附上解釋或使用更通用的譯名「水手長」或「甲板長」，而非直接使用英文原詞「boatswain」。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Boatswain"?What fixed phrases with "Boatswain" should I remember?
boatswain's pipe
noun phrase
水手長的哨子（用於發號施令的高音哨）
boatswain's mate
noun phrase
水手長助手（協助水手長工作的資深水手）
boatswain's call
noun phrase
水手長哨音（特指用哨子吹出的信號）
appointed boatswain
adjective + noun
被任命的水手長
chief boatswain
adjective + noun
首席水手長／水手長主任
boatswain's duty
noun phrase
水手長的職責
boatswain's chair
noun phrase
水手長吊板（用於高空作業的坐板）
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Boatswain"?Which "Boatswain" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×Pronouncing it as /ˈboʊt.swən/ (like 'boat' + 'swain').
✓Pronouncing it as /ˈboʊ.sən/ (like 'bosun').
The word 'boatswain' is a historical spelling with a non-intuitive pronunciation. The correct pronunciation has evolved to sound like 'bosun', and the original spelling is often retained in formal or nautical contexts.
×The boatswains are responsible.
✓The boatswains are responsible. (Acceptable) OR The boatswain's mates are responsible. (More common)
While 'boatswains' is a grammatically correct plural, in modern nautical usage, you are more likely to refer to multiple individuals in this role collectively (e.g., 'the boatswain's crew') or specify their ranks (e.g., 'boatswain's mates'). Using the plural form can sound awkward to native speakers familiar with maritime terminology.
×He is boatswain of the ship.
✓He is the boatswain of the ship.
When 'boatswain' is used as a title or a specific role, it typically requires the definite article 'the', similar to 'the captain' or 'the cook'. Omitting the article makes it sound like a general descriptor rather than a specific job title.
×The bosun reported to the captain. (In a formal written context)
✓The boatswain reported to the captain.
'Bosun' is a common phonetic spelling and is acceptable in informal or dialogue contexts. However, in formal writing, historical texts, or official documents, the traditional spelling 'boatswain' is preferred and often expected.
×Every sailor wants to become a boatswain.
✓Every sailor on a large vessel might aspire to become a boatswain.
The role of a boatswain is specific to larger ships or vessels with a crew structure that includes this supervisory position. It is not a generic term for any senior sailor or a role found on very small boats. The context should imply a sizable crew.
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Boatswain"?What are tense/participle forms of "Boatswain"?