1. to describe the qualities of someone or something
描述…的特質或特徵
The author characterizes the protagonist as a lonely but determined individual.
作者將主角描繪成一個孤獨但意志堅定的人。
How would you characterize your management style?
你會如何描述你的管理風格？
Characterize Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
characterize
verb
快速理解
What does "Characterize" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Characterize"?
「characterize」意指描述或定義某人、某物的核心特質，或使其具有某種顯著特徵。
- 1
描述特質
EN: To describe the distinctive nature or features of someone or something.
翻譯: 描述某人或某物的獨特性質或特徵。
- 2
定義為
EN: To be a typical or defining quality of something.
翻譯: 成為某事物的典型或定義性特質。
- 3
賦予特徵
EN: To give something a particular character or quality.
翻譯: 賦予某事物特定的性格或品質。
小提醒：注意「characterize」常以被動語態「be characterized by」出現，表示「以...為特徵」。例如：「His work is characterized by attention to detail.」（他的作品以注重細節為特徵。）
發音（How to Pronounce "Characterize" in English）
How to pronounce "Characterize" in English?"Characterize" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Characterize" from YouTube Videos
Clay Shirky: Institutions vs. collaboration
TED
“But instead of saying we need to hire a professional class of librarians to organize these photos once they're uploaded, Flickr simply turned over to the users the ability to characterize the photos, So I was able to go in and draw down photos that had been tagged "Mermaid Parade".”
(1 out of 2)
Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Characterize"?How does "Characterize" change by context?
2. to be a typical quality or feature of something
是…的典型特徵；以…為特點
Bright colors and bold patterns characterize her artwork.
鮮豔的色彩和大膽的圖案是她藝術作品的特色。
The region is characterized by its mountainous terrain and mild climate.
該地區以多山地形和溫和的氣候為特點。
3. to portray in a particular way, often in a work of fiction
（尤指在文學作品中）塑造人物形象
The villain is characterized as greedy and ruthless.
這個反派被塑造成貪婪且冷酷無情的形象。
She skillfully characterizes each member of the large family in her novel.
她在小說中巧妙地塑造了這個大家庭裡的每一個成員。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Characterize"?How to make natural sentences with "Characterize"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| characterize + noun | 描述…的特徵；將…描述為 | The report characterizes the situation as critical. (這份報告將局勢描述為危急。) |
| characterize + noun + as + noun/adjective | 將…描述為… | Historians often characterize him as a visionary leader. (歷史學家常將他描述為一位有遠見的領袖。) |
| be characterized by + noun | 以…為特徵；特點是… | The region is characterized by its mild climate and fertile soil. (該地區的特點是氣候溫和、土壤肥沃。) |
| characterize + wh-clause (how/what) | 描述…的方式/內容 | The article characterizes how the policy was implemented. (這篇文章描述了該政策是如何被執行的。) |
用法說明
How is "Characterize" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Characterize"?
characterize as doing vs characterize as to do
- 動詞 characterize 最常見的結構是 characterize something/someone as doing，用於描述某物或某人正在進行某種行為或處於某種狀態。
- 結構 characterize something/someone as to do 在標準用法中極其罕見，通常被視為不自然或不正確。
- 當 characterize 用於被動語態時，同樣遵循 be characterized as doing 的結構。
- 在學術或正式寫作中，characterize 後接 as 加上名詞或動名詞（-ing形式）是標準用法。 EN: Critics often characterize his leadership style as micromanaging every detail. 翻譯: 評論家常將他的領導風格描述為事必躬親，管理每一個細節。
EN:The report characterizes the economic trend as showing signs of recovery.
翻譯:這份報告將經濟趨勢描述為顯現復甦跡象。
總結建議
使用 characterize something/someone as doing 的結構，避免使用 characterize as to do。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Characterize" and similar words?How to choose "Characterize" vs alternatives?
characterize vs describe
「characterize」強調定義事物的核心特質或本質，而「describe」則著重於客觀、詳細地敘述外觀、過程或細節。
characterize vs portray
「characterize」側重於對特質的概括性定義，而「portray」則強調透過描繪、表演或藝術形式來具體呈現形象。
characterize vs define
「characterize」強調描述構成事物特色的關鍵性質，而「define」則側重於給出精確的界說或範圍。
口語用法
How is "Characterize" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Characterize"?
引述
在口語中，常用來引述或轉述他人對某人或某事的看法。 EN: So, how would you characterize the new manager's leadership style? 翻譯: 所以，你會怎麼形容新經理的領導風格？
EN:She characterized the whole experience as "eye-opening."
翻譯:她把整個經歷形容為「大開眼界」。
語氣強調
用於強調某個特質是某人或某事的核心、定義性特徵。 EN: What really characterizes their brand is attention to detail. 翻譯: 真正能定義他們品牌的，是對細節的關注。
EN:His work is characterized by a deep sense of empathy.
翻譯:他的作品特點是充滿深刻的同理心。
停頓填充
在思考如何精準描述時，作為填充詞使用，後面常接具體說明。 EN: I'd characterize it as... more of a misunderstanding than an argument. 翻譯: 我會把它形容為…與其說是爭吵，不如說是一場誤會。
EN:The atmosphere? I'd characterize it as tense, but professional.
翻譯:氣氛嗎？我會形容為緊張，但保持專業。
正式寫作注意：在正式報告或學術寫作中，應避免使用 "I'd characterize" 等帶有個人視角的口語化開頭，建議改用更客觀的表述，如 "This period can be characterized by..." 或 "The data is characterized by..."。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Characterize"?What fixed phrases with "Characterize" should I remember?
characterize as
characterize [sb/sth] as [noun/adj]
將…描述為；將…定性為
characterize by
be characterized by [sth]
以…為特徵；特點是…
characterize the relationship
characterize the relationship between [A] and [B]
描述/界定…與…之間的關係
characterize the behavior
characterize [sb's] behavior / the behavior of [sth]
描述…的行為特徵
characterize a period
characterize a/the [historical/cultural] period
描述一個時期的特徵
characterize the essence
characterize the essence/nature of [sth]
描述…的本質
characterize wrongly / mischaracterize
characterize [sb/sth] wrongly / mischaracterize [sb/sth]
錯誤地描述；曲解
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Characterize"?Which "Characterize" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×The report characterized about the economic situation.
✓The report characterized the economic situation.
「characterize」是及物動詞，後面直接接受詞，不需要介系詞「about」。
×His behavior is characterized by honest.
✓His behavior is characterized by honesty.
介系詞「by」後面應接名詞或名詞片語（如 honesty），而不是形容詞（如 honest）。
×She characterized him as a hard-work person.
✓She characterized him as a hard-working person.
描述一個人的特質時，應使用複合形容詞「hard-working」（勤奮的），而非名詞片語「hard-work」。
×The period was characterize by rapid change.
✓The period was characterized by rapid change.
在被動語態（be + past participle）中，必須使用過去分詞「characterized」。
×Can you characterize the difference of the two theories?
✓Can you characterize the difference between the two theories?
描述兩者之間的差異時，應使用「difference between A and B」，而非「difference of」。
×He characterized the situation very well.
✓He characterized the situation accurately.
雖然語法正確，但「characterize」較常與「accurately」、「briefly」、「often」等副詞搭配，用於描述描繪的方式或頻率，而非簡單的程度副詞「well」。使用「accurately」更符合學術或正式語境。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Characterize"?What are tense/participle forms of "Characterize"?
characterizes(3rd_singular)characterizing(present_participle)characterized(past)characterized(past_participle)