1. to split or divide something, especially along a natural line or grain
劈開；使裂開（尤指沿自然紋理）
The woodcutter used his axe to cleave the log in two.
樵夫用斧頭將圓木劈成兩半。
The laser can cleave the diamond with precision.
雷射可以精準地切割鑽石。
Cleave Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
cleave
verb
快速理解
What does "Cleave" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Cleave"?
「cleave」有兩個幾乎相反的動詞含義，需根據上下文判斷。
- 1
劈開、切開
EN: to split or sever something, especially along a natural line.
翻譯: 劈開或切斷某物，尤指沿著自然的紋理或線條。
- 2
黏著、緊貼
EN: to adhere strongly and closely to something.
翻譯: 緊緊地黏附或貼近某物。
- 3
忠於、堅守
EN: to remain faithful or devoted to a principle, person, or group.
翻譯: 忠於或堅守某項原則、某個人或某個群體。
小提醒：注意「cleave」有兩個幾乎相反的含義：一個是「分開」，另一個是「緊貼」。理解時必須依賴上下文，例如「cleave the wood」是劈開木頭，而「cleave to tradition」則是堅守傳統。
發音（How to Pronounce "Cleave" in English）
How to pronounce "Cleave" in English?"Cleave" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Cleave" from YouTube Videos
Richard Weller: Could the sun be good for your heart?
TED
“so you can actually work out those stores of nitric oxide -- the nitrates, nitrites, nitrosothiols in the skin -- cleave to release NO, Different wavelengths of light have different activities of doing that.”
(1 out of 1)
Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Cleave"?How does "Cleave" change by context?
2. to move quickly through something, like air or water
快速穿過（如空氣或水）
The ship cleaved through the waves.
船隻破浪前行。
The eagle cleaved the air with its powerful wings.
老鷹用強健的翅膀劃破空氣。
3. to adhere firmly and closely or loyally to something
堅守；忠於；緊密依附
He cleaved to his principles despite the pressure.
儘管有壓力，他仍堅守自己的原則。
The two friends cleave to each other through all difficulties.
這兩個朋友在所有困難中都彼此緊密相依。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Cleave"?How to make natural sentences with "Cleave"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| cleave + to + [object] | 緊貼；堅持；忠於 | The ivy cleaves to the old stone wall. (常春藤緊貼著古老的石牆。) |
| cleave + [object] + in two | 將…劈成兩半 | With one mighty swing, he cleaved the log in two. (他用力一揮，將圓木劈成兩半。) |
| cleave + through + [object] | 劈開；穿過 | The ship's bow cleaved through the waves. (船首破浪前行。) |
| be cleft + in two | 被分裂成兩半 | The rock was cleft in two by the ancient earthquake. (這塊岩石被古老的地震震裂成兩半。) |
| cleave + [object] + apart | 將…劈開/分開 | The debate cleaved the community apart. (這場辯論使社區產生了分裂。) |
用法說明
How is "Cleave" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Cleave"?
cleave to + noun vs. cleave + object
- cleave to + noun 表示「忠於、堅持、依附」某個抽象概念（如原則、信仰、傳統）或人。
- cleave + object 表示「劈開、砍開」具體的物體。
- 兩者發音不同：表示「忠於」時讀作 /kliːv/；表示「劈開」時讀作 /kliːv/ 或 /kleɪv/。
- 在現代英語中，表示「劈開」的過去式常用 cleaved 或 clove，過去分詞常用 cleaved 或 cloven。 EN: He cleaves to his principles even under pressure. 翻譯: 即使在壓力下，他仍堅守自己的原則。
EN:The woodcutter cleaved the log with a single stroke.
翻譯:樵夫一斧頭劈開了那根圓木。
EN:They cleave to the traditions of their ancestors.
翻譯:他們恪守祖先的傳統。
EN:The axe cleaved the wooden door in two.
翻譯:斧頭將木門劈成了兩半。
總結建議
使用時需根據上下文區分是表示抽象意義的「堅持依附」還是具體動作的「劈開」，並注意其發音與過去式的不同形式。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Cleave" and similar words?How to choose "Cleave" vs alternatives?
cleave vs split
「cleave」強調用大力劈開或切開堅硬物體，動作較猛烈；「split」則泛指將物體分成兩部分或更多部分，方式較通用。
cleave vs sever
「cleave」側重劈開的動作和過程；「sever」則強調完全切斷、分離，常指切斷連接或關係。
cleave vs adhere
「cleave」有兩個幾乎相反的含義：一是劈開，二是緊貼、忠於。此處比較其「緊貼」義與「adhere」。
口語用法
How is "Cleave" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Cleave"?
引述
這個動詞在口語中較為正式，常用於引述或提及特定情境，例如聖經經文或文學作品。 EN: He said, "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife." 翻譯: 他說：「因此，人要離開父母，與妻子連合。」
EN:She was talking about the old saying, "cleave to what is good."
翻譯:她當時在談論那句古諺：「持守良善。」
語氣強調
在口語中，當想強調「堅定不移地依附」或「用力劈開」的動作時，會加重語氣。 EN: You really need to cleave to your principles, no matter what. 翻譯: 你真的必須堅守你的原則，無論如何。
EN:With one mighty swing, he cleaved the log right in half!
翻譯:他用力一揮，把那根圓木直接劈成了兩半！
停頓填充
這個詞本身不常用作填充詞，但在解釋或尋找合適詞彙時，可能會在短暫停頓後說出。 EN: Their community is... how should I put it... one that cleaves to tradition. 翻譯: 他們的社群是...該怎麼說呢...一個堅守傳統的社群。
EN:The axe... um... cleaved through the wood surprisingly easily.
翻譯:那把斧頭...嗯...劈開木頭時出乎意料地輕鬆。
注意：在正式寫作中，cleave 是一個相當文學化且正式的詞彙。在口語對話中使用可能會顯得生硬或不自然，除非是在特定引述或刻意營造正式感的場合。日常對話中，更常使用 stick to、cling to、split 或 chop 等替代詞。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Cleave"?What fixed phrases with "Cleave" should I remember?
cleave to
verb + to + noun/principle
堅守；忠於；依附
cleave through
verb + through + noun
劈開；穿過
cleave apart
verb + apart
劈成兩半；使分裂
cleave in two
verb + in two
一分為二；劈成兩半
cleave a path
verb + a path
開闢道路；破開一條路
cleave the air
verb + the air
劃破空氣
cleave together
verb + together
緊密結合；黏在一起
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Cleave"?Which "Cleave" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×The wood cleaved together after the glue dried.
✓The wood was bonded together after the glue dried.
"Cleave" has two opposite meanings: 1) to split apart, 2) to adhere firmly. Using it to mean "stick together" in an active voice (cleaved together) is confusing and ambiguous. For clarity, use words like "bonded," "adhered," or "stuck together" when describing joining.
×He cleaved the log by an axe.
✓He cleaved the log with an axe.
When "cleave" means to split, the instrument or tool is introduced with the preposition "with," not "by." "By" is typically used for agents in passive voice (e.g., "The log was cleaved by him").
×He cleaved the bread yesterday. (Intended meaning: cut)
✓He cleft the bread yesterday. / He clove the bread yesterday. (Less common: cleaved)
The past tense of "cleave" (to split) is irregular: "cleft," "clove," or (less commonly) "cleaved." Using "cleaved" as the regular past tense for splitting is understandable but often considered less traditional or literary. For adherence (meaning 2), "cleaved" is standard.
×The stone cleaved easily.
✓The stone cleaved easily under the blow. / The stone was cleft easily.
When "cleave" is used intransitively (without a direct object) to mean "split," it often requires context (e.g., "under pressure," "along its seam") to sound natural. Otherwise, it can seem like the object is missing. Using the passive voice ("was cleft") is often clearer.
×Please cleave this paper into strips.
✓Please cut this paper into strips.
"Cleave" implies a forceful, decisive splitting, often of something hard or substantial (wood, stone, a path through air). It is too strong and unnatural for delicate actions like cutting paper. Use "cut," "slice," or "trim" for such contexts.
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Cleave"?What are tense/participle forms of "Cleave"?
cleaves(3rd_singular)cleaving(present_participle)cleaved(past)cleaved(past_participle)