1. to hold on tightly to someone or something
緊緊抓住，緊握
The child clung to her mother's leg.
那個孩子緊緊抓著她媽媽的腿。
He clung to the rope to avoid falling.
他緊抓著繩子以防摔落。
Cling Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
cling
verb
快速理解
What does "Cling" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Cling"?
指緊緊抓住、依附或黏著某物，也可比喻堅持某種信念或情感。
- 1
物理上的緊抓/黏附
EN: to hold on tightly to something or someone
翻譯: 緊緊抓住或依附某人或某物。
- 2
黏著/貼合
EN: to stick to a surface
翻譯: 黏在某個表面上。
- 3
堅持/不願放棄
EN: to remain persistently or stubbornly attached to something (e.g., an idea, hope, memory)
翻譯: 固執地堅持某事物（如想法、希望、記憶）。
- 4
緊貼衣物
EN: to fit closely to the body (for clothes)
翻譯: （衣物）緊貼身體。
小提醒：注意 'cling to' 是常見搭配，表示『緊抓著...不放』，無論是具體物品或抽象概念。
發音（How to Pronounce "Cling" in English）
How to pronounce "Cling" in English?"Cling" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Cling" from YouTube Videos
Eve Ensler: Security and insecurity
TED
“You can't not know who you are, so you cling to hard-matter identity.”
(1 out of 3)
Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Cling"?How does "Cling" change by context?
2. to stick to or fit tightly on a surface
黏著，緊貼
The wet shirt clung to his skin.
濕襯衫緊貼在他的皮膚上。
The plastic wrap clings to the bowl.
保鮮膜緊貼著碗。
3. to remain emotionally attached or loyal to something (e.g., an idea, memory, or person)
堅持，固守（想法、記憶、人等）
She still clings to the hope that he will return.
她仍然抱著他會回來的希望。
He clings to his old-fashioned beliefs.
他固守著他老派的信念。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Cling"?How to make natural sentences with "Cling"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| cling to + noun/pronoun | 緊緊抓住（某物/某人）；堅持（想法、信念等） | The child clung to her mother's leg. (那孩子緊緊抓著她媽媽的腿。) |
| cling on to + noun/pronoun | 緊緊抓住不放；努力保住（某物） | He clung on to the rope for dear life. (他為了活命，死命抓著繩子不放。) |
| cling together | （兩人或多人）緊緊抱在一起；團結一致 | The survivors clung together for warmth. (倖存者們緊緊抱在一起取暖。) |
| cling + adverb (e.g., tightly, desperately) | （以某種方式）緊緊依附 | The wet shirt clung tightly to his skin. (濕透的襯衫緊貼在他的皮膚上。) |
| cling in + noun phrase (e.g., the wind) | （在某種環境中）黏附、緊貼 | The leaves clung to the branches in the strong wind. (在強風中，樹葉仍緊附在枝幹上。) |
用法說明
How is "Cling" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Cling"?
cling to + N/V-ing vs. would cling to + V
- cling to + N/V-ing 用於描述一種持續的、習慣性的依附狀態或固執的堅持。這裡的
to是介系詞，後面接名詞 (N) 或動名詞 (V-ing)。 - would cling to + V 則用於假設性或非現實的語境，描述在特定（通常是虛擬的）情況下會表現出的依附行為。這裡的
to是不定詞符號，後面接動詞原形 (V)。 - 關鍵區別在於：cling to doing 表達實際的、持續的行為；would cling to do 表達假設性的、一次性的意願或行為。 EN: The child clings to sleeping with the night light on. 翻譯: 這個孩子堅持要開著夜燈睡覺。
EN:If scared, the child would cling to sleep with his parents.
翻譯:如果害怕，這個孩子會非要和父母一起睡。
EN:He clings to believing the old method is best.
翻譯:他固執地認為舊方法才是最好的。
EN:In a crisis, he would cling to believe any promise of help.
翻譯:在危機中，他會緊緊抓住任何援助的承諾。
總結建議
描述實際、習慣性的固執堅持用 cling to + N/V-ing，表達假設情境下的依附行為則用 would cling to + V。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Cling" and similar words?How to choose "Cling" vs alternatives?
cling vs stick
「cling」強調因依戀、恐懼或依賴而緊貼不放，常帶情感色彩；「stick」則側重於因黏性物質或物理作用而附著，較為中性。
cling vs adhere
「cling」多為具體或情感的緊貼；「adhere」則較正式，常用於描述物體黏附或人堅持原則、協議。
cling vs hug
「cling」是長時間、出於需求的緊抓不放；「hug」是短暫、表達愛意或問候的擁抱。
口語用法
How is "Cling" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Cling"?
引述
在引述他人說法或內心想法時，用來表示「堅持某個觀點或立場」。 EN: She just kept saying, "I cling to the belief that things will get better." 翻譯: 她只是一直說：「我堅信事情會好轉的。」
EN:He was like, "Why do you cling to that old grudge? Let it go."
翻譯:他當時就說：「你幹嘛一直記著那個舊仇？放下吧。」
語氣強調
用來強調某人「固執地依附」於某物、某人或某種狀態，常帶有輕微的負面或無奈語氣。 EN: Ugh, don't cling to the past. It's time to move on. 翻譯: 唉，別老是抓著過去不放，是時候向前看了。
EN:He just clings to his mom wherever we go. It's a bit much.
翻譯:不管我們去哪，他就只會黏著他媽媽，有點太超過了。
停頓填充
在思考如何表達「緊密連結」或「難以分離」的狀態時，作為一個生動的動詞選項。 EN: Their friendship... you know, they really cling to each other through thick and thin. 翻譯: 他們的友誼…你知道的，他們真的是患難與共，緊緊相依。
EN:The feeling of fear tends to... cling to you long after the event is over.
翻譯:恐懼的感覺往往會在事情結束後…還久久纏繞著你。
正式寫作注意：在學術或正式商業文件中，應避免使用過於口語化的引述或填充停頓的句型。可考慮改用「adhere to」、「persist in」、「remain attached to」或「maintain a firm hold on」等更正式的替代說法來表達相似概念。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Cling"?What fixed phrases with "Cling" should I remember?
cling to
cling to [sth/sb]
緊緊抓住、依附於（某物或某人）；堅持（信念、希望等）
cling on
cling on
緊緊抓住不放；堅持下去
cling together
cling together
緊緊依偎在一起；團結一致
cling film
cling film
保鮮膜（一種塑膠薄膜）
cling for life
cling for (dear) life
為求生而緊緊抓住
cling to power
cling to power
緊抓權力不放
cling to the past
cling to the past
留戀過去；沉溺於過往
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Cling"?Which "Cling" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×The child is clinging on his mother.
✓The child is clinging to his mother.
The verb 'cling' is typically followed by the preposition 'to', not 'on', when indicating attachment to a person or object.
×I clinged to the rope for safety.
✓I clung to the rope for safety.
The past tense of the irregular verb 'cling' is 'clung', not 'clinged'.
×The idea clings in my mind.
✓The idea clings to my mind.
When 'cling' is used metaphorically (e.g., for memories, ideas, smells), it still requires the preposition 'to'.
×She is cling to her old phone.
✓She is clinging to her old phone.
When forming the present continuous tense, the correct form is 'is/are clinging', not 'is/are cling'.
×They cling each other during the storm.
✓They clung to each other during the storm.
When 'cling' indicates mutual attachment between people, the structure is 'cling to each other/one another'. The preposition 'to' is required.
×Don't cling on the past.
✓Don't cling to the past.
In the common figurative expression about not holding onto past events or memories, the correct preposition is 'to', not 'on'.
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Cling"?What are tense/participle forms of "Cling"?
clings(3rd_singular)clinging(present_participle)clung(past)clung(past_participle)