1. a piece of evidence or information used in solving a mystery or problem
用於解開謎團或問題的一條證據或資訊
The detective found a crucial clue at the crime scene.
偵探在犯罪現場找到了一個關鍵線索。
We need more clues to solve this puzzle.
我們需要更多線索來解開這個謎題。
Clue Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
clue
noun
快速理解
What does "Clue" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Clue"?
指有助於解決問題或理解情況的資訊或跡象。
- 1
線索
EN: A piece of evidence or information used in solving a mystery or problem.
翻譯: 用於解開謎團或解決問題的一項證據或資訊。
- 2
提示
EN: A fact or idea that helps you understand something or find an answer.
翻譯: 有助於理解某事或找到答案的事實或想法。
- 3
跡象
EN: A sign or indication of something.
翻譯: 某事的徵兆或跡象。
- 4
概念
EN: An understanding or idea about something (often used in negative phrases like 'have no clue').
翻譯: 對某事的理解或概念（常用於否定片語中，如「毫無頭緒」）。
小提醒：注意常見片語 'clue someone in' 意為『告知某人（內情）』，與單純的『線索』名詞用法不同。
發音（How to Pronounce "Clue" in English）
How to pronounce "Clue" in English?"Clue" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Clue" from YouTube Videos
Boghuma Kabisen Titanji: Ethical riddles in HIV research
TED
“I didn't bother to ask her what the results of the trial were, because it seemed obvious to me that she would have no clue.”
(1 out of 20)
Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Clue"?How does "Clue" change by context?
2. a fact or idea that helps you understand something or find an answer
幫助理解某事或找到答案的事實或想法
His expression gave me a clue about how he was feeling.
他的表情給了我關於他感受的提示。
The teacher gave us a clue to help with the difficult question.
老師給了我們一個提示來幫助解答這個難題。
3. a general understanding or knowledge about something
對某事的普遍理解或認識
I don't have a clue how to operate this new software.
我完全不知道如何操作這個新軟體。
She hasn't got a clue about what's going on.
她對正在發生的事情一無所知。
4. to inform or give someone helpful information
告知或提供某人有用資訊
Can you clue me in on what happened at the meeting?
你能告訴我會議上發生了什麼事嗎？
She clued him up about the company's new policy.
她向他說明了公司的新政策。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Clue"?How to make natural sentences with "Clue"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| a clue | 一條線索 | He found a clue at the crime scene. (他在犯罪現場找到了一條線索。) |
| clue + about + noun | 關於…的線索 | The police are looking for clues about the suspect's whereabouts. (警方正在尋找關於嫌犯下落的線索。) |
| clue + to + noun | 解開…的線索 | This letter could be the clue to the mystery. (這封信可能是解開這個謎團的線索。) |
| have no clue | 毫無頭緒 | I have no clue what you're talking about. (我對你在說什麼毫無頭緒。) |
| give a clue | 提供線索 | The witness refused to give a clue to the investigators. (證人拒絕向調查人員提供線索。) |
| follow a clue | 追查線索 | The detective followed every clue diligently. (偵探認真地追查每一條線索。) |
用法說明
How is "Clue" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Clue"?
clue in vs. clue up
- clue in 通常指「告知某人情況、使其了解內情」，是一個及物動詞片語，常用於口語。
- clue up 在英式英語中，意思與 clue in 類似，意為「使某人熟悉某事的詳情」，但也可用於被動式 be clued up，表示「對某事很了解、很在行」。
- 兩者有時可互換，但 clue in 在美式英語中更常見，而 clue up 則帶有更強的英式色彩。
- 在結構上，clue someone in 比 clue someone up 更常用來表示「告知」的動作。 EN: Can you clue me in on what happened at the meeting? 翻譯: 你能告訴我會議上發生了什麼事嗎？
EN:She's really clued up about the local property market.
翻譯:她對當地的房地產市場非常了解。
總結建議
在大多數情況下，使用 clue in 來表示「告知」，而 clue up (尤其是被動式) 則更適合描述「知識淵博」的狀態。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Clue" and similar words?How to choose "Clue" vs alternatives?
clue vs hint
「clue」通常指調查或解謎中發現的具體證據或線索；「hint」則偏向於間接的提示或暗示，不一定與謎題直接相關。
clue vs evidence
「clue」是引導調查方向的初步線索；「evidence」則是在法律或正式場合中，能證明事實的具體、有力證據。
clue vs sign
「clue」是人為或事件留下的、需要解讀的線索；「sign」是更廣泛的跡象、標誌或徵兆，可能自然存在或無需複雜推理。
口語用法
How is "Clue" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Clue"?
引述
在口語中，當引述或提及別人給的線索時，常用「clue」這個字。 EN: He gave me a clue about where the party is. 翻譯: 他給了我一點關於派對地點的線索。
EN:So your clue was just "look under the big tree"?
翻譯:所以你給的線索就只是「看大樹底下」？
語氣強調
常用於否定或疑問句來強調對某事毫無頭緒或毫不知情。 EN: I have no clue what you're talking about. 翻譯: 我完全不知道你在說什麼。
EN:You think I did it? Not a clue, mate.
翻譯:你以為是我做的？老兄，我一點頭緒都沒有。
停頓填充
在思考或猶豫時，會用「clue」相關的短語作為填充詞，表示不確定。 EN: Where did I put my keys? I haven't got a clue. 翻譯: 我把鑰匙放哪了？我一點也想不起來。
EN:What time does it start? ...No clue, let me check.
翻譯:幾點開始？…不知道，我查一下。
注意：以上口語用法（如「not a clue」、「haven't got a clue」）在正式書寫或學術文章中應避免，建議改用「have no idea」或「do not know」等較正式的表述。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Clue"?What fixed phrases with "Clue" should I remember?
not have a clue
verb phrase
完全不知道，毫無頭緒
give a clue
verb phrase
提供線索，給出提示
clue in
phrasal verb
告知，使明白（情況）
find a clue
verb phrase
找到線索
follow the clues
verb phrase
追隨線索，根據線索調查
a vital clue
noun phrase
關鍵線索，至關重要的線索
clueless about
adjective phrase
對...一無所知，對...毫無頭緒
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Clue"?Which "Clue" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×I have no clues about the answer.
✓I have no clue about the answer.
在表達「毫無頭緒」時，習慣使用單數形式 'no clue'，而非複數 'no clues'。
×Can you give me a clue about how to solve this problem?
✓Can you give me a clue as to how to solve this problem?
當 'clue' 後面接一個子句或問題時，更地道的搭配是使用 'a clue as to...'，而非直接接 'about'。
×I don't have a clue to do it.
✓I don't have a clue how to do it.
表達「不知道如何做某事」時，正確的結構是 'don't have a clue how to...' 或 'don't have a clue about how to...'，而不是 'a clue to do'。
×The police found many clues in the crime scene.
✓The police found many clues at the crime scene.
表示「在犯罪現場」時，固定的介系詞是 'at the crime scene'，而不是 'in'。
×This map is a clue for the treasure.
✓This map is a clue to the treasure.
當 'clue' 表示「通往某物的線索或提示」時，通常與介系詞 'to' 連用，表示方向或關聯，而非 'for'。
×I need some clue to start.
✓I need a clue to start.
在表達「需要一個線索來開始」時，通常使用單數 'a clue'，因為它指的是任何一個能幫助你開始的提示，而非特定的一些線索。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Clue"?What are tense/participle forms of "Clue"?