指一個沒有明顯中斷或分隔的連續整體。
連續體
EN: A continuous sequence in which adjacent elements are not perceptibly different.
翻譯: 一個相鄰元素之間沒有明顯差異的連續序列。
數學連續統
EN: A continuous set of real numbers, such as all points on a line.
翻譯: 一個實數的連續集合，例如一條直線上的所有點。
物理時空連續體
EN: The four-dimensional continuum of space and time in physics.
翻譯: 物理學中由空間和時間構成的四維連續體。
漸變光譜
EN: A spectrum or range where differences are gradual rather than discrete.
翻譯: 一種差異是漸進而非離散的光譜或範圍。
小提醒：「continuum」是單數名詞，其複數形式是「continua」或「continuums」。在中文中，常譯為「連續體」或「連續統」，強調其不可分割的整體性，而非一系列分開的個體。
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Continuum" from YouTube Videos
Amos Winter: The cheap all-terrain wheelchair
TED
“So we teamed up with Continuum, a local product design firm here in Boston, to make the high-end version, the developed world version that we'll probably sell primarily in the US and Europe but to higher-income buyers.”
1. a continuous sequence or whole in which adjacent elements are not perceptibly different from each other, but the extremes are quite distinct
一個連續的序列或整體，其中相鄰元素之間的差異難以察覺，但兩端卻截然不同
The colors of the rainbow form a continuum from red to violet.
彩虹的顏色從紅色到紫色形成一個連續體。
Human language ability exists on a continuum, not as a simple binary of 'can speak' or 'cannot speak'.
人類的語言能力存在於一個連續體上，而非簡單的『會說』或『不會說』的二元劃分。
2. a continuous extent, series, or whole in mathematics or physics
數學或物理學中的一個連續的範圍、系列或整體
In calculus, we often treat time as a continuum rather than discrete moments.
在微積分中，我們常將時間視為一個連續體，而非離散的瞬間。
The space-time continuum is a fundamental concept in Einstein's theory of relativity.
時空連續體是愛因斯坦相對論中的一個基本概念。
3. a range or series of things that blend into each other gradually
一系列逐漸相互融合的事物範圍
There is a continuum of opinions on this political issue, from extreme left to extreme right.
關於這個政治議題存在著一個意見的連續體，從極左到極右。
Mental health exists on a continuum between wellness and illness.
心理健康存在於健康與疾病之間的連續體上。
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| the continuum | 連續體；連續統 | The colors of the rainbow form a **continuum**. (彩虹的顏色形成一個**連續體**。) |
| a continuum of + [noun] | 一個...的連續體 | The study explores **a continuum of** human emotions. (這項研究探索了人類情感的**一個連續體**。) |
| on a continuum | 在一個連續體上 | These political views exist **on a continuum** from left to right. (這些政治觀點存在於從左到右的**一個連續體上**。) |
| along a continuum | 沿著一個連續體 | Mental health can be viewed **along a continuum** of well-being. (心理健康可以被視為**沿著**一個幸福感的**連續體**。) |
| from one end of the continuum to the other | 從連續體的一端到另一端 | The artist's work spans **from one end of the aesthetic continuum to the other**. (這位藝術家的作品橫跨了美學連續體的一端到另一端。) |
EN:These phenomena exist on separate continua.
翻譯:這些現象存在於不同的連續體上。
在大多數情況下，使用 "a continuum" 作為單數，並可根據語體選擇 "continua"（正式）或 "continuums"（一般）作為複數。
continuum vs spectrum
Continuum 強調連續不間斷的整體，而 spectrum 則強調一個範圍內的多樣性或漸變的類別。
continuum vs sequence
Continuum 強調空間或概念上的連續性，而 sequence 強調時間或邏輯上的順序。
continuum vs gradation
Continuum 是連續的整體狀態，而 gradation 是構成這種連續性的細微變化或等級。
在對話中，當引述或轉述他人關於連續性、漸變過程的觀點時，常會使用這個詞。 EN: He kept talking about the continuum between work and personal life, and I found it really insightful. 翻譯: 他不停談論工作與個人生活之間的連續體，我覺得這觀點很有見地。
EN:So you're saying talent exists on a continuum, not as a simple yes or no?
翻譯:所以你的意思是，天賦存在於一個連續譜上，而不是簡單的是或否？
用於強調某事物並非二元對立，而是一個漸進的、有無數中間狀態的過程，使論點更精確。 EN: It's not just good or bad—it's a continuum of experiences. 翻譯: 這不只是好或壞——這是一個經驗的連續體。
EN:Remember, mental health is a continuum; we all move along it.
翻譯:記住，心理健康是一個連續譜；我們都在上面移動。
在組織思緒、尋找合適術語時，可能會用它作為短暫的停頓填充詞，尤其在學術或較深入的討論中。 EN: The issue lies... on a continuum... between tradition and innovation. 翻譯: 這個問題存在於...傳統與創新之間的一個連續體上。
EN:Their relationship is, um, on a continuum of collaboration.
翻譯:他們的關係，嗯，處於一個合作的連續譜上。
正式寫作注意：在正式學術或技術寫作中，應更精確地定義「continuum」的具體範圍與上下文，避免在口語中可能出現的模糊或隨意用法。
a continuum of
a continuum of [something]
一系列…的連續體
on a continuum
be/lie/fall on a continuum
處於一個連續體上
across the continuum
across the (entire) continuum
跨越整個連續體
space-time continuum
the space-time continuum
時空連續體
exist on a continuum
exist on a continuum
以連續體的形式存在
the health-illness continuum
the health-illness continuum
健康-疾病連續體
form a continuum
form a continuum
形成一個連續體
×There is a clear continuum between the two theories.
✓There is a clear continuum between the two theories.
This is actually correct. A common mistake is thinking 'continuum' cannot be used with 'clear' because it implies a seamless whole. However, 'clear continuum' is acceptable when describing an observable or well-defined gradation.
×It's not black or white; it's a continuum.
✓It's not black or white; it's a continuum.
This is correct. Learners often mistakenly think 'a continuum' is wrong here because the concept is uncountable. However, when referring to a specific instance or range of gradations, the singular countable form 'a continuum' is standard.
×The political views form a continuum from left to right.
✓Political views exist on a continuum from left to right.
Using 'form a continuum' is not strictly wrong, but the more idiomatic and common collocation is 'exist on a continuum' or 'fall along a continuum' when describing where things are located within that graded range.
×Life is a continuum of birth and death.
✓Life is a continuum from birth to death.
Using 'of' suggests the continuum is composed *of* birth and death as its elements, which is illogical. The correct preposition 'from...to...' indicates the start and end points of the graded sequence.
×We should see them as a continuum, not as separate.
✓We should see them as part of a continuum, not as separate entities.
The original sentence is ambiguous. 'Them' cannot *be* the entire continuum itself; they are points or segments *within* it. The correction clarifies that they are components of the larger continuous whole.
×The continuum of the data is smooth.
✓The data forms a smooth continuum. / The data continuum is smooth.
Using 'of' ('continuum of the data') is awkward and less common. It's more natural to use 'data' as a modifier ('data continuum') or to say the data 'forms' or 'constitutes' a continuum.