1. to begin to understand or like something
開始理解或喜歡上某事物
It took me a while to cotton to the new software.
我花了一段時間才開始習慣這款新軟體。
He never really cottoned to city life.
他始終沒有真正喜歡上城市生活。
Cotton Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
cotton
verb
快速理解
What does "Cotton" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Cotton"?
「cotton」作動詞時，主要指對某事物產生好感或理解，或用於紡織處理棉花的過程。
- 1
產生好感
EN: to begin to like or understand someone or something
翻譯: 開始喜歡或理解某人或某事
- 2
理解、領會
EN: to catch on to an idea or situation
翻譯: 理解、領會某個想法或情況
- 3
紡織處理
EN: to take a liking to something (archaic/regional)
翻譯: 對某事物產生喜愛（古語或區域用法）
小提醒：注意「cotton on」是常見的動詞片語，意為「理解、明白」，後面常接「to」。例如：「He quickly cottoned on to the new software.（他很快就弄懂了新軟體。）」
發音（How to Pronounce "Cotton" in English）
How to pronounce "Cotton" in English?"Cotton" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Cotton" from YouTube Videos
Arunachalam Muruganantham: How I started a sanitary napkin revolution!
TED
“They are not going to touch that because it's not your matter. Then I thought to myself: white substance made of cotton --”
(1 out of 17)
Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Cotton"?How does "Cotton" change by context?
2. to realize or understand something
意識到或理解某事
I finally cottoned on to what she was hinting at.
我終於明白她在暗示什麼了。
It was only later that he cottoned to the fact that he had been tricked.
直到後來他才意識到自己被騙了。
3. to become friendly or get along well with someone
與某人變得友好或相處融洽
The two rivals never really cottoned together.
這兩個競爭對手從未真正和睦相處過。
The new puppy quickly cottoned with the children.
新來的小狗很快就和孩子們打成一片了。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Cotton"?How to make natural sentences with "Cotton"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| cotton to + noun/pronoun | 喜歡上；對…產生好感 | He never really cottoned to his new boss. (他從未真正喜歡上他的新老闆。) |
| cotton on (to + noun) | 理解；明白；領悟 | It took me a while to cotton on to what they were planning. (我花了一會兒才明白他們在計劃什麼。) |
| cotton up to + noun/pronoun | 巴結；討好；奉承 | He's always trying to cotton up to the manager. (他總是想方設法巴結經理。) |
用法說明
How is "Cotton" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Cotton"?
cotton to doing vs cotton to do
- cotton to doing 通常用於描述對一個持續的、習慣性的活動或狀態產生好感或適應。
- cotton to do 則較為少見，但可能出現在非正式語境中，表示對一個具體的、一次性的行動或提議產生興趣或願意接受。
- 動詞 cotton 幾乎總是與介系詞 to 連用，形成片語動詞 cotton to。
- 這個用法在美式英語中較為常見，且帶有非正式或口語的色彩。 EN: He never really cottoned to working in a noisy open office. 翻譯: 他始終無法真正適應在嘈雜的開放式辦公室工作。
EN:I don't think she'll cotton to do all the extra paperwork without complaint.
翻譯:我認為她不會毫無怨言地接受做所有額外的文書工作。
總結建議
建議優先使用 "cotton to + 名詞/動名詞 (doing)" 的結構來表達對某人、某想法或某種狀況產生好感或適應。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Cotton" and similar words?How to choose "Cotton" vs alternatives?
cotton vs like
「cotton」強調逐漸理解或接受，過程較慢；「like」則表示單純喜歡或偏好，是即時的情感反應。
cotton vs understand
「cotton」側重於經過努力或時間後「終於明白」，帶有口語和非正式色彩；「understand」是通用詞，表示「理解、明白」。
cotton vs get used to
「cotton to」有「開始喜歡並接受」的雙重含義；「get used to」僅指「習慣於」，不一定帶有喜歡的情感。
口語用法
How is "Cotton" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Cotton"?
引述
在口語中，"cotton on" 常用來引述某人終於理解或跟上某個想法、趨勢或笑話的瞬間。 EN: I had to explain the joke twice before he finally cottoned on. 翻譯: 我解釋了兩遍那個笑話，他才終於明白過來。
EN:She didn't cotton on to the new software until she watched a tutorial.
翻譯:她直到看了教學影片，才搞懂怎麼用那個新軟體。
語氣強調
常與 "finally"、"never"、"quickly" 等副詞連用，強調理解過程的快慢或是否發生。 EN: He never really cottoned on to the fact that they were teasing him. 翻譯: 他始終沒真正意識到他們是在開他玩笑。
EN:Kids these days cotton on to new tech so quickly.
翻譯:現在的小孩對新科技的領悟速度快得驚人。
停頓填充
在思考或組織語句時，有時會用 "cotton on" 的片段（如 "cottoned on to..."）作為短暫停頓，再接著說明理解的內容。 EN: I slowly cottoned on to... what he was actually implying. 翻譯: 我慢慢才意識到……他真正的言外之意。
EN:It took me a minute to cotton on to... oh, you mean the meeting is cancelled?
翻譯:我花了一點時間才搞懂……喔，你是說會議取消了？
正式寫作注意：此為口語及非正式用語，在正式報告、學術論文或商業文件中，應使用更正式的詞彙，如 "understand"、"comprehend"、"realize" 或 "grasp" 來替代。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Cotton"?What fixed phrases with "Cotton" should I remember?
cotton to
cotton to [someone/something]
開始喜歡、接受或理解（某人或某事物）
cotton on
cotton on (to something)
明白、領悟（某事）
not cotton to
not cotton to [someone/something]
不喜歡、不接受（某人或某事物）
cotton up to
cotton up to [someone]
討好、巴結（某人）
cotton together
cotton together
相處融洽、合得來
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Cotton"?Which "Cotton" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×I cottoned the idea.
✓I cottoned to the idea.
作為動詞時，'cotton' 通常與介系詞 'to' 連用，表示『開始喜歡或理解』。單獨使用 'cotton' 是錯誤的。
×She is cottoning the new software.
✓She is cottoning on to how the new software works.
動詞 'cotton' 常與 'on (to)' 組成片語動詞，表示『開始明白、領悟』。直接接賓語而不使用 'on to' 是錯誤的。
×I will cotton with you soon.
✓I will get in touch with you soon.
'Cotton' 作為動詞沒有『聯絡、接觸』的意思。這是一個常見的誤解，可能與 'cotton' 的名詞（棉花）質感或片語 'cotton on'（理解）混淆。正確表達應使用 'get in touch', 'contact' 等。
×He cottons watching football.
✓He has taken to watching football. / He enjoys watching football.
'Cotton to' 雖然表示『開始喜歡』，但通常用於抽象概念、想法或提議，而非直接用於具體的活動或嗜好。用於活動時，聽起來不自然。應使用 'take to', 'develop a liking for', 或簡單的 'enjoy'。
×We cottoned the plan after the meeting.
✓We came around to the plan after the meeting.
'Cotton to' 強調的是『逐漸理解並喜歡』的過程，通常需要一些時間。若想表達『在會議後被說服或同意』，使用 'come around to', 'agree to', 或 'approve of' 更為準確。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Cotton"?What are tense/participle forms of "Cotton"?
cottons(3rd_singular)cottoning(present_participle)cottoned(past)cottoned(past_participle)