1. to try to win the favor or love of someone, often with the intention of marriage
追求，求愛（常以結婚為目的）
He courted her for two years before they got engaged.
他追求了她兩年，然後他們才訂婚。
In the past, a gentleman would formally court a lady.
過去，紳士會正式地追求一位淑女。
Court Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
court
verb
快速理解
What does "Court" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Court"?
作為動詞，court 主要表示刻意尋求或吸引某事物，或用於法律及體育情境。
- 1
刻意尋求
EN: to try to obtain or attract something, often something desirable but potentially risky
翻譯: 刻意尋求或吸引（常指有利但可能帶來風險的事物）
- 2
討好/追求
EN: to try to please someone or gain their favor, especially in a romantic context
翻譯: 討好某人或試圖獲得其好感（尤指在浪漫關係中）
- 3
招致（風險）
EN: to act in a way that might lead to something unpleasant or dangerous
翻譯: 以某種方式行事，可能招致不愉快或危險的後果
小提醒：注意 court 作動詞時，常帶有「刻意、主動去尋求」的含義，且尋求的對象可以是正面事物（如支持、名聲），但也常暗示伴隨而來的風險或批評，例如 "court controversy"（招致爭議）。
發音（How to Pronounce "Court" in English）
How to pronounce "Court" in English?"Court" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Court" from YouTube Videos
South Korea would accept Trump-Kim deal to freeze North Korea’s nuclear programme | BBC News
BBC News
“But to hear from Kim Jong-un today that he would sit down with Trump, this is this kind of first step, But now really the the ball is in Trump's court.”
(1 out of 27)
Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Court"?How does "Court" change by context?
2. to try to obtain or achieve something, often something desirable but potentially risky
設法獲得；招致（常指想要但可能有風險的事物）
The company is courting new investors from overseas.
這家公司正在設法吸引海外的新投資者。
His reckless actions are courting disaster.
他魯莽的行為正在招致災難。
3. to behave in a way that might lead to a particular (often negative) result
（行為）招來，惹來（常指負面結果）
Driving without a seatbelt is courting danger.
開車不繫安全帶是在招惹危險。
By ignoring the warnings, he was courting controversy.
他無視警告，是在惹來爭議。
4. to pay special attention to someone in order to gain an advantage
奉承，討好（以獲取好處）
Politicians often court the media before an election.
政治人物常在選舉前討好媒體。
The brand is courting younger consumers with social media campaigns.
這個品牌正透過社群媒體活動來討好年輕消費者。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Court"?How to make natural sentences with "Court"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| court + [person/group] | 向…獻殷勤；追求；討好 | The politician is actively courting young voters. (這位政客正積極討好年輕選民。) |
| court + [danger/disaster/favor] | 招致（危險、災難）；尋求（好感） | By ignoring the warnings, he is courting disaster. (他無視警告，正在自招災禍。) |
| court + controversy | 引起爭議 | The artist's latest work is sure to court controversy. (這位藝術家的最新作品肯定會引起爭議。) |
| be courted by + [person/group] | 受到…的追求/拉攏 | The talented scientist was courted by several top universities. (這位才華洋溢的科學家受到好幾所頂尖大學的延攬。) |
用法說明
How is "Court" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Court"?
court doing vs court to do
- court doing 通常用於描述「尋求、招惹」某種持續的狀態、活動或抽象事物，強調過程或整體行為。
- court to do 則較為少見，若使用則可能暗示「為了某個特定目的而尋求（某人）」，結構上更接近「court someone to do something」。
- 在現代英語中，court 作為動詞，其後最常見的結構是直接接名詞（court danger, court controversy）或動名詞（court risking, court inviting）。
- court to do 並非標準搭配，使用時可能造成理解困難，應優先選擇 court + N 或 court + V-ing 的結構。 EN: The politician is courting inviting criticism with his reckless statements. 翻譯: 這位政客輕率的言論正在招惹批評。
EN:He tried to court the king to grant him a pardon.
翻譯:他試圖討好國王，以求獲得赦免。
總結建議
建議使用「court + 名詞」或「court + V-ing」來表達「尋求、招惹」之意，避免使用「court to do」的不自然結構。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Court" and similar words?How to choose "Court" vs alternatives?
court vs woo
「court」較正式且帶有目的性，常指為建立關係（如婚姻、商業）而刻意討好；「woo」則更強調用魅力、奉承或承諾來吸引或說服某人。
court vs pursue
「court」特指透過討好、關注以尋求建立某種關係（常為浪漫或利益關係）；「pursue」含義更廣，指積極追尋任何目標、興趣或人。
court vs seek
「court」強調以主動討好或吸引的方式去爭取；「seek」則為更通用詞，僅表示嘗試找到或獲得某物，不暗示具體方法。
口語用法
How is "Court" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Court"?
引述
在轉述他人行為或意圖時，常用來表示「追求」、「討好」或「試圖獲得」。 EN: He's been courting the boss's favor for months, hoping for a promotion. 翻譯: 他這幾個月一直在討好老闆，希望能升職。
EN:She said they were courting investors for their new startup.
翻譯:她說他們正在為新創公司爭取投資者。
語氣強調
用於強調主動、刻意或有風險地尋求某種結果，常帶有謹慎或策略性的意味。 EN: You're courting disaster if you ignore all the safety warnings. 翻譯: 如果你無視所有安全警告，簡直是在自找麻煩。
EN:The politician is openly courting controversy with those statements.
翻譯:那位政治人物發表那些言論，分明是在招惹爭議。
停頓填充
在思考如何委婉表達「追求」或「試圖建立關係」時，作為較正式或書面化的替代詞。 EN: Well, I wouldn't say he's dating her... more like he's, you know, courting her approval. 翻譯: 這個嘛，我不會說他在跟她交往...更像是，你知道的，在尋求她的認可。
EN:Their strategy seems to be... courting public sympathy through social media.
翻譯:他們的策略似乎是...透過社群媒體來博取公眾同情。
正式書寫注意：在正式或學術寫作中，court 作為動詞較為正式且帶有特定意涵（如法律上的「招致」、外交上的「尋求」）。在一般敘述中，口語可能更常使用 try to get、seek 或 woo（用於商業、政治）等詞。直接替換時需注意語境是否合適。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Court"?What fixed phrases with "Court" should I remember?
court disaster
court [noun]
招致災難；自找麻煩
court controversy
court [noun]
招惹爭議；引起爭端
court favor
court [noun]
討好；奉承；爭取支持
court publicity
court [noun]
刻意尋求公眾關注；博取版面
court danger
court [noun]
冒險；置身險境
court someone
court [pronoun/noun]
追求（某人，尤指戀愛對象）；向...獻殷勤
court someone's displeasure
court [possessive] [noun]
招致某人的不悅；惹惱某人
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Court"?Which "Court" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×The lawyer entered the court.
✓The lawyer entered the courtroom.
「court」作為名詞時指「法院」這個機構或系統，而「courtroom」才是具體的「法庭」房間。描述進入物理空間時應使用「courtroom」。
×He is courting with her.
✓He is courting her.
「court」作為「追求（某人）」時是及物動詞，後面直接接受詞，不需要介系詞「with」。
×They decided to court for a retrial.
✓They decided to appeal for a retrial.
「court」作為動詞沒有「上訴」的意思。法律上的「上訴」應使用「appeal」。
×The company is trying to court new investors.
✓The company is trying to woo new investors.
雖然「court」有「試圖獲得（支持、好感）」的引申義，但在商業或非浪漫語境中，使用「woo」、「attract」或「seek」更為自然和常見。
×He is courting danger by driving fast.
✓He is courting danger by driving fast.
此句文法正確，但學習者常誤解「court danger/disaster」的意思。此片語意為「招致、冒著（危險、災難）的風險」，是主動將自己置於險境，而非被動遇到危險。
×The team has been courting the star player for months.
✓The team has been courting the star player for months.
此句文法正確。但學習者可能不熟悉「court」用於進行式，以描述持續進行的「爭取、討好」行動。這是完全正確的用法。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Court"?What are tense/participle forms of "Court"?
courts(3rd_singular)courting(present_participle)courted(past)courted(past_participle)