1. to hold gently and protectively
輕輕地、保護性地抱著
She cradled the injured bird in her hands.
她將受傷的小鳥輕輕捧在手心裡。
He cradled the baby's head as he lifted her.
他抬起嬰兒時，用手托著她的頭。
Cradle Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
cradle
verb
快速理解
What does "Cradle" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Cradle"?
「cradle」作動詞時，主要指溫柔地抱著或支撐，或用於描述事物的起源。
- 1
溫柔地抱
EN: to hold something gently and protectively
翻譯: 溫柔地、保護性地抱著某物
- 2
支撐
EN: to support something in a way that resembles a cradle
翻譯: 以類似搖籃的方式支撐某物
- 3
起源地
EN: to be the place where something important began
翻譯: 作為某重要事物的發源地
小提醒：注意「cradle」作動詞時，常帶有「小心呵護」或「作為搖籃（發源地）」的隱喻，不僅是物理上的支撐。
發音（How to Pronounce "Cradle" in English）
How to pronounce "Cradle" in English?"Cradle" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Cradle" from YouTube Videos
Kevin Surace invents eco-friendly drywall
TED
“that had a great signing ceremony leading to people hopefully using these products across the world, And we've got Cradle-to-Cradle Gold on this thing.”
(1 out of 6)
Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Cradle"?How does "Cradle" change by context?
2. to be the place where something begins or is nurtured
作為某事物的發源地或孕育地
This region is often said to cradle ancient civilizations.
這個地區常被認為是古代文明的搖籃。
The university cradled many great scientific minds.
這所大學孕育了許多偉大的科學家。
3. to hold a telephone receiver in its rest
將電話聽筒放回掛鉤上
He cradled the phone after the call.
他講完電話後，將聽筒放回電話機上。
Please cradle the receiver gently.
請輕輕將聽筒放回原位。
4. to hold or support something in a secure or comfortable position
將某物穩固或舒適地支撐著
He cradled the guitar in his lap.
他將吉他穩穩地放在腿上。
The helmet was cradled in a special stand.
頭盔被安放在一個專用的支架上。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Cradle"?How to make natural sentences with "Cradle"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| cradle + noun | 輕輕地抱著或支撐著 | She cradled the baby in her arms. (她將嬰兒輕輕抱在懷中。) |
| cradle + noun + in + noun | 將某物置於...中輕輕支撐 | He cradled the injured bird in his hands. (他將受傷的小鳥捧在手心裡。) |
| be cradled + prepositional phrase | 被...環抱或支撐 | The village is cradled in a valley. (這個村莊被山谷環抱。) |
| cradle + noun + against + noun | 將某物輕輕倚靠著... | She cradled the phone against her shoulder. (她將電話聽筒輕輕夾在肩膀和臉頰之間。) |
用法說明
How is "Cradle" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Cradle"?
cradle doing vs cradle to do
- "cradle + V-ing" 通常描述一個正在進行的、持續的動作或狀態，強調動作的過程或畫面。
- "cradle + to + V" 則較為少見，可能出現在較為詩意或文學性的描述中，暗示一個意圖或目的，或是一個即將開始的動作。
- 在標準用法中，"cradle" 作為動詞時，後面通常直接接名詞或代名詞作為受詞，描述「輕輕抱著」的動作。 EN: She sat by the fire, cradling the sleeping puppy in her arms. 翻譯: 她坐在爐火邊，懷裡輕輕抱著熟睡的小狗。
EN:The mother cradled the infant to soothe its cries.
翻譯:母親輕輕搖晃著嬰兒，以安撫他的哭聲。
總結建議
在大多數情況下，使用 "cradle + 受詞" 的結構最為自然準確，直接描述懷抱或支撐某物的動作。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Cradle" and similar words?How to choose "Cradle" vs alternatives?
cradle vs hold
「cradle」強調溫柔、小心地捧著或支撐，通常用於嬰兒或珍貴物品；「hold」則是一般性的「拿著」或「握住」，沒有特定的溫柔或保護意味。
cradle vs support
「cradle」著重於以彎曲或環抱的姿勢提供舒適的支撐；「support」則泛指任何形式的支撐、承重或維持穩定。
cradle vs nestle
「cradle」是及物動詞，描述主動、溫柔地懷抱或支撐某物；「nestle」通常是不及物動詞，描述舒適地依偎、安頓（自己或某物）於某處。
口語用法
How is "Cradle" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Cradle"?
引述
在口語中，當引述或轉述他人對某事物極度呵護、珍視的態度時，常用 "cradle" 來生動描述那種小心翼翼、像捧著珍寶一樣的動作。 EN: She was just cradling her new phone like it was a newborn baby, telling everyone not to touch it. 翻譯: 她把手機捧在懷裡，就像抱著新生兒一樣，還告訴大家別碰它。
EN:I saw him cradle that old vinyl record he found at the flea market as if it were made of glass.
翻譯:我看到他把在跳蚤市場找到的那張舊黑膠唱片輕輕捧著，好像它是玻璃做的一樣。
語氣強調
在對話中，為了強調動作的輕柔、保護性或懷舊情感，會加重 "cradle" 的語氣，常與 "just"、"so gently" 等詞連用，以凸顯場景。 EN: He just sat there, cradling his head in his hands after hearing the bad news. 翻譯: 聽到壞消息後，他就只是坐在那裡，雙手抱著頭。
EN:She cradled the puppy so gently that it fell asleep in her arms instantly.
翻譯:她非常輕柔地抱著小狗，牠瞬間就在她臂彎裡睡著了。
停頓填充
在描述連續動作或尋找合適詞彙時，"cradle" 可用作一個生動的停頓點，引出後續關於如何對待重要物品或情感的細節。 EN: He walked in, carefully cradling... you know, this huge, fragile cake for the party. 翻譯: 他走進來，小心翼翼地捧著… 你知道的，就是那個為派對準備的又大又易碎的蛋糕。
EN:In the photo, she's sitting by the fire, cradling... what was it? Oh, her grandfather's old pocket watch.
翻譯:照片裡，她坐在火爐旁，懷裡捧著… 是什麼來著？哦，是她祖父的舊懷錶。
正式寫作注意：在正式或學術寫作中，應避免將 "cradle" 用於上述口語中的引述或停頓填充功能。其動詞用法應緊扣「輕柔地抱持」或「作為…的發源地」這類核心定義，並使用更精確、連貫的句式來表達。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Cradle"?What fixed phrases with "Cradle" should I remember?
cradle in one's arms
verb + in + possessive + arms
輕輕抱在懷裡
cradle one's head
verb + possessive + head
用手臂或枕頭支撐著頭
cradle the phone
verb + the + phone
把電話聽筒夾在肩膀和耳朵之間
cradle carefully
verb + adverb
小心翼翼地捧著
cradle against
verb + against + noun
依偎在…
cradle and rock
verb + and + verb
抱著輕輕搖晃
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Cradle"?Which "Cradle" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×She put the baby in the cradle gently.
✓She cradled the baby gently.
誤將名詞 'cradle'（搖籃）當作動詞使用。此處應使用動詞 'cradle'（輕輕抱著），而非名詞。
×He cradled the baby in his arms.
✓He cradled the baby in his arms.
此句文法正確，但學習者常誤以為 'cradle' 必須搭配 'in'。實際上，'cradle' 可搭配不同介系詞或直接接受詞，視語境而定。
×He is cradling the vase careful.
✓He is cradling the vase carefully.
誤用形容詞 'careful' 修飾動詞。修飾動詞 'cradling' 應使用副詞 'carefully'（小心地）。
×She cradled gently.
✓She cradled the puppy gently.
動詞 'cradle' 是及物動詞，必須接一個受詞（被懷抱的對象）。句子缺少受詞，語意不完整。
×The company cradles many new technologies. (intended meaning: to hold gently)
✓The company nurtures/fosters many new technologies.
誤將 'cradle' 的「輕抱」字面意思用於抽象概念。'cradle' 用於抽象時，常指「發源地」或「孕育初期」，而非持續培育。表達「培育」應用 'nurture' 或 'foster'。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Cradle"?What are tense/participle forms of "Cradle"?
cradles(3rd_singular)cradling(present_participle)cradled(past)cradled(past_participle)