1. something that exists as a single, separate, and independent unit
一個獨立存在、可被區分的單一事物或單位
The company was registered as a legal entity.
這家公司被註冊為一個法律實體。
In the database, each customer is a distinct entity.
在資料庫中，每位客戶都是一個獨立的實體。
Entity Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
entity
noun
快速理解
What does "Entity" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Entity"?
指一個獨立存在、可被辨識的事物或單位。
- 1
獨立存在的事物
EN: A distinct and independent thing that exists.
翻譯: 一個獨立存在、可被辨識的事物。
- 2
法律或商業上的獨立單位
EN: An organization or unit with a separate legal existence.
翻譯: 具有獨立法律地位的組織或單位，如公司或機構。
- 3
資料庫或系統中的單一項目
EN: A single, identifiable item in a database or system.
翻譯: 資料庫或系統中可被識別和處理的單一項目。
- 4
哲學中的存在本體
EN: Something that exists as a particular being in philosophy.
翻譯: 哲學中指具有特定本質或屬性的存在物。
小提醒：「entity」通常指抽象或具體的「獨立存在體」，中文常譯為「實體」，但需根據上下文判斷是指具體事物、組織單位還是資料項目。
發音（How to Pronounce "Entity" in English）
How to pronounce "Entity" in English?"Entity" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Entity" from YouTube Videos
Sam Altman's Whale AMA
Y Combinator
“it makes it really easy to set up a us company, get a US bank account, everything else you need to do business, uh, and we recommend that to companies that want to form a US entity that don't live.”
(1 out of 12)
Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Entity"?How does "Entity" change by context?
2. an organization or a being, especially when considered as having its own rights and responsibilities
一個組織或存在體，尤指被視為擁有自身權利和責任者
The government treats the rebel group as a political entity.
政府將該反叛團體視為一個政治實體。
Is a corporation a moral entity?
企業是一個道德實體嗎？
3. a thing with distinct and independent existence, often in computing or abstract contexts
一個具有明確且獨立存在的事物，常用於計算或抽象情境中
In the game, each character is a separate entity with unique attributes.
在遊戲中，每個角色都是一個擁有獨特屬性的獨立實體。
The software can identify each data entity in the system.
該軟體能識別系統中的每個資料實體。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Entity"?How to make natural sentences with "Entity"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| entity + of + noun | ...的實體 | The company is a separate legal entity of the corporation. (這家公司是該企業的一個獨立法律實體。) |
| entity + in + noun | 在...中的實體 | He is a key entity in the organization. (他是該組織中的一個關鍵實體。) |
| entity + with + noun | 具有...的實體 | We are dealing with a complex entity with many subsidiaries. (我們正在應對一個擁有多家子公司的複雜實體。) |
| treat + noun + as + an entity | 將...視為一個實體 | The law treats the partnership as a single entity. (法律將合夥關係視為單一實體。) |
| separate/independent + entity | 獨立實體 | The foundation operates as an independent entity. (該基金會以獨立實體的形式運作。) |
| legal/corporate + entity | 法律/公司實體 | A limited liability company (LLC) is a popular type of corporate entity. (有限責任公司是一種常見的公司實體類型。) |
| business/commercial + entity | 商業實體 | You must register your business entity with the government. (你必須向政府註冊你的商業實體。) |
| government/public + entity | 政府/公共實體 | The public library is a government entity. (公共圖書館是一個政府實體。) |
用法說明
How is "Entity" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Entity"?
entity vs. entities
- entity 通常指一個單獨、具體且可識別的「實體」或「存在物」，強調其作為一個獨立單位的概念。
- entities 是複數形式，指多個這樣的單位，強調其多樣性或集合性。
- 在商業、法律或哲學語境中，entity 常特指具有法律地位或財務獨立性的組織（如公司、機構）。
- 在資料庫或資訊科學中，entity 指一個資料物件，而 entities 則指這類物件的集合。 EN: The company is registered as a legal entity. 翻譯: 這家公司註冊為一個法律實體。
EN:The database model defines the relationships between various entities.
翻譯:這個資料庫模型定義了各種實體之間的關係。
EN:Each archaeological discovery is treated as a distinct historical entity.
翻譯:每個考古發現都被視為一個獨立的歷史實體。
EN:The software can identify and classify different entities within the text.
翻譯:這款軟體能識別並分類文本中的不同實體。
總結建議
討論單一、獨立的單位時用 entity，指多個或一類單位時則用 entities。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Entity" and similar words?How to choose "Entity" vs alternatives?
entity vs being
「entity」泛指任何存在的事物，包括抽象概念；「being」通常指有生命、有意識的存在體。
entity vs object
「entity」強調獨立存在性，可為抽象；「object」通常指具體、可感知的物體。
entity vs organization
「entity」是更廣泛的存在單位；「organization」特指為特定目的組成的結構化團體。
口語用法
How is "Entity" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Entity"?
引述
在對話中，當引述或提及一個先前討論過、但不想重複其完整名稱或細節的對象時，常用 "entity" 來指代。 EN: We've been tracking that mysterious entity for months, but it keeps evading our sensors. 翻譯: 我們追蹤那個神祕實體好幾個月了，但它一直避開我們的偵測器。
EN:The contract mentions a third-party entity that will handle the logistics.
翻譯:合約中提到一個第三方實體將負責處理物流。
語氣強調
用 "entity" 來指稱一個模糊、龐大、或有影響力的組織或存在，可以加強其非個人化、抽象或權威的語氣。 EN: I'm not dealing with a person; I'm up against a faceless corporate entity. 翻譯: 我面對的不是一個人，而是一個沒有面孔的企業實體。
EN:Some unknown entity is buying up all the property in the neighborhood.
翻譯:某個未知的實體正在收購社區裡所有的房產。
停頓填充
在組織思緒或尋找合適詞彙時，有時會用 "entity" 作為一個略為正式的填充詞，替代 "thing" 或 "organization"。 EN: The whole... entity... of the project became too complex to manage. 翻譯: 整個...實體...專案變得過於複雜而難以管理。
EN:We need to consider the school not just as a building, but as a living, breathing entity.
翻譯:我們需要把學校不僅視為一棟建築，更是一個活生生的、有生命的實體。
正式寫作注意：在正式或學術寫作中，"entity" 是一個精確的術語，常用於法律、哲學、商業或電腦科學領域（如「法人實體」、「經濟實體」）。上述口語中的靈活用法在正式文體中應避免，應確保其指代明確且符合該領域的專業定義。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Entity"?What fixed phrases with "Entity" should I remember?
legal entity
adjective + entity
法律實體
business entity
adjective + entity
商業實體
separate entity
adjective + entity
獨立實體
foreign entity
adjective + entity
外國實體
government entity
adjective + entity
政府實體
unknown entity
adjective + entity
未知實體
corporate entity
adjective + entity
公司實體
political entity
adjective + entity
政治實體
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Entity"?Which "Entity" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×The government treats all company as one entity.
✓The government treats all companies as one entity.
"Entity" is a countable noun and usually requires an article (a/an/the) or a plural form when referring to multiple distinct units. In this case, "companies" should be plural because they are being treated as a single collective entity.
×I bought a new entity for my kitchen.
✓I bought a new appliance for my kitchen.
"Entity" is a formal, often abstract term for something that exists as a distinct and independent unit, especially in legal, business, or philosophical contexts. It is not used for ordinary physical objects like kitchen appliances. Use more specific words like "appliance," "item," or "object" instead.
×These entity operates independently.
✓These entities operate independently.
When the subject is plural ("these"), the noun must be plural ("entities") and the verb must agree ("operate" instead of "operates").
×In the story, the ghost was a mysterious entity from another world.
✓In the story, the ghost was a mysterious being from another world.
While both can mean "something that exists," "entity" is neutral and often used for organizations, concepts, or inanimate things with distinct existence. "Being" is typically used for living creatures, especially conscious ones like people, animals, or supernatural creatures like ghosts or aliens.
×Company is considered legal entity.
✓A company is considered a legal entity.
When speaking in general about a singular countable noun ("company"), the indefinite article "a" is usually required. Similarly, "entity" as a singular countable noun also needs an article ("a legal entity").
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Entity"?What are tense/participle forms of "Entity"?