1. used to emphasize the basic, fundamental, or most important aspect of something
用於強調某事物的基本、根本或最重要的方面
The two proposals are essentially the same.
這兩項提案本質上是相同的。
He is essentially a kind person, despite his rough exterior.
儘管外表粗獷，他本質上是個善良的人。
Essentially Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
essentially
adverb
快速理解
What does "Essentially" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Essentially"?
用於指出某事物的核心、基本或最重要的部分。
- 1
本質上
EN: Used to emphasize the basic, fundamental nature of something.
翻譯: 用於強調某事物的基本、根本性質。
- 2
基本上
EN: Used to indicate that a statement is true in the most important respects, even if not entirely.
翻譯: 用於表示某個說法在最重要的方面是正確的，即使並非完全如此。
- 3
主要地
EN: Used to highlight the most significant element or purpose.
翻譯: 用於強調最重要的元素或目的。
小提醒：注意 'essentially' 與 'basically' 在中文常都譯為「基本上」，但 'essentially' 更強調「核心本質」，而 'basically' 有時僅指「簡化來說」。
發音（How to Pronounce "Essentially" in English）
How to pronounce "Essentially" in English?"Essentially" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Essentially" from YouTube Videos
Paul Buchheit: What traits do startups need to succeed?
Y Combinator
“frugality, I think, is also really essential. I think, like one of the best indicators of if you're doing it right is essentially your input to output ratio.”
(1 out of 90)
Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Essentially"?How does "Essentially" change by context?
2. used when stating the most basic facts about something
用於陳述某事物最基本的事實
The book is essentially a guide to healthy eating.
這本書基本上是一本健康飲食指南。
Her job essentially involves managing the team's schedule.
她的工作基本上就是管理團隊的日程。
3. in all important respects; almost completely
在所有重要方面；幾乎完全地
The project is essentially finished; we just need to add the final touches.
這個專案基本上完成了；我們只需要做最後的潤飾。
With the new evidence, the case is essentially closed.
有了新證據，這個案子基本上算是結案了。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Essentially"?How to make natural sentences with "Essentially"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| essentially + adjective | 本質上是… | The plan is essentially complete. (該計畫本質上已經完成了。) |
| essentially + the same | 基本上相同 | Their proposals are essentially the same. (他們的提議基本上相同。) |
| essentially + a + noun | 基本上是一個… | He is essentially a kind person. (他基本上是個善良的人。) |
| essentially + that-clause | 基本上… | The argument is essentially that we need more time. (論點基本上是我們需要更多時間。) |
| essentially + for + noun/V-ing | 主要用於… | This tool is essentially for cutting metal. (這個工具主要用於切割金屬。) |
| essentially + unchanged/unaffected | 基本上未改變/未受影響 | The core structure remains essentially unchanged. (核心結構基本上保持不變。) |
用法說明
How is "Essentially" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Essentially"?
essentially 修飾動詞 vs 修飾名詞
- "essentially" 作為副詞，主要用來修飾動詞、形容詞、其他副詞或整個句子，表示「本質上、基本上」。
- 當修飾動詞時，通常置於主要動詞之前，或助動詞與主要動詞之間，以強調動作或狀態的核心性質。
- 當修飾名詞時，通常置於「be 動詞 + essentially + 名詞」的結構中，說明該名詞是對主語最核心的描述。
- 注意它與 "in essence" 或 "basically" 的用法相似，但語氣更正式一些。 EN: The plan essentially involves restructuring the entire department. 翻譯: 這項計畫基本上涉及整個部門的重組。
EN:This device is essentially a portable scanner with extra features.
翻譯:這台裝置本質上是一台帶有額外功能的攜帶型掃描器。
總結建議
在大多數情況下，將 "essentially" 置於其所強調的核心元素（動詞、形容詞或名詞）之前，就能準確表達「本質上」的含義。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Essentially" and similar words?How to choose "Essentially" vs alternatives?
essentially vs basically
兩者都表示「基本上、根本上」，常可互換。但 'essentially' 更強調事物的核心本質或關鍵要素，而 'basically' 更偏向於簡化複雜情況，指出最基礎或主要的部分。
essentially vs fundamentally
兩者都觸及事物的基礎或根本。'essentially' 更常描述事物的核心性質或真實樣貌；'fundamentally' 則更強烈地指向構成基礎的原理、根基或結構，常用於討論系統、信念或理論的基礎層面。
essentially vs virtually
'essentially' 強調在關鍵特質或功能上相同，忽略次要差異。'virtually' 則強調「幾乎完全」、「實際上」，非常接近事實或完成狀態，但可能留有極微小的差距。
口語用法
How is "Essentially" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Essentially"?
引述
用於引述或總結他人觀點，表示「簡單來說」、「說到底」。 EN: So what you're saying is, essentially, we need to start over. 翻譯: 所以你的意思是，說到底，我們得重頭來過。
EN:He essentially told me the project was on hold indefinitely.
翻譯:他基本上就是告訴我，這個專案無限期暫停了。
語氣強調
用於強調核心事實或結論，常與「just」或「really」連用，帶有「其實就是」、「根本就是」的語氣。 EN: It's essentially the same design, just with a different color. 翻譯: 這根本就是同一個設計，只是換了個顏色。
EN:Don't overcomplicate it—it's essentially a matter of trust.
翻譯:別想得太複雜——這其實就是一個信任問題。
停頓填充
在思考或組織語言時用作填充詞，類似「基本上」，後面常接更具體的說明。 EN: The plan is, essentially... to launch quietly and gather feedback. 翻譯: 這個計畫，基本上…就是先低調上線，然後收集回饋。
EN:I think we should, essentially, focus on our core users first.
翻譯:我認為我們應該，基本上，先聚焦在核心用戶上。
正式寫作注意：在學術論文、正式報告或法律文件中，應避免將 "essentially" 用作填充詞或過於口語化的強調。建議改用更精確的詞彙，如 "fundamentally", "in essence", 或 "in effect"，以保持語氣的嚴謹與客觀。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Essentially"?What fixed phrases with "Essentially" should I remember?
essentially [adjective]
essentially + adjective
本質上是...，基本上是...
essentially the same
essentially the same (as)
基本上相同
essentially a [noun]
essentially a/an + noun
本質上是一個...
essentially means
essentially means (that)...
基本上意味著...
essentially about
essentially about + noun/gerund
主要是關於...
essentially all
essentially all (of) + noun
幾乎所有
essentially unchanged
remain/be essentially unchanged
基本上保持不變
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Essentially"?Which "Essentially" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×He is an essentially person.
✓He is essentially a kind person.
"Essentially" 是副詞，不能直接修飾名詞 "person"。它應該用來修飾形容詞、動詞或整個句子，表示基本性質或核心特徵。
×I essentially agree with you, but I have one major objection.
✓I generally agree with you, but I have one major objection.
"Essentially" 表示「基本上、核心上」，暗示同意其核心部分，即使有細節差異。如果有一個主要反對意見，表示不同意核心部分，則不適用。此時應使用 "generally"（大體上）。
×This is essentially important.
✓This is extremely important.
"Essentially" 不與 "important" 這類表示程度的形容詞連用，因為它不表示程度高低，而是表示事物的基本性質或狀態。應改用 "extremely"、"very" 或 "critically"。
×She essentially finished her homework at 8 PM.
✓She finally finished her homework at 8 PM.
"Essentially" 不用來表示時間上的「終於」或「最終」。它描述的是狀態或性質的核心部分。表示時間上的結果應使用 "finally" 或 "eventually"。
×The movie was essentially boring.
✓The movie was basically boring.
雖然 "essentially" 和 "basically" 有時可互換，但 "essentially" 更強調事物的「本質」或「核心要素」，而 "basically" 在口語中更常用於概括或簡化描述。描述電影「大體上很無聊」用 "basically" 更自然。
×We need essentially to discuss this.
✓We essentially need to discuss this.
副詞 "essentially" 通常放在主要動詞之前（或 be 動詞之後），以修飾整個動詞片語或句子。放在不定詞 "to discuss" 之前會中斷動詞結構，聽起來不自然。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Essentially"?What are tense/participle forms of "Essentially"?