1. the fact or state of being real, present, or alive
存在;實存
The existence of life on other planets is still unproven.
其他行星上存在生命這件事仍未得到證實。
She doubted the existence of ghosts.
她懷疑鬼魂的存在。
指某物或某種狀態的實際存在或持續存在的事實。
存在的事實
EN: the fact or state of being real or alive
翻譯: 指某事物是真實的、活著的或確實存在的狀態。
持續存在
EN: the state of continuing to be or live
翻譯: 指某事物持續存在或生存的狀態。
生活方式
EN: a particular way of living
翻譯: 指一種特定的生活方式或生存模式。
存在的事物
EN: something that exists
翻譯: 指一個具體存在的事物或實體。
小提醒:注意 'existence' 是不可數名詞,指『存在』這個抽象概念或狀態時不加 'a/an',例如 'come into existence'(開始存在)。只有在指『一種生活方式』時,有時可視為可數,如 'a miserable existence'(一種悲慘的生活)。
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Existence" from YouTube Videos
Why are these 32 symbols found in caves all over Europe | Genevieve von Petzinger | TED
TED
“The oldest systems of graphic communication in the world -- Sumerian, cuneiform, Egyptian hieroglyphs, the earliest Chinese script- all emerged between 4,000 and 5,000 years ago, with each coming into existence from an earlier protosystem made up of counting marks and pictographic representations where the meaning and the image were the same, So a picture of a bird would really have represented that animal.”
1. the fact or state of being real, present, or alive
存在;實存
The existence of life on other planets is still unproven.
其他行星上存在生命這件事仍未得到證實。
She doubted the existence of ghosts.
她懷疑鬼魂的存在。
2. a particular way of living, especially a difficult or boring one
(尤指艱難或乏味的)生活方式,生存方式
He led a lonely existence in a small apartment.
他在一間小公寓裡過著孤獨的生活。
For many, it was a hand-to-mouth existence.
對許多人來說,那是一種勉強餬口的生活。
3. all that exists, especially the physical universe
(尤指物質的)萬物,宇宙
Philosophers have long pondered the nature of existence.
哲學家長久以來都在思索存在的本質。
The theory attempts to explain the origins of existence.
這個理論試圖解釋萬物的起源。
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| the existence of + noun | ...的存在 | The existence of life on other planets is still unproven. (其他行星上存在生命仍未得到證實。) |
| come into existence | 開始存在;出現 | The company came into existence in 1995. (這家公司成立於1995年。) |
| bring something into existence | 使某事物出現;創造某事物 | The new policy brought a wave of innovation into existence. (新政策催生了一波創新浪潮。) |
| in existence | 現存的;存在的 | This is one of the oldest manuscripts in existence. (這是現存最古老的手稿之一。) |
| deny the existence of + noun | 否認...的存在 | He continues to deny the existence of the problem. (他繼續否認問題的存在。) |
| a struggle for existence | 生存鬥爭 | In the harsh environment, it was a constant struggle for existence. (在惡劣的環境中,這是一場持續的生存鬥爭。) |
existence of 是更常見、更直接的用法。existence that 結構。
EN: The legend speaks of the existence of a hidden treasure.
翻譯: 傳說中提到有一筆隱藏寶藏的存在。EN:We cannot deny the existence that life may be found on other planets.
翻譯:我們不能否認生命可能存在於其他星球這個事實。
在大多數情況下,使用 existence of 來表達「...的存在」即可;僅在需要正式引導一個定義性或解釋性子句時,才考慮使用 existence that。
existence vs being
「existence」強調事物「存在」的狀態或事實本身,而「being」則更常指具有生命或意識的「存在體」,或指「存在」的哲學概念。
existence vs reality
「existence」指事物「存在」與否的狀態;「reality」則指已經存在的事物所構成的「現實」或「真實情況」,更側重可感知或已確認的層面。
existence vs presence
「existence」指事物存在的事實;「presence」則強調在特定時間或地點「在場」、「出現」或「存在感」,更具體且常與感知相關。
在對話中,當引述或提及他人對某事物是否存在的看法時,常會用到這個字。 EN: He kept questioning the existence of any real evidence. 翻譯: 他一直在質疑是否有任何真實證據存在。
EN:I don't doubt the existence of good intentions, but the results matter more.
翻譯:我不懷疑有好意存在,但結果更重要。
用來強調某事物確實存在或根本不存在,以加強語氣。 EN: There's no existence of a backup plan, so we have to get this right. 翻譯: 根本沒有備用計畫的存在,所以我們必須把這件事做對。
EN:The very existence of this club depends on member participation.
翻譯:這個社團能否存在,完全取決於會員的參與。
在思考如何表達時,有時會用 "the existence of..." 作為短暫的停頓,引出後面的重點。 EN: It's really about... the existence of a mutual trust between us. 翻譯: 這其實是關於...我們之間是否存在相互信任。
EN:The problem stems from... well, the existence of too many conflicting rules.
翻譯:問題根源在於...嗯,就是有太多互相矛盾的規定存在。
正式寫作提醒:在正式或學術寫作中,"existence" 是標準用詞。但在日常口語中,人們更常使用更簡單的詞彙,如 "there is/are"、"have" 或 "be around" 來表達「存在」的概念。
come into existence
verb + into + existence
開始存在;出現;形成
the existence of something
the + existence + of + noun
某事物的存在
a struggle for existence
a + struggle + for + existence
生存鬥爭
deny the existence of
verb + the existence + of + noun
否認...的存在
a miserable existence
adjective + existence
悲慘的生活;困苦的生存狀態
owe one's existence to
verb + one's existence + to + noun
因...而存在;歸功於...才得以存在
in existence
preposition + existence
現存的;存在的
×The existence of the problem are undeniable.
✓The existence of the problem is undeniable.
"Existence" is a singular uncountable noun, so it requires a singular verb (is/was), not a plural verb (are/were).
×He is questioning about the existence of ghosts.
✓He is questioning the existence of ghosts.
The verb "question" is transitive and does not require the preposition "about" when followed directly by the object (the existence of...).
×We need to fight for our existences.
✓We need to fight for our existence.
"Existence" is typically used as an uncountable noun when referring to the state of existing in a general or collective sense. The plural form "existences" is very rare and usually refers to distinct, separate states of being (e.g., past lives).
×I came to know the existence of this tradition.
✓I became aware of the existence of this tradition.
The phrase "came to know" is not idiomatic for discovering or learning about the existence of something. "Became aware of," "learned of," or "discovered" are more natural collocations.
×This is a proof for the existence of aliens.
✓This is proof of the existence of aliens.
The correct preposition after "proof" in this context is "of," not "for." Also, "proof" is usually uncountable in this meaning, so "a proof" is less common.