1. to make something clear or easy to understand by describing or giving information about it
解釋，說明
Can you explain how this machine works?
你能解釋一下這台機器是怎麼運作的嗎？
The teacher explained the grammar rule again.
老師再次解釋了這條文法規則。
Explain Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
explain
verb
快速理解
What does "Explain" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Explain"?
「explain」意指透過言語或文字，使某事物變得清晰、易懂。
- 1
說明原因
EN: to make something clear or easy to understand by describing or giving reasons for it
翻譯: 透過描述或提供理由，使某事變得清晰或易於理解。
- 2
闡釋含義
EN: to tell what something means or how it works
翻譯: 解釋某事物的意義或運作方式。
- 3
為...辯解
EN: to give reasons for your behavior, especially to justify it
翻譯: 為自己的行為提供理由，尤指為其辯護。
小提醒：注意「explain」是及物動詞，通常直接接受詞，不需加介系詞「about」。例如："He explained the rule."（他解釋了規則。）而非 "He explained about the rule."
發音（How to Pronounce "Explain" in English）
How to pronounce "Explain" in English?"Explain" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Explain" from YouTube Videos
Why is social media actually dumb.
meiqiii
“try to explain to like a person who hasn't been on social media, what the [ __ ]”
(1 out of 120)
Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Explain"?How does "Explain" change by context?
2. to give a reason for something or to be the reason for something
說明原因，解釋理由
She explained why she was late.
她解釋了她遲到的原因。
That doesn't explain his strange behavior.
那無法解釋他奇怪的行為。
3. to make something clear by giving more details or context
闡明，詳細說明
He explained the historical background of the event.
他闡明了這個事件的歷史背景。
The manual explains the procedure step by step.
手冊一步步詳細說明了程序。
4. to make one's thoughts, feelings, or intentions understandable
闡述（想法、感受或意圖）
She tried to explain her feelings to him.
她試圖向他闡述她的感受。
He couldn't explain the decision to his team.
他無法向他的團隊闡述這個決定。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Explain"?How to make natural sentences with "Explain"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| explain + noun/pronoun | 解釋（某事物） | Can you explain this diagram? (你能解釋一下這張圖嗎？) |
| explain + that-clause | 解釋說… | She explained that the flight was delayed. (她解釋說航班延誤了。) |
| explain + wh-clause (what, why, how, etc.) | 解釋（什麼、為何、如何等） | He explained how the machine works. (他解釋了這台機器如何運作。) |
| explain + noun/pronoun + to + person | 向（某人）解釋（某事物） | I need to explain the rules to the new members. (我需要向新成員解釋規則。) |
| explain + oneself | 為自己的行為辯解；說明自己的意思 | You're late again. Can you explain yourself? (你又遲到了，你能解釋一下嗎？) |
| explain away + noun | （為過失等）辯解；搪塞 | He tried to explain away his mistake. (他試圖為自己的錯誤辯解。) |
用法說明
How is "Explain" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Explain"?
explain doing vs explain to do
- explain doing 用於說明或辯解一個已經發生或正在發生的行為或情況。
- explain to do 這個結構本身並不正確。當要表達「解釋如何做某事」時，應使用 explain how to do。
- 動詞 explain 後面若要接另一個動詞，通常會以 explain + 名詞/子句 或 explain + 動名詞 (doing) 的形式出現。
- 在正式或書面語中，explain 後接 that 子句來陳述解釋的內容也很常見。 EN: Can you explain leaving the door unlocked last night? 翻譯: 你能解釋一下昨晚為什麼沒鎖門嗎？
EN:The manual explains how to assemble the furniture step by step.
翻譯:手冊一步步解釋了如何組裝這件家具。
總結建議
一般情況下，使用 explain + 名詞/子句 或 explain + 動名詞 來解釋事物或行為，而使用 explain how to 來指導如何完成某項任務。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Explain" and similar words?How to choose "Explain" vs alternatives?
explain vs describe
"explain" 強調說明原因、原理或讓某事變得清晰易懂；"describe" 則著重於描繪外觀、細節或過程，而不一定涉及原因。
explain vs clarify
"explain" 是對一個主題進行全面或初步的說明；"clarify" 則是在已有解釋但仍有困惑或誤解時，進行進一步的釐清。
explain vs interpret
"explain" 側重於客觀陳述事實、原因或方法；"interpret" 則涉及主觀的理解、翻譯（尤其是語言）或對意義（如藝術、法律）的闡釋。
口語用法
How is "Explain" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Explain"?
引述
在對話中，常用來引述或轉述他人的話，作為解釋的開場。 EN: So I explained to him, "The system won't work unless you restart it." 翻譯: 所以我跟他解釋說：「除非你重新啟動，否則系統不會運作。」
EN:She explained, "It's not about the money, it's about the principle."
翻譯:她解釋道：「這不是錢的問題，是原則問題。」
語氣強調
在口語中，常與 "just"、"really" 或 "simply" 連用，以強調解釋的簡單性或必要性。 EN: Let me just explain why this is a bad idea. 翻譯: 讓我簡單解釋一下為什麼這是個餿主意。
EN:I can't really explain it, you just have to see it for yourself.
翻譯:我實在無法解釋清楚，你得親眼看看才行。
停頓填充
在組織思緒或尋找合適詞語時，會用 "explain" 相關的短語作為填充，如 "how do I explain this..."。 EN: How do I explain this... it's like trying to catch smoke with your hands. 翻譯: 這該怎麼解釋呢…就像試圖用手抓住煙一樣。
EN:It's complicated—let me explain... okay, imagine you have two accounts.
翻譯:這有點複雜—讓我解釋一下…好吧，想像你有兩個帳戶。
正式寫作注意：在正式或學術寫作中，應避免使用上述口語填充模式（如 "how do I explain this..."）以及過於隨意的強調詞（如 "just explain"）。建議使用更精確、結構完整的表達，例如 "This can be elucidated as follows:" 或 "The rationale is as follows:"。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Explain"?What fixed phrases with "Explain" should I remember?
explain why
explain why + clause
解釋原因
explain how
explain how + clause
解釋方法或過程
explain something to someone
explain + noun/pronoun + to + person
向某人解釋某事
explain away
explain away + noun
為...辯解；找藉口搪塞
explain in detail
explain + (object) + in detail
詳細解釋
explain the situation
explain the situation
解釋情況
explain yourself
explain yourself
為自己的行為或言論作出解釋
explain the meaning
explain the meaning (of something)
解釋含義
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Explain"?Which "Explain" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×Can you explain me the problem?
✓Can you explain the problem to me?
在英文中，'explain' 是及物動詞，後面直接接要解釋的事物（直接受詞），不能直接接人。若要表達向某人解釋，需使用 'explain something to someone' 的結構。
×She explained that how the machine works.
✓She explained how the machine works.
'Explain' 後面接 'that' 子句時，'that' 引導的是陳述句，子句本身結構需完整。若接的是疑問詞（如 how, what, why），則不需再加 'that'，因為疑問詞本身已引導子句。
×I will explain about my plan.
✓I will explain my plan.
'Explain' 本身已包含「說明關於...」的意思，因此後面直接接受詞即可，不需要再加介系詞 'about'。加 'about' 是多餘且不正確的。
×He explained me.
✓He explained it to me. / He explained himself to me.
'Explain' 必須有直接受詞（要解釋的「事物」）。不能單獨用人作受詞。若想表達「他向我解釋（某件事）」，必須說出那件事，或用 'it' 等代名詞替代。'Explain oneself' 是固定片語，意為「為自己的行為辯解」。
×She explained the children the story.
✓She explained the story to the children.
這是錯誤1的延伸。當句子中有直接受詞（故事）和間接受詞（孩子們）時，必須使用 'explain something to someone' 的結構，不能將兩個受詞並列放在動詞後面。
×Can you explain what means this word?
✓Can you explain what this word means?
當 'explain' 後面接含有疑問詞的名詞子句時，子句內的語序必須是陳述句語序（主詞 + 動詞），而不是疑問句語序。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Explain"?What are tense/participle forms of "Explain"?
explains(3rd_singular)explaining(present_participle)explained(past)explained(past_participle)