1. to suggest something indirectly
暗示；示意
She hinted that she might be leaving the company.
她暗示她可能會離開公司。
He didn't say it directly, but he hinted at the possibility.
他沒有直接說，但他暗示了這個可能性。
Hint Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
hint
verb
快速理解
What does "Hint" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Hint"?
「hint」作為動詞時，意指以間接或含蓄的方式暗示某事。
- 1
暗示
EN: to suggest something indirectly
翻譯: 間接地暗示某事
- 2
透露線索
EN: to give a clue about something
翻譯: 提供關於某事的線索
- 3
示意可能性
EN: to indicate a possibility
翻譯: 指出一種可能性
小提醒：「hint」作為動詞時，通常需要搭配介系詞「at」來帶出所暗示的內容，例如「hint at something」。
發音（How to Pronounce "Hint" in English）
How to pronounce "Hint" in English?"Hint" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Hint" from YouTube Videos
David Holt: The stories and song of Appalachia
TED
“So I thought I would just like to show you some of the pictures I've taken of some of my mentors- Just a few of them, but maybe you'll get just a little hint of some of these folks And play a little banjo.”
(1 out of 14)
Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Hint"?How does "Hint" change by context?
2. to give a clue to help someone find an answer
給予提示；給線索
Can you hint at the answer without telling me directly?
你能在不直接告訴我的情況下提示一下答案嗎？
The teacher hinted that we should look at chapter five for the solution.
老師提示我們應該看第五章來找解決方案。
3. to be a slight indication or suggestion of something
略微顯露；帶有一絲跡象
The sky hinted at the coming storm with its dark clouds.
天空的烏雲略微顯露出暴風雨即將來臨。
His smile hinted at a secret he wasn't ready to share.
他的微笑帶有一絲他還不準備分享的秘密跡象。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Hint"?How to make natural sentences with "Hint"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| hint + at + something | 暗示、間接提及某事 | The manager hinted at possible changes in the company. (經理暗示公司可能會有變動。) |
| hint + that + clause | 暗示… | She hinted that she might not attend the meeting. (她暗示她可能不會參加會議。) |
| hint + to + someone + that + clause | 向某人暗示… | He hinted to me that he was looking for a new job. (他向我暗示他正在找新工作。) |
| hint + for + someone + to + do something | 暗示某人應該做某事 | The teacher dropped several hints for us to study harder. (老師給了我們好幾個暗示，要我們更用功讀書。) |
用法說明
How is "Hint" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Hint"?
hint at doing vs hint to do
- hint at doing something 表示「暗示（某人）在做某事」或「暗示（某人）將要做某事」，強調的是「做」這個行為或狀態本身。
- hint to do something 則表示「暗示（某人）應該去做某事」，帶有建議或指示的意味，強調的是「去做」這個動作的開始或必要性。
- 在許多情況下，兩者可以互換，但細微差別在於 hint at doing 更偏向描述一個情況，而 hint to do 更偏向提出一個行動方向。
- 當主詞是「情況、跡象」而非「人」時，通常使用 hint at 的結構。 EN: His smile hinted at knowing the secret all along. 翻譯: 他的微笑暗示著他早就知道這個秘密了。
EN:She hinted to me to leave the room.
翻譯:她暗示我應該離開房間。
EN:The data hints at the economy slowing down.
翻譯:數據暗示經濟正在放緩。
EN:The boss hinted to the team to work faster.
翻譯:老闆暗示團隊要加快工作速度。
總結建議
一般情況下，若暗示的內容是一個事實或狀態，用「hint at doing」；若暗示的是一個應採取的具體行動，則用「hint to do」。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Hint" and similar words?How to choose "Hint" vs alternatives?
hint vs suggest
「hint」是間接、含蓄地暗示，通常不直接說出；「suggest」則是較直接地提出建議或想法，可以是明確的。
hint vs imply
「hint」是說話者主動、有意識地給予線索；「imply」則強調話語或情況中自然包含的言外之意，聽者需自行推斷。
hint vs indicate
「hint」偏向非正式、含蓄的暗示；「indicate」則較正式、明確，指透過跡象、信號或數據直接顯示或指出。
口語用法
How is "Hint" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Hint"?
引述
在口語中，常用來引述或轉述別人給的暗示或建議。 EN: So I just hinted that maybe we should leave early. 翻譯: 所以我就暗示說，也許我們該早點離開。
EN:She kept hinting that she wanted a new phone for her birthday.
翻譯:她一直暗示她生日想要一支新手機。
語氣強調
用於強調某人持續、反覆地暗示，帶有輕微的不耐煩或戲謔語氣。 EN: Stop hinting already! Just tell me what you want. 翻譯: 別再暗示了啦！直接告訴我你想要什麼。
EN:He's been hinting at a promotion for weeks.
翻譯:他暗示升職這件事已經好幾個星期了。
停頓填充
在思考如何委婉表達時，用作對話中的停頓填充詞。 EN: Well, I don't want to be direct, but... let me hint at the problem. 翻譯: 嗯，我不想說得太直接，不過...讓我暗示一下問題所在。
EN:How to put this... I'll just hint that not everyone was happy.
翻譯:這該怎麼說呢...我就暗示一下不是所有人都開心。
正式寫作注意：在正式書寫或報告中，應避免使用口語化的 hint 結構（如 hinting already）。建議改用更正式的詞彙，如 suggest indirectly、imply 或 allude to。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Hint"?What fixed phrases with "Hint" should I remember?
hint at
hint at something
暗示某事；間接提及
hint that
hint (that) + clause
暗示（某個事實或情況）
drop a hint
drop a hint / drop hints
給出暗示；透露一點訊息
take a hint
take a hint / take the hint
領會暗示；明白對方的意思
hint strongly
hint strongly
強烈暗示
broad hint
give/broad/obvious hint
明顯的暗示
hint of
hint of something
一絲；一點點（常指氣味、跡象、感覺）
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Hint"?Which "Hint" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×He hinted me to leave.
✓He hinted that I should leave.
「hint」作為動詞時，後面不直接接人稱代詞+不定式。正確用法是接「that」子句或使用「hint at something」。
×My teacher hinted me the answer.
✓My teacher hinted at the answer.
「hint」的意思是「間接暗示」，而不是「直接告知」。不能使用「hint + 人 + 物」的結構。表達「向某人暗示某事」應使用「hint at something to someone」或「hint to someone that...」。
×I hinted him to see a doctor.
✓I suggested (that) he see a doctor. / I hinted that he might not be feeling well.
「hint」語氣非常間接、委婉，不用於給予明確的建議或指示。當意圖是明確建議時，應使用「suggest」、「advise」或「recommend」。
×She gave me hint about the surprise.
✓She gave me a hint about the surprise.
當「hint」作為可數名詞，表示「一個提示、線索」時，前面通常需要不定冠詞「a」。
×He hinted on the problem during the meeting.
✓He hinted at the problem during the meeting.
動詞「hint」後面接涉及的話題或事物時，固定搭配的介系詞是「at」，而不是「on」或「about」。雖然「give a hint about」是正確的，但動詞「hint」本身接「at」。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Hint"?What are tense/participle forms of "Hint"?
hints(3rd_singular)hinting(present_participle)hinted(past)hinted(past_participle)