1. the system of communication used by a particular country or community
特定國家或社群使用的溝通系統
English is the official language of many countries.
英語是許多國家的官方語言。
She is learning a new language.
她正在學習一種新的語言。
「language」主要指人類用來溝通、表達思想的系統,也可指特定領域的術語或表達風格。
溝通系統
EN: a system of communication used by a particular country or community
翻譯: 指特定國家或社群所使用的溝通系統,如英語、中文。
表達方式
EN: the method of human communication, either spoken or written
翻譯: 指人類口頭或書面的溝通與表達方法。
專業術語
EN: the specialized vocabulary used by a particular group or in a particular field
翻譯: 指特定群體或專業領域使用的專門術語,如程式語言、法律語言。
風格與措辭
EN: a particular style or manner of expression
翻譯: 指表達的特定風格或措辭方式,如詩意的語言、強硬的語言。
小提醒:注意「language」作不可數名詞時,泛指語言能力或語言現象(如 the study of language);作可數名詞時,指具體的某一種語言(如 Asian languages)。
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Language" from YouTube Videos
Steven Schwaitzberg: A universal translator for surgeons
TED
“And second, that language is one of the most profound things that separate us all over the world And in my little corner of the world.”
1. the system of communication used by a particular country or community
特定國家或社群使用的溝通系統
English is the official language of many countries.
英語是許多國家的官方語言。
She is learning a new language.
她正在學習一種新的語言。
2. the method of human communication, either spoken or written
人類口頭或書面的溝通方式
The development of language is a key part of human evolution.
語言的發展是人類進化的關鍵部分。
Body language can convey a lot of information.
肢體語言可以傳達許多資訊。
3. the style or manner of expression in speech or writing
說話或寫作中的表達風格或方式
The lawyer used very formal language in the contract.
律師在合約中使用了非常正式的語言。
Please avoid using offensive language.
請避免使用冒犯性的語言。
4. a system of symbols and rules used for computer programming
用於電腦程式設計的符號與規則系統
Python is a popular programming language.
Python 是一種流行的程式語言。
He is fluent in several computer languages.
他精通好幾種電腦語言。
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| language + of + noun | 表示某事物所使用的語言 | The language of the document is formal. (這份文件的語言很正式。) |
| speak/understand + language | 說/理解某種語言 | She speaks three languages fluently. (她能流利地說三種語言。) |
| learn/study + language | 學習某種語言 | He is studying the Japanese language. (他正在學習日語。) |
| in + language | 用某種語言 | The instructions are written in plain language. (說明是用淺白的語言寫的。) |
| the + Adjective + language | 具有某種特質的語言 | The poetic language moved the audience. (詩意的語言打動了聽眾。) |
| a command/knowledge of + language | 對語言的掌握/知識 | The job requires a good command of the English language. (這份工作要求良好的英語能力。) |
| body/sign language | 肢體/手語 | His body language showed he was nervous. (他的肢體語言顯示他很緊張。) |
| language + barrier | 語言障礙 | The language barrier made communication difficult. (語言障礙使得溝通困難。) |
love, hate, prefer)後,兩種結構意思相近,但 doing 更偏向一般經驗,to do 更偏向特定選擇。would like, would love, would prefer 等表達願望或禮貌請求的結構後,必須使用 to do。
EN: I love learning the language by watching movies.
翻譯: 我喜歡透過看電影來學習語言。EN:I would love to learn a new language next year.
翻譯:我真希望明年能學一門新語言。
EN:They started speaking the language fluently after living there.
翻譯:他們住在那裡之後,開始流利地說那種語言了。
EN:They started to speak the language when the meeting began.
翻譯:會議開始時,他們開始用那種語言發言。
一般情況下,language doing 描述習慣或持續狀態,language to do 則用於特定意圖、首次行動或禮貌請求,尤其在 would 之後必須用 to do。
language vs tongue
「language」指系統性的語言,包含語法、詞彙;「tongue」較文學化,可指具體的舌頭或比喻母語。
language vs dialect
「language」是獨立、標準化的語言;「dialect」是同一語言內的地區或社會變體。
language vs terminology
「language」是廣泛的溝通系統;「terminology」是特定領域內的專門用語集合。
在對話中,當引述或提及他人使用的特定措辭時,常用「language」來指稱那些字句本身。 EN: I was shocked by the language he used in the meeting—it was so unprofessional. 翻譯: 我對他會議上用的語言感到震驚——太不專業了。
EN:Watch your language around the kids, please.
翻譯:在孩子們面前請注意你的用詞。
「Language!」單獨使用時,作為感嘆句,用來即時提醒或斥責對方使用了不當、粗俗或冒犯的言詞。 EN: Language! There are children present. 翻譯: 注意用詞!有小孩在場。
EN:He muttered a curse, and his mom immediately said, "Language!"
翻譯:他低聲咒罵了一句,他媽媽立刻說:「說話注意點!」
在猶豫或思考如何準確表達時,有時會用「the language」或「my language」作為填充詞,引導出後續更精確的描述。 EN: It's hard to find... the language to describe how beautiful it was. 翻譯: 很難找到……確切的語言來形容它有多美。
EN:I don't have the language to express my gratitude properly.
翻譯:我找不到合適的語言來恰當表達我的感激之情。
正式寫作注意:上述口語用法,尤其是單獨使用的感嘆句「Language!」及作為停頓填充的用法,在正式書寫(如學術論文、商業報告)中應避免使用,應選擇更精確、完整的表述。
native language
adjective + language
母語;一個人最初學會或最熟練的語言
foreign language
adjective + language
外語;非本國或非母語的語言
body language
noun + language
肢體語言;透過姿勢、手勢、面部表情等傳達的非言語溝通
programming language
noun + language
程式語言;用於編寫電腦程式的形式語言
speak the same language
verb phrase (idiom)
有共同的想法或觀點;容易溝通和理解
strong language
adjective + language
激烈的言辭;通常指咒罵或粗俗的用語
language barrier
noun + language + noun
語言障礙;因語言不通而造成的溝通困難
language acquisition
language + noun
語言習得;學習並掌握一門語言的過程
×I want to learn a new language skill.
✓I want to learn a new language.
The word 'language' already implies a skill or system of communication. Adding 'skill' is redundant and unnatural in English.
×He speaks three languages: English, Chinese, and French language.
✓He speaks three languages: English, Chinese, and French.
When listing languages, we use the name of the language (e.g., 'French'), not 'French language'. The word 'language' is only used when specifically distinguishing it from other concepts.
×The body language is important in communication.
✓Body language is important in communication.
'Body language' is an uncountable compound noun and typically does not take the definite article 'the' when used in a general sense.
×I need to improve my English languages.
✓I need to improve my English.
'English' refers to the language as a whole system. It is uncountable in this context. The plural 'languages' is only used when referring to multiple distinct language systems.
×What language do you speak in your country?
✓What language is spoken in your country?
The original sentence asks what language the listener personally speaks within their own country, which is odd. The intended meaning is usually about the official or common language(s) of the country, requiring a passive voice construction.
×He used a bad language during the meeting.
✓He used bad language during the meeting.
The phrase 'bad language' (meaning offensive or swear words) is a fixed expression and is uncountable. It does not take the indefinite article 'a'.