1. the idea or thing that a word, sign, or expression represents
字詞、符號或表達方式所代表的觀念或事物
What is the meaning of this word?
這個字是什麼意思？
The word 'home' has a special meaning for me.
『家』這個字對我來說有特殊的意義。
Meaning Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
meaning
noun
快速理解
What does "Meaning" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Meaning"?
「meaning」主要指字詞、符號或行動所表達的內容、意圖或重要性。
- 1
字詞的意義
EN: The idea or concept that a word, sign, or symbol represents.
翻譯: 字詞、符號或標誌所代表的概念或想法。
- 2
意圖或目的
EN: The real intention or purpose behind someone's words or actions.
翻譯: 某人話語或行為背後真正的意圖或目的。
- 3
重要性或價值
EN: The sense of importance or value that something has.
翻譯: 某事物所具有的重要性或價值感。
小提醒：注意「meaning」作名詞時，常與動詞「have」或「give」搭配，如「have a deeper meaning」（有更深層的含義）、「give meaning to life」（賦予生命意義）。
發音（How to Pronounce "Meaning" in English）
How to pronounce "Meaning" in English?"Meaning" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Meaning" 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.”
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Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Meaning"?How does "Meaning" change by context?
2. the purpose or significance of something
某事物的目的或重要性
She felt her life had lost its meaning.
她覺得自己的生活失去了意義。
What is the meaning of this meeting?
這次會議的目的是什麼？
3. the ideas that someone wishes to communicate through speech or writing
某人想透過言語或文字傳達的意圖
I didn't quite understand the meaning of his letter.
我不太明白他信中的意思。
Her meaning was clear, even if her words were confusing.
即使她的話令人困惑，她的意圖還是很清楚的。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Meaning"?How to make natural sentences with "Meaning"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| the meaning of + noun | （某事物的）意義、含義 | The meaning of this ancient symbol is still debated. (這個古老符號的意義至今仍有爭議。) |
| have/take on a new meaning | 具有新的意義 | The word "cloud" has taken on a new meaning in the digital age. (在數位時代，「雲」這個詞有了新的含義。) |
| lose all meaning | 失去所有意義 | After repeating it so many times, the phrase seemed to lose all meaning. (重複了這麼多次後，這個詞組似乎失去了所有意義。) |
| search for meaning | 尋找意義 | Many people spend their lives searching for meaning. (許多人終其一生都在尋找生命的意義。) |
| a sense of meaning | 意義感 | His work gives him a strong sense of meaning. (他的工作給了他強烈的意義感。) |
| the meaning behind + noun | （某事物）背後的意義 | She explained the meaning behind the ritual. (她解釋了這個儀式背後的意義。) |
| find meaning in + noun/V-ing | 從…中找到意義 | He finds meaning in helping others. (他從幫助他人中找到意義。) |
| the deeper/hidden meaning | 更深層／隱藏的含義 | The poem's deeper meaning is about loss and hope. (這首詩更深層的含義是關於失去與希望。) |
| the literal meaning | 字面意義 | The literal meaning of the word is "to bind together." (這個詞的字面意義是「綁在一起」。) |
| the meaning of life | 生命的意義 | Philosophers have long pondered the meaning of life. (哲學家長久以來都在思索生命的意義。) |
用法說明
How is "Meaning" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Meaning"?
meaning doing vs meaning to do
- meaning doing 通常用於描述某個情況、決定或行動所「意味著」或「必然導致」的結果或狀態，這個結果是客觀的、非意圖性的。
- meaning to do 則強調「意圖」或「打算」去做某事，但可能尚未執行或結果未知。
- 當主語是事物或情況時，多用 meaning doing；當主語是人時，則可能用 meaning to do 來表達意圖。
- 在過去式 meant to do 中，常帶有「本來打算做但沒做成」的遺憾或歉意。 EN: Accepting the job would mean moving to another city. 翻譯: 接受這份工作就意味著要搬到另一個城市。
EN:I meant to call you yesterday, but I completely forgot.
翻譯:我昨天本來打算打電話給你，但完全忘了。
總結建議
一般來說，描述客觀結果或必然後果時用 meaning doing，表達主觀意圖或未實現的打算時則用 meaning to do（尤其是過去式 meant to do）。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Meaning" and similar words?How to choose "Meaning" vs alternatives?
meaning vs definition
「meaning」指字詞或符號所傳達的抽象概念、想法或情感；「definition」則是對字詞意義的明確解釋或陳述，通常來自字典。
meaning vs significance
「meaning」側重於語言或符號所表達的基本概念；「significance」則強調重要性、影響力或深遠的含義。
meaning vs sense
「meaning」是字詞或話語的核心內容；「sense」常指在特定上下文中的具體含義、理解或感覺。
口語用法
How is "Meaning" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Meaning"?
引述
在口語中，常用來引述或確認自己或他人說過的話。 EN: So what you're saying is, the meaning of life is to be happy? 翻譯: 所以你的意思是，生命的意義就是要快樂？
EN:I didn't catch the meaning behind his words.
翻譯:我沒聽懂他話語背後的含意。
語氣強調
用於強調某件事的「真正意圖」或「重要性」，常與「real」、「true」、「whole」等詞連用。 EN: The whole meaning of this project is to help the community. 翻譯: 這整個計畫的意義就是要幫助社區。
EN:Do you get my meaning? I'm serious.
翻譯:你明白我的意思嗎？我是認真的。
停頓填充
在思考或組織語言時，作為短暫的停頓填充詞，類似「you know」或「I mean」。 EN: It's about... the meaning... of our actions, you know? 翻譯: 這關乎到...那個...我們行為的意義，你懂吧？
EN:The event was, what's the meaning... oh right, symbolic.
翻譯:那個活動是，該怎麼說...哦對了，是具有象徵意義的。
注意：以上口語用法在正式寫作（如學術論文、商業報告）中應避免，應使用更精確、完整的句子來表達。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Meaning"?What fixed phrases with "Meaning" should I remember?
the meaning of life
the meaning of [noun]
生命的意義
take on a new meaning
take on a [adj] meaning
具有新的意義
literal meaning
[adj] meaning
字面意義
deep meaning
[adj] meaning
深層意義
lose its meaning
lose [possessive] meaning
失去意義
search for meaning
search for meaning
追尋意義
full meaning
[adj] meaning
完整意義
attach meaning to something
attach meaning to [noun/pronoun]
賦予某事物意義
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Meaning"?Which "Meaning" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×What is the meaning of this word? I want to know its mean.
✓What is the meaning of this word? I want to know its meaning.
「meaning」是名詞，而「mean」是動詞。在詢問或指稱一個字詞的「意義」時，必須使用名詞形式「meaning」。
×This sentence has two different meanings.
✓This sentence has two different meanings.
「meaning」的複數形式是「meanings」，直接在字尾加「s」。許多學習者會忘記在表示多個意義時使用複數形式。
×I don't understand what are you meaning.
✓I don't understand what you mean.
詢問對方「意指什麼」時，應使用動詞「mean」的適當形式（如「what you mean」），而非使用名詞「meaning」或進行式「are meaning」。動詞「mean」在此語境下通常不用進行式。
×The book's meaning is very deep.
✓The book's meaning is very profound. / The book is very meaningful.
描述「意義深遠」時，形容「meaning」本身常用「profound」、「significant」或「deep」。若要形容某事物「富有意義」，則應使用形容詞「meaningful」。直接將「deep」與「meaning」搭配雖可接受，但「profound」更為精準自然。
×Can you tell me the meaning about this concept?
✓Can you tell me the meaning of this concept?
表達「...的意義」時，固定使用介系詞「of」（the meaning of something），而非「about」、「for」或「in」。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Meaning"?What are tense/participle forms of "Meaning"?