1. to function or work
運轉，運作
The machine operates quietly.
這台機器運轉起來很安靜。
The new system is not operating efficiently yet.
新系統目前運作得還不夠有效率。
Operate Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
operate
verb
快速理解
What does "Operate" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Operate"?
「operate」主要指運作機器、經營業務或進行手術等核心動作。
- 1
操作機器
EN: to make a machine or device work
翻譯: 使機器或設備運作
- 2
經營業務
EN: to run or manage a business or system
翻譯: 經營或管理業務、系統
- 3
進行手術
EN: to perform a medical surgery
翻譯: 執行醫療手術
- 4
發揮作用
EN: to function or work in a particular way
翻譯: 以特定方式運作或發揮作用
小提醒：注意「operate」作「進行手術」解時，主語通常是醫生（The surgeon operates），而病人則是「接受手術」（undergo an operation）。
發音（How to Pronounce "Operate" in English）
How to pronounce "Operate" in English?"Operate" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Operate" from YouTube Videos
Why Should I Start a Startup? by Michael Seibel
Y Combinator
“I think the last group is by far the biggest group- are the people who are gonna operate best within a large company and, like the mindset of this type of person is type of person, at least from what I've seen, it's like they want a system to optimize, like they want an existing system, an existing path, an existing set of rules they can operate and play, play by and like.”
(1 out of 30)
Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Operate"?How does "Operate" change by context?
2. to control the functioning of a machine or system
操作，控制（機器或系統）
He is trained to operate the heavy machinery.
他受過操作重型機械的訓練。
Do you know how to operate this software?
你知道怎麼操作這個軟體嗎？
3. to perform a medical procedure on someone
動手術，開刀
The surgeon will operate on her knee tomorrow.
外科醫生明天將為她的膝蓋動手術。
They had to operate immediately to save his life.
他們必須立即動手術以挽救他的生命。
4. to run or manage a business, organization, or service
經營，管理（企業、組織或服務）
The company operates in over 30 countries.
這家公司在超過30個國家經營業務。
They operate a chain of coffee shops.
他們經營一家連鎖咖啡店。
5. to have an effect or influence; to be in action
起作用，產生影響；活動
Several factors operated to cause the delay.
有幾個因素共同作用導致了延誤。
The secret police were operating throughout the city.
秘密警察當時在整個城市活動。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Operate"?How to make natural sentences with "Operate"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| operate + machine/device | 操作（機器、設備） | He learned how to operate the new scanner. (他學會了如何操作新的掃描器。) |
| operate + on + patient | 為…動手術 | The surgeon will operate on her knee tomorrow. (外科醫生明天將為她的膝蓋動手術。) |
| operate + business/company | 經營（企業、公司） | They operate a chain of coffee shops. (他們經營一家連鎖咖啡店。) |
| operate + as + role/function | 以…身份運作；起…作用 | This unit operates as an independent division. (這個部門以獨立分部的形式運作。) |
| operate + in/within + area/field | 在…領域運作 | Our charity operates in several countries. (我們的慈善機構在數個國家運作。) |
| be operated + by + person/group | 由…操作/經營 | The ferry is operated by a private company. (這艘渡輪由一家私人公司經營。) |
| operate + smoothly/efficiently | 運作順暢/有效率 | The system must operate 24 hours a day. (該系統必須一天24小時運作。) |
用法說明
How is "Operate" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Operate"?
operate on vs. operate to do
- operate on + 名詞 通常指「對某物進行手術」或「在某個系統、機器上運作」。
- operate to + 動詞 則表示「運作以達到某個目的」或「發揮作用以產生某種結果」，較為正式，常見於書面或商業情境。
- 在描述機器或系統的功能時，
operate on強調其運作的對象或基礎（如燃料、電力），而operate to強調其設計目的或最終效果。 EN: The surgeon will operate on the patient's knee tomorrow. 翻譯: 外科醫生明天將為病人的膝蓋動手術。
EN:The new regulations operate to reduce unnecessary paperwork.
翻譯:新規章的作用是減少不必要的文書工作。
總結建議
一般情況下，operate on 用於具體的對象或系統，而 operate to 用於說明抽象的功能或目的。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Operate" and similar words?How to choose "Operate" vs alternatives?
operate vs run
「operate」強調專業、技術性的操作或控制，常用於機器、系統或組織；「run」則更通用，可指經營、管理或使事物運轉。
operate vs function
「operate」強調主動操作或控制的動作；「function」則描述事物正常運作或發揮功能的狀態。
operate vs manage
「operate」側重於系統或機器的實際運作過程；「manage」則強調對人、事務或資源的監督、控制與決策。
口語用法
How is "Operate" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Operate"?
引述
在轉述指令、規則或他人說法時，常用來引述具體的操作方式。 EN: He kept saying, "Just operate the machine like this," but I was still confused. 翻譯: 他一直說：「就像這樣操作機器就好，」但我還是搞不清楚。
EN:The manual clearly states, "Do not operate the equipment without safety goggles."
翻譯:手冊上清楚寫著：「未佩戴護目鏡請勿操作設備。」
語氣強調
在口語中，有時會重複或加強語氣，以強調操作的嚴謹性或重要性。 EN: You need to really operate this thing with care, it's not a toy. 翻譯: 你真的要非常小心地操作這東西，這可不是玩具。
EN:I'm not just using it, I'm learning how to properly operate the whole system.
翻譯:我不只是在使用它，我是在學習如何正確地操作整個系統。
停頓填充
在思考或組織語句時，可能會用這個詞作為短暫的停頓點，尤其在說明步驟或流程時。 EN: So the next step is to... operate... the lever by pushing it forward. 翻譯: 所以下一步是…操作…那個控制桿，把它向前推。
EN:First you turn it on, then you... uh... operate the controls according to the screen.
翻譯:首先你打開電源，然後你…呃…根據螢幕指示操作控制裝置。
正式書寫注意：在正式或技術文件中，"operate" 是標準用詞。但在極度口語或非正式的日常對話中（例如朋友間討論使用手機或家電），母語者可能會改用更簡單的詞，如 "use"、"run" 或 "work"。在撰寫正式報告或說明書時，應堅持使用 "operate" 以確保精確性。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Operate"?What fixed phrases with "Operate" should I remember?
operate a business
operate + a/an + [type] business
經營企業
operate machinery
operate + [type] machinery/equipment
操作機械
operate under the assumption
operate under the assumption that...
基於某種假設行事
operate smoothly
operate + adverb (smoothly, efficiently, etc.)
順利/平穩運作
operate on a patient
operate on + [person/body part]
為病人動手術
operate within the law
operate within/outside + [boundary]
在法律範圍內運作
difficult to operate
[adjective] to operate
難以操作
operate remotely
operate + adverb (remotely, independently, etc.)
遠端操作
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Operate"?Which "Operate" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×He operates a restaurant.
✓He runs a restaurant.
雖然 'operate' 可以表示經營，但用於商業時通常指較大型、複雜或有系統的運作（如公司、工廠、醫院）。經營小型店鋪、餐廳更常用 'run' 或 'manage'。
×I don't know how to operate this machine.
✓I don't know how to use this machine.
'Operate' 通常指操作需要專業技能或複雜程序的設備（如重型機械、醫療儀器、電腦系統）。對於一般日常器具（如微波爐、手機），更常用 'use' 或 'work'。
×The system operates good.
✓The system operates well.
動詞 'operate' 後面應使用副詞修飾其運作方式，而非形容詞。'Good' 是形容詞，'well' 才是副詞。
×They operate from Monday to Friday.
✓They are open from Monday to Friday.
描述商店、銀行等場所的營業時間，習慣用 'be open'。'Operate' 在此語境下較不自然，它更強調機構或系統的整體運作，而非具體的開放時間。
×She operated the patient yesterday.
✓She performed surgery on the patient yesterday.
作為「動手術」的意思時，'operate' 是不及物動詞，必須搭配介系詞 'on'（operate on someone）。更明確的說法是 'perform surgery'。
×We need to operate the plan.
✓We need to implement the plan.
'Operate' 的對象通常是具體的系統、機器、組織或業務。對於抽象的計劃、想法，應使用 'implement'（實施）、'execute'（執行）或 'carry out'（實行）。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Operate"?What are tense/participle forms of "Operate"?
operates(3rd_singular)operating(present_participle)operated(past)operated(past_participle)