1. considered in relation or comparison to something else
相對的；比較的
The humidity is high, but it's all relative to what you're used to.
濕度很高，但這一切都是相對於你習慣的環境而言。
They discussed the relative merits of the two proposals.
他們討論了兩個提案的相對優點。
Relative Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
relative
adjective
快速理解
What does "Relative" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Relative"?
「relative」主要描述事物之間的比較關係或親屬聯繫。
- 1
比較的；相對的
EN: considered in relation to something else
翻譯: 指相對於其他事物來考慮，而非絕對的。
- 2
相關的；有關的
EN: having a connection with the subject being discussed
翻譯: 指與正在討論的主題有聯繫或關聯。
- 3
親戚；親屬
EN: a person connected by blood or marriage
翻譯: 指有血緣或婚姻關係的家庭成員。
小提醒：注意「relative」作形容詞時，常與「to」連用，表示「相對於…」。作名詞時，則指具體的「親戚」。
發音（How to Pronounce "Relative" in English）
How to pronounce "Relative" in English?"Relative" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Relative" from YouTube Videos
How To Be The Next Elon Musk According To Elon Musk
Y Combinator
“I think, um, I didn't expect to be involved in in in all of those things I actually, at the time in college, I I sort of thought, um, helping with electrification of, of of cars was how would start out, and that's, uh, that's actually what I worked on as an intern- was, um, Advanced Ultra capacitors with to see if they, if there would be a breakthrough relative to batteries for energy storage in in cars.”
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Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Relative"?How does "Relative" change by context?
2. existing or having meaning only in relation to something else
相關的；有關聯的
The documents are relative to the ongoing investigation.
這些文件與正在進行的調查有關。
Please keep your comments relative to the main topic.
請讓你的評論與主要議題相關。
3. having a particular quality or degree when compared with something else
相對而言的；相比之下
It was a period of relative peace and stability.
那是一段相對和平穩定的時期。
She found the job relatively easy after the initial training.
經過初步培訓後，她發現這份工作相對容易。
4. (in music) denoting a key or scale having the same key signature as another
(音樂) 關係調的
C major is the relative major of A minor.
C大調是A小調的關係大調。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Relative"?How to make natural sentences with "Relative"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| relative to + noun | 與…相關的；相對於…的 | The cost is high relative to its benefits. (相對於其好處，成本很高。) |
| relative clause | 關係子句 | The book that you lent me is fascinating. (你借我的那本書很吸引人。) |
| relative + noun | 相對的 + 名詞 | We are discussing relative advantages. (我們正在討論相對優勢。) |
| be relative | 是相對的 | Beauty is relative; it depends on personal taste. (美是相對的，取決於個人品味。) |
用法說明
How is "Relative" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Relative"?
relative to + N/V-ing vs. relative to + V
- relative to + N/V-ing 通常用於描述與某個具體事物、情況或事實的關聯性或比較。這裡的「to」是介系詞，後面接名詞或動名詞 (V-ing)。
- relative to + V 的結構在標準英語中並不常見。當要表達「相對於做某事」時，通常會使用完整的子句或改寫，例如 "relative to the fact that..." 或 "compared to when..."。
- 在正式或學術寫作中，relative to 主要用於比較數據、規模或重要性（如：The cost is low relative to its benefits.）。
對比範例： EN: The company's profits are high relative to its size. 翻譯: 相對於其規模，這家公司的利潤很高。
EN:We must consider the risks relative to undertaking such a project.
翻譯:我們必須考慮相對於承擔這樣一個專案的風險。
總結建議
在大多數情況下，使用 "relative to + 名詞/動名詞" 來表達比較關係，並避免使用 "relative to + 原形動詞" 的結構。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Relative" and similar words?How to choose "Relative" vs alternatives?
relative vs comparative
「relative」強調與其他事物比較下的關係或程度，而「comparative」則專指比較行為本身或比較級形式。
relative vs relevant
「relative」指與他者比較下的關係，而「relevant」指與當前主題或情境有直接關聯。
relative vs proportional
「relative」泛指比較下的關係，而「proportional」特指成比例或按比例增減的數學關係。
口語用法
How is "Relative" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Relative"?
引述
在轉述他人話語或想法時，用來表示「相對而言」或「比較來說」的觀點。 EN: He said the workload is relative to the team size. 翻譯: 他說工作量是相對於團隊規模而言的。
EN:She feels that happiness is relative; what works for you might not work for me.
翻譯:她覺得幸福是相對的；對你有用的，對我可能沒用。
語氣強調
用於口語中，透過對比來強調某事物的非絕對性或依賴性，常與「to」連用。 EN: That's a lot of money, but it's all relative to your income. 翻譯: 那是一大筆錢，但這一切都取決於你的收入。
EN:"Is it far?" "Well, relative to where you live, yes."
翻譯:「遠嗎？」「嗯，相對於你住的地方來說，是的。」
停頓填充
在組織思緒或尋找合適詞語時，作為短暫的停頓填充詞，引導出一個比較的框架。 EN: The difficulty is... relative, I guess. It depends on your experience. 翻譯: 難度是…相對的，我想。這取決於你的經驗。
EN:It's not good or bad in itself, it's... relative to the situation.
翻譯:它本身沒有好壞，這是…相對於情況而言的。
正式寫作注意：在學術或正式商業寫作中，應避免將 "relative" 用作停頓填充詞。建議使用更精確的表述，如 "comparatively speaking"、"in relation to" 或 "proportional to"，並確保句子結構完整。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Relative"?What fixed phrases with "Relative" should I remember?
relative to
relative to something
相對於…；與…相比
close relative
close relative
近親
relative importance
relative importance
相對重要性
relative term
relative term
相對的說法；相對的概念
relative safety
relative safety
相對安全
distant relative
distant relative
遠親
relative merit
relative merit
相對優點；相對價值
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Relative"?Which "Relative" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×This topic is relative to our discussion.
✓This topic is related to our discussion.
當表示「與...有關聯」時，應使用 'related to'。'Relative' 作形容詞時，主要用於表示「相對的」或「比較而言的」，或用於親屬關係。
×We need to consider the relative advantages of this plan.
✓We need to consider the comparative advantages of this plan.
當強調「比較性的」或「透過比較得出的」時，'comparative' 更為準確。'Relative' 更側重於「相對於某個標準或背景而言」。
×The cost is relative the benefits.
✓The cost is relative to the benefits.
當 'relative' 用於表示「相對於...」時，必須搭配介系詞 'to'，形成 'relative to something' 的結構。
×I have many relatives friends in that city.
✓I have many relatives in that city. / I have many friends who are relatives in that city.
'Relative' 作名詞時意為「親戚」，本身已包含「人」的概念，不應與 'friends' 等表示人的名詞並列修飾。應分開說明或使用關係子句。
×This is a relative rule with no exceptions.
✓This is an absolute rule with no exceptions.
當表示「絕對的、無條件的」時，應使用 'absolute'。'Relative' 表示「相對的」，暗示會因情況、標準或比較對象而改變，與「無例外」的語意矛盾。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Relative"?What are tense/participle forms of "Relative"?