1. to govern or control a country, group, or situation
統治，管轄
The king ruled the country for over fifty years.
這位國王統治這個國家超過五十年。
The committee rules over all financial decisions.
委員會管轄所有的財務決策。
Rule Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
rule
verb
快速理解
What does "Rule" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Rule"?
「rule」作為動詞，主要指擁有權力進行統治或管理，也可表示做出正式決定或裁決。
- 1
統治、治理
EN: to govern or control a country, group of people, etc.
翻譯: 統治或控制一個國家、一群人等。
- 2
支配、影響
EN: to be the main thing that influences and controls something.
翻譯: 成為影響和控制某事物的主要因素。
- 3
裁決、判定
EN: to make an official decision, especially in a court of law.
翻譯: 做出正式決定，尤指在法庭上。
- 4
畫直線
EN: to draw a straight line using a ruler.
翻譯: 用尺畫出一條直線。
小提醒：注意「rule out」是常見片語，意思是「排除可能性」，不要與單純的「rule」混淆。
發音（How to Pronounce "Rule" in English）
How to pronounce "Rule" in English?"Rule" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Rule" from YouTube Videos
The Biggest Mistakes First-Time Founders Make - Michael Seibel
Y Combinator
“there are exceptions to every rule, but in general, startups are so hard that it is nice to have a pre-existing relationship with your co-founder, just so you have a sense of whether you're going to be able to get through the hard times together, whether you can work well together.”
(1 out of 68)
Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Rule"?How does "Rule" change by context?
2. to make an official decision, especially in a court or competition
裁決，判定
The judge ruled that the evidence was inadmissible.
法官裁定該證據不可採納。
The referee ruled it a foul.
裁判判定那是一個犯規。
3. to be the most powerful or important thing in a particular situation
佔主導地位，盛行
Chaos ruled in the streets after the earthquake.
地震後，街上一片混亂。
In this house, common sense rules.
在這個家裡，常識佔主導地位。
4. to draw a straight line using a ruler
用尺畫線
She ruled a line under the title.
她在標題下用尺畫了一條線。
Please rule two columns on the paper.
請在紙上用尺畫出兩欄。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Rule"?How to make natural sentences with "Rule"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| rule + noun/place | 統治（某地或某群人） | The king ruled the country for fifty years. (這位國王統治了這個國家五十年。) |
| rule + that-clause | 裁定、判定 | The judge ruled that the evidence was inadmissible. (法官裁定該證據不可採納。) |
| rule + on + matter | 對（某事）作出裁決 | The committee will rule on the dispute next week. (委員會將於下週對這項爭議作出裁決。) |
| rule + against/for + someone | 作出不利於/有利於（某人）的裁決 | The court ruled against the plaintiff. (法院作出了對原告不利的裁決。) |
| be ruled by + emotion/factor | 受（情感或因素）支配、控制 | Don't be ruled by fear; think logically. (不要被恐懼支配，要理性思考。) |
| rule + with an iron fist/with a rod of iron | 以鐵腕統治、嚴厲管治 | The dictator ruled the region with an iron fist. (那位獨裁者以鐵腕統治該地區。) |
用法說明
How is "Rule" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Rule"?
rule doing vs rule to do
- rule doing 通常用於描述一個既定的、普遍的規定或法律，後面接動名詞 (gerund) 表示被禁止或管制的行為本身。
- rule to do 則較少見，可能出現在不定詞 (to-infinitive) 作為後位修飾語的結構中，例如「a rule to follow」，或用於表示「裁決、判定」某人做某事。
- 在表示「規定、禁止」某行為時，rule doing 是更標準、更常見的用法。
- 注意 rule that... 的從句結構也很常用，用來明確規定內容。 EN: The new policy rules smoking in all indoor areas. 翻譯: 新政策規定禁止在所有室內區域吸菸。
EN:The judge ruled to admit the evidence, changing the course of the trial.
翻譯:法官裁定採納該證據，改變了審判的走向。
總結建議
在表達「規定禁止某行為」時，建議使用 rule + V-ing 的結構。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Rule" and similar words?How to choose "Rule" vs alternatives?
rule vs govern
「rule」強調權威性的控制或統治，常帶有絕對權力的意味；「govern」則更側重於管理、引導或制定政策，通常用於更正式或系統性的治理。
rule vs control
「rule」通常指對一個群體、地區或國家的統治或支配；「control」則更廣泛地指對事物、情況或人的掌控或影響。
rule vs dominate
「rule」強調擁有正式或法律上的統治權；「dominate」則強調在力量、影響力或地位上佔據壓倒性優勢。
口語用法
How is "Rule" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Rule"?
引述
在對話中，當引述或轉述一個規則、指令或普遍說法時，常會用「rule」來開頭，語氣較為隨意。 EN: The rule is, you have to check in before 3 PM. 翻譯: 規則是，你必須在下午三點前辦理入住。
EN:So the new rule says we can't use personal phones at the desk.
翻譯:所以新規定是我們不可以在櫃檯使用私人手機。
語氣強調
在非正式對話中，會用「rule」來強調某條個人原則或強烈建議，常用「my rule」、「golden rule」等說法。 EN: My rule is: always double-check the address before leaving. 翻譯: 我的原則是：出發前一定要再確認一次地址。
EN:The golden rule here is: don't interrupt the boss during a meeting.
翻譯:這裡的黃金規則是：開會時不要打斷老闆。
停頓填充
在思考或組織句子時，有時會用「as a rule」或「the rule of thumb」作為短暫停頓的填充語，帶出後面的概括性說明。 EN: As a rule, I try to avoid scheduling meetings on Friday afternoons. 翻譯: 一般來說，我盡量避免把會議安排在星期五下午。
EN:The rule of thumb is, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
翻譯:經驗法則是，如果一件事好得令人難以置信，那它很可能就不是真的。
正式寫作注意：在正式或學術寫作中，應避免使用「my rule」、「golden rule」等口語化表達，建議改用「the principle is」、「the standard procedure is」、「generally」或「it is customary to」等更正式的措辭。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Rule"?What fixed phrases with "Rule" should I remember?
rule over
verb + over + [place/people]
統治、管轄（某地或人民）
rule that
verb + that + clause
裁定、判決
rule out
verb + out + [noun/possibility]
排除、不予考慮
rule on
verb + on + [issue/matter]
對（某議題或事項）作出裁決
rule with an iron fist
verb + with an iron fist
以鐵腕手段統治、嚴厲管治
rule the roost
verb + the roost
當家作主、掌握支配權
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Rule"?Which "Rule" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×The king ruled the country strictly.
✓The king ruled the country with an iron fist.
雖然 'rule' 可以表示統治，但直接搭配 'strictly' 較不自然。英文常用 'rule with an iron fist' 或 'rule strictly' 需調整語序（如 'rule a country strictly' 尚可，但不如慣用語生動）。學習者常混淆 'rule'（統治、支配）與 'control'（控制）的細微差別。'Rule' 強調權威性的治理，而 'control' 更側重於管理或限制。
×Our team ruled the basketball game last night.
✓Our team dominated the basketball game last night.
在體育或競賽語境中，表示「主宰比賽、佔絕對優勢」通常使用 'dominate'，而非 'rule'。'Rule' 用於此義較不正式，且多指長期、廣泛的支配（如 'rule the market'）。'Dominate' 更準確描述在特定事件中的壓倒性表現。
×The country was ruled by him for 20 years.
✓He ruled the country for 20 years.
學習者常過度使用被動語態。在已知施動者（he）且欲強調其作為時，使用主動語態（He ruled...）更直接、有力。被動語態通常用於強調受動者或當施動者不明、不重要時。
×He made a rule that everyone must attend.
✓He laid down a rule that everyone must attend.
動詞 'rule' 意為「統治、裁決」，而「制定規則」通常使用 'make a rule', 'set a rule', 或 'lay down a rule'。但 'make a rule' 較口語，在正式書寫中，'establish', 'impose', 或 'lay down' 更佳。此錯誤是混淆詞性：將名詞 'rule'（規則）的搭配動詞誤用為動詞 'rule'（統治）本身。
×The court will rule the matter soon.
✓The court will rule on the matter soon.
當 'rule' 表示「對…作出裁決或裁定」時，常需搭配介系詞 'on'。遺漏 'on' 會使句子不完整或語意不清。'Rule on something' 是固定法律或正式裁決用語。
×The queen is ruling the kingdom wisely.
✓The queen rules the kingdom wisely.
描述長期、習慣性的統治狀態（一種事實），應使用簡單現在式（rules），而非現在進行式（is ruling）。現在進行式強調暫時性、正在進行的動作，不適用於常態性的統治。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Rule"?What are tense/participle forms of "Rule"?
rules(3rd_singular)ruling(present_participle)ruled(past)ruled(past_participle)