「source」作動詞時，主要指找出某物的來源或取得某物的管道。
找出來源
EN: to find the origin of something
翻譯: 找出某事物的來源或出處。
採購取得
EN: to obtain something from a particular supplier
翻譯: 從特定供應商或來源取得某物。
標明出處
EN: to identify the source of information
翻譯: 標明資訊或引文的來源。
小提醒：注意「source」作動詞時，常與原料、資訊、零件等名詞搭配，表示「從...取得」或「找出...的來源」，不要與名詞用法「來源」混淆。
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Source" from YouTube Videos
Why is social media actually dumb.
meiqiii
“I mean, mass media has always been a form of control, but it's more of the fact that is so polarized now and it's so accessible and there's just like an abundance of useless information that just like fogs your brain and also just like continuous sources of cheap dopamine, whereas before it's like, okay, you read a book like, or you read a Manifesto and like, maybe you get brainwashed, but it's not even a source of dopamine for you.”
1. to obtain something from a particular place or supplier
從特定地點或供應商處獲取
We source our coffee beans directly from sustainable farms in Colombia.
我們的咖啡豆直接從哥倫比亞的可持續農場採購。
The company is trying to source more materials locally to reduce its carbon footprint.
該公司正試圖從本地採購更多材料，以減少碳足跡。
2. to find the origin or cause of something
找出某事物的來源或原因
The team worked tirelessly to source the cause of the contamination in the water supply.
該團隊不懈努力，以找出供水系統中污染的來源。
It's difficult to source the exact moment when the rumor started.
很難找出謠言開始的確切時間點。
3. to provide the original materials or information for something
為某事物提供原始材料或資訊
The documentary was sourced from hundreds of hours of archival footage.
這部紀錄片的素材來自數百小時的檔案影片。
The journalist refused to reveal who sourced the leaked documents.
該記者拒絕透露是誰提供了這些外洩的文件。
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| source + noun | 從…取得/採購 | We source our materials from local suppliers. (我們的原料是從本地供應商採購的。) |
| source + noun + from + place/organization | 從（某地/某處）取得… | The company sources its coffee beans from Brazil. (這家公司從巴西採購咖啡豆。) |
| be sourced + from + place/organization | 源自於/來自於 | All ingredients are sourced from organic farms. (所有成分都來自有機農場。) |
| source + information/data | 蒐集/獲取（資訊/數據） | Journalists must carefully source their information. (記者必須謹慎地獲取資訊來源。) |
EN:The recruiter sourced the candidate through a professional networking platform.
翻譯:招聘人員透過一個專業社交平台物色到這位候選人。
一般來說，指具體的供應來源用「source from」，指取得途徑或方法則用「source through」。
source vs obtain
「source」強調從特定供應商或地點取得原料或資訊；「obtain」則泛指獲得、取得某物，不強調來源的特定性。
source vs procure
「source」側重於尋找並確定物品的來源；「procure」則強調透過正式或官方程序取得，常帶有採購的正式性與目的性。
source vs originate
「source」指從外部來源取得某物；「originate」則指事物自身從某處發源、開始或產生。
在口語中，常用來引述或指出某個資訊、想法或笑話的原始出處，語氣較為隨意。 EN: I heard this great joke, but I can't remember who I sourced it from. 翻譯: 我聽到一個超棒的笑話，但想不起來是從誰那裡聽來的。
EN:Where did you source that idea? It's brilliant.
翻譯:你那個點子是從哪來的？太棒了。
用於強調某件事物是「從...來的」或「源自於...」，帶有解釋或澄清的意味。 EN: This whole mess was sourced from a simple misunderstanding. 翻譯: 這整件麻煩事都是從一個簡單的誤會來的。
EN:The best ingredients are sourced locally.
翻譯:最好的食材都是從本地來的。
在思考如何措辭或尋找合適來源時，作為短暫的停頓填充詞。 EN: The quote... let me see... I sourced it from an old interview. 翻譯: 那句引文...我想想...我是從一個舊訪談裡找來的。
EN:We need to, uh, source a new supplier for this part.
翻譯:我們需要，呃，為這個零件找一個新的供應商。
正式寫作注意：在正式書面報告或學術寫作中，應避免將 "source" 用作動詞的口語化用法（尤其是作為停頓填充）。建議使用更正式的替代詞，如 "obtain"、"procure"、"derive" 或 "cite"，並確保句子結構完整。
source from
source [sth] from [somewhere]
從某處獲取或採購某物
source locally
source [sth] locally
在當地採購
source out
source out [sth]
外包
source internationally
source [sth] internationally
從國際市場採購
source directly
source [sth] directly from
直接從源頭採購
source sustainably
source [sth] sustainably
以可持續的方式採購
source raw materials
source raw materials
採購原材料
×We need to source for new suppliers.
✓We need to source new suppliers.
作為動詞時，'source' 是及物動詞，後面直接接受詞，不需要介系詞 'for'。'source for' 是常見的中介語錯誤，可能受到 'search for' 或 'look for' 的影響。
×The data was sourced from by the research team.
✓The data was sourced by the research team. / The data was sourced from the archives.
被動語態中，'source' 的用法有兩種：1) 'be sourced by + 執行者' 強調誰執行動作；2) 'be sourced from + 來源' 強調資料或物品的來源地。兩者不應混用。錯誤例句混用了 'from' 和 'by'。
×We are considering to source a new manufacturer.
✓We are considering sourcing a new manufacturer.
動詞 'consider' 後面應接動名詞 (gerund, V-ing)，而非不定詞 (to V)。這是動詞模式的常見錯誤。
×Our department is responsible for sourcing.
✓Our department is responsible for sourcing materials. / Our department is responsible for the sourcing of materials.
動詞 'source' 作為及物動詞使用時，通常需要一個受詞來明確指出採購或獲取的對象是什麼。單獨使用 'sourcing' 語意不清，除非上下文已非常明確。
×We must resource the raw materials ethically.
✓We must source the raw materials ethically.
'resource' 作為動詞時，意思是『提供資源（通常指資金或人力）』，例如 'to resource a project'（為專案提供資源）。而取得原料、產品或資訊的正確動詞是 'source'。兩者意思不同，不應混淆。