1. not obvious or easy to notice
不明顯的，難以察覺的
There was a subtle change in his expression.
他的表情有了一絲細微的變化。
The painting uses subtle shades of blue.
這幅畫運用了細膩的藍色調。
Subtle Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
subtle
adjective
快速理解
What does "Subtle" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Subtle"?
形容事物難以察覺、精妙或間接的。
- 1
細微難察
EN: not obvious or easy to notice
翻譯: 不明顯或不易察覺的
- 2
精妙複雜
EN: showing clever and delicate skill or understanding
翻譯: 展現巧妙而精細的技巧或理解
- 3
間接含蓄
EN: using indirect or clever methods to achieve something
翻譯: 使用間接或巧妙的方法來達成目的
小提醒：注意發音，'b' 不發音，讀作 /ˈsʌt.əl/。
發音（How to Pronounce "Subtle" in English）
How to pronounce "Subtle" in English?"Subtle" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Subtle" from YouTube Videos
Steve Jobs' 2005 Stanford Commencement Address
Stanford
“It was beautiful, historical, artistically subtle in a way that science can't capture, and I found it fascinating.”
(1 out of 28)
Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Subtle"?How does "Subtle" change by context?
2. showing skill and sensitivity in understanding or dealing with others
機敏的，善解人意的
She used subtle persuasion to get her point across.
她運用巧妙的說服技巧來表達她的觀點。
His humor is very subtle and intelligent.
他的幽默非常微妙且充滿智慧。
3. achieved in a clever and indirect way
巧妙的，迂迴的
The film makes a subtle criticism of modern society.
這部電影對現代社會進行了含蓄的批判。
He paid her a subtle compliment.
他給了她一個含蓄的讚美。
4. delicate and complex, not easy to analyze or describe
精妙的，複雜難懂的
The novel explores the subtle differences between love and obsession.
這本小說探討了愛與執著之間精妙的差異。
This is a subtle philosophical argument.
這是一個精妙的哲學論證。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Subtle"?How to make natural sentences with "Subtle"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| subtle + noun | 微妙的、不易察覺的 [名詞] | He noticed a subtle change in her expression. (他注意到她表情上細微的變化。) |
| subtle + difference/distinction | 細微的差異/區別 | The subtle distinction between the two concepts is important. (這兩個概念之間的細微區別很重要。) |
| subtle + flavor/scent | 淡雅的風味/香氣 | The dish has a subtle hint of lemon. (這道菜帶有淡淡的檸檬香。) |
| subtle + approach/method | 巧妙的方法、迂迴的方式 | She used a subtle approach to solve the conflict. (她用了巧妙的方法來解決衝突。) |
| subtle + humor/irony | 含蓄的幽默/諷刺 | His writing is known for its subtle irony. (他的作品以其含蓄的諷刺聞名。) |
| be subtle about + noun/gerund | 在…方面很含蓄/不張揚 | You need to be subtle about asking for a raise. (要求加薪時你需要含蓄一點。) |
| There is a subtle + noun + in... | 在…中存在一種微妙的… | There is a subtle beauty in the simplicity of the design. (這設計的簡約之中有一種微妙的美感。) |
| too subtle to + V | 過於微妙以至於難以… | The message was too subtle to be understood by everyone. (這個訊息過於微妙，不是每個人都能理解。) |
用法說明
How is "Subtle" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Subtle"?
subtle + noun vs. subtle in + gerund
- subtle + noun 結構直接描述某個事物本身具有細微、不易察覺的特質。
- subtle in + gerund 結構則強調某人在「做某事的方式或過程中」展現出細膩、巧妙或含蓄的特質。
- 兩者核心差異在於：前者修飾「事物」，後者修飾「人的行為或方式」。 EN: She noticed a subtle difference in the two shades of blue. 翻譯: 她注意到這兩種藍色之間有細微的差別。
EN:He was subtle in expressing his disagreement, using questions instead of direct statements.
翻譯:他在表達不同意時很含蓄，用的是提問而非直接陳述。
總結建議
當描述事物特徵時用「subtle + noun」，描述人的行為方式時則用「subtle in + gerund」。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Subtle" and similar words?How to choose "Subtle" vs alternatives?
subtle vs obvious
「subtle」指細微、難以察覺的；「obvious」則指明顯、一目了然的。
subtle vs delicate
「subtle」強調難以察覺或精妙；「delicate」則強調精緻、易碎或需要小心處理。
subtle vs slight
「subtle」強調精妙、複雜或難以捉摸；「slight」僅表示程度或數量上的微小。
口語用法
How is "Subtle" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Subtle"?
引述
當重複或引述他人話語時，用來強調某個細微但重要的點。 EN: So you're saying the subtle difference is in the tone, not the words? 翻譯: 所以你的意思是，細微的差別在於語氣，而不是用詞？
EN:What I meant was, there's a subtle shift in his attitude lately.
翻譯:我的意思是，他最近的態度有一種微妙的轉變。
語氣強調
在對話中，用來強調某種難以察覺或間接的特質。 EN: That was a subtle way of telling me no, wasn't it? 翻譯: 那是一種很委婉地告訴我「不行」的方式，對吧？
EN:She has a very subtle sense of humor—you have to pay attention to catch it.
翻譯:她的幽默感非常細膩，你得仔細聽才能領會。
停頓填充
在思考或尋找合適詞語時，作為短暫的填充詞，表示「有點難以形容」。 EN: The atmosphere was... subtle. It wasn't awkward, but not exactly warm either. 翻譯: 那個氛圍有點…難以言喻。不算尷尬，但也不完全是溫暖的。
EN:His influence on the project is more of a subtle... background presence.
翻譯:他對這個專案的影響更像是一種微妙的…背景式的存在。
注意：在正式寫作中，應避免將 "subtle" 用作停頓填充詞，並確保其修飾的對象明確具體。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Subtle"?What fixed phrases with "Subtle" should I remember?
subtle difference
subtle + noun
細微的差異
subtle hint
subtle + noun
微妙的暗示
subtle change
subtle + noun
細微的變化
subtle flavor
subtle + noun
淡雅的風味
subtle approach
subtle + noun
巧妙的方法
subtle sense of humor
subtle + noun phrase
微妙的幽默感
subtle nuance
subtle + noun
細微的微妙之處
not so subtle
not so + subtle
不怎麼微妙的；相當明顯的
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Subtle"?Which "Subtle" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×The change was very sutble.
✓The change was very subtle.
「subtle」的拼寫常被誤拼為「sutble」，因為「b」不發音，容易遺漏。正確拼寫是 s-u-b-t-l-e。
×His anger was subtle and everyone noticed immediately.
✓His anger was obvious and everyone noticed immediately.
「subtle」的意思是「微妙的、不易察覺的」，與「明顯的 (obvious)」意思相反。當描述容易被注意到的事物時，不應使用「subtle」。
×There was subtle shift in policy.
✓There was a subtle shift in policy.
當「subtle」修飾可數名詞單數時（如 shift, change, difference），前面通常需要不定冠詞「a」。
×The colors blended subtle together.
✓The colors blended subtly together.
修飾動詞（blended）時，應使用副詞形式「subtly」，而非形容詞「subtle」。
×I need a subtle amount of sugar for my coffee.
✓I need a small amount of sugar for my coffee.
「subtle」主要描述難以察覺或需要敏銳度才能理解的「微妙」特性，不用於描述單純的物理數量「少」。描述數量時應使用「small」或「tiny」。
×Pronouncing the 'b' in subtle: /ˈsʌb.təl/
✓The 'b' is silent: /ˈsʌt.əl/
「subtle」中的字母「b」不發音。常見錯誤是將「b」音發出來。正確發音類似「suttle」。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Subtle"?What are tense/participle forms of "Subtle"?