1. to follow someone closely and secretly
秘密跟蹤，尾隨
The detective tailed the suspect for three days.
那名偵探秘密跟蹤了嫌疑犯三天。
I think we're being tailed by that black car.
我覺得我們被那輛黑色轎車尾隨了。
Tail Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
tail
verb
快速理解
What does "Tail" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Tail"?
「tail」作動詞時，主要指跟隨或監視，或指某物逐漸減少、變弱。
- 1
跟隨/監視
EN: to follow and watch someone closely, often secretly
翻譯: 緊密跟隨或監視某人，通常是秘密地進行。
- 2
逐漸減少/變弱
EN: to decrease in amount, strength, or intensity gradually
翻譯: 數量、強度或力度逐漸減少、變弱。
- 3
為…裝上尾巴
EN: to provide something with a tail or an extension
翻譯: 為某物加上尾巴或延伸部分。
- 4
尾隨而行
EN: to move in a line that follows behind something
翻譯: 排成一列跟在某物後面移動。
小提醒：注意「tail off」這個常見片語動詞，意思是「逐漸減少或變弱」，例如「His voice tailed off into silence.（他的聲音逐漸減弱至沉默。）」
發音（How to Pronounce "Tail" in English）
How to pronounce "Tail" in English?"Tail" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Tail" from YouTube Videos
Richard Weller: Could the sun be good for your heart?
TED
“So we've measured -- this is again. notice no tail and hairless. this is a medical student In the arm.”
(1 out of 33)
Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Tail"?How does "Tail" change by context?
2. to become smaller, weaker, or less frequent
逐漸減少；變弱；消退
The heavy rain finally began to tail off in the evening.
大雨終於在傍晚時分開始逐漸減弱。
Interest in the project tailed away after the initial excitement.
在最初的興奮過後，大家對這個專案的興趣就逐漸消退了。
3. to remove the tail or end part of something
去掉…的尾部；切掉末端
You need to tail the shrimp before cooking them.
烹煮前你需要把蝦子的尾部去掉。
The gardener tailed the hedge to keep it neat.
園丁修剪了樹籬的末端以保持整潔。
4. to provide with a tail or something that extends like a tail
為…裝上尾部；使有尾狀延伸物
The kite was tailed with a long ribbon for stability.
為了穩定，風箏被裝上了一條長長的緞帶尾巴。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Tail"?How to make natural sentences with "Tail"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| tail + noun (person/vehicle) | 跟蹤、尾隨（某人或車輛） | The detective tailed the suspect for three blocks. (偵探跟蹤了那名嫌疑犯三個街區。) |
| tail off | （聲音、數量、強度）逐漸減弱，變小 | His voice tailed off as he lost confidence. (隨著他失去信心，他的聲音也逐漸變弱。) |
| tail away | （同 tail off）逐漸消失或減少 | The applause tailed away after the performer left the stage. (表演者離開舞台後，掌聲逐漸消失。) |
| tail + object + to + location | 尾隨某人/某物到某地 | We tailed the delivery van to its warehouse. (我們尾隨那輛送貨車到了它的倉庫。) |
用法說明
How is "Tail" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Tail"?
tail vs. tail off
- tail 作為動詞，最常見的意思是「跟蹤、尾隨」，指緊跟在某人或某物後面，通常是為了監視或觀察。
- tail off 是一個動詞片語，意思是「逐漸減少、變弱或消失」，常用來描述數量、強度、聲音或興趣的遞減。
- 簡單來說，tail 是主動的跟隨動作，而 tail off 描述的是一種逐漸消退的狀態或趨勢。
對比例句： EN: The detective decided to tail the suspect discreetly. 翻譯: 偵探決定謹慎地跟蹤那名嫌疑犯。
EN:After the initial excitement, interest in the project began to tail off.
翻譯:最初的興奮過後，大家對這個專案的興趣開始逐漸減弱。
總結建議
使用時請根據上下文判斷是表達「跟隨」(tail) 還是「逐漸減少」(tail off)。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Tail" and similar words?How to choose "Tail" vs alternatives?
tail vs follow
「tail」強調秘密或保持距離地跟蹤，通常帶有監視意圖；「follow」則是一般性的跟隨，可以是公開或隨意的。
tail vs track
「tail」側重近距離、持續的視覺跟蹤；「track」則可能使用多種方法（如足跡、科技）追蹤，範圍更廣。
tail vs shadow
兩者都可指秘密跟蹤，但「shadow」暗示更緊密、如影隨形般的跟隨，隱蔽性通常更高。
口語用法
How is "Tail" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Tail"?
引述
在口語中，tail 常用來引述或轉述某人的行為，特別是帶有負面或批評意味的跟隨或監視。
EN: He was totally tailing me all the way from the station.
翻譯: 他從車站開始就一路跟著我。
EN:I think that suspicious car is tailing us.
翻譯:我覺得那輛可疑的車在跟蹤我們。
語氣強調
在非正式對話中，tail 常與副詞連用，以強調跟隨的緊密程度、意圖或持續時間，使描述更生動。
EN: She just kept tailing behind me like a lost puppy.
翻譯: 她就一直像隻迷路的小狗一樣跟在我後面。
EN:The paparazzi have been tailing him relentlessly for days.
翻譯:狗仔隊已經鍥而不捨地跟蹤他好幾天了。
停頓填充
在描述事件順序或因果關係時，tail 有時會作為一個簡短的停頓點，引出後續的結果或觀察。
EN: We tried to lose them, but they managed to tail... and eventually caught up at the lights.
翻譯: 我們試圖甩掉他們，但他們設法尾隨... 最後在紅綠燈那裡追上了。
EN:He said he'd just tail along quietly, but... ended up taking over the whole conversation.
翻譯:他說他會安靜地跟著就好，但是... 結果卻主導了整個談話。
正式寫作注意：在正式報告或學術寫作中，應避免使用 tail 的口語及比喻用法（如跟蹤、尾隨某人）。建議使用更精確、中性的詞彙，如 follow、monitor、shadow，或直接描述具體行為（如 proceed behind、observe from a distance）。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Tail"?What fixed phrases with "Tail" should I remember?
tail off
verb + off
逐漸減少、減弱或消失
tail away
verb + away
聲音或談話逐漸變小或停止
tail back
verb + back
（交通）因堵塞而排成長隊
tail someone
verb + object
跟蹤、尾隨某人
tail after someone
verb + after + object
跟在某人後面
tail the field
verb + object (field)
在比賽中落在最後
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Tail"?Which "Tail" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×The dog is tailing happily.
✓The dog is wagging its tail happily.
作為動詞的 'tail' 意思是「跟蹤」或「尾隨」，而不是「搖擺尾巴」。表達動物搖尾巴應使用動詞 'wag'。
×The police were tailing.
✓The police were tailing the suspect.
動詞 'tail' 是及物動詞，需要一個受詞（通常是跟蹤的對象）。
×The project is tailing to completion.
✓The project is tailing off.
動詞 'tail' 不與 'to' 連用來表示「接近結束」。正確的片語是 'tail off'，意為「逐漸減少」或「變弱」。
×I have been tailed by someone yesterday.
✓I was tailed by someone yesterday.
當有明確的過去時間點（如 yesterday）時，應使用簡單過去式，而不是現在完成進行式。
×Please tail me to the meeting room.
✓Please follow me to the meeting room.
動詞 'tail' 帶有秘密或監視性的「跟蹤」含義，不適用於日常的引導情境。一般性的「跟隨」應使用 'follow'。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Tail"?What are tense/participle forms of "Tail"?
tails(3rd_singular)tailing(present_participle)tailed(past)tailed(past_participle)