1. used before a noun to refer to a specific person or thing already known or mentioned
用於名詞前，指特定或已提及的人或事物
The book you gave me is on the table.
你給我的那本書在桌子上。
I saw the movie last night.
我昨晚看了那部電影。
The Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
the
determiner
快速理解
What does "The" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "The"?
英文中最常見的定冠詞，用於指定特定或已知的人、事、物。
- 1
指定特定對象
EN: Used before a noun to refer to a specific person or thing that is already known or mentioned.
翻譯: 用於名詞前，指稱已知或已提過的特定人或事物。
- 2
指獨一無二的事物
EN: Used before nouns that are unique or considered one of a kind.
翻譯: 用於指稱獨一無二或舉世公認的事物名稱前。
- 3
用於全體類別
EN: Used with a singular noun to represent the whole class or species.
翻譯: 與單數名詞連用，代表整個類別或物種。
- 4
用於最高級與序數
EN: Used before superlative adjectives and ordinal numbers.
翻譯: 用於最高級形容詞及序數（第一、第二等）之前。
小提醒：中文沒有對應的冠詞，因此學習者常忘記在需要特指時使用「the」，或在泛指時誤用。記住：談論「特定」的、雙方都知道的、或世上「唯一」的事物時，通常要用「the」。
發音（How to Pronounce "The" in English）
How to pronounce "The" in English?"The" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "The" from YouTube Videos
South Korea would accept Trump-Kim deal to freeze North Korea’s nuclear programme | BBC News
BBC News
“The North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, has suggested that he's willing to negotiate with Donald Trump on condition that the US did not insist Pyongyang gives up its nuclear weapons.”
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Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "The"?How does "The" change by context?
2. used before a singular noun to refer to all things of that type
用於單數名詞前，指該類事物的全體
The tiger is a dangerous animal.
老虎是危險的動物。
The computer has changed our lives.
電腦改變了我們的生活。
3. used before superlative adjectives and ordinal numbers
用於最高級形容詞和序數前
She is the tallest in her class.
她是班上最高的。
This is the first time I've been here.
這是我第一次來這裡。
4. used before adjectives to refer to a group of people
用於形容詞前，指某一類人
We should help the poor.
我們應該幫助窮人。
The young are full of energy.
年輕人充滿活力。
5. used before unique or well-known geographical features, institutions, newspapers, etc.
用於獨一無二或眾所周知的地理特徵、機構、報紙等前
The sun rises in the east.
太陽從東方升起。
She works for the BBC.
她在英國廣播公司工作。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "The"?How to make natural sentences with "The"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| the + singular noun | 指特定或已知的人、事、物 | The sun is bright today. (今天太陽很明亮。) |
| the + plural noun | 指特定或已知的一群人、事物 | The books on the shelf are mine. (書架上的那些書是我的。) |
| the + uncountable noun | 指特定或已知的不可數事物 | The water in this glass is cold. (這杯裡的水是冷的。) |
| the + adjective (to refer to a group) | 指具有某種特徵的一群人 | The rich should help the poor. (富人應該幫助窮人。) |
| the + superlative adjective | 用於最高級形容詞前 | She is the tallest in her class. (她是班上最高的。) |
| the + ordinal number | 用於序數前 | This is the first time I've been here. (這是我第一次來這裡。) |
| the + musical instrument | 指演奏某種樂器的行為 | She plays the piano beautifully. (她鋼琴彈得很美。) |
| the + geographical feature (oceans, rivers, etc.) | 用於特定的地理名稱前 | They sailed across the Pacific Ocean. (他們橫渡了太平洋。) |
用法說明
How is "The" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "The"?
the + 單數名詞 vs the + 複數名詞
- the + 單數名詞 用於特指某個獨一無二的事物、或對話雙方都明確知道的特定單一個體。
- the + 複數名詞 也用於特指，但指的是對話雙方都明確知道的一組特定事物或一整個類別。
- 有些名詞（如
the sun,the moon）因其獨特性，通常只用單數形式搭配the。 - 在談論樂器時，使用 the + 單數名詞（如
play the piano）；但在談論運動或遊戲時，通常不使用the（如play baseball）。
對比例句： EN: Please close the window; it's getting cold. 翻譯: 請關上那扇窗戶，開始變冷了。
EN:The windows in this old house are hard to open.
翻譯:這棟老房子裡的窗戶都很難打開。
對比例句： EN: She is learning to play the violin. 翻譯: 她正在學習拉小提琴。
EN:Cats are popular pets around the world.
翻譯:貓是世界各地常見的寵物。
總結建議
使用 the 時，關鍵在於所指的名詞是否為「說話者與聽話者心中都明確知道的特定對象」，無論單複數；而獨一無二的事物、樂器名稱及某些固定用法則必須搭配 the。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "The" and similar words?How to choose "The" vs alternatives?
the vs a
「the」表示特定或已知的事物；「a」表示不特定或首次提及的事物。
the vs this
「the」泛指特定事物；「this」特指近處或當下討論的單一事物。
the vs that
「the」表示已知的特定事物；「that」特指遠處或對比的單一事物。
口語用法
How is "The" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "The"?
引述
在口語中，有時會用 "the" 來引述或模仿他人的話，帶有諷刺或強調的意味。 EN: He was all like, "I'm the expert," and then couldn't even fix it. 翻譯: 他一副「我可是專家」的樣子，結果根本修不好。
EN:She just said, "That's the plan," and walked out.
翻譯:她就只說了句「計畫就是這樣」，然後就走了出去。
語氣強調
在非正式對話中，會拉長或重讀 "the" 來表達對某事物獨特性或重要性的誇張強調。 EN: This is not just a cake; this is the cake. 翻譯: 這可不只是一塊蛋糕；這可是那塊傳說中的蛋糕。
EN:You're going to meet the Michael Jordan?
翻譯:你要去見那個麥可·喬丹本人？
停頓填充
在猶豫或思考時，有時會將 "the" 作為一個短暫的填充詞，後面可能停頓或修正。 EN: I was going to the... uh, never mind, I forgot. 翻譯: 我本來要去那個…呃，算了，我忘了。
EN:We need to get the... what's it called... the authorization form.
翻譯:我們需要拿到那個…叫什麼來著…那個授權表格。
正式寫作注意：上述所有口語用法都極不正式，僅限於隨意對話。在正式寫作、報告或學術論文中，應避免此類用法，並嚴格遵循 "the" 作為定冠詞的標準文法規則。
常見短語
What common collocations use "The"?What fixed phrases with "The" should I remember?
the more the merrier
the + comparative adjective, the + comparative adjective
人越多越熱鬧；多多益善
the sooner the better
the + comparative adverb, the + comparative adverb
越快越好
all the better
all the + comparative adjective
反而更好；更…
the other day
the other + time expression
前幾天；不久前某天
at the end of the day
at the end of the day
到頭來；最終；歸根結底
in the meantime
in the meantime
與此同時；在此期間
the rest is history
the rest is history
接下來的眾所周知；其餘的已成歷史
on the other hand
on the other hand
另一方面
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "The"?Which "The" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×I saw the dog in park.
✓I saw the dog in the park.
當談論一個特定、已知的地點（如公園、學校、圖書館）時，通常需要使用定冠詞 'the'。
×The life is beautiful.
✓Life is beautiful.
當泛指一個整體概念（如生活、愛情、時間）而非特定情況時，通常不使用定冠詞 'the'。
×She plays the piano every day.
✓She plays piano every day.
在談論演奏樂器時，通常使用 'the'（如 play the piano）。原句正確，此處示範常見錯誤：學習者有時會忘記在樂器前加 'the'。正確形式應為 'plays the piano'。
×I need to go to the home.
✓I need to go home.
'Home' 作為副詞（表示方向或位置）時，前面不加 'the' 或 'to the'。
×Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world.
✓Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world.
原句正確，此處示範常見錯誤：學習者有時會忘記在最高級形容詞（如 highest, biggest）後的名詞前使用 'the'。正確形式應保留 'the'。
×I had the breakfast at 8 AM.
✓I had breakfast at 8 AM.
在談論日常三餐（breakfast, lunch, dinner）作為一般活動時，通常不使用定冠詞 'the'。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "The"?What are tense/participle forms of "The"?