apartheid

IPA/əˈpɑːtaɪt/
KK[əpˈɑrtˌaɪt]IPA/əˈpɑːrtaɪt/

apartheid — noun

1. the body of laws that once forced racial groups in South Africa to live, learn,

1.名詞C1
釋義

the body of laws that once forced racial groups in South Africa to live, learn, and vote by different rules, while giving white people much greater power and opportunity

例句

Anjali's history class studied how apartheid controlled where Black families could live.

how apartheid controlled where [group] could live

A museum guide showed Eitan the pass books used during apartheid.

used during apartheid

同義詞
  • racial segregation

    broader term for separation by race; not limited to South Africa's legal system

  • white-minority rule

    stresses political control by a small white population rather than the full legal structure

  • institutional racism

    broader modern term for racist systems in institutions, not only South Africa

反義詞
  • integration

    bringing groups together within the same schools, neighborhoods, or institutions

  • equal rights

    the principle that all citizens should have the same legal and political rights

用法筆記

Usually written simply as 'apartheid' when referring to South Africa's former system. Distinguish from sense 2, which extends the comparison to other systems of unequal separation.

常見錯誤

South Africa had an apartheid in the 1980s.
South Africa was under apartheid in the 1980s.
💡The historical system is usually spoken of as 'apartheid' or 'the apartheid system', not 'an apartheid'.

2. a system that keeps groups apart and gives one group better treatment, rights, o

2.名詞C1
釋義

a system that keeps groups apart and gives one group better treatment, rights, or chances than another

例句

Residents called the permit scheme an apartheid that shut migrants out of the city.

an apartheid that + verb phrase

Critics warned that separate hospital lines would create a health apartheid.

create a health / digital / gender apartheid

同義詞
  • segregation

    broader and often less emotionally charged; can describe separation without the same level of inequality

  • discrimination

    focuses on unfair treatment itself, not the whole separating system

  • exclusion

    emphasises keeping people out, but not always through a full social structure

反義詞
  • integration

    bringing groups into shared institutions and daily life

  • inclusion

    making sure all groups can take part on equal terms

用法筆記

Often modified by a noun such as 'gender', 'digital', or 'health' when speakers compare another unfair system to South Africa's past. The tone is strong and critical, not suitable for minor or harmless differences.

常見錯誤

The office has an apartheid between tea and coffee drinkers.
The office has two separate groups of tea and coffee drinkers.
💡'Apartheid' is used for severe systems of exclusion and unequal power, not harmless preferences.