baggage

/ˈbæɡɪdʒ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈbæɡɪdʒ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈba-gij/ (ame, mw)

baggage — noun

1. the suitcases, bags, and other containers that people carry their clothes and be

1.名詞B1
釋義

the suitcases, bags, and other containers that people carry their clothes and belongings in when they travel from one place to another.

例句

Javier packed his suitcases and checked his baggage at the airport counter before his flight.

check baggage at airport counter

The airline lost Sofia's baggage during her trip to Seoul, and she had no clean clothes for three days.

同義詞
  • luggage

    interchangeable in most contexts; 'luggage' may refer to empty or unloaded containers, while 'baggage' usually implies packed items

  • suitcases

    more specific — refers to a type of rigid rectangular bag, not all travel containers

  • belongings

    broader — includes all personal possessions, not just what you pack for travel

文法句型

piece/item of baggage

baggage is/was

用法筆記

Uncountable in standard English. To talk about individual items, say 'a piece of baggage' or 'an item of baggage'. In American English, 'baggage' and 'luggage' are used with the same meaning, though 'luggage' is slightly more common for empty containers and 'baggage' for packed containers.

常見錯誤

I have many baggages to carry.
I have a lot of baggage to carry.
💡Baggage is an uncountable noun and has no plural form.
I left my baggage in taxi.
I left my baggage in the taxi.
💡Baggage requires a determiner (the, my, some, etc.) when referring to specific items.

2. the painful memories, difficult emotions, or negative attitudes that stay with a

2.名詞C2
釋義

the painful memories, difficult emotions, or negative attitudes that stay with a person from past experiences and continue to trouble or limit them in their present life.

例句

After years of therapy, Elena finally let go of the emotional baggage from her difficult childhood.

emotional baggage — fixed collocation for psychological burden

David realised he carried heavy emotional baggage that made it hard to trust new friends.

同義詞
  • emotional burden

    similar meaning but more general; 'baggage' specifically implies something carried from the past

  • psychological weight

    more formal and clinical in register

  • past trauma

    more specific and severe than 'baggage'; implies serious harm or distress

反義詞
  • peace of mind

    the state of being untroubled, the opposite of carrying emotional baggage

文法句型

emotional/psychological/cultural baggage

baggage from [experience]

用法筆記

Almost always occurs with an adjective or prepositional phrase that specifies the source ('emotional baggage', 'baggage from the past'). Frequently paired with verbs like 'carry', 'bring', 'unpack', 'let go of'. Never used in the plural.

常見錯誤

She has many emotional baggages.
She carries a lot of emotional baggage.
💡Baggage is uncountable even in figurative usage.
He brought his baggage to the meeting about the budget.' (confusing literal and figurative meanings)
He brought emotional baggage from past projects to the meeting.
💡Clarify with an adjective to avoid confusion with travel bags.

3. the weapons, food, equipment, and other supplies that an army or expedition grou

3.名詞C1
釋義

the weapons, food, equipment, and other supplies that an army or expedition group carries as it moves from one place to another.

例句

The army unit moved across the desert with all their baggage loaded onto supply trucks.

military baggage — used for army supplies and equipment

Tariq was trained to pack his military baggage carefully before every long march across the hills.

同義詞
  • supplies

    broader — includes items not necessarily carried; 'baggage' emphasises portability during movement

  • equipment

    focuses on tools and gear rather than food or other consumables

  • materiel

    formal military term for all equipment and supplies; much rarer in everyday language

文法句型

military baggage

baggage train

用法筆記

Primarily appears in historical or formal descriptions of military operations. In modern contexts, 'supplies' or 'equipment' is more common. The phrase 'baggage train' refers to the vehicles or animals that carry the supplies behind the main fighting force.