belong

/bɪˈlɒŋ/ (bre, ipa) · /bɪˈlɔːŋ/ (ame, ipa) · /bi-ˈlȯŋ bē-/ (ame, mw)

belong — verb

1. to be where something or someone should correctly be kept, stored, or placed.

1.動詞不及物B2
釋義

to be where something or someone should correctly be kept, stored, or placed.

例句

Yusuf put the kettle back on the shelf where it belongs.

belong + where-clause indicating correct location

These winter coats belong in the hallway closet, not on the kitchen chairs.

belong + in/on prepositional phrase

同義詞
  • go

    very informal; same idea of 'has its proper place there'

  • fit

    stresses suitability rather than a fixed location

文法句型

belong + adverb/prepositional phrase of location

用法筆記

Always followed by an adverb or prepositional phrase showing location (in, on, with, here, there, where). Without that complement the sentence sounds incomplete to native ears.

常見錯誤

❌These books belong.
✅These books belong on the top shelf.
💡this sense always needs a place phrase after the verb.
❌The map belongs to the drawer.
✅The map belongs in the drawer.
💡use 'in/on/at' for location; 'belong to' means ownership.

2. to feel relaxed and accepted in a place or among a group of people, as if you ar

2.動詞不及物B2
釋義

to feel relaxed and accepted in a place or among a group of people, as if you are part of it.

例句

After three lonely months in Tokyo, Mei finally felt that she belonged.

absolute use: subject + belonged (no complement)

Linnea never belonged with the loud, sporty crowd at her old school.

belong + with + group of people

同義詞
  • fit in

    very common informal phrasal verb for the same idea, especially among peers

  • feel at home

    fixed expression; more about comfort than identity

反義詞

文法句型

belong (used alone or with 'here/there/with someone')

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1: this sense focuses on emotional fit, not physical location, and is often used without any complement (just 'she belongs', 'we don't belong'). Frequently follows verbs of feeling: 'feel/sense/seem to belong'.

常見錯誤

❌I am belonging here now.
✅I belong here now.
💡this is a stative verb; do not use the progressive form.
❌She belongs at the team.
✅She belongs with the team.' / 'She belongs on the team.
💡use 'with' for the group, 'on' for sports/work teams.