civil

/ˈsɪvl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsɪvl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈsi-vəl/ (ame, mw)

civil — adjective

1. connected with the daily life, rights, and affairs of ordinary citizens, especia

1.形容詞C1
釋義

connected with the daily life, rights, and affairs of ordinary citizens, especially when contrasted with military, religious, or state-controlled matters.

例句

After 22 years in the air force, Diego found it surprisingly difficult to adjust to **civil** life.

collocation: civil life — the non-military world

The protesters gathered in the square to demand equal **civil** rights for all ethnic groups.

collocation: civil rights — fundamental legal protections

同義詞
  • civilian

    specifically contrasts with military; e.g., 'civilian life' vs. 'civil life' — largely interchangeable but 'civilian' is more common for people

  • secular

    contrasts with religious, but broader — 'secular' means non-religious in general, while 'civil' focuses on government/citizen contexts

  • public

    wider in meaning; 'public' can mean open to everyone, while 'civil' specifically contrasts with military/religious spheres

用法筆記

This sense is used only before a noun (e.g., civil war, civil rights, civil servant). It contrasts strongly with military (civilian life vs. army life), religious (civil marriage vs. religious marriage), or criminal-justice contexts. Do not use alone as a predicate adjective with this meaning — you cannot say 'The wedding was civil' to mean it was non-religious; use 'civil ceremony' instead.

常見錯誤

❌He joined a civil organization to help the poor.
✅He joined a civil society organization to help the poor.
💡The full phrase 'civil society' is the standard term for non-governmental community groups.
❌The wedding was civil, not religious.
✅They had a civil wedding ceremony, not a religious one.
💡As a 'before noun' sense, 'civil' must modify a noun; it cannot stand alone as a complement after 'be.'

2. used to describe legal conflicts where one party claims another has failed to me

2.形容詞B2
釋義

used to describe legal conflicts where one party claims another has failed to meet a private duty or agreement — as opposed to cases where the state charges someone with breaking the law.

例句

The dispute over the inheritance will be heard in a **civil** court next month.

collocation: civil court — court for private disputes

Leila's lawyer advised her to file a **civil** lawsuit against the construction company for the damage to her house.

collocation: civil lawsuit — legal action for compensation

用法筆記

This 'before noun' sense distinguishes legal systems into two main branches. Civil law handles private rights and obligations (contracts, property, family matters, personal injury); criminal law deals with offenses against the state (theft, assault, murder). A single event can lead to both a civil case (e.g., a victim suing for damages) and a criminal case (e.g., the state prosecuting the offender). The word 'civil' here does NOT mean 'polite' — in legal contexts it always refers to this branch of law.

常見錯誤

❌He was charged with a civil crime.
✅He was sued in a civil court.
💡Crimes are prosecuted in criminal court; civil matters are addressed through lawsuits, not charges.
❌I need a civil lawyer for my robbery case.
✅I need a criminal defense lawyer for my robbery case.
💡Robbery is a criminal offense; civil lawyers handle non-criminal disputes like contracts or property.

3. behaving with formal good manners and following accepted social rules, though so

3.形容詞B2
釋義

behaving with formal good manners and following accepted social rules, though sometimes without sincere warmth or genuine friendliness.

例句

Even though Yara was furious about the mistake, she forced herself to give a **civil** reply.

adjective before noun: civil reply — a polite but guarded response

The hotel manager was **civil** to the complaining guests but did not offer any apology.

pattern: be civil to someone — formal politeness without warmth

同義詞
  • polite

    broader and warmer; everyday good manners without the emotional distance implied by 'civil'

  • courteous

    more actively considerate; goes beyond mere correctness to show thoughtfulness

  • formal

    focuses on following conventions of etiquette rather than basic politeness

  • respectful

    emphasizes showing proper regard for others, which may or may not involve formal politeness

用法筆記

This sense differs from the everyday word 'polite' in important ways. 'Civil' implies formal, rule-following politeness — often used when someone makes an effort to be proper despite feeling annoyed, angry, or distant. It suggests a minimum standard of good behavior rather than genuine warmth. You can be 'civil' to someone you dislike, but 'polite' usually suggests a more natural or friendly manner. Common in professional or formal settings where maintaining correct behavior matters regardless of personal feelings.

常見錯誤

❌She was very civil and warm to the new student.
✅She was very polite and warm to the new student.
💡'Civil' suggests formal correctness, not warmth. Use 'polite' or 'friendly' for genuinely warm behavior.
❌The children were taught to be civil to their elders.
✅The children were taught to be polite to their elders.
💡For teaching everyday good manners to children, 'polite' is the natural choice. 'Civil' sounds too formal and distant for this context.