compensate

/ˈkɒmpenseɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈkɑːmpenseɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈkäm-pən-ˌsāt -ˌpen-/ (ame, mw)

compensate — verb

  • compensatepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • compensateshe / she / it
  • compensatedpast simple
  • compensating-ing form

1. to give money to someone who has suffered harm, a loss, or damage to their prope

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

to give money to someone who has suffered harm, a loss, or damage to their property, as a way of making the situation fair.

例句

The airline compensated passengers for the delayed flight by offering free hotel rooms.

compensate + person + for + noun phrase

After the storm damaged their roof, the insurer compensated the Tanaka family within two weeks.

同義詞
  • reimburse

    more specific — paying back money someone already spent

  • recompense

    formal; often used for effort or sacrifice, not just financial loss

反義詞
  • penalize

    to punish someone, the opposite of making them whole

文法句型

compensate + someone + for + something

用法筆記

The direct object is always the person who receives the money; the loss or damage follows the preposition 'for'.

常見錯誤

❌The company compensated the damage to the car.
✅The company compensated the driver for the damage to the car.
💡The person affected must be the direct object, not the thing lost or damaged.
❌The bank compensated me $500.
✅The bank compensated me with $500 for the error.
💡When stating the amount, use 'with' or restructure the sentence.

2. to give someone payment for the work, time, or professional help they have provi

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to give someone payment for the work, time, or professional help they have provided.

例句

The law firm compensated Priya for the extra hours she worked preparing the case.

compensate + name + for + work done

The hospital compensated Dr. Okafor for her consulting services over three months.

同義詞
  • remunerate

    formal; used for professional fees or salary

  • pay

    more general and less formal; no sense of making up for something

文法句型

compensate + someone + for + noun phrase

用法筆記

Common in formal or legal contexts about professional fees and contracts. Less formal alternatives include 'pay' or 'reimburse'.

常見錯誤

❌They compensated $200 for the work.
✅They compensated Tomás with $200 for the work.
💡Always include the person receiving the payment as the direct object.

3. to provide a good quality or benefit that balances a previous problem, lack, or

3.動詞不及物C2
釋義

to provide a good quality or benefit that balances a previous problem, lack, or disadvantage.

例句

The park's beautiful mountain views compensate for the long walk up the hill.

compensate for + noun phrase (the drawback)

No amount of money can compensate for the time Nadia lost with her family abroad.

同義詞
  • offset

    more neutral; focuses on balancing rather than making amends

  • make up for

    less formal; used in everyday speech

反義詞
  • undermine

    to weaken or damage, the opposite of balancing out

文法句型

compensate + for + noun phrase

用法筆記

Intransitive — always followed by the preposition 'for'. The subject provides the benefit; the object of 'for' names the drawback or shortcoming.

常見錯誤

❌Good service compensated the bad food.
✅Good service compensated for the bad food.
💡This sense is intransitive and requires the preposition 'for' before the drawback.
❌Her skills compensate his weakness.
✅Her skills compensate for his weakness.
💡Without 'for', the sentence is grammatically incorrect in this sense.