congenial

IPA/kənˈdʒiːniəl/
KK[kəndʒˈinjəl]IPA/kənˈdʒiːniəl/

congenial — adjective

  • congenialpositive
  • more congenialcomparative
  • most congenialsuperlative

1. Easy and enjoyable to talk with or be around, making company feel relaxed and co

1.形容詞C1
釋義

Easy and enjoyable to talk with or be around, making company feel relaxed and comfortable.

例句

Pim proved congenial company during the delayed train ride to Tainan.

collocation: congenial company

At dinner, Kemi's congenial manner put the nervous exchange student at ease.

pattern: congenial manner

同義詞
  • friendly

    More common and less formal; 'congenial' suggests a natural ease in spending time together.

  • warm

    Emphasizes kindness and emotional openness more than shared ease.

  • agreeable

    Can describe someone pleasant, but it is broader and less focused on companionship.

反義詞
  • unfriendly

    Direct opposite when someone does not make others feel welcome.

  • aloof

    Suggests distance or coolness rather than easy social warmth.

文法句型

congenial + noun

be/seem + congenial

用法筆記

Most often used for people, hosts, or company that make conversation feel easy. Distinguish it from sense 2, which is about a place or situation suiting someone's nature or needs.

常見錯誤

❌The office chair was congenial for my back.
✅The office chair was comfortable for my back.
💡This sense describes pleasant people or company, not physical comfort.
❌The hotel room was congenial, so we slept well.
✅The hotel room was comfortable, so we slept well.
💡Use 'comfortable' for furniture or rooms; 'congenial' here is social.

2. Bringing comfort or pleasure because it suits a person's nature, habits, or need

2.形容詞C1
釋義

Bringing comfort or pleasure because it suits a person's nature, habits, or needs well.

例句

The quiet seaside town offered congenial surroundings for Élise's writing retreat.

collocation: congenial surroundings

Night shifts are more congenial to Tomás than crowded daytime clinics.

pattern: congenial to + noun/pronoun

同義詞
  • suitable

    More general and neutral; 'congenial' adds a sense of comfort or personal fit.

  • agreeable

    Suggests something is pleasant, but not always that it matches a person's nature.

  • compatible

    Often used for systems, ideas, or people that work well together rather than conditions that feel personally right.

反義詞
  • unsuitable

    Means not right for the purpose or person involved.

  • uncongenial

    Formal opposite that stresses discomfort because something does not suit you.

文法句型

congenial + noun

be + congenial + to + noun/pronoun

用法筆記

Common with 'to' when an environment, schedule, or set of conditions suits someone well. Distinguish it from sense 1, which focuses on friendly social ease rather than personal fit.

常見錯誤

❌This work schedule is congenial for me.
✅This work schedule is congenial to me.
💡This sense normally takes 'to' when something suits a person.
❌The loud bar was congenial for studying.
✅The quiet library was congenial to studying.
💡Use this sense when conditions suit an activity or need.