dichotomy

/daɪˈkɒtəmi/ (bre, ipa) · /daɪˈkɑːtəmi/ (ame, ipa) · /dī-ˈkä-tə-mē also də-/ (ame, mw)

dichotomy — noun

  • dichotomysingular
  • dichotomiesplural

1. a sharp split where two ideas, sides, or categories are treated as fully opposit

1.名詞C1
釋義

a sharp split where two ideas, sides, or categories are treated as fully opposite — for example, sorting people into winners and losers, or framing a debate as nature versus nurture.

例句

Sivan rejected the dichotomy between art and science when describing her film-composing work.

pattern: dichotomy between X and Y

Many voters dislike the political dichotomy of left versus right and want a third option.

collocation: dichotomy of X versus Y

同義詞
  • polarity

    stresses two opposite ends of a spectrum; more abstract

  • split

    everyday word; less formal and not necessarily binary

  • contrast

    weaker — only highlights a difference, not an either/or division

反義詞
  • unity

    stresses that the parts belong together as one whole

  • continuum

    frames the same items as a smooth range rather than two opposite blocks

文法句型

dichotomy between X and Y

false dichotomy

用法筆記

Frequently appears with 'between' or 'of' introducing the two opposed items. Often used critically in 'false dichotomy', signalling that the supposed split is overstated or unhelpful.

常見錯誤

❌There is a dichotomy in the team about lunch.
✅There is a disagreement in the team about lunch.
💡'dichotomy' needs a clear split into two opposite categories, not a small everyday difference of opinion.
❌a dichotomy between three groups
✅a dichotomy between two groups
💡by definition 'dichotomy' divides things into exactly two opposed sides.