embark

/ɪmˈbɑːk/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪmˈbɑːrk/ (ame, ipa) · /im-ˈbärk/ (ame, mw)

embark — verb

  • embarkpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • embarkshe / she / it
  • embarkedpast simple
  • embarking-ing form

1. to get on a ship, boat, or aircraft at the beginning of a trip, often as part of

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to get on a ship, boat, or aircraft at the beginning of a trip, often as part of a longer journey

例句

Christopher and his family embarked for New York from the Port of Southampton.

embark + for [destination] + from [place]

All passengers must embark no later than thirty minutes before the ship departs.

time specification with embark

同義詞
  • board

    more general term, used for any vehicle including buses and trains

  • go on board

    slightly more formal, emphasises the physical act of stepping onto the vessel

反義詞
  • disembark

    to leave a ship or aircraft after arrival

  • get off

    informal equivalent of disembark

文法句型

embark (no object)

embark + for [destination]

embark + from [place]

embark + passengers/cargo (transitive)

用法筆記

Can be used both intransitively (passengers embark) and transitively (the crew embarks passengers). The intransitive use is far more common in modern English. For destination, use 'for'; for origin, use 'from'.

常見錯誤

❌He embarked the bus to go to work.
✅He boarded the bus to go to work.
💡'embark' is used for ships, boats, and aircraft beginning a journey, not for the routine boarding of buses or trains.

2. to decide to start doing something new and significant, such as a project, caree

2.動詞不及物B2
釋義

to decide to start doing something new and significant, such as a project, career, or course of action that requires commitment over time

例句

After graduating from university, Lakshmi embarked on a career in environmental law.

embark on + career / project / journey

The company will embark on a major renovation of its headquarters next spring.

同義詞
  • begin

    more general and neutral in register, suitable for everyday contexts

  • undertake

    formal, emphasises responsibility or effort involved

  • launch

    emphasises a deliberate, often public beginning of a large initiative

反義詞
  • abandon

    to give up a project or venture after starting it

  • give up

    informal equivalent of abandon

文法句型

embark on + noun phrase

embark upon + noun phrase (formal)

用法筆記

This sense always requires the preposition 'on' or 'upon' (more formal). Common noun objects include 'career', 'project', 'venture', 'journey', 'adventure', 'mission', and 'plan'. The -ing form 'embarking on' is frequently used in formal writing.

常見錯誤

❌They embarked a new business venture.
✅They embarked on a new business venture.
💡The figurative sense of 'embark' always requires the preposition 'on' or 'upon'; the verb cannot take a direct object.