golem

IPA/ˈɡəʊləm/
KK[ɡˈoləm]IPA/ˈɡəʊləm/

golem — noun

  • golemsingular
  • golemsplural

1. A creature from Jewish tradition, shaped from earth or clay and brought to life

1.名詞B2
釋義

A creature from Jewish tradition, shaped from earth or clay and brought to life by a secret word or sacred ritual, often created to serve or defend.

例句

Eitan read a story about a golem that guarded the streets of Prague at night.

golem + guarded [place] — typical protector role

The clay golem stood motionless in the rabbi's study, waiting to receive its first order.

clay + motionless + waiting — key characteristics of a golem

同義詞
  • homunculus

    also an artificial human, but from alchemical traditions rather than Jewish folklore

  • effigy

    a model or sculpture of a person, but not brought to life in the same way

用法筆記

Often capitalised (Golem) when referring specifically to the well-known figure from the 16th-century Prague legend. The Hebrew word originally meant 'shapeless mass' or 'embryo'.

常見錯誤

❌The zombie was made of clay and brought to life by a rabbi.
✅The golem was made of clay and brought to life by a rabbi.
💡Zombies are reanimated corpses in horror traditions; a golem is a newly created clay figure from Jewish folklore.
❌Dr. Frankenstein's golem terrified the villagers.
✅Dr. Frankenstein's monster terrified the villagers.
💡Frankenstein's creature is an animated corpse assembled from body parts, not a clay figure from Jewish tradition.

2. A system, machine, or organization that operates automatically without independe

2.名詞C1
釋義

A system, machine, or organization that operates automatically without independent thought or will, often described as moving or behaving like a person who cannot think for themselves.

例句

Marta felt like a golem at her desk, processing forms all day without understanding why.

figurative use: feel like a golem — doing repetitive, mindless work

The software had become a digital golem, replying to every email with the same message.

同義詞
  • automaton

    a person who acts in a mechanical, unthinking way; very close in meaning

  • robot

    a machine that performs tasks automatically; more common but less specific to unthinking obedience

  • drone

    someone who works without independent thought, often as part of a larger system

反義詞
  • free-thinker

    a person who forms opinions independently, the opposite of unthinking obedience

用法筆記

Figurative extension of the folklore sense. Often carries a critical tone, implying that a person, system, or organisation lacks independent thought or awareness. Common in journalism and commentary about bureaucracy, AI, and repetitive work.

常見錯誤

❌The factory uses a golem to weld car parts.
✅The factory uses a robot arm to weld car parts.
💡Golem implies mindless, automatic behaviour; a physical industrial robot is simply a machine designed for the task.
❌He is a golem because he is very tall and strong.
✅He moves like a golem, performing each task without any thought or emotion.
💡The comparison is about mindlessness, not size or strength.