humane

/hjuːˈmeɪn/ (bre, ipa) · /hjuːˈmeɪn/ (ame, ipa) · /hyü-ˈmān yü-/ (ame, mw)

humane — adjective

  • humanepositive
  • more humanecomparative
  • most humanesuperlative

1. treating people or animals with kindness and compassion, especially when they ar

1.形容詞B2
釋義

treating people or animals with kindness and compassion, especially when they are suffering or in a difficult situation — for example, providing good medical care for prisoners, or making sure farm animals are not kept in cramped spaces.

例句

Jing was impressed by the shelter's humane policy of finding homes for every healthy animal.

humane + noun phrase showing institutional policy

The judge called for more humane conditions in the city's overcrowded prison.

humane conditions — collocation for environments

同義詞
  • compassionate

    emphasises a deep feeling of pity and a desire to help someone's suffering

  • merciful

    highlights restraint from causing pain, especially when punishment could be harsher

  • benevolent

    more formal; focuses on doing good and being generous

反義詞
  • cruel

    deliberately causing pain or suffering

  • inhumane

    the direct opposite — lacking kindness or compassion

文法句型

humane + noun phrase

be + humane

用法筆記

Often used to describe systems, policies, or environments rather than one-time actions — a 'humane prison' or 'humane farming' refers to ongoing practices.

常見錯誤

❌He was very humane to his friend who was sick.
✅He was very kind to his friend who was sick.
💡'humane' is less natural for one-to-one personal kindness; use 'kind' or 'thoughtful' instead.
❌The teacher gave a humane smile.
✅The teacher gave a warm, kind smile.
💡'humane' is not used for personal gestures or expressions.

2. connected to literature, philosophy, history, and the arts — subjects that devel

2.形容詞C1
釋義

connected to literature, philosophy, history, and the arts — subjects that develop people's moral understanding and intellectual abilities rather than technical or scientific skills.

例句

Chen chose a university with a strong humane tradition in the liberal arts and philosophy.

humane tradition — collocation for academic heritage

The professor's lecture connected Renaissance paintings to the humane ideals of Greek civilisation.

同義詞
  • humanistic

    nearly identical in meaning but more common in modern academic writing

  • cultural

    broader in scope, includes customs and social behaviour

  • liberal

    as in 'liberal arts' — focuses on a broad education rather than narrow specialisation

反義詞
  • scientific

    relating to empirical methods and technical knowledge rather than the humanities

  • technical

    focused on practical or vocational skills

文法句型

humane + noun phrase

用法筆記

This sense is formal and rare in everyday speech. It is found mainly in academic writing about education, culture, and the humanities. Distinguish from sense 1 (KIND TREATMENT), which is about compassion rather than intellectual culture.