languages
languages — noun
- languagessingular
- languagesesplural
1. A shared set of rules and symbols — spoken sounds, written marks, or hand and bo
A shared set of rules and symbols — spoken sounds, written marks, or hand and body movements — that a community uses to exchange thoughts, ideas, and feelings.
Mei learned that sign language has its own grammar rules, not just hand movements copying spoken words.
noun phrase: 'sign language' as a complete communication system
Written language lets people share ideas across centuries — we still read books from ancient Greece.
adjective + language: 'written language' contrasted with spoken forms
Kofi studied how young children pick up spoken language without anyone teaching them formal grammar rules.
Body language — posture, eye contact, and hand gestures — often says more than spoken words do.
Dolphins use complex clicks and whistles to signal each other, but no scientist calls their system a true language.
- speech
refers only to spoken communication, not written or signed forms
- communication
much broader; includes gestures, images, animal signals, and other non-linguistic methods
文法句型
human language
spoken language
written language
sign language
body language
用法筆記
Uncountable when referring to the general human ability or the abstract concept: 'Language is what makes us human.' Countable when naming specific systems: 'There are over seven thousand languages in the world.' The plural form 'languages' is common in the countable use.
常見錯誤
2. The specific set of words and grammar rules spoken and understood by the people
The specific set of words and grammar rules spoken and understood by the people of a particular country, region, or cultural group in their daily lives.
Imran speaks four languages: Urdu at home, English at his law firm, and Arabic and French from his school years.
countable plural after a number: 'four languages'
Trang grew up speaking Vietnamese and later added Korean when her family moved to Seoul.
The museum labels are printed in six languages so visitors from around the world can read them.
Wren was surprised to learn that Switzerland has four official languages, including Romansh.
Cole decided to learn Japanese after watching Studio Ghibli films and wanting to understand the original dialogue.
文法句型
speak + [language]
learn + [language]
in + [language]
official language
first language
foreign language
用法筆記
Always countable. Each named language (English, Japanese, Swahili) is a separate language. Drop the word 'language' when the name alone is clear: say 'She speaks Japanese,' not 'She speaks Japanese language.' The plural is very common after numbers and with 'many' or 'several.'
常見錯誤
3. A set of written commands and symbols with fixed rules that software developers
A set of written commands and symbols with fixed rules that software developers use to give instructions to computers and digital devices.
Tomás taught himself Python, a programming language that data scientists and web developers use every day.
noun phrase: 'programming language' for a computer instruction system
The game studio hired Eitan because he knew C++, the language behind most high-performance video games.
Kian wrote his first mobile app using JavaScript, a language that runs inside every modern web browser.
Newer programming languages like Rust and Go are designed to prevent common mistakes that older languages allowed.
The professor told her students that learning one programming language makes picking up a second one much easier.
- programming language
the standard, precise term used by software professionals
- code
more general; can refer to any set of computer instructions regardless of which language they are written in
文法句型
programming language
coding language
written in + [language]
learn + [language]
用法筆記
Countable. Almost always appears with an attributive noun such as 'programming,' 'coding,' or 'computer.' High-level languages (Python, Java) are closer to human language; low-level languages are closer to the machine's own instruction codes.
4. The particular words, tone, and sentence structures a person or group chooses wh
The particular words, tone, and sentence structures a person or group chooses when speaking or writing in a specific situation.
Eleni softened her language when telling her six-year-old son that their old dog had died.
collocation: 'soften one's language' meaning to speak more gently
The politician's language became vague and careful whenever reporters asked about the budget cuts.
possessive + language + adjective: describing a shift in speaking style
Christopher used formal language in his university essay but casual, friendly words in emails to friends.
Reading her grandmother's diary, Mei noticed how the language shifted between tender memories and sharp anger.
The editor asked the journalist to use simpler language so ordinary readers could follow the medical story.
文法句型
[possessive] + language
[adjective] + language
soften + [possessive] + language
用法筆記
Uncountable. Always needs a modifier — a possessive ('her language'), an adjective ('formal language'), or a noun ('street language'). Distinguish from sense 1: this sense describes a person's style or register choice, not the abstract system of communication itself.
5. The specialised words and expressions that belong to a particular profession, su
The specialised words and expressions that belong to a particular profession, subject, or area of knowledge, often difficult for people outside that field to understand.
After her diagnosis, Amara struggled to understand the dense medical language in the hospital report.
domain adjective + language: 'medical language' for clinical terminology
The lawyer rewrote the rental contract in plain language so the tenants could understand their rights.
fixed phrase: 'in plain language' meaning explained without jargon
Kofi had to learn a whole new financial language when he started his job at the investment bank.
In the chemistry lab, Trang quickly found she needed to master terms like 'titration' before starting her experiment.
The software manual was full of technical language that made no sense to anyone outside the engineering team.
- jargon
often carries a mildly negative feeling, suggesting the terms are unnecessarily complicated
- terminology
neutral; refers to the complete set of technical terms used in a field
- lingo
informal; the special vocabulary of a particular group or activity
文法句型
[domain adjective] + language
language of + [field]
in plain language
用法筆記
Uncountable. Almost always preceded by a domain adjective: 'legal language,' 'medical language,' 'technical language.' The fixed phrase 'in plain language' means something has been rewritten in everyday words that anyone can follow.
6. Words and expressions that people consider rude, taboo, or likely to offend othe
Words and expressions that people consider rude, taboo, or likely to offend others, especially in polite or formal settings.
The referee warned the football player that bad language on the pitch would earn him a red card.
collocation: 'bad language' as a polite way to refer to swearing
Eitan's grandmother scolded him for using foul language at the family dinner table.
The streaming service added a warning about strong language before the stand-up comedy special began.
The principal sent a letter reminding parents that offensive language is banned on school grounds.
Imran overheard the builders using bad language and quietly asked them to watch their mouths around his children.
文法句型
bad / strong / foul + language
offensive language
use + [adjective] + language
用法筆記
Uncountable. This sense is itself a euphemism — speakers use 'bad language' or 'strong language' instead of repeating the actual offensive words. The adjective is almost always required; 'language' alone does not carry this meaning. The phrase 'bad language' is especially common in British English.