mates
mates — noun
1. An individual animal that another animal has sex with so that the female can bec
An individual animal that another animal has sex with so that the female can become pregnant and have babies.
A female penguin may spend weeks searching for a suitable mate.
collocation: search for a mate
During mating season, male deer fight each other to win a mate.
collocation: mating season
Some birds perform an elaborate dance to attract a mate.
The zoo put the two pandas together in the hope they would become mates.
- partner
broader term for either animal or human
- breeding partner
more specific to reproduction context
用法筆記
Primarily used for non-human animals. For humans, 'partner' or 'spouse' is more common.
常見錯誤
2. A person whose company you enjoy and whom you trust, especially someone you spen
A person whose company you enjoy and whom you trust, especially someone you spend time with regularly.
Mei and her mates from university meet for coffee every Sunday.
collocation: mates from [place]
Jack has been my best mate since we were five years old.
A group of mates went camping in the mountains over the holiday.
Omar invited a few mates around to watch the football match.
The two mates started a small business together after college.
用法筆記
Very common in British and Australian English. In American English, 'buddy' or 'friend' is preferred.
常見錯誤
3. A friendly word used when speaking directly to a man whose name you do not know.
A friendly word used when speaking directly to a man whose name you do not know.
Excuse me, mate, do you know what time the train leaves?
opening form of address: excuse me, mate
Thanks for holding the door, mate! called the young man with a smile.
The taxi driver turned around and said, Where to, mate?
No problem, mate, the shopkeeper said as he handed over the change.
用法筆記
Used almost exclusively by men when talking to other men. Can sound odd or overly familiar if used by or to women in most varieties of English.
常見錯誤
4. A person who works beside a skilled professional and carries out the simpler tas
A person who works beside a skilled professional and carries out the simpler tasks the professional assigns.
The electrician arrived with his young mate carrying a bag of tools.
collocation: [skilled worker]'s mate
Lukas worked as a plumber's mate for two years before qualifying on his own.
A carpenter's mate learns the trade by holding timber and passing tools.
The builder asked his mate to fetch more bricks from the truck.
- assistant
more formal, used in any profession
- helper
less specific, broader range of tasks
- apprentice
implies formal training towards qualification
- master
the skilled worker the mate assists
5. An officer who works on a commercial ship and helps the captain run the vessel.
An officer who works on a commercial ship and helps the captain run the vessel.
The first mate climbed to the bridge to check the radar screen.
compound: first mate
After ten years at sea, Diego was promoted to ship's mate on a cargo vessel.
The mate ordered the crew to lower the anchor as the ship entered the harbour.
Every morning the mate inspected the cargo holds for signs of leaks.
- first officer
more modern term on commercial ships
- deck officer
broader term for any officer on deck duty
用法筆記
Often used in compounds like 'first mate' or 'ship's mate'. Not used for military ships, where 'lieutenant' or 'ensign' are the standard terms.
6. A hot drink made by pouring hot water onto the dried leaves of a South American
A hot drink made by pouring hot water onto the dried leaves of a South American plant, popular in countries such as Argentina and Paraguay.
In Argentina, families often share a gourd of mate during afternoon breaks.
collocation: share a gourd of mate
Amara tried mate for the first time at a cafe in Buenos Aires and loved the earthy taste.
The hikers carried a flask of hot mate to keep warm on the mountain trail.
A traditional mate cup is made from a hollowed-out gourd and drunk through a metal straw.
- yerba mate
the name of the plant, also used for the drink
- mate
accented spelling preferred in Spanish-influenced contexts
- Paraguayan tea
descriptive name, less common
用法筆記
Also spelled 'mate' with an accent to distinguish it from other meanings of 'mate'. The plant it comes from is yerba mate.
mates — verb
1. When two animals come together to have sex so that the female can become pregnan
When two animals come together to have sex so that the female can become pregnant and produce young; or when a person makes animals do this for a specific purpose.
Lions usually mate after the female signals that she is ready.
intransitive: [animal] + mate
The farmer mated his best sheep with a prize ram from a neighbouring farm.
transitive: farmer + mated + [animal] + with + [animal]
These rare butterflies only mate during a short window in early summer.
The zookeepers decided to mate the two giant pandas to help increase the population.
Bald eagles mate for life and return to the same nest year after year.
文法句型
mate + with + noun
用法筆記
Used for animals. For humans, 'have sex', 'make love', or formal 'copulate' are the usual terms. 'Mate' for humans sounds scientific or humorous.