operate

/ˈɒpəreɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɑːpəreɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈä-pə-ˌrāt ˈä-ˌprāt/ (ame, mw)

operate — verb

  • operatepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • operateshe / she / it
  • operatedpast simple
  • operating-ing form

1. if equipment, a system, or a service operates, it does its job; if a person or c

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

if equipment, a system, or a service operates, it does its job; if a person or company operates one, they run it and keep it going.

例句

This washing machine operates quietly, even during the late-night cycle.

intransitive: machine operates

Nina learned to operate the cash register on her first shift.

operate + machine/equipment

同義詞
  • work

    used when the thing itself functions; not for running a business with an object

  • run

    common for businesses and services; slightly less technical

  • manage

    focuses on directing a business or service, not usually a machine

  • control

    stresses handling how a machine or system behaves

反義詞
  • fail

    for a machine or system that stops working properly

  • shut down

    for a business, service, or machine that is no longer running

文法句型

[machine/system/service] + operates

operate + machine/equipment

operate + business/service

operate from + place

用法筆記

Subject is often a machine, system, business, service, or organization. When a person or company is the subject, the object is usually equipment, a system, or a service they control or run; distinguish from sense 2, which is only about surgery.

常見錯誤

❌Can you operate to this printer?
✅Can you operate this printer?
💡Use a direct object for the machine or device you control.

2. to do surgery on a person, often by opening the body and treating a problem insi

2.動詞不及物B1
釋義

to do surgery on a person, often by opening the body and treating a problem inside.

例句

Dr. Shah will operate tomorrow morning after the test results arrive.

intransitive medical use

The team operated on Leo's knee for nearly three hours.

operate on + body part

同義詞
  • do surgery

    everyday wording; less formal than 'operate'

  • perform surgery

    formal medical wording

  • treat

    much broader; only fits when the medical context is already clear

文法句型

operate

operate on + patient/body part

用法筆記

Subject is usually a surgeon or medical team. Often followed by on before the patient or body part, and it can appear without an object when the patient is already understood.

常見錯誤

❌The surgeon operated her knee.
✅The surgeon operated on her knee.
💡Use 'operate on' before the patient or body part.