part
/pɑːt/ (bre, ipa) · [pˈɑrt] /pɑːrt/ (ame, ipa) · [pˈɑrt] /ˈpärt/ (ame, mw)
part — verb
- partpresent simple I / you / we / they
- parts3rd person singular
- parting-ing form
- partedpast simple
1. to move two things, or two sides of one thing, away from each other so a gap ope
to move two things, or two sides of one thing, away from each other so a gap opens between them; or for two such things to move apart on their own.
Marcus parted the heavy curtains and looked out at the snowy street.
transitive: part + physical object
The crowd quickly parted to let the ambulance through to the school gate.
intransitive: subject moves apart on its own
Her lips parted slightly when she saw the surprise birthday cake.
Sarah used both hands to part the long grass and find her lost ring.
The clouds finally parted and warm sunlight reached the wet garden.
文法句型
part + object (e.g. lips, curtains)
[crowd / curtain] + part
用法筆記
Subject is usually a thing that has two sides or many people in a row (lips, curtains, hair, a crowd, the clouds). Distinguish from sense 3, where the subject is people leaving each other.
常見錯誤
2. to make a straight line down your hair with a comb so that the two sides fall in
to make a straight line down your hair with a comb so that the two sides fall in different directions, usually down the middle of the head or to one side.
Lina parted her hair down the middle and tied it into two neat braids.
collocation: part + hair + down the middle
My grandfather always parted his hair on the left, just like in his wedding photo.
collocation: part + hair + on the [side]
Daniel parted his hair carefully in the dressing-room mirror before stepping onto the stage.
Mei parted her son's wet hair with a comb and dried it gently.
文法句型
part + one's hair (+ in the middle / on the side)
用法筆記
Object is almost always 'hair' (your own or another person's). The location of the line is shown by 'down the middle', 'on the left', 'on the right', or 'on the side'.
常見錯誤
3. when two people part, each one walks away from the other and they no longer trav
when two people part, each one walks away from the other and they no longer travel, live, or work together, usually because a friendship, marriage, or working relationship has come to a close.
After fifteen years of marriage, Carlos and Maya parted on friendly terms.
collocation: part on [friendly / good] terms
The two business partners parted last spring after a long argument over money.
[two people] + part
Aiko and her best friend parted at the airport gate, knowing they might not meet for years.
Dr. Tanaka parted from the research team in 2019 to start her own clinic.
The old friends parted at the train station with a quiet promise to write often.
- separate
common neutral choice for couples ending a relationship
- split up
informal; mainly for romantic couples or close friends
- say goodbye
neutral and short-term; doesn't always mean ending a relationship
文法句型
[two people] + part
part + from + somebody
用法筆記
Formal or literary. In everyday speech most learners would say 'split up', 'say goodbye', or 'go their separate ways'. Distinguish from sense 1: here the subject is people, not curtains, lips, or a crowd.
常見錯誤
part — noun
- partsingular
- partsplural
1. an amount of something that is less than the whole — for example, a chapter is p
an amount of something that is less than the whole — for example, a chapter is part of a book, or a slice is part of a cake.
Maya spent part of her holiday reading novels by the pool.
part of + noun phrase
The hardest part of the exam was the listening section about train timetables.
the [adjective] part of [noun]
Marcus only ate part of his sandwich before running back to class.
A large part of the lecture was about climate change in coastal cities.
Sofia spent the best part of an hour searching for her car keys under the sofa.
文法句型
part of + noun
用法筆記
Uncountable in this sense and almost always followed by 'of' + a noun phrase. Distinguish from sense 2, which is countable and refers to a separate, distinct piece.
常見錯誤
2. one of the distinct pieces, areas, or sections that together make up a larger th
one of the distinct pieces, areas, or sections that together make up a larger thing — for example, a wing of a building, a tile in a mosaic, or an arm or leg of the body.
The kitchen is the warmest part of Grandma's old wooden house.
the [adjective] part of [noun]
Marcus broke a small part of the model plane while cleaning his desk.
a [adjective] part of
The neck and shoulders are the parts that hurt most after a long flight.
Lina marked the funny parts of the book with little yellow stickers.
Every part of the old church — the floor, the pews, and the high stained-glass windows — needed cleaning before Easter.
- whole
the full thing, all parts together
文法句型
a part of [something]
the [adjective] part
用法筆記
Countable, unlike sense 1. Often takes 'a/the/every/all' before it and refers to a piece you can point to or name (a room, a section, a body area).
常見錯誤
3. a region or area within a larger place such as a country, city, or continent, of
a region or area within a larger place such as a country, city, or continent, often without exact borders.
It rains almost every afternoon in the western part of Taiwan during the summer.
pattern: the [direction] part of [place]
Carlos grew up in a quiet part of Buenos Aires.
collocation: a quiet / busy / poor part of [city]
Wild horses still roam in some parts of Mongolia.
Lina asked her new classmate what part of Vietnam her family had moved from.
Around the night market, this part of Tainan gets very crowded after eight o'clock on Saturdays.
文法句型
[determiner] part of + [place]
in [adjective] parts of
用法筆記
Almost always followed by 'of + [place name or noun]'. Borders are vague — 'the northern part of France' is fuzzier than 'northern France'. Distinguish from sense 2 (any separate piece): this sense applies only to geographical areas.
常見錯誤
4. in the fixed phrase 'take part (in)', meaning to join an activity together with
in the fixed phrase 'take part (in)', meaning to join an activity together with other people, such as a game, a meeting, or a protest.
Over 200 students took part in the science fair last weekend.
pattern: take part in + [event]
Marcus refused to take part in the office prank.
collocation: refuse to take part in
Anyone over sixteen can take part in the city's annual singing contest at the cultural centre.
The villagers took part in cleaning the river after the flood.
Lina was too shy to take part in the class discussion.
- participate
more formal; common in writing and notices
- join in
more casual; often used without an object
- get involved
stresses commitment; can imply deeper engagement
文法句型
take part in + [activity]
take part in + V-ing
用法筆記
Almost always appears as 'take part in + [activity]'. The phrase is uncountable — never 'take a part in' for this meaning (that would shift to sense 6, an acting role). Distinguish from sense 9 (someone's share or duty): sense 4 is the act of joining in; sense 9 is the share you contributed.
常見錯誤
5. one numbered episode of a TV or radio series, or one section of a long book that
one numbered episode of a TV or radio series, or one section of a long book that comes out by itself rather than with the rest.
Part 3 of the documentary airs next Sunday on Channel 5.
pattern: Part + ordinal number
Maya finished part one of the novel before falling asleep.
collocation: part one / two / three
The radio drama was broadcast in six parts over three weeks.
Carlos missed the second part of the cooking show last night.
The final part of the trilogy explains how the war ended.
- episode
specifically a single TV or radio installment; 'part' can also mean a book section
- installment
more formal; common for serialized stories in print
- chapter
for books only, not for broadcasts
文法句型
part + ordinal number (Part 2)
part + of + [series/book]
用法筆記
Often capitalized when used as a title label, e.g. 'Part 3'. Distinguish from sense 2 (a physical piece): this sense always refers to a numbered installment of a story or broadcast.
常見錯誤
6. the character an actor takes on for a film, stage play, or dance show, together
the character an actor takes on for a film, stage play, or dance show, together with the lines and movements they must perform.
Lina won the part of Juliet in the school play.
collocation: win / get the part of [character]
Marcus had to learn his part in only three days.
collocation: learn one's part
The director offered her a small part in his next film.
Playing the part of a cruel king made Tomas uncomfortable on the first night of rehearsal.
Elena forgot her part during the second act and froze on stage.
文法句型
play the part of [character]
get / land / win + a part
用法筆記
Frequently combines with verbs like 'play', 'learn', 'forget', 'win', 'get', 'land', 'offer'. Distinguish from sense 4 (taking part in an activity): this sense names the acting role itself, not the act of joining in.
常見錯誤
7. one of the manufactured pieces — like a screw, gear, or panel — that fit togethe
one of the manufactured pieces — like a screw, gear, or panel — that fit together to make a machine, vehicle, or device work.
The mechanic ordered a new part for Marcus's old motorbike.
a part for [machine]
Some parts of the washing machine are easy to replace at home.
parts of [machine]
The factory in Osaka makes small metal parts for car engines.
Lina kept all the spare parts from the broken clock in a glass jar.
The shop had no replacement part for such an old camera.
文法句型
spare/replacement part
part for [machine]
用法筆記
Refers specifically to manufactured components rather than natural sections. Strong collocates: 'spare', 'replacement', 'engine', 'machine'. Distinguish from sense 2, which covers any kind of section, including natural or abstract ones.
常見錯誤
8. one of several equal units used to describe a ratio when mixing things, so that
one of several equal units used to describe a ratio when mixing things, so that you can compare how much of each goes in.
Mix two parts flour with one part sugar before adding the eggs.
pattern: [number] parts X to [number] parts Y
The cleaner is three parts water and one part vinegar.
collocation: ratio recipe phrasing
Mia's cocktail uses equal parts gin, lemon juice, and honey.
For the bedroom wall, Sarah mixed the paint in a ratio of four parts white to one part blue.
文法句型
[number] parts + [substance]
[number] parts X to [number] parts Y
用法筆記
Almost always plural after a number, and used to express ratios (especially in recipes, chemistry, and dilution instructions). Distinguish from sense 2: here the parts are by definition equal in size.
常見錯誤
9. the share of effort, blame, or influence that belongs to one person or group in
the share of effort, blame, or influence that belongs to one person or group in why something happened — for example, the help a teacher gave a student, or the role smoking plays in heart disease.
Lina admitted her part in spreading the rumour about her classmate.
your/her/his + part in + noun phrase
Clean water plays a huge part in keeping the children of remote Nepali villages free of disease.
play a (big/huge/key) part in + -ing
Everyone on Mr. Chen's research team must do their part to submit the climate report by Friday.
The mayor refused to accept any part of the blame for the flooded streets.
After months of overwork, David's doctor said stress was playing a big part in his chest pains.
- role
very close in meaning, often interchangeable; 'role' sounds slightly more formal
- share
highlights the portion you owe or did, especially of work or blame
- contribution
stresses what you positively added; rarely used for blame
文法句型
play a part in + noun/-ing
do your part
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 4 ('take part in'): sense 4 is countable and means joining an activity, while sense 9 is uncountable and points to your share of work, blame, or causal influence. Common frames are 'play a part in', 'do your part', and 'your part in something'.
常見錯誤
10. the line of music written for one singer or one instrument when several perform
the line of music written for one singer or one instrument when several perform together, such as the soprano line in a choir or the violin line in a quartet.
In Dvořák's quartet, the cello part is much harder than the rest of the score.
collocation: cello / piano / soprano part
Sarah sings the soprano part in the church choir on Sundays.
pattern: sing the [voice] part
Our drummer learned his part by listening, not by reading the music.
The composer wrote a beautiful flute part for the slow movement.
文法句型
[instrument/voice] + part
play / sing + [possessive] part
用法筆記
Usually preceded by the name of the voice or instrument (the violin part, the alto part). Distinguish from sense 6 (an actor's role): this sense is about music written for one performer in a group.
常見錯誤
11. the thin line of bare scalp you can see when hair is combed away from it on each
the thin line of bare scalp you can see when hair is combed away from it on each side, usually down the centre or to one side of the head.
Marcus combed a sharp part down the centre of his hair before the wedding.
comb a + adjective + part
Grandma wore her part on the left for over fifty years.
wear a part on the left/right/side
After the swim, Daniel's part was crooked and his hair stuck up.
The barber asked Tomas which side he wanted his part on.
文法句型
a + adjective + part
wear a part on + side
用法筆記
Mainly American English; British speakers usually say 'parting' for the same line on the head. Often described by location ('a part on the left', 'a centre part') rather than by size.
常見錯誤
12. in the fixed phrase 'in part', signalling that something is true or caused only
in the fixed phrase 'in part', signalling that something is true or caused only to some degree, with other factors involved — weaker than 'in large part' (sense 14) and unrelated to 'for the most part' (sense 13).
The accident was, in part, caused by the heavy fog over the bridge.
fixed phrase: in part
Lina's success is in part due to her grandmother's support.
in part due to
The report blames the delay in part on broken equipment at the factory.
Sofia's decision to move to Hsinchu was based, in part, on the lower cost of housing.
文法句型
in part
用法筆記
Almost always appears as the fixed phrase 'in part', often paired with 'due to', 'because of', or 'caused by'. Common in writing and formal speech rather than casual conversation.
常見錯誤
13. in the phrase 'for the most part', used to say that a statement is true about th
in the phrase 'for the most part', used to say that a statement is true about the majority of cases or situations, even if there are some exceptions.
The students at this school are, for the most part, polite and curious.
comma-bracketed: for the most part
Sarah's recipes are for the most part easy enough for beginners to follow.
For the most part, the commuter trains in Taipei run on time between six in the morning and midnight.
The reviews of the new café have been positive, for the most part.
- mostly
more informal; everyday equivalent
- generally
neutral register; speaks about typical cases
- on the whole
similar formal phrase, often interchangeable
文法句型
for the most part
用法筆記
Signals a generalisation that admits exceptions. Distinguish from sense 14: 'in large part' weighs causes, while 'for the most part' weighs how often or how widely something is true.
常見錯誤
14. in the phrase 'in large part', meaning to a degree that is significant enough to
in the phrase 'in large part', meaning to a degree that is significant enough to matter or be the main reason for something.
The team's win was in large part the result of Carlos's last-minute goal.
in large part the result of
Tokyo's recovery was in large part driven by the new train network.
in large part driven by
The success of Aiko's debut novel is in large part because of its honest, simple style.
Mei's popularity at school is in large part down to her quick sense of humour.
- slightly
only to a small extent
- marginally
barely, by a tiny amount
文法句型
in large part
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 12: 'in part' (just one factor among several) vs 'in large part' (the main or biggest factor). Both are formal phrases.
常見錯誤
part — adjective
- partpositive
- partercomparative
- partestsuperlative
1. describing something that exists or is true to a limited extent rather than full
describing something that exists or is true to a limited extent rather than fully — for example, a person who is only half of one nationality, or someone who owns a share of a business but not the whole of it.
Maya is part Korean and part Brazilian, and she speaks both languages at home.
part + nationality, used twice for mixed background
Marcus is a part owner of the small bakery on Oak Street.
part + role noun (part owner)
The dealer accepted Marcus's old car as part payment for the new truck.
Lina took her old bike as part exchange when she bought the new mountain bike.
文法句型
part + noun (attributive only)
用法筆記
Only used before a noun (attributive) — never after a linking verb. Distinguish from the adverb 'part' (as in 'part Italian, part Greek' meaning 'partly'); the adjective sits directly in front of the noun it modifies.
常見錯誤
part — adverb
1. modifying a following adjective or noun to mean 'partly the one and partly the o
modifying a following adjective or noun to mean 'partly the one and partly the other', usually in the doubled frame 'part X, part Y' that names two contrasting elements blended together — unlike adjective 'part' (which sits before a single noun like 'part owner') or noun 'in part' (sense 12, which acts on a whole clause).
The creature in the legend is part lion, part eagle, with golden wings on its back.
pattern: part X, part Y for two contrasting elements
Marcus is part Japanese and part Brazilian, and he speaks both languages at home.
describing mixed heritage
Sofia's new job is part teaching, part research at a small college in Oregon.
Grandma's old recipe book is part cookbook, part diary of her childhood in Tainan.
Sunday lunch at the farm was part picnic, part family meeting around the long table.
文法句型
part + adjective/noun, part + adjective/noun
用法筆記
Almost always sits directly before an adjective or noun, and most often appears in the doubled frame 'part X, part Y'. Distinguish from the adjective sense ('a part payment') and the noun-derived adverbial 'in part'.