prima

IPA/ˌpriː.mə ˈdɒn.ə.ɪʃ/
KK[prˈimə]IPA/ˌpriː.mə ˈdɑː.nə.ɪʃ/

prima — adjective

  • primapositive
  • more primacomparative
  • most primasuperlative

1. behaving in a way that shows you are very hard to satisfy and you expect everyon

1.形容詞B2
釋義

behaving in a way that shows you are very hard to satisfy and you expect everyone around you to do things exactly the way you want them to

例句

Valentina was so prima about her coffee that the café knew her order by heart.

so prima about [noun phrase]

The film director's prima demands caused the production budget to double.

prima demands — adjective before noun

同義詞
  • fussy

    more common in everyday speech; less dramatic than prima

  • demanding

    focuses on high standards rather than a difficult personality

  • picky

    informal; usually about small preferences rather than general behaviour

反義詞

用法筆記

Often used in a disapproving way. This meaning comes from the behaviour associated with a 'prima donna' (the main female opera singer), but today it can describe anyone who is hard to please, not just performers.

常見錯誤

❌She is a prima customer who always tips well.
✅She is a prima customer who always sends her food back to the kitchen.
💡Prima describes someone hard to please, not just any customer.

2. relating to the main performer in a show such as a ballet or opera, or describin

2.形容詞C1
釋義

relating to the main performer in a show such as a ballet or opera, or describing the leading position or role that a performer has

例句

Dario trained for years before he earned the prima role in the company's ballet.

prima role — leading performer position

Shirin's goal was to become the prima singer at the Vienna State Opera.

同義詞
  • leading

    more general and can be used in any field; prima is specific to the arts

  • principal

    often used interchangeably in dance (principal dancer); slightly more formal

  • first

    literal translation from Italian; less common as an English adjective

反義詞
  • supporting

    describes a performer with a less important role

  • understudy

    a performer who learns a role to replace the main performer if needed

用法筆記

Used mainly in the context of ballet (prima ballerina meaning 'first dancer') and opera (prima donna meaning 'first lady'). It is not used outside the performing arts in this sense.

常見錯誤

❌He was the prima doctor at the hospital.
✅He was the prima performer in the ballet.
💡In this sense, prima is restricted to performing arts contexts such as dance and opera.