relate

/rɪˈleɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /rɪˈleɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /ri-ˈlāt/ (ame, mw)

relate — verb

  • relatepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • relateshe / she / it
  • relatedpast simple
  • relating-ing form

1. to discover or demonstrate that separate facts, events, or ideas belong together

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

to discover or demonstrate that separate facts, events, or ideas belong together or influence one another

例句

Kabir finds it hard to relate the strange cave symbols to any known language.

relate + object + to + object

The study relates higher education levels to better health outcomes across the population.

同義詞
  • connect

    more general; can refer to physical or abstract linking; relate emphasises a logical or causal tie

  • associate

    suggests a mental link in one's mind rather than an objective causal relationship

  • link

    similar to connect but often implies a stronger, more direct bond

反義詞
  • separate

    to divide things that were connected

  • isolate

    to consider or treat something as independent from others

文法句型

relate [something] to [something]

relate [something] with [something]

be related to [something]

用法筆記

This sense is often used in the passive form: be related to. The preposition to is far more common than with in modern English.

常見錯誤

❌This problem relates with that one.
✅This problem relates to that one.
💡the standard preposition for showing connection is to, not with, except in very rare cases.

2. to tell someone in detail about something that happened, describing events in th

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to tell someone in detail about something that happened, describing events in the order they took place

例句

Naoko related the hiking trip events with great excitement in her voice.

relate + event + with + manner adverb

The witness calmly related to the judge what she had seen that night.

relate + object + to + indirect object (formal)

同義詞
  • recount

    very close in meaning; recount emphasises a step-by-step retelling, while relate can include explanation of significance

  • narrate

    more literary; narrate often implies a structured story with a plot

  • describe

    broader — can cover sensory details rather than a sequence of events

反義詞
  • conceal

    to keep something hidden instead of telling it

文法句型

relate [a story / an event / an account]

relate [a story] to [someone]

relate that [+ clause]

用法筆記

This sense is more formal than tell or recount. It is often found in written narratives, historical accounts, and formal speeches rather than everyday conversation.

常見錯誤

❌He related me the whole story.
✅He related the whole story to me.
💡relate does not take an indirect object without to; use tell for the double-object pattern ('He told me the story').

3. to feel that you understand and share the feelings or experiences of another per

3.動詞不及物B2
釋義

to feel that you understand and share the feelings or experiences of another person because you have been through something similar yourself

例句

Vinícius relates to the main character because he grew up in a fishing town.

can relate to + someone (empathy through shared experience)

After losing her job, Rania could relate to friends with similar struggles.

同義詞
  • empathize

    stronger emotional depth; empathize often suggests more deliberate emotional effort

  • sympathize

    you feel sorry for someone, but not necessarily from personal experience; relate implies direct shared experience

  • connect with

    phrasal verb; similar in meaning but broader — can include intellectual or social rapport

反義詞

文法句型

relate to [someone]

relate to [a situation / a feeling]

can / cannot relate to [something]

用法筆記

Very common in informal spoken English, especially in the phrase I can relate (to that). The negative form I can't relate (to that) is equally frequent in casual conversation.

常見錯誤

❌I relate his situation.
✅I relate to his situation.
💡in this sense, relate is intransitive and must be followed by to.