spiritual

/ˈspɪrɪtʃuəl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈspɪrɪtʃuəl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈspir-i-chə-wəl -i-chəl, -ich-wəl/ (ame, mw) · /ˈspɪr.ɪ.tʃu.əl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈspɪr.ə.tʃu.əl/ (ame, ipa)

spiritual — adjective

1. connected to religion, religious faith, or people's most deeply held beliefs abo

1.形容詞B2
釋義

connected to religion, religious faith, or people's most deeply held beliefs about the purpose and meaning of life.

例句

Sana finds spiritual comfort in attending the local church every Sunday.

spiritual comfort — abstract noun collocation

The temple offers a quiet space for spiritual reflection and prayer away from daily noise.

spiritual reflection — common noun collocation

同義詞
  • religious

    more directly connected to organized faith, church, or worship

  • sacred

    describes things considered holy and worthy of special respect, not a personal quality

  • moral

    focuses on principles of right and wrong rather than faith or belief

反義詞
  • secular

    not connected to religion or religious institutions

文法句型

spiritual + noun (belief, leader, life)

用法筆記

This sense is closely tied to organized religion or institutional faith. When referring to personal inner experience without reference to a church, sense 2 is more appropriate.

常見錯誤

❌Tendai is a very spiritual man — he goes to the mosque five times a day.
✅Tendai is a very religious man
💡he goes to the mosque five times a day.' — 'religious' is the natural choice when describing someone who follows organized worship practices; 'spiritual' leans toward personal beliefs not necessarily tied to a specific faith.

2. relating to a person's inner self, spirit, or soul, rather than to physical or m

2.形容詞B2
釋義

relating to a person's inner self, spirit, or soul, rather than to physical or material things.

例句

Baraka feels that yoga is a deeply spiritual practice that connects mind and body.

deeply spiritual — adverb + adjective intensifier

After losing his job, Theo focused on his spiritual growth more than on money.

spiritual growth — common collocation for inner development

同義詞
  • inner

    focuses on thoughts and feelings deep inside a person, less mystical

  • non-material

    more literal and neutral, avoids religious connotations

  • philosophical

    relates to abstract thinking about existence, less personal

反義詞
  • physical

    relating to the body rather than the spirit

  • material

    relating to money, possessions, or physical objects

文法句型

spiritual + noun (growth, practice, side)

be + spiritual

用法筆記

Unlike 'religious' (sense 1), this sense does not require a connection to organized faith. It can be used after linking verbs: 'She feels very spiritual.' The contrast 'spiritual but not religious' is common in modern usage.

常見錯誤

❌The meditation group focuses on spiritual things like money and career.
✅The meditation group focuses on spiritual things like inner peace and self-awareness.
💡'spiritual' in this sense should relate to the non-material inner world, not to practical or career goals.

spiritual — noun