structural
/ˈstrʌktʃərəl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈstrʌktʃərəl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈstrək-chə-rəl ˈstrək-shrəl/ (ame, mw)
structural — adjective
- structuralpositive
- more structuralcomparative
- most structuralsuperlative
1. describes how the different components within a system, organization, or process
describes how the different components within a system, organization, or process are arranged and influence each other — for example, problems that are built into a company's management model rather than caused by individual workers.
Karim argued that the company's problems were structural and not the fault of individual employees.
structural + problems: describing systemic, not personal, issues
The government announced a structural reform of the healthcare system to reduce waiting times.
structural reform: large-scale change to how a system is organized
Deep structural causes of poverty include unequal access to education and land ownership.
Daichi's report highlighted several structural weaknesses in the school's management system.
A structural change to the voting rules was proposed after months of debate.
- systemic
broader scope — affects the entire system; 'structural' often implies arrangement of parts, while 'systemic' implies something that pervades the whole system
- organizational
less formal; limited to companies and institutions; 'structural' can also apply to abstract systems like language or economics
- fundamental
focuses on importance rather than arrangement; a fundamental change may not involve restructuring, but a structural one always does
- superficial
structural issues go deep into how something is arranged; superficial issues only affect the surface
- temporary
structural change is meant to be lasting; temporary fixes do not alter the underlying arrangement
文法句型
structural + noun
用法筆記
Almost always used before a noun (attributive position). For example, you can say 'a structural problem' but not 'the problem is structural' in informal speech (though it does occur in formal writing as a predicate adjective).
常見錯誤
2. concerning the load-bearing framework or physical fabric of a building, bridge,
concerning the load-bearing framework or physical fabric of a building, bridge, or similar object — for example, walls, beams, foundations, and the materials that keep a structure standing.
The earthquake caused serious structural damage to the old church near the market square.
structural damage: physical harm to a building's framework
Jenna's uncle is a structural engineer who checks the safety of tunnels and bridges.
structural engineer: specialist in building frameworks
The building's main structural beams are made of reinforced concrete and steel.
Noticing a crack in the wall, Nellie called a surveyor to check for structural problems.
Tendai said the roof needed structural repairs before winter storms arrived.
- constructional
rare; 'structural' is the standard term in building contexts
- load-bearing
more specific — refers only to parts that support weight, while 'structural' covers the entire framework
- architectural
broader — includes design and aesthetics; 'structural' focuses on the engineering framework
- cosmetic
cosmetic repairs affect appearance only; structural repairs affect the framework
- non-structural
direct negative — walls that do not carry weight are non-structural
文法句型
structural + noun
用法筆記
Commonly used with nouns that refer to physical parts of a building: beam, wall, foundation, frame, integrity. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense always involves physical construction; sense 1 involves abstract arrangements.