surroundings
/səˈraʊndɪŋz/ (bre, ipa) · [sɚˈaʊndɪŋz] /səˈraʊndɪŋz/ (ame, ipa)
surroundings — noun
1. the area around a person or thing, including all the objects, buildings, and nat
the area around a person or thing, including all the objects, buildings, and natural features that are present there
The old farmhouse blends into the natural surroundings so well it is hard to see.
blend with / blend into surroundings
When hiking in the mountains, Mei-Lin always stops to admire her beautiful surroundings.
The hotel's peaceful surroundings include a small lake and several wooded paths.
Architects must study the natural surroundings carefully before designing a new building.
Some butterflies change colour to match their surroundings and hide from predators.
- environment
broader term, can include social and cultural factors too
- setting
focuses more on the overall scene or context, especially in a story or picture
- vicinity
more about the nearby area or neighbourhood, less about the atmosphere
文法句型
[possessive] + surroundings
adjective + surroundings
用法筆記
Always used in plural form — there is no singular noun 'surrounding' for this meaning. Frequently paired with verbs like 'blend with', 'adapt to', or 'take in'.
常見錯誤
2. the living space a person occupies and the quality of daily life there, such as
the living space a person occupies and the quality of daily life there, such as how pleasant, comfortable, or convenient it is
After years in cramped surroundings, the Watanabe family moved to a house with a garden.
adjective + surroundings: cramped, comfortable, pleasant
Dr. Okafor needs quiet surroundings to concentrate on his medical research.
The children grew up in comfortable surroundings with good schools and parks nearby.
Lin found it hard to study in such noisy surroundings at the student dormitory.
The old people's home provides warm and caring surroundings for its residents.
- environment
broader, can include workplace and social aspects
- conditions
more neutral and factual, often used with 'living' or 'working'
文法句型
adjective + surroundings
in + adjective + surroundings
用法筆記
Always used in plural form. The adjectives used with this sense typically describe comfort and quality of life: comfortable, pleasant, drab, bleak, noisy, quiet, cramped, spacious, warm, caring.
常見錯誤
3. the general situation and conditions that surround someone or something, coverin
the general situation and conditions that surround someone or something, covering both physical and social aspects of where they find themselves
Rosa spent her first week at university getting used to the unfamiliar surroundings.
get used to surroundings
The Kim family felt completely lost in the unfamiliar surroundings of a foreign country.
A good leader stays aware of the surroundings and adjusts plans when things change.
Working in unfamiliar surroundings can make even simple daily tasks feel difficult.
The rescue team carefully assessed the surroundings before entering the damaged building.
- circumstances
more abstract, focuses on situational factors rather than physical location
- environment
similar scope but more commonly used for natural or social contexts
- milieu
formal, used mainly for social or cultural setting
文法句型
get used to + surroundings
adapt to + surroundings
unfamiliar + surroundings
用法筆記
Broadest of the three senses — it covers physical, social, and circumstantial aspects together. Distinguish from sense 1 (PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT), which focuses only on tangible items around you, and sense 2 (LIVING CONDITIONS), which is limited to a person's home and daily life.