transfer
/trænsˈfɜː(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /trænsˈfɜːr/ (ame, ipa) · /tran(t)s-ˈfər ˈtran(t)s-ˌfər/ (ame, mw) · /ˈtræns.fɜːr/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈtræns.fɝː/ (ame, ipa)
transfer — verb
- transferpresent simple I / you / we / they
- transfershe / she / it
- transferredpast simple
- transferring-ing form
1. to take a person, object, or responsibility from one location, vehicle, situatio
to take a person, object, or responsibility from one location, vehicle, situation, or group and put them in another
The hospital decided to transfer Rafael to the children's ward for better care.
transfer + person + to + place
Amihan transferred the leftover food from the big pot into smaller containers.
transfer + object + from + place + into + place
After three years in sales, Esme was transferred to the marketing department.
The manager transferred control of the project to Brandon before leaving the company.
Many students transfer from the community college to the state university every year.
- move
more general and everyday; does not imply a formal or organizational process
- relocate
more formal, often used for moving a business or its employees
- shift
suggests a small or slight change of position rather than a complete move
- convey
formal, often legal; emphasizes the act of carrying from one place to another
文法句型
transfer + object + to + place/person/group
transfer + from + place + to + place
用法筆記
This is the broadest sense. When the object is a person, it often implies an official or organizational move. Frequently used in passive constructions (be transferred to).
常見錯誤
2. to send an incoming phone call that was received on one line to a different tele
to send an incoming phone call that was received on one line to a different telephone number or extension
Salma asked the receptionist to transfer her call to the billing department.
transfer + a/the call + to [department]
Our office phone system automatically transfers calls to mobile phones after six rings.
passive: calls are transferred to [destination]
Please hold while I transfer you to Mr. Chen's extension.
The call center software transfers customers to the next available agent automatically.
- put through
phrasal verb, slightly informal; common in everyday office speech
- redirect
more technical; often used for automated systems
- forward
implies an automatic preset instruction rather than a live action
文法句型
transfer + a/the call + to + person/number
transfer + caller + to + person
用法筆記
The direct object is usually 'a/the call' or the caller ('you'). Cannot be used intransitively in this sense.
常見錯誤
3. to take a new position in another company, department, school, or sports team, o
to take a new position in another company, department, school, or sports team, or to cause someone else to do this
Saira decided to transfer to the London office after two years in Singapore.
intransitive: transfer to [location/office]
The football club transferred Hana to their youth academy for the next season.
transitive: club transfers player to [destination]
Imani transferred from the physics program to the engineering school last semester.
The company transferred Rafael to the Berlin branch to lead the new team.
Teachers who transfer between schools keep their years of service and benefits.
- stay
remain in the same position or place
文法句型
transfer + (intransitive) + to + new job/team
transfer + object + to + new position
用法筆記
When used about a person changing jobs voluntarily, it is intransitive (She transferred to another department). When an employer or team decides the change, it is transitive (The company transferred her).
常見錯誤
4. to give the legal ownership, title, or control of property, money, or rights to
to give the legal ownership, title, or control of property, money, or rights to another person or organization
Grandfather transferred the farm to Élise and her brother after his retirement.
transfer + property + to + person
The company transferred all its assets to a new holding group last March.
transfer + assets + to + organization
Ownership of the building was transferred to the city council in 2023.
Ilan signed papers to transfer the copyright of his photographs to the publisher.
文法句型
transfer + property/rights + to + person/entity
用法筆記
Formal and legal register. The subject is typically the current owner, and the object is property, assets, rights, or shares. A written document is usually involved.
常見錯誤
5. to get off one bus, train, plane, or subway line and get onto another during a s
to get off one bus, train, plane, or subway line and get onto another during a single journey
Luca took the red line and transferred to the blue line at Central Station.
transfer from [line A] to [line B] at [station]
Passengers traveling to the airport must transfer from the express train to the shuttle bus.
transfer from [vehicle A] to [vehicle B]
Minho transferred to another bus at the market square after his first one broke down.
You do not need to transfer — this train goes directly to the airport.
Amihan missed her stop because she was too busy reading and forgot to transfer trains.
- change
equivalent meaning, more common in British English
- switch
informal; often used in spoken instructions
- get a connection
used for flight connections or multi-leg journeys
- stay on
remain on the same vehicle without changing
文法句型
transfer + from + vehicle/line + to + vehicle/line
用法筆記
Always intransitive in this sense — you transfer vehicles, routes, or lines, but do not 'transfer a train' transitively. Common in travel announcements and directions.
常見錯誤
6. to copy or move digital information, files, photos, music, or other media from o
to copy or move digital information, files, photos, music, or other media from one device, system, or format onto another
Esme transferred all her photos from the phone to her laptop using a cable.
transfer + data + from [source] + to [destination]
The app automatically transfers your contacts when you set up a new device.
Brandon transferred the music files to a cloud drive so everyone could access them.
Old VHS tapes can be transferred to digital format at a video conversion shop.
The system failed while transferring the database to the new server.
- copy
implies the original remains; 'transfer' may or may not keep the original
- move
implies the original is removed; common in file-system contexts
- sync
implies two-way transfer to keep versions matching; informal/technical
- upload/download
specific to transferring to/from the internet or cloud
文法句型
transfer + data/files + to + device/format
transfer + from + device + to + device
用法筆記
In technology contexts, 'transfer' can mean either copying (the source file remains) or moving (the source file is deleted). The exact meaning depends on the software or device. In everyday use, it most often implies copying to another device.
常見錯誤
❌ 'Transfer the music to my phone.' (OK) but 'I transferred the song.' (vague) — Specify the destination; without it the sentence feels incomplete.
transfer — noun
- transfersingular
- transfersplural
1. the action of taking someone or something from a starting location, role, or sit
the action of taking someone or something from a starting location, role, or situation and placing them in a different one
The transfer of medical records between hospitals must follow strict privacy rules.
transfer of [documents] between [places]
Imani arranged the transfer of funds from her savings account to her checking account.
transfer of [funds/money] from [account A] to [account B]
The patient's transfer to the intensive care unit happened late last night.
Rafael completed the transfer of responsibilities to his successor before leaving.
Bank transfers usually take one business day to process in Taiwan.
- move
less formal; can apply to objects or people
- relocation
formal; focuses on moving to a new place, especially for work
- shift
implies a change in position, often small or gradual
- handover
focuses on passing control or responsibility to someone else
- retention
the act of keeping something in place
文法句型
transfer + of + object/person + to + place
用法筆記
Can be countable (We made five transfers this month) or uncountable (The transfer of data took hours). Often followed by 'of' + the thing being moved.
常見錯誤
2. a sports player who joins a different team after leaving their current one, or t
a sports player who joins a different team after leaving their current one, or the process involved in that change
The club spent 10 million dollars on a new transfer from Brazil this summer.
new transfer from [country/team]
Saira was the most expensive transfer in the team's history when she joined.
The transfer window opens in January, and many players will change clubs.
Luca completed his transfer to the Italian team after passing the medical check.
用法筆記
Common in team sports (football/soccer, basketball, baseball). The noun can mean either the player who has moved (The club signed a new transfer) or the transaction itself (The transfer fell through).
常見錯誤
3. a journey service, such as a taxi, bus, or shuttle, that carries travelers betwe
a journey service, such as a taxi, bus, or shuttle, that carries travelers between two specific locations like an airport and a nearby hotel
The hotel provides a free airport transfer for all guests arriving after 8 p.m.
collocation: airport transfer
Minho booked a private transfer from the train station to the ski resort.
private transfer from [place A] to [place B]
The conference organizers arranged group transfers between the hotel and the venue.
Our transfer arrived late, so we missed the first tour of the morning.
- shuttle
emphasizes a regular back-and-forth service; can be public
- ride
informal; less specific about being pre-arranged
- connection
used for flights or trains that connect; more about timing than the vehicle
用法筆記
Specific to pre-arranged transport between fixed locations, typically in tourism contexts. Not used for regular public buses or taxis you flag down on the street.
常見錯誤
❌ 'The transfer bus was late.' (OK) but 'The transfer was a bus.' (unnatural) — 'Transfer' is the service, not the vehicle itself. Say 'The transfer service uses small buses.'
4. a ticket you can use when switching between different bus or metro lines during
a ticket you can use when switching between different bus or metro lines during a single journey
The bus driver gave Salma a transfer to continue her trip on the next route.
give someone a transfer
Passengers must keep their transfer to show when boarding the second train.
keep a transfer [for inspection]
The metro ticket includes a free transfer to any bus line within 30 minutes.
Hana's transfer expired before she reached the second bus stop.
- connection ticket
less common; emphasizes the connection between routes
- through ticket
a single ticket covering the entire multi-vehicle journey
用法筆記
Most common in American English. In British English, 'a connecting ticket' or 'through ticket' is more usual. The transfer is typically valid for a limited time.
常見錯誤
5. a printed image or decorative design that you put onto walls, clothing, or other
a printed image or decorative design that you put onto walls, clothing, or other objects by pressing or heating it briefly
The children decorated their notebooks with colorful animal transfers from the craft store.
decorate with [type of] transfers
Brandon applied the transfer to his guitar by rubbing it firmly with a pencil.
apply a transfer to [surface] by rubbing
Some transfers require heat from an iron to stick properly to the fabric.
Élise peeled the backing off the transfer and pressed it gently onto the card.
用法筆記
Also called a 'rub-on transfer' or 'iron-on transfer'. Not to be confused with a sticker — transfers do not have adhesive; they use pressure or heat to bond with the surface.
常見錯誤
❌ 'Transfer paper' vs 'transfer' — 'Transfer paper' is the special sheet the design is printed on; 'transfer' is the design itself after application.