uno
uno — noun
1. your own needs, safety, and interests, which you put ahead of everyone else's in
your own needs, safety, and interests, which you put ahead of everyone else's in a self-centred way
Shirin always looks after uno first; everyone else can wait their turn.
looks after uno — collocation for putting oneself first
In Mateo's world, uno comes before family, friends, or anyone else who asks.
Felix grabbed his bag when the storm hit — uno was all he could think about.
Ritu's father warned her: look after uno, because nobody else will.
As the floodwater rose, Hakim grabbed the last dry bag for himself and waded to the stairs — uno.
- number one
the fuller phrase; 'uno' is a clipped, more casual version
- self
neutral and much broader; 'uno' always carries a note of self-interest
用法筆記
Often appears in the phrase 'numero uno' (Italian for 'number one'), but can stand alone in very informal English. The sense always implies putting yourself before others.
2. the one person in a group or field who stands above everyone else in status, pow
the one person in a group or field who stands above everyone else in status, power, or ability
After winning three gold medals, Marco became uno in the world of gymnastics.
became uno in [field] — pattern for rising to the top
Nadia joined the firm as a junior clerk; now she is uno and runs the whole department.
At the clinic, nobody questioned Mark — he had been uno for over a decade.
Adina, the lead singer, acted like uno and bossed everyone around the studio.
There can only be one uno in this company, and Nila has held that spot since 2018.
- number one
the full phrase; 'uno' is a clipped, more slangy version
- top dog
more aggressive in tone, often implies dominance through competition
- boss
neutral and widely used; 'uno' is more informal and often admiring
用法筆記
Frequently part of the phrase 'numero uno.' Can describe someone in any hierarchy — a workplace, a sports league, a social circle, or a family. Less commonly applied to organisations.
常見錯誤
uno — noun
1. a young child's word for urine, or for the need to go to the toilet
a young child's word for urine, or for the need to go to the toilet
The toddler pointed at the potty and said 'uno' with a proud smile.
Bao's little boy still uses 'uno' when he needs to go to the toilet.
uses 'uno' when [clause] — pattern for describing a child's speech habit
Piotr heard his daughter whisper 'uno' during the long car journey.
At nursery, the children raise a hand and say 'uno' to ask for the bathroom.
The little boy tugged at his father's sleeve and announced, 'Uno, Daddy — now!'
用法筆記
A nursery or baby-talk word, unrelated to the Italian/Spanish-derived senses above. Adults use it only when speaking to very young children, or playfully among family. In all other contexts — medical, formal, or general conversation — use 'urine' or 'pee' instead.
常見錯誤
uno — abbreviation
1. short for United Nations Organization, the international body founded in 1945 to
short for United Nations Organization, the international body founded in 1945 to promote peace and cooperation among countries
The UNO sent peacekeeping troops to the disputed border region last spring.
UNO as subject + sent [personnel] to [location]
Jia presented her climate research at the UNO headquarters in New York.
Ambassador Nkosi urged the UNO to send tents and drinking water to earthquake-hit villages in Malawi.
The UNO charter was signed by fifty countries in San Francisco in 1945.
Kwame's grandfather worked as a translator for the UNO for over thirty years.
- UN
the more common modern abbreviation for United Nations
用法筆記
Less common today than 'UN' (United Nations). 'UNO' is sometimes used to distinguish the organisation's founding body from its successor form, or appears in historical contexts and in some non-English-speaking regions.