above
above — 副詞
1. in a spot that is over your head, or further up than where you are looking.
在上方
在更高的位置；在頭頂上
in a spot that is over your head, or further up than where you are looking.
Anaya looked up and saw two seagulls circling above.
Anaya 抬頭看，看到兩隻海鷗在上方盤旋。
verb + above showing what is overhead
The bedroom is on the second floor, and the attic is just above.
臥室在二樓，閣樓就在上方。
above with no object, meaning higher up
From the cliff path, the village looked tiny far below them and the eagles soared above.
從懸崖步道望去，村莊在他們腳下顯得很小，老鷹在上方翱翔。
Imani painted the door blue and added a small lantern above.
Imani 把門漆成藍色，又在上方加了一盞小燈籠。
- below
directly opposite — at a lower position
文法句型
verb + above (location)
noun + above (postmodifier)
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 6: this sense talks about real, physical position; sense 6 talks about position on a written page.
常見錯誤
2. higher than a stated number, amount, age, or temperature.
以上
高於某個數字、年齡或溫度
higher than a stated number, amount, age, or temperature.
The roller coaster is only for children aged ten and above.
這個雲霄飛車只開放給十歲以上的小孩搭乘。
fixed phrase: [number] and above
On Saturday the temperature climbed to thirty degrees and above.
週六的氣溫一路爬升到攝氏三十度以上。
above used after a value
Tickets cost twenty dollars, but kids under five pay nothing and adults from sixty and above get a discount.
票價二十元，五歲以下的小孩免費，六十歲以上的大人享有折扣。
The sales team brought in five million dollars and above for three years running.
業務團隊連續三年達到五百萬美元以上的業績。
文法句型
number + and above
above + number
用法筆記
Frequently appears in the fixed phrase '<number> and above', meaning that number or any higher number. The phrase usually includes the stated number, not excludes it.
常見錯誤
3. used to introduce the point that matters more than every other point you have ju
最重要的是
用來指出最重要的一點
used to introduce the point that matters more than every other point you have just made.
The hotel is clean, friendly, and, above all, very cheap.
這家飯店乾淨、親切，最重要的是非常便宜。
above all introducing the strongest point
Sven wants a job that is interesting, well paid, and above all close to her family.
Sven 想要的工作要有趣、薪水好，最重要的是離家近。
comma-bracketed sentence adverb
Above all, the children should feel safe at home.
最重要的是，孩子在家裡要有安全感。
We need volunteers who are kind, patient, and above all good listeners.
我們需要善良、有耐心，最重要的是會傾聽的志工。
- most importantly
more direct paraphrase, slightly more formal
- especially
weaker — adds emphasis but does not rank a point as the top one
文法句型
above all, ...
用法筆記
This sense almost always appears in the fixed phrase 'above all', usually set off by commas. It is not a free adverb you can drop anywhere.
常見錯誤
4. at a higher level on a list of jobs, ranks, scores, or grades than someone else.
層級較高
在排名或職位上比別人高
at a higher level on a list of jobs, ranks, scores, or grades than someone else.
Sergeant Lopez reports to Captain Reyes, the officer ranked one level above.
Lopez 警官向 Reyes 隊長報告，後者是層級高一階的長官。
ranked + above with implicit comparison
Daniel finished sixth in the marathon, with his brother one place above.
Daniel 馬拉松跑第六名，他哥哥的名次比他高一名。
above describing a higher list position
Nurses report to the head nurse, and the doctors are the team above.
護理師向護理長報告，醫生則是層級更高的團隊。
Our hockey club moved up to the league above after winning the championship.
我們的曲棍球隊贏得冠軍後，升上了上一級的聯盟。
文法句型
the rank/position above
noun + above
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (physical height) and sense 2 (a numerical threshold). This sense ranks people, jobs, or teams against each other on an organisation chart or league table.
常見錯誤
5. having a status, character, or position that makes a particular action or treatm
不屑於
自認為地位高於某事而不肯做
having a status, character, or position that makes a particular action or treatment seem unsuitable.
The senator behaved as if she were above the rules that applied to everyone else.
那位參議員的行為，彷彿規則對她不適用、她凌駕於眾人之上。
be above + noun (the rules)
Mr. Choi was a humble teacher who never thought himself above sweeping the classroom floor.
Choi 老師是位謙虛的老師，從不覺得掃教室地板是有失身份的事。
be above + -ing
No player on the team is above criticism, not even the captain.
隊上沒有任何球員不能被批評，連隊長也一樣。
Aunt Rosa is a proud woman, but she is not above asking the neighbours for help when she needs it.
Rosa 阿姨是個自尊心強的女人，但需要時也不會不屑於向鄰居求助。
- beyond
similar in 'beyond reproach', 'beyond criticism'
- too good for
more direct paraphrase; informal
- beneath
the same idea from the lower side: an action seen as too low for the person
文法句型
be above + noun
be above + -ing
用法筆記
Often used in the negative ('not above doing X') to suggest that the person is willing to lower themselves a little. The positive form ('She is above X') usually carries a critical or ironic tone.
常見錯誤
6. further up in the current piece of writing, or in an earlier part that the reade
上述；前文
在文件或文章前面已經出現過的部分
further up in the current piece of writing, or in an earlier part that the reader has already gone through.
See the first paragraph above for the full list of members.
完整成員名單請參考前文第一段。
see + above (cross-reference)
As mentioned above, the museum is closed on Mondays.
如前文所提，這間博物館每週一休館。
as mentioned above (sentence opener)
Please sign the form on the line directly above your printed name.
請在你印好的名字上方那一行簽名。
The total cost, listed above in section three, includes tax and delivery.
上述第三節列出的總金額已包含稅金與運費。
- earlier
more general — can also refer to time
- previously
formal; usually about time, sometimes about text
- below
later on the page or in the document
文法句型
see/mentioned/listed + above
as + verb + above
用法筆記
Common in academic writing, contracts, instructions, and reports. Phrases such as 'see above', 'as mentioned above', and 'noted above' point the reader back to text they have already read.
常見錯誤
7. the whole group of names, items, or options that the writer has just given.
以上各項
前面列出的全部人或事物
the whole group of names, items, or options that the writer has just given.
Question 5: Should we serve coffee, tea, juice, or all of the above?
第五題：我們應該供應咖啡、茶、果汁，還是以上皆是？
all of the above (multiple-choice option)
Tomatoes, peppers, and basil all need sun and warm soil; none of the above will grow well in shade.
番茄、甜椒和羅勒都需要陽光和溫暖的土壤；以上各項都不適合在陰處生長。
none of the above
The above are required to attend the safety briefing on Monday morning.
以上各位必須在週一早上參加安全簡報。
Any of the above can act as a guarantor for the loan application.
以上任何一位都可以擔任這筆貸款申請的保證人。
- the foregoing
very formal; legal and academic writing
- the preceding
formal; refers to what came just before
- the following
items listed below, not above
文法句型
the above + plural noun
all of the above
用法筆記
Almost always appears as a noun phrase: 'the above', 'all of the above', 'none of the above', 'any of the above'. Common in tests, forms, and formal lists.
常見錯誤
above — 介系詞
1. in a spot that is higher than a particular thing or person, or directly over the
在⋯上方
位於某物或某人較高處
in a spot that is higher than a particular thing or person, or directly over them.
There is a small wooden shelf above the kitchen sink.
廚房水槽上方有一個小小的木製層架。
above + concrete location noun
A flock of geese flew above the lake at sunset.
夕陽下，一群雁從湖面上方飛過。
above + lower object
The painting of the river hangs above the fireplace in the living room.
那幅河流的畫掛在客廳壁爐上方。
Camille held the umbrella above his daughter's head to keep her dry.
Camille 把雨傘撐在女兒頭頂上方，幫她擋雨。
Snow-covered peaks rose above the small mountain village.
覆滿白雪的山峰高聳於這座小山村上方。
文法句型
above + noun (place)
用法筆記
Compare with 'over': 'above' usually means simply higher, while 'over' often implies covering or crossing. 'The plane flew over the city' (it crossed the city); 'The clouds floated above the city' (they were higher up, not crossing it).
常見錯誤
2. greater than a particular number, amount, age, or measurement.
超過；高於
在數字、金額或年齡上比某值還多
greater than a particular number, amount, age, or measurement.
Yesterday the temperature stayed above thirty degrees the whole afternoon.
昨天下午氣溫一直高於攝氏三十度。
above + temperature
The roller coaster is only for riders above one hundred and forty centimetres.
這個雲霄飛車只開放給身高超過一百四十公分的乘客搭乘。
above + height/measurement
Sofia's reading score is well above average for her age group.
Sofia 的閱讀分數遠高於同年齡層的平均值。
Hotel guests above the age of sixty get a free breakfast on Sundays.
年齡超過六十歲的飯店房客，週日可享免費早餐。
The factory cannot produce more than one thousand bottles a day, never above that figure.
這間工廠每天最多只能生產一千瓶，絕不會超過那個數字。
文法句型
above + number/amount
above + age
above average
用法筆記
When the number itself counts as included, prefer 'X or more' or 'X and above'. 'Above thirty' usually means thirty-one or higher, not exactly thirty.
常見錯誤
3. treated as more important than something else, or chosen rather than something e
重於；優先於
比另一件事更重要或更被看重
treated as more important than something else, or chosen rather than something else.
Good parents put their children's safety above their own comfort.
好父母會把孩子的安全看得比自己的舒適更重要。
put X above Y (priority)
The basketball team values teamwork above individual glory and personal records.
這支隊伍重視團隊合作勝於個人榮耀。
value + above (preference)
Dr. Rashida places honesty above any other quality in his students.
Rashida 醫生在學生的所有特質中最重視誠實。
Many older customers prefer fresh food above frozen products, even when the price is higher.
許多年長的顧客就算價格較高，仍偏好新鮮食材勝於冷凍產品。
- below
treated as less important
文法句型
put X above Y
value X above Y
用法筆記
Distinguish from preposition sense 1 (physical height) and sense 2 (numerical threshold). This sense ranks values, qualities, or choices on an abstract scale of importance.
常見錯誤
4. having too good a character to do something dishonest, mean, or low.
不屑做
因人格高尚而不會做某種低下行為
having too good a character to do something dishonest, mean, or low.
Judge Bennett is widely seen as a person above bribery.
Bennett 法官被普遍認為是個不會收賄的人。
above + noun (a wrong action)
Even small children are not above telling a lie when they are scared.
就連小孩在害怕的時候，也不見得不會說謊。
negated form: not above + -ing
Mr. Han thought he was above cheating, but he peeked at his grandchildren's cards anyway.
Han 先生自認不屑作弊，但他還是偷看了孫子的牌。
A doctor is supposed to be above accepting gifts from drug companies.
醫生照理說應該不會收受藥廠的禮物。
- beyond
as in 'beyond reproach'; similar moral framing
- too good for
informal paraphrase
- capable of
the opposite framing — willing to do something wrong
文法句型
be above + noun
be above + -ing
用法筆記
Object is usually a wrong, low, or shameful action (lying, cheating, bribery, gossip). Frequently negated ('not above doing X') to mean the person is in fact willing to do it.
常見錯誤
5. loud or clear enough to be heard over another sound that is also happening.
蓋過；超過
聲音比另一個聲音更大或更清楚
loud or clear enough to be heard over another sound that is also happening.
Sven had to shout above the noise of the traffic to make herself understood.
Sven 必須蓋過車流的噪音大聲喊，才能讓別人聽懂她在說什麼。
shout above + noise noun
I could just hear the doorbell above the music coming from the speakers.
我勉強在喇叭傳出的音樂聲中聽到了門鈴聲。
hear X above Y (competing sounds)
The conductor's voice rose above the chatter of the orchestra during rehearsal.
彩排時，指揮的聲音蓋過了管弦樂團的交談聲。
It was hard to sing in tune above the roar of the wind on the hilltop.
在山頂上要蓋過呼嘯的風聲唱準音調並不容易。
- over
very common alternative: 'shout over the noise'
文法句型
hear/shout/sing + above + sound noun
用法筆記
The object after 'above' is a sound or a noise (traffic, music, chatter, wind). Often used with verbs like 'hear', 'shout', 'sing', 'rise', and 'speak'.
常見錯誤
above — 名詞
1. the piece of text, or the people or things, that the writer has just listed earl
上述內容
文件中前面列出的文字、人或事物
the piece of text, or the people or things, that the writer has just listed earlier in the document.
Please read the above carefully before signing the contract.
簽合約之前，請仔細閱讀上述內容。
the above as a noun phrase
The above is a brief summary of the safety rules in our factory.
上述內容是我們工廠安全規定的簡要摘要。
the above + singular verb (refers to a passage)
If you agree with the above, please tick the box and write today's date.
若您同意上述內容，請勾選方框並填上今天的日期。
All passengers named in the above must report to gate twelve at six o'clock.
上述名單裡的所有乘客都要在六點到第十二號登機門報到。
- the foregoing
very formal; typical in legal documents
- the preceding text
longer, more explicit alternative
- the following
the part that comes next, not before
文法句型
the above + verb
用法筆記
Mostly found in legal, business, and academic writing. Compare with adverb sense 7 ('all of the above'): the noun usage stands alone as a subject or object, often with a singular verb when referring to a passage of text.
常見錯誤
above — 形容詞
1. shown or written further up in this document, used to point the reader back to a
上述的
前文已經提過的
shown or written further up in this document, used to point the reader back to a fact, name, or section already given.
The above table shows the company's profits for the last five years.
上述表格列出公司過去五年的獲利。
above + noun (table)
Please return the form to the above address before Friday.
請在週五前把表格寄到上述地址。
above address (common in letters)
The above example is taken from Chapter 2 of the textbook.
上述例子取自課本第二章。
All payments must be made to the above account by the end of the month.
所有款項必須在月底前匯入上述帳戶。
- aforementioned
very formal; legal and academic
- preceding
common in academic writing; can also follow a noun
- following
appearing later in the document
文法句型
the above + noun
用法筆記
Used only before a noun ('the above table'), never after a linking verb. You cannot say 'The table is above' with this meaning. Common in formal documents: letters, contracts, reports, invoices.