above
/əˈbʌv/ (bre, ipa) · [əbˈʌv] /əˈbʌv/ (ame, ipa) · [əbˈʌv] /ə-ˈbəv/ (ame, mw)
above — 介系詞
1. in a spot that sits over something, with empty space or distance between the two
在……上方
位於某物垂直上方，中間有空隙
in a spot that sits over something, with empty space or distance between the two.
A small wooden shelf hung on the wall above Gabriel's writing desk.
一個小木架掛在 Gabriel 書桌上方的牆上。
static location: above + [object]
The plane flew above the thick clouds for most of the flight to Seoul.
飛機在飛往首爾的大部分航程中都飛在厚雲層上方。
motion through space: above + [layer]
Hari lifted the heavy box above his head and slid it onto the top shelf.
Hari 把那個重箱子舉到頭上方，再把它滑進最高層的架子。
The family in the apartment above ours plays loud music every Saturday night.
住在我們樓上的那家人每個星期六晚上都把音樂開得很大聲。
Cold seawater rose above Kenji's knees as he waded out from the rocky shore.
Kenji 從礁石海岸走出去時，冰冷的海水漲到了他膝蓋上方。
文法句型
above + [noun phrase]
用法筆記
Opposite of 'below'. Implies the two things are not touching; for direct contact, use 'on' or 'on top of'.
常見錯誤
2. going past a particular number, age, level, or measurement on a scale.
超過；高於
數量、年齡或程度大於某值
going past a particular number, age, level, or measurement on a scale.
Inflation in Brazil climbed above six percent for the third month in a row.
巴西的通膨率連續三個月攀升到百分之六以上。
above + [percentage]
The roller-coaster line near the gate is only for children above the age of ten.
靠近大門的那條雲霄飛車排隊區只開放給十歲以上的兒童。
above + the age of [number]
Daytime temperatures stayed above thirty degrees all week during the heatwave in Athens.
雅典熱浪期間，整週白天氣溫都維持在三十度以上。
Rents in this neighbourhood have risen well above the city average since the new train line opened.
自從新捷運線通車後，這一區的房租已遠遠高於市區平均水準。
Léa's exam score was a few points above the pass mark, so she squeezed into the programme.
Léa 的考試分數比及格線高出幾分，所以勉強擠進了那個學程。
文法句型
above + [number / amount / level]
用法筆記
Used with numbers, ages, temperatures, prices, percentages. Distinguish from sense 1: this one is about quantity on a scale, not physical height.
常見錯誤
3. ranked higher in value, importance, or quality than someone or something else.
優於；勝過
在重要性或品質上更勝一籌
ranked higher in value, importance, or quality than someone or something else.
Most football fans in Buenos Aires rate Messi above every other player of his generation.
在布宜諾斯艾利斯，大多數球迷都認為 Messi 勝過這一代任何其他球員。
rate + [person] above + [comparison group]
Defne's parents always put family loyalty above career success when giving her advice.
Defne 的父母在給她建議時，總是把家庭情誼擺在事業成就之前。
put + [value] above + [other value]
Most critics in London rank Rania's debut novel above her earlier prize-winning short stories.
倫敦大多數評論家都把 Rania 的首部長篇小說評價得比她早期得獎的短篇集更高。
Many readers place safety above speed when shopping for a new family car.
許多讀者在挑選家庭新車時，會把安全擺在速度之前。
- below
of lower importance or value
文法句型
rate / rank / put / place X above Y
用法筆記
Pairs with ranking verbs: rate, rank, put, place, value. Distinct from sense 2: here the comparison is about priority or quality, not numbers.
常見錯誤
4. having such strong morals that the bad behaviour or doubt being mentioned would
不屑於；超脫
品格高到不會做某種壞事
having such strong morals that the bad behaviour or doubt being mentioned would never apply.
The new mayor of Lakan's town is widely seen as above suspicion in money matters.
在 Lakan 鎮上，新任市長在金錢方面普遍被認為清廉無可置疑。
above suspicion — fixed phrase
Apinya is not above bending the truth when a big sale depends on it.
在生意需要的時候，Apinya 並非不會稍微誇大事實。
not above + -ing (ironic understatement)
No senior official should be above the law, regardless of who their friends are.
無論他們的朋友是誰，沒有任何高階官員應該凌駕於法律之上。
Even the most respected judges are not above criticism when their rulings clash with public values.
就算是最受尊敬的法官，當判決違背公眾價值觀時，也並非不容批評。
- beyond
interchangeable in 'beyond suspicion / beyond reproach'
- capable of
the opposite framing: capable of the bad behaviour being doubted
文法句型
be above + [noun / -ing]
be above suspicion / reproach
用法筆記
Often appears with the fixed pairs 'above suspicion', 'above the law', 'above reproach', or in the ironic negative 'not above [doing something]', which actually means the person sometimes does that bad thing.
常見錯誤
5. added on top of the things already counted, usually as something extra.
除……之外
在原有事物之上額外再加
added on top of the things already counted, usually as something extra.
The bonus was paid over and above Ife's normal monthly salary at the end of the year.
Ife 在年底時，除了平常的月薪之外又領到了一筆獎金。
over and above + [baseline payment]
The committee found several problems over and above the ones already raised in the report.
委員會在報告中已提出的問題之外，又發現了好幾個新的問題。
over and above + [existing set]
Over and above the registration fee, every student must also pay for the textbooks.
除了報名費之外，每位學生還必須自付教科書的費用。
Christopher took on three new responsibilities over and above his regular teaching duties this term.
Christopher 這學期在正規教學工作之外，又接下了三項新的職責。
- in addition to
the most everyday paraphrase; neutral register
- on top of
informal alternative; 'on top of his salary, he got a bonus'
- besides
shorter, common in spoken English
文法句型
over and above + [noun phrase]
用法筆記
Almost always appears as the fixed phrase 'over and above'. Plain 'above' on its own rarely carries this 'in addition to' reading in everyday speech.
常見錯誤
above — 副詞
1. at or to a point that sits higher up, without naming what it sits higher than.
在上方
位於上方而未指明對照物
at or to a point that sits higher up, without naming what it sits higher than.
A small round mirror hung above on the bathroom wall, just out of the children's reach.
一面小圓鏡掛在浴室牆上方，剛好在小孩子搆不到的高度。
static placement: hung above
Gabriela waved the bright yellow letter excitedly above her head so her brother could see it.
Gabriela 把那封亮黃色的信興奮地舉到頭頂上方，好讓哥哥能看見。
above + [body part possessive]
The seagulls circled above while the children chased the waves on Brighton beach.
海鷗在頭頂上方盤旋，孩子們則在 Brighton 海灘上追逐浪花。
Élise rented a sunny one-bedroom flat above on the fourth floor of an old Paris building.
Élise 在巴黎一棟老建築的四樓上方，租下一間採光很好的單房公寓。
- below
lower than the reference point
文法句型
[verb] + above
[noun] + above
用法筆記
Used without an object; the reference point ('higher than what') is understood from context. Frequently means 'in the sky overhead' when nothing else is specified.
常見錯誤
2. past a particular number, age, or level on a scale, without naming what comes af
以上
超出某個數字或門檻
past a particular number, age, or level on a scale, without naming what comes after.
The label on the toy box clearly says it is suitable for children aged three and above.
玩具盒上的標籤清楚寫著，這項玩具適合三歲以上的兒童。
[number] and above — open-ended scale
Winter temperatures in this mountain town almost never rise above zero between November and March.
這個山城從十一月到三月之間，冬天氣溫幾乎不會升到零度以上。
rise above + [threshold]
Members earning fifty thousand and above are charged a small annual service fee.
年收入五萬以上的會員，每年都會被收取一筆小額服務費。
Romi's running pace stayed at twelve kilometres an hour and above for the whole race.
Romi 在整場比賽中，跑步速度都維持在每小時十二公里以上。
文法句型
[number] and above
[verb] + above
用法筆記
Common in the open-ended phrase '[number] and above', meaning 'this number plus everything higher'. Distinguish from sense 1: this one is about quantity, not physical height.
常見錯誤
3. at a higher level of authority, ranking, or development than someone or somethin
高一級
在地位或等級上更高
at a higher level of authority, ranking, or development than someone or something else.
Wren is a grade above on the swim team, so her training sessions start an hour earlier.
Wren 在游泳隊上高一個級別，所以她的訓練時段比別人早一小時開始。
a grade / class / level above
Every decision goes through the manager above before the team can spend any money.
在團隊能花任何一筆錢之前，每個決定都必須先送到上級主管那裡。
the [role] above — chain of authority
The runner from Kenya finished a clear class above the rest of the field in the marathon.
那位來自肯亞的選手在馬拉松比賽中，明顯比其他對手高出一個檔次。
Lisa applied for the role one step above her current position at the bank.
Lisa 申請了銀行裡比她目前職位高一階的那個職務。
- below
lower in the same hierarchy
文法句型
the [noun] above
用法筆記
Often follows a noun (the level / grade / class / floor above) to point upward in a hierarchy. Distinguish from sense 1: the comparison here is about authority, skill, or rank, not physical height.
常見錯誤
4. earlier on the same page, or on a page that comes before this one.
如上所述
文件中位於前文或上方
earlier on the same page, or on a page that comes before this one.
Please send the completed forms to the address given above by Friday at the latest.
請最晚在星期五之前，把填好的表格寄到上方提供的地址。
[noun] given above — common form-filling phrase
As mentioned above, the new policy will only apply to staff hired after January.
如上所述，新政策只會適用於一月之後新到職的員工。
as mentioned above — fixed academic phrase
The results shown above confirm that the medicine works better when taken with food.
上方顯示的研究結果證實，這種藥隨餐服用效果更好。
Refer to the diagram above for the full list of bird species observed near the lake.
完整的鳥類觀察名單請參閱上方的圖表，那是在湖邊記錄到的。
- previously
neutral synonym; works in spoken English too
- earlier
very common alternative; less formal
- below
later in the same document
文法句型
as / mentioned / shown / discussed + above
用法筆記
Confined to written or formal contexts — letters, reports, textbooks, contracts. Pairs with 'as mentioned / shown / stated / discussed / described above'.
常見錯誤
5. as the most important point in a list, used to make one item stand out.
最重要的是
列舉中最重要的一點
as the most important point in a list, used to make one item stand out.
Above all, the coach wanted his players to enjoy the final game of the season.
最重要的是，教練希望他的球員能享受本季的最後一場比賽。
above all + [main wish]
Bring your passport, your tickets and, above all, a good book for the long flight home.
帶上你的護照、機票，最重要的是，準備一本好書應付長途回程。
list ending in above all + [key item]
The volunteers cooked, cleaned, and above all listened patiently to the elderly residents.
志工們煮飯、打掃，最重要的是耐心傾聽那些年長住民說話。
Above all else, Liam hoped his parents would be proud of his graduation results.
最重要的是，Liam 希望父母會以他的畢業成績為榮。
- most importantly
the most direct paraphrase; slightly more formal
- especially
less emphatic; highlights one item without ranking it highest
文法句型
above all + ,
用法筆記
Appears almost only in the fixed phrase 'above all', typically at the start of a clause or just before the most important item in a list. See the idiom entry for fuller treatment.
常見錯誤
6. the whole set of people, items, or choices that have just been listed earlier.
上述各項
前文列舉的所有人事物
the whole set of people, items, or choices that have just been listed earlier.
Once Kasia finishes all of the above, the team can finally start work on the next project.
等 Kasia 完成上述所有工作後，團隊才能開始進行下一個專案。
all of the above — referring back to a task list
Tick a box marked 'none of the above' if no answer fits your situation exactly.
如果沒有一個答案完全符合你的情況，就勾選「以上皆非」的選項。
none of the above — survey / quiz phrasing
Minho's correct answer turned out to be 'all of the above' on the final question of the exam.
Minho 在期末考最後一題的正確答案，原來是「以上皆是」。
Any of the above would make a thoughtful birthday present for someone who loves cooking.
上述任何一項，都會是送給愛下廚的人很貼心的生日禮物。
- the aforementioned
very formal alternative; common in legal or academic writing
文法句型
all / any / none of the above
用法筆記
Functions almost like a noun. Used in the fixed quantifier patterns 'all / any / none of the above'. Distinguish from sense 4: here 'the above' bundles the listed items into one referent.
常見錯誤
7. thinking of yourself as too important or skilled to do a particular kind of task
不屑做
自認身份太高而不做某事
thinking of yourself as too important or skilled to do a particular kind of task.
The new project leader is not above making coffee for the team when everyone is busy.
在大家都很忙的時候，新任專案負責人並不會不屑為團隊泡咖啡。
not above + -ing (modest leader)
Even senior doctors at this small clinic are never above mopping a floor in an emergency.
在這間小診所裡，就算是資深醫生在緊急情況下也從不嫌拖地丟臉。
above + -ing (taking on humble tasks)
Some players think they are above basic warm-up drills once they reach the national squad.
有些球員一進入國家隊，就覺得自己已經不需要做基本的暖身操了。
Yael's grandmother was never above washing dishes in the family restaurant, even at eighty years old.
Yael 的奶奶就算到了八十歲，也從不嫌在自家餐廳洗碗丟臉。
- too good for
the everyday paraphrase; carries the same critical tone
- beneath
matching opposite framing: 'she thought the task was beneath her'
文法句型
be above + [noun]
用法筆記
Often appears in the negative as 'not above [doing something]', which is praise — it means the person is humble enough to do that task. The bare positive 'be above [doing something]' usually carries criticism.
常見錯誤
above — 形容詞
- abovepositive
- more abovecomparative
- most abovesuperlative
1. set higher up within this very text, pointing back to something the reader has a
上述的
出現在同一份文件前文
set higher up within this very text, pointing back to something the reader has already encountered.
Please write to the above address if you would like a refund for the broken kettle.
如果你想為那只壞掉的水壺申請退款，請寫信到上述地址。
the above + [noun] — refers to text shown earlier
The above example shows clearly why the company's old policy needed to change.
上述例子清楚顯示了為什麼這家公司過去的政策需要改變。
the above example — academic / report register
Sign and date this form below the above declaration to confirm that everything is correct.
請在上述聲明的下方簽名並填上日期，以確認所有資訊都正確。
All staff named in the above list will receive their new ID badges on Monday morning.
上述名單中提到的所有員工，將會在星期一早上拿到新的識別證。
- aforementioned
very formal; common in legal documents
- preceding
neutral formal alternative
- following
matching opposite — placed later in the text
文法句型
the above + [noun]
用法筆記
Only used before a noun (attributive). Confined to formal writing — letters, reports, contracts, academic papers. Pairs with nouns like 'address', 'example', 'list', 'declaration', 'statement'.
常見錯誤
above — 名詞
1. the text, list, or information that has been written earlier in the same documen
上述內容
前文已寫的文字或資訊
the text, list, or information that has been written earlier in the same document.
Please read the above carefully before signing the rental agreement at the bottom of the page.
在頁面下方簽署租賃契約之前，請先仔細閱讀上述內容。
read / consider + the above
The above explains why the museum closes early on the first Monday of each month.
上述內容說明了為什麼這間博物館每個月第一個星期一會提早閉館。
the above + [reporting verb]
If the above is unclear, contact our office by phone during normal working hours.
如果上述內容不清楚，請在正常上班時間打電話到我們辦公室。
Notwithstanding the above, the company may cancel any order at its discretion.
儘管上述內容如此，本公司仍保留任意取消任何訂單的權利。
- the foregoing
very formal legal alternative
- the preceding text
more explicit and slightly less formal
- the below
matching opposite, used in formal writing
文法句型
the above
用法筆記
Almost always preceded by 'the'. Functions as a noun phrase referring back to a block of text the reader has just read. Mostly in formal letters, contracts, and academic prose.
常見錯誤
2. a person or group with more power than oneself in an organisation.
上級；高層
組織中地位更高的人
a person or group with more power than oneself in an organisation.
The order to cancel the project came from above, and no one on the team could change it.
取消這個專案的命令來自上級，團隊裡沒有人能更改這個決定。
from above — orders from senior management
Junior officers must wait for instructions from above before taking any major action.
下級軍官在採取任何重大行動之前，必須先等候來自上級的指示。
instructions from above — military / corporate register
Christopher complained that every small budget request had to be approved from above.
Christopher 抱怨每一筆小小的預算申請，都必須送到上級那裡核可。
Pressure from above forced Andrei to drop the investigation against the famous singer.
來自上級的壓力迫使 Andrei 放棄了對那位知名歌手的調查。
- the higher-ups
informal spoken alternative; same meaning
- top brass
very informal; usually about military or police leadership
文法句型
orders / instructions + from above
用法筆記
Almost always appears in the fixed phrase 'from above', meaning 'from senior management' or 'from a higher authority'. Rarely used as a standalone noun without 'from'.
常見錯誤
3. the place where God, the gods, or spirits are believed to live, used in religiou
天上；上天
宗教或文學中神明所在之處
the place where God, the gods, or spirits are believed to live, used in religious or poetic language.
The old priest taught the children that every blessing in life flows from above.
那位老神父告訴孩子們，人生中每一份祝福都來自上天。
from above — divine source
At the village funeral, Devika sang an old hymn about souls travelling home to above.
在村裡的告別式上，Devika 唱了一首古老聖歌，描述靈魂回歸天上的旅程。
travelling to above — religious destination framing
Sailors in the old folk tale prayed to the powers above for safe passage through the storm.
在那個古老的民間故事裡，水手們向上天的神明祈求風暴中平安的航程。
Hassan whispered a quiet thanks to the heavens above when his sick mother began to recover.
當生病的母親開始康復時，Hassan 在心裡向天上輕聲道謝。
- heaven
the everyday word for the same idea; no formality marker
- the heavens
literary; also means the sky
- below
in religious writing, often refers to hell or the underworld
文法句型
from above
the [noun] above
用法筆記
Religious or literary use. Often appears in fixed phrases like 'from above' (when the speaker means heaven, not management), 'help from above', or 'the powers above'. Distinguish from sense 2 by topic and register.