abstention
/əbˈstenʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /əbˈstenʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /əb-ˈsten(t)-shən ab-/ (ame, mw)
abstention — 名詞
- abstentionsingular
- abstentionsplural
1. The act of deciding not to vote when you have the chance to — you neither say ye
棄權
在投票中既不贊成也不反對的行為
The act of deciding not to vote when you have the chance to — you neither say yes nor no to what is being proposed.
During the board vote, Fatima's abstention surprised everyone in the room.
在董事會投票期間，Fatima 的棄權讓在場每個人都感到驚訝。
collocation: abstention + during the vote
The motion passed with twelve in favour and one abstention.
該動議以十二票贊成、一票棄權獲得通過。
pattern: [number] in favour and [number] abstention(s)
Hiroshi explained his abstention by saying he needed more time to decide.
Hiroshi 解釋自己棄權的原因，說他需要更多時間做決定。
Councilman Levent's abstention, with two others, meant the playground budget was shelved until autumn.
Councilman Levent 的棄權與另外兩票棄權，使遊樂場預算案被擱置到秋天。
Kwame's abstention on the budget vote drew sharp looks from his colleagues.
Kwame 在預算投票中棄權，引來同事們的尖銳目光。
- non-vote
informal equivalent; rare outside casual speech
- vote
the act of casting a vote, the opposite choice
文法句型
abstention from [voting / the vote / the ballot]
[number] + abstention(s)
用法筆記
Frequently used with numbers ('three abstentions', 'one abstention'). Common in formal decision-making settings: board meetings, parliamentary votes, shareholder resolutions.
常見錯誤
2. The decision to stay away from something that you believe is harmful or morally
節制
主動選擇不做有害或不當之事的行為
The decision to stay away from something that you believe is harmful or morally questionable — for example, choosing not to drink alcohol, or deciding to wait before having sex.
Dmitri's abstention from alcohol impressed his friends at the wedding.
Dmitri 在婚禮上滴酒不沾的節制讓朋友們印象深刻。
collocation: abstention from [substance]
The nun wrote a short book about her lifelong abstention from rich food.
那位修女寫了一本小書，講述她終生節制油膩食物的經歷。
collocation: lifelong abstention
Ingrid spoke openly about her abstention from social media during exam season.
Ingrid 坦率地談到考試期間節制使用社交媒體的決定。
For health reasons, Tariq chose total abstention from sugary drinks.
出於健康原因，Tariq 選擇完全節制含糖飲料。
After her third poker relapse, Esther began her abstention from gambling with a weekly support group.
Esther 第三次撲克牌癮復發後，開始每週參加互助小組來節制賭博。
- abstinence
more common in everyday English for avoiding alcohol, sex, or certain foods
- self-denial
stronger emotional tone; implies giving up something deeply desired, often for moral reasons
- refraining
broader; can apply to a single action or short-term choice, not necessarily a lasting commitment
- indulgence
giving in to desires or pleasures without restraint
文法句型
abstention from [alcohol / sex / gambling / rich food]
total abstention
voluntary abstention
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (NOT VOTING): this sense describes personal, often health-related or moral choices rather than formal voting. The near-synonym 'abstinence' is more common in everyday English for this meaning.