act
act — 動詞
- actpresent simple I / you / we / they
- actshe / she / it
- actedpast simple
- acting-ing form
1. to show a certain manner through what you say or do
表現
以某種方式行事
to show a certain manner through what you say or do
Greta acted calmly while the fire alarm rang in the library.
警報在圖書館響起時，Greta 表現得很冷靜。
act + adverb
At the clinic, Christopher acted politely even after a long wait.
在診所裡，就算等了很久，Christopher 仍然表現得很有禮貌。
Eshe started acting strangely after the lights went out downstairs.
樓下突然停電後，Eshe 開始表現得很奇怪。
Please act like an adult and finish the discussion quietly.
請表現得像個大人，把這場討論安靜地說完。
act like + noun
- act calmly
- act politely
- act strangely
- behave
the closest everyday synonym
- conduct yourself
more formal and less common in speech
文法句型
act + adverb
act like + noun
用法筆記
Often followed by an adverb or by like + noun to show the manner of behaviour.
常見錯誤
2. to step in and do what is needed for a problem or goal
採取行動
為處理問題而做事
to step in and do what is needed for a problem or goal
Joon acted quickly and moved the children away from the broken glass.
Joon 立刻採取行動，把孩子們帶離碎玻璃。
act quickly
After the leak spread, Tanvi acted to close the kitchen valve.
漏水擴大後，Tanvi 採取行動去關上廚房的閥門。
act + to infinitive
City leaders must act before the river reaches the market streets.
在河水淹到市場街道前，市府領導人必須採取行動。
João acted on behalf of his aunt during the rent dispute.
在租屋糾紛中，João 代表他的姑媽採取行動。
act on behalf of + person
- act quickly
- act immediately
- act to protect
文法句型
act + quickly
act + to infinitive
act on behalf of + person
用法筆記
Used when someone stops waiting and does something practical. Distinguish from sense 1, which describes manner rather than a step taken.
常見錯誤
3. to start changing something or producing a result
起作用
開始產生效果
to start changing something or producing a result
The pain medicine acted within minutes and eased Marta's back.
止痛藥幾分鐘內就起作用，減輕了 Marta 的背痛。
act within + time
Warm water acts faster when dry glue covers a thin layer.
當乾掉的膠只蓋住薄薄一層時，溫水起作用會更快。
Sunlight acted on the fabric and faded the blue stripes.
陽光作用在布料上，把藍色條紋曬淡了。
act on + object
The cream acts slowly, so Aylin used it before bed.
這種藥膏起作用很慢，所以 Aylin 在睡前先擦上。
- act on the skin
- act quickly
- act slowly
文法句型
act on + object
act quickly/slowly
用法筆記
Often used for medicine, heat, light, or chemicals. The pattern 'act on' names the thing that is changed.
4. to appear as a character before an audience or camera
演出；飾演
在戲劇或影片中演角色
to appear as a character before an audience or camera
Shirin acted the mother in the school play on Friday.
Shirin 在星期五的校內戲劇裡飾演母親。
act + role
Linh wants to act in films after finishing drama college.
Linh 想在讀完戲劇學院後去演電影。
act in + film
During rehearsal, Megan acted so well that the director clapped.
彩排時，Megan 演得太好，導演都拍手了。
James acted opposite a famous singer in the holiday musical.
James 在節日音樂劇裡和一位知名歌手同台演出。
- act in a film
- act the role
- act on stage
文法句型
act in + play/film
act the part of + role
用法筆記
Use 'act in' for appearing in a production and a direct object for the role itself.
5. to behave badly or in a foolish way
胡鬧
舉止不好或很愚蠢
to behave badly or in a foolish way
Andrew kept acting the fool and made the younger children cry.
Andrew 一直裝傻胡鬧，還把年紀更小的孩子弄哭了。
act the fool
At dinner, Harper acted badly and threw rice onto the floor.
吃晚飯時，Harper 很胡鬧，還把飯丟到地上。
Jude acted like a bully and pushed past the smaller boys.
Jude 表現得像個惡霸，硬是推開那些較小的男孩。
act like + noun
Instead of helping, Marta acted silly and hid the toolbox.
Marta 不幫忙，反而胡鬧地把工具箱藏起來。
- act the fool
- act silly
- act badly
- misbehave
the clearest neutral equivalent
- fool around
more playful and informal
文法句型
act the fool
act + adjective
act like + noun
用法筆記
Often used when someone behaves in an annoying, childish, or rude way. Distinguish from sense 6, which is about pretending rather than simple bad behaviour.
6. to pretend to have a feeling, quality, or identity
假裝
裝成有某感受或身分
to pretend to have a feeling, quality, or identity
Yara acted brave, but her hands shook under the desk.
Yara 假裝勇敢，可是她的手在桌下發抖。
act + adjective
When the bill arrived, Eitan acted surprised and checked his empty wallet.
帳單一送來，Eitan 就假裝很驚訝，還去看自己空空的皮夾。
Mayumi acted as if she knew the answer, though she guessed.
Mayumi 假裝自己知道答案，其實她只是猜的。
act as if + clause
Samir acted like the owner and ordered everyone out.
Samir 假裝自己是老闆，還把大家都趕出去。
act like + noun
- act brave
- act surprised
- act as if
文法句型
act + adjective
act as if + clause
act like + noun
用法筆記
Usually suggests that the behaviour is not genuine. Distinguish from sense 7, where the person or thing really performs the role named after as.
7. to do the job of a person or thing, or be used for a purpose
充當
正式擔任某角色或用途
to do the job of a person or thing, or be used for a purpose
Wren acted as team captain while the coach stayed in hospital.
教練住院時，Wren 充當隊長。
act as + role
The hall acted as a shelter after the storm damaged homes.
暴風雨毀了許多住家後，大廳充當避難所。
act as + purpose
Xiu acted as interpreter for the nurses and the visitors.
Xiu 充當護理師和訪客之間的口譯員。
During repairs, the spare phone acted as our office line.
維修期間，那支備用電話充當我們辦公室的線路。
- act as captain
- act as shelter
- act as interpreter
文法句型
act as + role
act as + purpose
用法筆記
This sense is about a real role or function. It can describe a person, place, tool, or system.
act for
phrasal verbto represent another person or group, especially in legal or professional matters
代理；代表
Aylin agreed to act for her neighbour in the housing case.
act on
phrasal verbto do something because of information, advice, or an order
依據…採取行動
The hospital acted on the nurse report and fixed the broken lift.
act on behalf of
phrasal verbto do something as the representative of another person or group
代表…行事
Linh signed the form while acting on behalf of her father.
act out
phrasal verbto show a story or a strong feeling through actions instead of keeping it inside
演出；把情緒表現出來
The children acted out the flood story with chairs and blue cloth.
act up
phrasal verbto behave badly or to stop working properly
搗蛋；故障
Our old printer acted up again during the parents meeting.
act upon
phrasal verbto take action based on something; to act on
依據…行動
The mayor acted upon the safety report before the fair opened.
act/play the fool
idiomto behave in a silly way, often to make people laugh or to avoid being taken seriously
裝傻；耍寶
During the photo session, Christopher played the fool and crossed his eyes.
be/act your age
idiomto behave in a way that fits your age instead of acting much younger
成熟點
After the shouting started, Aunt Rosa told James to act his age.
to behave too confidently, as if you have more power or importance than you really have
一副自己作主的樣子
The new salesman walked in and acted as if he owned the place.
act — 名詞
- actsingular
- actsplural
1. something that someone does, especially a single deed
行為
某人做出的事
something that someone does, especially a single deed
Calling the ambulance was an act of courage on the dark highway.
在昏暗的公路上打電話叫救護車，是一種勇敢的行為。
an act of + noun
Leaving the dog outside all night was a cruel act.
把狗整晚留在外面，是很殘忍的行為。
The simple act of listening helped Greta stop crying.
只是願意聽對方說話這個行為，就幫助 Greta 停止哭泣。
Buying lunch for the new student was a kind act.
替新同學買午餐，是一個善意的舉動。
- act of kindness
- act of courage
- kind act
文法句型
an act of + noun
用法筆記
Often follows a description such as kind, brave, cruel, or selfish, or appears in the pattern act of + noun.
2. a false show that covers what you really feel or intend
做戲
故意裝出的樣子
a false show that covers what you really feel or intend
Was Linh really angry, or was it only an act?
Linh 真的在生氣，還是那只是做戲而已？
be only an act
His smile was an act to keep the guests from worrying.
他的笑容只是做戲，好讓客人不要擔心。
After the phone call, everyone saw that Marta's calm voice was an act.
那通電話後，大家都看出 Marta 冷靜的聲音只是做戲。
The tears were just an act, and the children knew it.
那些眼淚只是做戲，孩子們都知道。
- just an act
- put on an act
文法句型
be just an act
put on an act
用法筆記
Usually refers to a false display rather than a real emotion. Distinguish from sense 3, which is a stage performance.
3. a short stage turn, or the performer doing it, in a larger show
表演節目
秀中的一段表演或表演者
a short stage turn, or the performer doing it, in a larger show
A drum act opened the festival before the fireworks started.
煙火開始前，先由一段打鼓表演節目為祭典開場。
a + type + act
The final act tonight is a young magician from Tainan.
今晚最後一個表演節目，是來自台南的年輕魔術師。
the final act
Their comedy act filled the tent with loud laughter.
他們的喜劇表演節目讓整個帳棚都笑翻了。
After lunch, the school added a dance act to the programme.
午餐後，學校把一段舞蹈表演節目加進了節目單。
- comedy act
- dance act
- opening act
- performance
broader and more neutral
- routine
especially for comedy or repeated stage material
文法句型
a comedy act
the next act
用法筆記
Common in circuses, talent shows, concerts, and comedy programmes.
4. one major section in the story and staging of a theatre work
幕
戲劇或歌劇的一大段
one major section in the story and staging of a theatre work
The lights fell at the end of the first act.
第一幕結束時，燈光慢慢暗下來。
the first act
In the second act, the hero finally returns home.
到了第二幕，主角終於回到家。
We bought tea during the break between the two acts.
我們在兩幕之間的休息時間買了茶。
between the acts
The last act ended with a quiet song and no applause.
最後一幕在一首安靜的歌裡結束，現場沒有掌聲。
- first act
- final act
- Act Two
文法句型
the first act
between the acts
用法筆記
Often used with numbers or words such as first, second, and final when you talk about the structure of a stage work.
5. an officially approved piece of legislation from a law-making body
法案
立法機關正式通過的法律
an officially approved piece of legislation from a law-making body
Parliament passed the act after three weeks of debate.
經過三週辯論後，國會通過了這項法案。
pass the act
Teachers studied the new act before school rules changed.
在校規改變前，老師們先研究了這項新法案。
Under the act, shops must show prices more clearly.
依照這項法案，商店必須把價格標示得更清楚。
under the act
The health act gave small clinics more public funding.
這項衛生法案讓小型診所獲得更多公帑補助。
- Act of Parliament
- pass an act
- under the act
文法句型
under the act
the + name + Act
用法筆記
Often capitalized when it is part of the official title of a law, such as the Clean Air Act.
同根字
常見搭配
名詞搭配
- act of kindness
- comedy act
- Act of Parliament
副詞搭配
- act quickly
- act calmly
- act responsibly
常用片語
- act your age
- act the fool
- put on an act