actions
actions — 名詞
1. steps that someone takes to solve a problem or improve a difficult situation
措施
為解決問題而採取的步驟
steps that someone takes to solve a problem or improve a difficult situation
The school took quick action after smoke filled the science room.
科學教室冒出濃煙後，學校立刻採取措施。
take action after a problem appears
Reema demanded stronger action on the broken street lights.
Reema 要求針對壞掉的路燈提出更強力的措施。
Early action saved the tomato plants from the cold night.
及早採取措施，救了那些番茄植株免於寒夜受損。
The bank promised action within two days of the complaint.
銀行承諾會在兩天內對這件申訴採取行動。
文法句型
take action
demand action on + noun
用法筆記
Often used with take, demand, promise, or call for when people want a practical response to a problem.
常見錯誤
2. one thing that a person, group, or government does
行為
某人或某團體做出的事
one thing that a person, group, or government does
Mateo apologized, and the kind action calmed the whole table.
Mateo 道了歉，這個善意的行為讓整桌的人都平靜下來。
action meaning one deed
The board's action surprised workers across the factory floor.
董事會的這個行為讓整個工廠的人都很驚訝。
Leaving the gate open was a careless action by the night guard.
把大門留著不關，是夜班警衛一個粗心的行為。
Her brave actions during the flood earned praise from neighbors.
她在洪水期間的英勇行為，為她贏得了鄰居的稱讚。
文法句型
a kind action
someone's action
3. a movement made by the body or by a body part
動作
身體或身體部位的移動
a movement made by the body or by a body part
The doctor checked the action of Wei's injured knee.
醫師檢查了 Wei 受傷膝蓋的動作情況。
action of + body part
One quick action of the wrist sent the shuttle wide.
手腕一個很快的動作，就讓羽球飛出了界。
The dance teacher broke the action into three slow steps.
舞蹈老師把這個動作拆成三個慢慢做的步驟。
A sudden action of the horse's head pulled the rope loose.
那匹馬頭部突然一個動作，把繩子拉鬆了。
文法句型
action of + body part
用法筆記
This sense often appears in descriptions of movement in sport, dance, medicine, and animal behavior.
4. the lively activity or excitement in a place or situation
動靜
正在發生的熱鬧或重要情況
the lively activity or excitement in a place or situation
Most of the action moved to the night market after sunset.
日落後，大部分的動靜都轉到夜市去了。
the action meaning the main excitement
Reporters ran toward the action near the station gates.
記者朝車站閘門附近最有動靜的地方跑去。
The action started when the drummer jumped onto the stage.
鼓手跳上舞台時，現場的動靜才真正開始。
Cafe tables filled quickly once the action reached the town square.
一等到熱鬧的動靜來到鎮上的廣場，咖啡館的桌位就很快坐滿了。
- activity
broader and less strongly exciting
- excitement
focuses more on feeling than events
- buzz
informal and often about social energy
文法句型
the action moved
where the action is
用法筆記
Often appears with the and usually means the most interesting or lively part of what is happening.
5. a type of film or story full of fights, chases, and other exciting scenes
動作片
以追逐打鬥等刺激場面為主的類型
a type of film or story full of fights, chases, and other exciting scenes
Eli prefers action over romance when he chooses a Friday movie.
Eli 週五挑電影時，比起愛情片更喜歡動作片。
action as a movie genre
The festival added more action to attract teenage viewers.
影展增加了更多動作片元素，好吸引青少年觀眾。
That channel shows old action films every Saturday afternoon.
那個頻道每週六下午都會播老動作片。
The trailer promised action, noise, and one car chase after another.
預告片承諾會有滿滿的動作場面、噪音和一場接一場的飛車追逐。
- action film
the full phrase when the noun is explicit
- thrills
focuses on excitement rather than the genre itself
文法句型
action film
more action
用法筆記
This sense is common in entertainment talk and often appears with film, movie, scene, or hero.
6. the place or part of a situation where important events are happening
現場
重要事情發生的地方
the place or part of a situation where important events are happening
As a new reporter, Tariro wanted to stay close to the action.
身為新記者，Tariro 很想待在最靠近現場的位置。
close to the action
The hotel puts guests right in the action of the harbor.
那間飯店讓旅客一出門就進入港邊最熱鬧的現場。
Christopher moved his food cart nearer the action before noon.
Christopher 在中午前把餐車推得更靠近現場。
Tour boats slowed so passengers could watch the action below the bridge.
遊船放慢速度，好讓乘客看橋下的現場情況。
- scene
a broader word for the place where something happens
- front line
suggests being closest to important events
文法句型
close to the action
in the action
用法筆記
Usually appears in phrases like in the action, close to the action, or near the action.
常見錯誤
7. the change or result that one thing produces in another
作用
某物對另一物產生的效果
the change or result that one thing produces in another
Sunlight speeds up the action of this cleaning spray.
陽光會加快這種清潔噴霧的作用。
action meaning effect on something
The medicine lost some action after sitting in the hot van.
那種藥放在熱烘烘的廂型車裡後，作用減弱了一些。
Engineers measured the action of wind on the bridge cables.
工程師測量了風對橋纜造成的作用。
This cream has a cooling action on sore skin.
這種乳膏對痠痛的皮膚有降溫作用。
文法句型
action of + thing on + thing
用法筆記
Use this for the result a force or substance produces on something else. For the internal way a machine works, see sense 10.
8. fighting between armies, ships, or other armed forces in war
戰鬥
戰爭中的交戰情況
fighting between armies, ships, or other armed forces in war
Heavy action continued across the valley until dawn.
激烈戰鬥一路持續到天亮，遍及整個山谷。
heavy action in military reporting
The pilot returned after three days of action near the coast.
那名飛行員在海岸附近經歷三天戰鬥後返航。
Villagers hid indoors while action spread through the border town.
戰鬥蔓延到邊境小鎮時，居民都躲在屋內。
The museum display explains how night action changed naval battles.
博物館展示說明了夜間戰鬥如何改變海戰。
- combat
a direct formal word for fighting in war
- engagement
often one particular battle or clash
- fighting
the broad everyday word
文法句型
heavy action
see action
用法筆記
Common in news and military writing about battles and armed conflict.
9. used in the phrase missing in action for a service member whose fate is still un
作戰失蹤
軍人在戰後下落不明
used in the phrase missing in action for a service member whose fate is still unknown after battle
The captain was listed missing in action after the night attack.
夜襲過後，那位上尉被列為作戰失蹤。
fixed phrase missing in action
Her uncle remained missing in action for nearly two years.
她的叔叔一直被列為作戰失蹤，將近兩年。
The memorial names local soldiers once reported missing in action.
紀念碑刻著那些曾被通報為作戰失蹤的本地士兵名字。
Families waited for news of troops missing in action overseas.
家屬等待海外部隊中那些作戰失蹤者的消息。
文法句型
missing in action
用法筆記
This meaning is only used inside the fixed military phrase missing in action.
10. the way a machine, material, or system moves or does its job
運作
機器或系統運行的方式
the way a machine, material, or system moves or does its job
The repair manual shows the action of each gear clearly.
修理手冊清楚展示了每個齒輪的運作方式。
action of a working part
I like the smooth action of this old sewing machine.
我很喜歡這台老縫紉機平順的運作感。
Dust can slow the action of the window track.
灰塵可能會拖慢窗軌的運作。
The watchmaker adjusted the action until the hands moved evenly.
鐘錶師調整了運作，直到指針移動得很平均。
文法句型
smooth action
action of + machine part
用法筆記
Use this for the internal working or movement of something. For the effect on another thing, see sense 7.
11. a case that one person or group brings to court to protect a right or seek a leg
訴訟
由法院審理的法律案件
a case that one person or group brings to court to protect a right or seek a legal result
The family filed an action against the hospital last spring.
那家人去年春天對那間醫院提起訴訟。
file an action against + noun
Several farmers joined the action over polluted river water.
幾位農民加入了這件關於河水污染的訴訟。
The judge dismissed the action before witnesses were called.
法官在傳喚證人之前就駁回了這件訴訟。
A class action could cost the company millions.
這類集體訴訟可能讓公司付出數百萬的代價。
- lawsuit
the common everyday word
- case
broader and more general
- proceeding
more formal and often legal-technical
文法句型
file an action
bring an action against + noun
用法筆記
Legal English often uses bring, file, join, or dismiss an action.
常見錯誤
12. the chain of events that carries the main story in a book, film, or play
劇情
故事主要事件的發展
the chain of events that carries the main story in a book, film, or play
The novel's action jumps from Taipei to London in one chapter.
這本小說的劇情在同一章裡從台北跳到倫敦。
action meaning the plot events
Most of the action happens inside a small fishing boat.
大部分劇情都發生在一艘小漁船裡。
Slow early action makes the second half feel stronger.
前段劇情如果慢一點，反而讓後半段更有力量。
The play keeps the action moving with short, sharp scenes.
這齣戲用短而俐落的場景，讓劇情一直往前推進。
文法句型
the action happens
keep the action moving
用法筆記
Use this for story structure. For exciting real events happening now, see sense 4.
actions — 動詞
1. to take practical steps about a problem, task, or request
處理
對問題或要求採取實際步驟
to take practical steps about a problem, task, or request
The city will action the repair report this week.
市政府本週會處理那份維修報告。
action + report in office English
Please action these emails before the afternoon meeting.
請在下午開會前先處理這些電子郵件。
The team leader actioned the safety request that morning.
組長當天早上就處理了那份安全申請。
Our office actions all refund claims within five days.
我們辦公室會在五天內處理所有退款申請。
文法句型
action + object
用法筆記
Common in office and official English, especially with requests, claims, reports, and emails.