agape
/əˈɡeɪp/ (bre, ipa) · /əˈɡeɪp/ (ame, ipa) · /ə-ˈgāp also -ˈgap/ (ame, mw) · /ˈæɡəpi/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈæɡəpi/ (ame, ipa)
agape — 形容詞
- agapepositive
- more agapecomparative
- most agapesuperlative
1. Describes someone whose mouth is hanging open, usually because something has sur
嘴巴大張
因驚訝而嘴巴張開
Describes someone whose mouth is hanging open, usually because something has surprised, shocked, or amazed them.
Sari stood agape as the ceiling opened to reveal the old mural.
Sari 站在那裡嘴巴大張，天花板打開後露出了那幅舊壁畫。
pattern: stand agape after a surprise
The children watched agape while the magician pulled coins from Owen's shoe.
孩子們看得嘴巴大張，魔術師從 Owen 的鞋子裡拉出硬幣。
Christopher sat with his mouth agape when the judge read the verdict.
法官宣讀判決時，Christopher 坐著，嘴巴張得大大的。
Even the reporter looked agape after the mayor announced the sudden resignation.
市長宣布突然辭職後，連那名記者都看得嘴巴大張。
- open-mouthed
More everyday and direct; 'agape' sounds more literary or dramatic.
- gaping
Can describe a mouth or opening, but it does not always imply surprise.
- astonished
Focuses on the feeling of surprise, while 'agape' highlights the visible expression.
文法句型
be agape
look agape
stand agape
mouth + be agape
用法筆記
Usually appears after a linking verb and often focuses on a visible reaction, especially the mouth or jaw. In everyday English, people more often say 'open-mouthed' or describe the person's surprise directly.
常見錯誤
agape — 名詞
1. A self-giving form of love that seeks another person's good rather than romance,
無私之愛
基督教中指不求回報的愛
A self-giving form of love that seeks another person's good rather than romance, desire, or personal gain, especially in Christian thought.
The pastor described agape as love that keeps serving when praise fades.
那位牧師把 agape 描述成一種即使沒有讚美也會繼續服事的無私之愛。
pattern: describe agape as + noun phrase
Hana saw agape in the volunteers who cooked for strangers every week.
Hana 在那些每週為陌生人做飯的志工身上看見了 agape 這種無私之愛。
Their study group discussed how agape asks people to forgive without reward.
他們的讀書會討論 agape 這種無私之愛如何要求人不求回報地原諒別人。
The bishop preached that agape means seeking another person's good before your own.
那位主教講道時說，agape 意味著先追求別人的益處，再想到自己。
- charity
In older Christian writing, it can overlap strongly with 'agape,' but it often emphasizes kind action.
- compassion
Focuses on feeling concern for suffering; 'agape' is broader and more willed.
- devotion
Suggests deep loyalty, but it does not necessarily carry the same universal moral sense.
- self-interest
Focuses on personal benefit instead of another person's good.
- lust
Centers on sexual desire, which this sense explicitly excludes.
文法句型
feel agape for + noun
show agape toward + noun
describe agape as + noun phrase
用法筆記
This sense belongs mainly to religious or theological writing and speech. Unlike ordinary 'love,' it stresses deliberate care for others rather than romance, family closeness, or personal desire.
常見錯誤
2. A communal meal in the early Christian church, shared to express mutual care and
愛筵
早期基督徒共享的團契餐會
A communal meal in the early Christian church, shared to express mutual care and fellowship.
Early believers shared an agape after prayer and the reading of letters.
早期信徒在禱告和誦讀書信之後，一起共享一場愛筵。
pattern: share an agape
The history book explains how an agape strengthened ties within the church.
那本歷史書解釋了一場愛筵如何加深教會內部的聯繫。
During the retreat, the group ended the evening with a simple agape.
退修期間，那個團體用一場簡單的愛筵結束了晚上。
Arjun read about widows bringing bread and olives to the agape.
Arjun 讀到寡婦們帶著麵包和橄欖來參加那場愛筵。
- love feast
Closest direct synonym and the common explanatory term in English.
- fellowship meal
More transparent for modern readers, but less specifically historical than 'agape.'
文法句型
hold an agape
share an agape
gather for an agape
用法筆記
This sense names an actual shared meal, not the abstract ideal of selfless love in sense 1. It mostly appears in church history, theology, or formal discussion of early Christian practice.