alienation

/ˌeɪliəˈneɪʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌeɪliəˈneɪʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌā-lē-ə-ˈnā-shən ˌāl-yə-/ (ame, mw)

alienation — 名詞

1. the uncomfortable state of feeling separate from the people or society around yo

1.名詞B2
釋義

疏離感

與周圍人群失去連結的孤獨感受

the uncomfortable state of feeling separate from the people or society around you, as though you do not share their values or experiences

例句

Yuna felt a deep sense of alienation after moving to a country where nobody spoke her language.

Yuna 搬到一個沒人說她母語的國家後，感到一股強烈的疏離感。

sense of alienation + from [unfamiliar environment]

Long working hours and very few team activities created a feeling of alienation among the office staff.

工時過長且缺乏團隊活動，讓辦公室員工之間產生了疏離感。

同義詞
  • isolation

    focuses more on physical separation; alienation emphasises emotional distance

  • estrangement

    suggests a former closeness that has been lost; slightly more formal

  • detachment

    implies a deliberate emotional or mental distance, not necessarily painful

反義詞
  • belonging

    the positive feeling of being accepted and connected

  • inclusion

    the state of being part of a group

文法句型

alienation + from + [person/group]

sense/feeling + of + alienation

用法筆記

Often used in phrases like 'sense of alienation' or 'feelings of alienation.' The preposition 'from' typically introduces the person, group, or society from which someone feels disconnected.

常見錯誤

❌I have alienation with my coworkers.
✅I feel a sense of alienation from my coworkers.
💡'alienation' takes 'from,' not 'with,' to show what a person feels separated from.

2. the process by which a person's words or actions push others away, causing them

2.名詞C1
釋義

疏遠

使人不再支持或友好的行為過程

the process by which a person's words or actions push others away, causing them to withdraw their support, loyalty, or friendly feelings

例句

The company's decision to ignore worker safety caused the alienation of the entire factory staff.

公司忽視工人安全的決定，導致了全體廠房員工的疏遠。

alienation of [group] — factory staff as object

By refusing to listen to community concerns, the mayor risked the alienation of thousands of voters.

市長拒絕聽取社區的聲音，因而面臨疏遠數千名選民的風險。

同義詞
  • estrangement

    similar level of formality; often used in personal relationships

  • disaffection

    focuses on loss of loyalty or enthusiasm, especially in political contexts

  • isolation

    can be a result of alienation, but focuses more on the state of being alone

反義詞
  • reconciliation

    the act of restoring a friendly relationship after a conflict

  • engagement

    active participation and connection with others

文法句型

(the) alienation + of + [person/group]

lead to + alienation

risk + alienation

用法筆記

This sense focuses on the action or process of making others unfriendly, rather than the internal feeling. The object of alienation is often a group ('alienation of supporters') rather than a single person.

常見錯誤

❌His rude behaviour caused alienation to his friends.
✅His rude behaviour caused the alienation of his friends.
💡Use 'of' (not 'to') to name the people who become alienated.