analog
analog — 形容詞
1. describes electronic systems that process information as a continuously changing
類比
使用連續變化信號的電子系統
describes electronic systems that process information as a continuously changing physical quantity — such as a changing electric current or voltage — rather than as a series of separate numerical values
The old telephone system used analog signals to carry voices through copper wires.
舊式電話系統使用類比信號，透過銅線傳送語音。
collocation: analog signals
Omar built an analog circuit that measures temperature as a smooth change in voltage.
Omar 製作了一個類比電路，可將溫度測量結果轉換為連續的電壓變化。
pattern: analog circuit + measures
Before digital recording, music was stored on vinyl records as analog sound waves.
在數位錄音出現之前，音樂是以類比聲波的形式儲存在黑膠唱片上。
An analog thermometer shows the temperature using a thin line of rising liquid.
類比溫度計是利用管中持續上升的液體來顯示溫度。
Sivan's grandfather still uses an analog radio with a tuning dial and moving needle.
Sivan 的祖父仍在使用一台配有旋鈕和指針的類比收音機。
- continuous
describes the nature of the signal itself; narrower than 'analog'
- non-digital
broader term that overlaps with sense 2 as well
- digital
the opposite technology: represents data as separate numbers rather than continuous values
文法句型
analog + noun (signal/device/circuit)
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2 (NOT DIGITAL): sense 1 describes HOW a device processes data (by continuous variation), while sense 2 describes WHAT KIND of technology it uses (traditional rather than computerized). A digital radio can still receive analog signals.
常見錯誤
2. using old-style mechanical or electrical technology instead of modern digital co
非數位
使用傳統機械技術而非數位技術的
using old-style mechanical or electrical technology instead of modern digital computers or electronics — for example, a radio that uses a physical dial and a moving needle to find stations, rather than a touchscreen
Jabari uses an analog camera that needs film to capture pictures.
Jabari 使用一台需要底片才能拍照的非數位相機。
pattern: analog + device (camera, radio, synthesizer)
Rohan bought an analog synthesizer because he prefers its warm, natural sound.
Rohan 買了一台非數位合成器，因為他比較喜歡它溫暖、自然的聲音。
The farm still relies on an analog thermometer with a glass tube and liquid inside.
那座農場仍然靠一支非數位溫度計來測量溫度，裡面裝有玻璃管和液體。
Sayaka chose an analog radio whose physical dial lets her tune stations more precisely.
Sayaka 選擇了一台非數位收音機，因為它的實體旋鈕讓她可以更精準地切換頻道。
Some musicians prefer analog recording equipment for the richer, warmer sound it produces.
有些音樂人偏好使用非數位錄音設備，因為它們能營造更溫暖豐富的聲音。
- non-digital
direct synonym; less common as a single word
- mechanical
overlaps but focuses on moving parts rather than the non-digital aspect
- traditional
broader in meaning, suggests conventional methods rather than specifically non-digital
- digital
the direct opposite; uses computer chips and numerical processing
- electronic
modern electronics are usually digital; 'electronic' alone does not guarantee digital
文法句型
be + analog
analog + noun (device/technology)
用法筆記
Frequently appears in product descriptions contrasting digital and analog versions. Sense 2 overlaps with sense 3 for watches: an analog watch (sense 3) is also analog (sense 2) because it is not a smartwatch.
常見錯誤
3. describes a clock or watch that shows the time using two or three moving hands a
指針式
使用時針和分針顯示時間的
describes a clock or watch that shows the time using two or three moving hands around a numbered face, instead of a screen that shows the time as numbers
The classroom clock is analog, with a short hour hand and a long minute hand.
教室裡的時鐘是指針式的，有短的時針和長的分針。
pattern: analog clock + with hands
Iris learned to read an analog watch in the first grade at school.
Iris 在小學一年級學會了怎麼看指針式手錶。
The station clock was analog and showed ten minutes past eight when the train arrived.
車站的時鐘是指針式的，火車到站時顯示八點十分。
Femi's grandfather gave him an old analog watch with a leather strap and gold hands.
Femi 的祖父送給他一隻舊的指針式手錶，配備皮錶帶和金色指針。
A large analog clock hung above the library desk, ticking quietly through the afternoon.
圖書館書桌上方掛著一個大型指針式時鐘，滴答作響地度過整個下午。
- traditional
suggests classic design but does not specifically mean 'with hands'
- digital
a digital watch shows the time as numbers on a display
文法句型
analog clock/watch
the clock is analog
用法筆記
Only used for timepieces. A watch may fit both sense 3 (has hands) and sense 2 (is not a smartwatch), but the two meanings are separate: sense 3 contrasts with 'digital display' while sense 2 contrasts with 'computerized device'.
常見錯誤
analog — 名詞
1. a person, thing, or situation that is similar to another one in important ways,
類似物
與另一事物相似或可類比的事物
a person, thing, or situation that is similar to another one in important ways, allowing a useful comparison between them
The Amazon river dolphin has no close analog among other freshwater species.
亞馬遜河豚在其他淡水物種中找不到相近的類似物。
pattern: no close analog
Nikhil called the new social network an analog of older platforms, but with longer posts.
Nikhil 稱這個新的社群網路為舊平台的類似物，但貼文篇幅更長。
pattern: an analog of + [thing]
Modern electric cars have no direct analog in the early history of the automobile.
現代電動車在汽車工業早期找不到直接的類似物。
The psychologist found an analog to the child's behavior in studies of rescued animals.
這位心理學家在受援救動物的研究中找到了與該兒童行為相似的類似物。
Eleni found a close analog to her experience in an old novel about immigrants.
Eleni 在一本關於移民的舊小說中，找到了與自己經歷相似的類似物。
- equivalent
suggests equal value or function; narrower than 'analog'
- parallel
suggests a similarity in development or pattern
- counterpart
emphasises matching roles in different systems or contexts
- opposite
an opposite has a reversed or contrasting relationship, not a matching one
文法句型
an analog of / to [something]
用法筆記
More common in academic and analytical writing than in everyday conversation. The thing being compared usually follows 'of' or 'to'. In British English the spelling is often 'analogue'.