app
app — 名詞
1. a small program added to a phone, tablet, or smartwatch — usually downloaded fro
應用程式
裝在手機或平板上的小型程式
a small program added to a phone, tablet, or smartwatch — usually downloaded from an online store — for tasks like chatting with friends, ordering food, listening to music, or playing games.
Imani downloaded a new music app onto her phone before the long bus ride.
Imani 在搭長途巴士前先下載了一個新的音樂 APP 到手機裡。
download + app + onto + device
There is an app that lets parents track their child's school bus in real time.
有一款應用程式可以讓家長即時追蹤孩子搭的校車。
an app that + clause
Quinn opened the weather app and saw heavy rain coming that afternoon.
Quinn 打開氣象 APP,看到那天下午會下大雨。
Many food apps offer a small discount on your first order.
很多外送 APP 都會在你第一次下單時給一點折扣。
The bank's app froze, so Hana could not pay her electricity bill on time.
銀行的 APP 當機了,害 Hana 沒辦法準時繳電費。
- mobile app
more specific; used when the device type matters
- application
the full form; rare in everyday speech for phones
文法句型
download + an app
open + an app
app store
用法筆記
This is the most common everyday meaning. The phrase 'app store' (Apple App Store, Google Play Store) is fixed and almost always implies this mobile sense, not the desktop one.
常見錯誤
2. a computer program — short for 'application' — built around one clear job, such
電腦程式
在電腦上執行特定工作的軟體
a computer program — short for 'application' — built around one clear job, such as writing documents, editing photos, or sending email.
Amara installed a free drawing app on her old laptop last weekend.
Amara 上週末在她的舊筆電上裝了一個免費的繪圖程式。
install + app on + device
The university gives students a video-editing app for their final projects.
這所大學提供學生一套影片剪輯程式來完成期末作品。
app for + purpose
Jin opened the email app and saw forty new messages waiting.
Jin 打開電子郵件程式,看到有四十封新信還沒讀。
Most office computers come with a writing app already installed.
大多數辦公室電腦都已預先安裝了文書處理程式。
Dr. Eitan uses a special app to draw graphs for her science papers.
田中博士會用一個特別的程式幫她的科學論文畫圖表。
- program
more formal and traditional; common for desktop software
- software
uncountable; refers to programs in general, not one item
- application
the full form; sounds more formal in writing
文法句型
app for + noun
app to + verb
用法筆記
Outside of a phone or tablet context, 'app' often appears next to a clue word that names the task (drawing, email, writing) so listeners know what software is meant.
常見錯誤
3. a short, casual word for an appetizer — a small plate of food, like nachos or so
開胃菜;前菜
餐廳裡正餐前先吃的小份料理
a short, casual word for an appetizer — a small plate of food, like nachos or soup, that you eat at the start of a meal in a restaurant.
Amara and her sister ordered cheesy fries as an app before their burgers arrived.
Amara 和妹妹點了起司薯條當作開胃菜,等漢堡上桌前先吃。
order + X as an app
Their favorite diner sells half-price apps every Tuesday after six o'clock.
他們最愛的小餐館每週二六點過後開胃菜半價。
plural: half-price apps
The waiter asked the table if anyone wanted an app to share.
服務生問桌上的客人,有沒有人想點一道開胃菜大家分。
Hot wings are the most popular app on the Friday night menu.
辣雞翅是週五晚間菜單上最受歡迎的開胃菜。
- appetizer
the full word; used in writing and on menus
- starter
British equivalent; same meaning, different region
- hors d'oeuvre
more formal; usually small bites at a party, not a restaurant table
- main course
the central, larger dish that follows the app
- dessert
the sweet dish that ends the meal
文法句型
order + an app
share + apps
用法筆記
Mainly heard in casual American speech, especially in restaurants. The fuller word 'appetizer' is preferred in writing, on menus, and in formal settings.