automatically
automatically — 副詞
1. in a way that is performed by a machine, computer, or device on its own, with no
自動地
由機器或裝置自行運作，無需人操作
in a way that is performed by a machine, computer, or device on its own, with no person needing to press a button or operate the controls.
The office lights switch off automatically when nobody walks past the sensor for ten minutes.
如果十分鐘內沒有人經過感應器，辦公室的燈會自動關掉。
verb + automatically (machine subject)
Beatriz's car locks the doors automatically as soon as she pulls onto the highway.
Beatriz 一開上高速公路，她的車就會自動上鎖。
verb + automatically (device action)
The washing machine drains automatically at the end of the rinse cycle.
洗衣機在洗清流程結束時會自動排水。
Photos taken on the phone are uploaded automatically to a cloud folder each night.
手機拍的照片每晚都會自動上傳到雲端資料夾。
The hotel room curtains open automatically at seven every morning.
飯店房間的窗簾每天早上七點會自動拉開。
- mechanically
stresses the machine itself, often the rigid feel of its movement
- by itself
more informal; common in everyday speech
- manually
by hand or by a person operating controls — the direct opposite for this sense
用法筆記
Subject is usually a machine, device, software, or system, NOT a person. When the subject is a person, sense 2 (without thinking) is meant.
常見錯誤
2. in a way that a person does something out of habit or instinct, with no real tho
下意識地
出於習慣或反射，沒經過思考
in a way that a person does something out of habit or instinct, with no real thought given to the action — for example, reaching for a seatbelt or saying 'thank you' on autopilot.
Mei reached for her phone automatically the moment her alarm started ringing.
鬧鐘一響，Mei 就下意識地伸手拿起手機。
person subject + verb + automatically (habit)
When the teacher walked in, the children stood up automatically and waited for the bell.
老師一走進教室，孩子們就不假思索地站起來等鐘響。
automatically + and + second action
Dr. Esme apologised automatically before she even understood what had upset the patient.
Esme 醫師還沒搞清楚是什麼惹怒了病人，就先下意識地道歉。
After driving the same route for years, Fadi takes the second exit automatically.
同一條路開了好幾年，Fadi 都不假思索地走第二個出口。
Daniel flinched automatically when the firework cracked above the rooftops.
煙火在屋頂上方爆開時，Daniel 下意識地縮了一下。
- instinctively
stresses an inborn or reflex response rather than a learned habit
- unconsciously
stresses lack of awareness; can sound clinical
- without thinking
plain everyday paraphrase; useful when 'automatically' feels too formal
- deliberately
with conscious thought and purpose
- consciously
with full awareness of what one is doing
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 by the subject: a person doing something on autopilot is sense 2; a machine acting on its own is sense 1. Often appears with verbs of habit or reflex (reach, stand, smile, flinch, apologise).
常見錯誤
3. as a sure outcome that follows from a rule, system, or earlier event — meaning t
必然地
依規則或制度必然產生的結果
as a sure outcome that follows from a rule, system, or earlier event — meaning the result is guaranteed by how things work, not by anyone choosing it.
Students who score above ninety automatically qualify for the school's honours programme.
成績超過九十分的學生會自動取得學校榮譽計畫的資格。
subject + automatically + verb (rule-based outcome)
If you cancel the booking within an hour, your card is refunded automatically.
如果你在一小時內取消訂位，款項會自動退回你的信用卡。
if-clause + passive automatic outcome
The winner of Saturday's match goes automatically into the national final.
週六比賽的勝者會自動晉級全國決賽。
Marriage does not automatically give a foreign spouse the right to work in Taiwan.
結婚並不會自動讓外籍配偶取得在台灣工作的權利。
Once you turn sixty-five, the discount is applied automatically at the ticket gate.
一旦你滿六十五歲，在售票口就會自動套用折扣。
- as a matter of course
stresses standard procedure; slightly more formal
- by default
stresses what happens unless something is changed
- conditionally
only if certain extra requirements are met
用法筆記
Often used with 'qualify, become, get, give, apply, refund' to describe rule-based or procedural outcomes. Frequently appears in negative form ('does not automatically mean...') to push back on a wrong assumption.