base-born
base-born — 形容詞
1. born into a poor or low-status family, especially in older writing about class a
低微出身
出身貧寒或低階層
born into a poor or low-status family, especially in older writing about class and rank.
The old play mocks a base-born soldier who marries into power.
這齣老劇嘲弄一名出身低微、後來攀上權勢的士兵。
base-born + soldier
In that society, a base-born child could rarely inherit land.
在那個社會，出身低微的孩子很少能繼承土地。
base-born + child
The queen's advisers dismissed the talented musician as base-born.
女王的顧問把那位有才華的音樂家斥為出身低微。
A base-born hero challenges the nobles in the historical novel.
一位出身低微的英雄在歷史小說中挑戰貴族。
- low-born
also old-fashioned; means born into a lower social class
- humble
softer and more common, especially in 'humble origins'
- common-born
historical; contrasts with noble birth
- noble-born
born into a noble or high-ranking family
- high-born
old-fashioned; born into a high social class
文法句型
base-born + person
base-born + child
base-born + hero
用法筆記
This sense is rare and strongly tied to older class systems. In modern writing, use clearer wording such as 'from a poor family' or 'from a low-status background' unless you are discussing historical or literary language.
常見錯誤
Do not use base-born as a neutral modern description of someone's family background; it sounds old-fashioned and judgmental.
2. used in the past, and now offensive, for a person whose parents were not married
非婚生
父母未婚所生
used in the past, and now offensive, for a person whose parents were not married when the person was born.
The record uses base-born for a son whose parents never married.
那份紀錄用 base-born 形容父母未婚的兒子。
base-born for + child
Modern editors often avoid base-born because it judges a child's birth.
現代編輯常避免使用 base-born，因為它評判孩子的出身。
avoid base-born
The old law treated a base-born heir differently from other children.
舊法律對非婚生繼承人的待遇不同於其他孩子。
She explained that base-born is an outdated label for such children.
她解釋說，base-born 是形容這類孩子的過時標籤。
- illegitimate
legal or historical and often offensive when used of a person
- born outside marriage
clearer and less judgmental factual wording
- legitimate
historical or legal contrast; can sound judgmental when applied to a person
文法句型
base-born + child
base-born + son
base-born + heir
用法筆記
This sense reflects older legal and social judgments about birth. It is not a respectful modern term for a child or adult; use plain wording such as 'born to unmarried parents' only when the fact is relevant.
常見錯誤
Do not use base-born in ordinary modern speech for a child whose parents are unmarried; the word carries historical stigma.
3. morally low, dishonourable, or lacking the dignity expected from a person or act
卑劣的
品格或地位卑下
morally low, dishonourable, or lacking the dignity expected from a person or action.
The villain's base-born ambition leads him to betray every friend.
反派卑劣的野心使他背叛每一位朋友。
base-born + ambition
The sermon condemns base-born envy rather than poverty or family background.
那篇講道譴責卑劣的嫉妒，而不是貧窮或家庭背景。
base-born + envy
His base-born conduct shocked guests who had trusted his manners.
他卑劣的行為震驚了原本信任他禮貌的賓客。
The phrase can describe a base-born motive, not a person's ancestry.
這個片語可描述卑劣的動機，而不是一個人的血統。
- ignoble
formal; lacking noble character or purpose
- dishonourable
morally wrong or not worthy of respect
- base
formal or literary; morally low
- noble
morally admirable or high-minded
- honourable
deserving respect because of honest conduct
文法句型
base-born + motive
base-born + conduct
base-born + ambition
用法筆記
In this literary sense, base-born describes a quality, motive, or action as low and dishonourable. It does not have to refer to a person's actual birth.
常見錯誤
Do not confuse this sense with literal family origin; a base-born motive is dishonourable, not necessarily connected with birth.