bc
/ˌbiːˈsiː/ (bre, ipa) · [bˌisˈi] /ˌbiːˈsiː/ (ame, ipa)
bc — 副詞
1. written after a year number (or before 'era', 'period', or 'centuries') to place
公元前
耶穌誕生前的年份
written after a year number (or before 'era', 'period', or 'centuries') to place that date or period before the traditional birth year of Jesus Christ — the bigger the number, the older the date
The Great Pyramid of Giza was completed around 2560 BC.
吉薩大金字塔大約在西元前2560年完工。
pattern: 'year + BC' for ancient dates
The Roman ruler Julius Caesar was assassinated by senators in 44 BC.
尤利烏斯·凱撒於西元前44年被暗殺。
Historians believe the first Olympic Games were held in 776 BC.
歷史學家認為第一屆奧林匹克運動會於西元前776年舉行。
Many important Greek philosophers lived during the 5th century BC.
許多重要的希臘哲學家活躍於西元前5世紀。
The terracotta army was built in the 3rd century BC to guard the tomb of China's first emperor.
兵馬俑建於西元前3世紀，用來守護中國第一位皇帝的陵墓。
Life expectancy was much shorter in the BC era than it is today.
公元前時代的平均壽命比現在短得多。
Many ancient civilizations flourished during the late BC centuries.
許多古文明在公元前晚期蓬勃發展。
- BCE
secular alternative standing for Before Common Era; identical in dating but avoids religious reference
文法句型
[year] + BC
BC + [year] (less common)
the BC + [era/period/centuries]
用法筆記
BC usually comes after the year number in modern writing (e.g. 300 BC), though it may appear before the year (BC 300) in older or more formal texts. BC can also be placed before nouns such as 'era', 'period', or 'centuries' to label the entire period before Christ (e.g. 'the BC era', 'late BC centuries'). This attributive use is grammatically different from the year-number use but refers to the same dating system. Do not add spaces between 'B' and 'C'. The secular alternative BCE (Before Common Era) is increasingly used in academic writing.
常見錯誤
bc — 名詞
1. a short way of writing 'British Columbia' — Canada's westernmost province — when
卑詩省
加拿大不列顛哥倫比亞省
a short way of writing 'British Columbia' — Canada's westernmost province — when you write an address or complete an official document
Amani moved from Toronto to Vancouver, BC, last year for a new job.
Amani 去年為了新工作從多倫多搬到卑詩省的溫哥華。
pattern: '[city], BC' in addresses
Please send the completed form to our office in Victoria, BC.
請將填好的表格寄到位於卑詩省維多利亞市的辦公室。
The ferry arrives at the port of Prince Rupert, BC, every afternoon.
渡輪每天下午抵達卑詩省魯珀特王子港。
Our company has warehouses in both Calgary, Alberta, and Kelowna, BC.
我們公司在亞伯達省的卡加利和卑詩省的基洛納都有倉庫。
- British Columbia
full name of the province; use in formal writing and first mentions
文法句型
[city], BC
BC, Canada
用法筆記
Always written in capital letters when referring to British Columbia. The abbreviation follows the city name with a comma. Canada Post recognizes BC as the official two-letter code for the province.
常見錯誤
bc — 連接詞
1. a shortened form of 'because' that people type in texts, chat apps, and quick no
因為
因為的網路簡寫
a shortened form of 'because' that people type in texts, chat apps, and quick notes when they want to write fast rather than spell correctly
Can't talk now bc I'm in a meeting with my boss.
現在不能聊，因為我正在和老闆開會。
informal text-message abbreviation of 'because'
Yara was late for class bc her train got delayed by heavy snow.
Yara 上課遲到，因為她搭的火車被大雪耽誤了。
I'm skipping the party tonight bc I have an early flight tomorrow morning.
我今晚不去派對了，因為我明天一早要搭飛機。
The cafe on Elm Street is closed today bc the owner is on holiday in Japan.
埃爾姆街上的咖啡館今天沒開，因為老闆去日本度假了。
I bought extra snacks bc my cousins are visiting this weekend.
我多買了一些零食，因為我的表兄弟姐妹這週末要來玩。
文法句型
bc + [clause]
用法筆記
Always written in lowercase (bc) and used almost exclusively in informal digital communication. Never use bc in essays, job applications, business emails, or any formal written context — always write the full word 'because' instead.