belief
belief — 名詞
- beliefsingular
- beliefsplural
1. the state of being sure that someone or something is real, true, or worth trusti
信念；確信
對某人事物為真或可信的篤定感受
the state of being sure that someone or something is real, true, or worth trusting, even when proof may be limited.
Ines's belief in her brother never wavered, even after the trial.
即使在審判之後，Ines 對哥哥的信念也從未動搖。
belief in + person showing trust
The villagers held a strong belief that the old well brought good luck.
村民們深信那口老井會帶來好運。
belief that + clause for stating a conviction
Coach Yusuf shared his firm belief that every child at the centre should learn to swim before age ten.
Yusuf 教練分享他的堅定信念，認為中心裡的每個孩子都應該在十歲前學會游泳。
firm belief that + clause stating a strong personal stance
Two robberies in one winter slowly destroyed Hana's belief in human kindness.
一個冬天裡的兩次搶劫，慢慢摧毀了 Hana 對人性善良的信念。
collocation: destroy / shake belief
After three losing matches, Leila's belief in her young teammates only grew stronger.
在連輸三場比賽之後，Leila 對年輕隊友的信念反而更加堅定。
belief in + group of people, surviving setbacks
- strong belief
- firm belief
- deep belief
- shake someone's belief
- lose belief in
- belief in God
- faith
stronger and often religious or emotional; trust without needing proof
- conviction
stronger and firmer than belief; suggests the feeling cannot easily be changed
- trust
focuses on relying on someone, while 'belief' focuses on accepting something as true
- confidence
stresses a calm sense of being sure, often in someone's ability rather than a fact
文法句型
belief in + noun
belief that + clause
用法筆記
Usually uncountable in this sense. Often paired with 'in' before a person, idea, or quality, and with a 'that'-clause when stating what is believed. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense names the inner feeling of being sure, while sense 2 names the specific idea held.
常見錯誤
2. an idea, opinion, or rule that a person or group accepts as true — for example,
信仰；想法
個人或群體所抱持的觀點、教義或價值
an idea, opinion, or rule that a person or group accepts as true — for example, a religious teaching, a moral value, or a personal view about how the world works.
Nikolai respected his grandmother's religious beliefs, even when he didn't share them.
Nikolai 尊重奶奶的宗教信仰，即使他並不認同這些信仰。
collocation: religious beliefs (often plural)
Nikolai laughed off his grandmother's belief that eating carrots could improve his eyesight.
Nikolai 一笑置之，不太理會奶奶認為吃紅蘿蔔可以改善視力的想法。
belief that + clause naming a specific traditional idea
At the staff meeting, the new headteacher challenged old beliefs about how seven-year-olds learn maths.
在教職員會議上，新校長挑戰了關於七歲孩子如何學數學的舊觀念。
challenge / question + beliefs
Dr. Nadia writes books that gently question popular beliefs about ageing.
Dr. Nadia 寫的書溫和地質疑大眾對老化的普遍想法。
Across the island, people share a deep belief that the sea protects their families.
在這座島上，人們普遍深信大海會守護他們的家人。
deep belief that + clause
- religious beliefs
- political beliefs
- traditional beliefs
- popular belief
- challenge a belief
- hold a belief
- opinion
weaker; a personal view that the speaker may not be sure of
- view
neutral and often individual; less tied to religion or tradition than 'belief'
- conviction
a belief held very strongly, often about right and wrong
- doctrine
formal; an official belief taught by a religion, party, or school of thought
文法句型
a belief that + clause
religious / political beliefs
用法筆記
Countable in this sense and very often plural ('beliefs'), especially with religion, politics, or culture. Frequently followed by a 'that'-clause naming the specific idea. Distinguish from sense 1: a person can hold many 'beliefs' (sense 2) but normally just one general 'belief' — the inner certainty — about a topic (sense 1).
常見錯誤
beyond belief
idiomso extreme — usually so good, bad, or strange — that it is hard to accept as real.
難以置信；令人無法相信
The damage to the old library after the flood was beyond belief.
The traffic in Bangkok last Friday afternoon was beyond belief.
as far as the speaker is sure, based on what they currently know — used when they cannot fully promise it is true.
就我所知；據我所信
To the best of my belief, the keys are still on Leila's kitchen table.
No staff member, to the best of my belief, has ever opened that locked cabinet.
beggar belief
idiomto be so surprising or unreasonable that the listener finds it almost impossible to accept.
令人難以置信
The mayor's excuses for the missing funds simply beggar belief.
It beggars belief that the school sent six-year-olds home alone during the typhoon.
Something is so extreme or shocking that it is hard to accept or describe.
難以置信
The amount of waste produced by the factory beggars belief.
How could anyone be so cruel? It beggars description.
Based on what you know, but you are not completely certain.
就某人所知
To the best of my knowledge, the meeting is still on.
Is the report accurate to the best of your belief?
同根字
- believe動詞A2
- believer名詞B2
- believable形容詞B2
- unbelievable形容詞B1
- disbelief名詞C1
- disbelieve動詞C1