bitterness

/ˈbɪtənəs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈbɪtərnəs/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈbi-tər-nəs/ (ame, mw)

bitterness — 名詞

1. the sharp, dry flavour you notice in things like black coffee, dark chocolate, o

1.名詞B2
釋義

苦味

食物或飲料中的苦口感

the sharp, dry flavour you notice in things like black coffee, dark chocolate, or some medicines.

例句

A light bitterness lingered after the first sip of tonic water.

喝下第一口通寧水後，嘴裡還留著淡淡的苦味。

bitterness after + first sip

The cook added honey to cut the bitterness of the kale soup.

廚師加了蜂蜜，好壓下羽衣甘藍湯的苦味。

the bitterness of + food

同義詞
  • sharpness

    broader and less exact; it can also describe sour or strong flavours

  • acridness

    more formal and stronger, often suggesting an unpleasant burnt or chemical edge

  • bite

    informal; often used for a strong lively taste in food or drink

反義詞

文法句型

bitterness in + food/drink

the bitterness of + food/drink

用法筆記

Usually uncountable and often used with 'of' when naming the food or drink: the bitterness of coffee, the bitterness of dark chocolate.

常見錯誤

❌The orange juice had a strong bitterness.
✅The orange juice had a strong sour taste.
💡oranges and lemons are usually described as 'sour', not 'bitter'.

2. long-lasting anger and hurt that stay after unfair treatment.

2.名詞B2
釋義

怨恨

因受委屈而長久憤恨

long-lasting anger and hurt that stay after unfair treatment.

例句

Years of court battles left bitterness between the two brothers.

多年纏訟，讓這兩兄弟之間留下了怨恨。

bitterness between + people

Mina spoke with bitterness after losing the shop her parents built.

Mina 失去父母一手建立的店後，說話都帶著怨恨。

with bitterness after + loss

同義詞
  • resentment

    very close in meaning and common in everyday English

  • rancor

    more formal and stronger, with a colder sense of hostility

  • ill feeling

    milder; often used for bad feeling between two sides

反義詞
  • goodwill

    a friendly and generous feeling toward others

  • forgiveness

    the decision to let go of hurt instead of holding onto it

文法句型

bitterness toward + person/group

bitterness over + event

bitterness between + people

用法筆記

Common with 'over', 'toward', or 'between'. It usually describes a feeling that lasts after unfair treatment, betrayal, or a painful loss, not a small irritation that quickly passes.

常見錯誤

❌Ken felt bitterness because the train was late.
✅Ken felt annoyed because the train was late.
💡'bitterness' is for deeper, lasting resentment, not a small daily problem.