books
[bˈʊks] /ˈbu̇k How to pronounce book (audio)/ (ame, mw)
books — 名詞
1. objects made from pages of paper joined along one edge inside a cover, used for
書本
用紙頁裝訂成冊的閱讀物
objects made from pages of paper joined along one edge inside a cover, used for reading or writing things down
Eshe carried three heavy books home from the library on Friday.
Eshe 星期五從圖書館扛了三本厚重的書本回家。
plural countable: a specific number of books
The shelf above Lucía's desk holds her favourite books about birds.
Lucía 書桌上方的書架擺著她最愛的鳥類書本。
books about + topic
Romi spent the rainy afternoon reading old books in the attic.
Romi 在閣樓裡讀了一整個下雨的午後的舊書本。
Many children in the village had no books or pencils at school.
村裡許多孩子上學時連書本和鉛筆都沒有。
Hao stacked the maths books neatly beside the kitchen window.
Hao 把數學書本整齊地堆在廚房窗邊。
文法句型
books about/on [topic]
books by [author]
用法筆記
The plural form is the natural way to talk about a group, collection, or any unspecified number. Singular 'a book' is used for one specific item.
常見錯誤
2. long written works that have been printed and shared with the public, considered
著作；作品
已出版的書面創作
long written works that have been printed and shared with the public, considered as the writings of a particular author or in a particular subject
Asher loves the detective books by Agatha Christie more than any film.
Asher 喜歡 Agatha Christie 的偵探作品勝過任何電影。
books by + author
Anong's grandmother has read all the books of Haruki Murakami in Thai.
Anong 的祖母用泰文讀完了村上春樹的所有著作。
Most of Jamie Oliver's cooking books are now also available as e-books.
Jamie Oliver 的料理著作大多也已推出電子書版本。
Modern history books in Berlin often disagree about what caused the war.
柏林現代的歷史著作對戰爭起因常有不同看法。
Christopher writes children's books that have been translated into ten languages.
Christopher 寫的童書著作已被翻譯成十種語言。
- works
broader; covers any published creative output, not just books
- novels
narrower; only fiction in story form
- publications
very formal; includes magazines and journals too
文法句型
books by [author]
the books of [writer]
用法筆記
Refers to the written content as published works, not the physical objects (compare sense 1). Often qualified by author, genre, or subject.
3. the named sections that a very long literary work, especially the Bible or a cla
卷
長篇作品的主要章節
the named sections that a very long literary work, especially the Bible or a classical epic, is divided into
Yara studied the early books of the Old Testament in Sunday school.
Yara 在主日學讀了舊約聖經前面幾卷。
the books of + larger work
The first six books of the Iliad describe the anger of Achilles.
《伊利亞德》前六卷描寫了阿基里斯的怒火。
Ritu's professor assigned the later books of Paradise Lost for the essay.
Ritu 的教授指定《失樂園》後面幾卷作為論文題材。
Each of the twelve books of the Aeneid opens with an invocation.
《埃涅阿斯紀》的十二卷每一卷開頭都有祈神文。
文法句型
the books of [larger work]
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2: here each 'book' is part of one larger work; in sense 2 each book is a separate published title.
4. the written or computer records that show all the money a company has received a
帳簿；帳目
公司收支的書面或電腦記錄
the written or computer records that show all the money a company has received and spent
Élise spends every Friday morning balancing the books for her bakery.
Élise 每週五早上都在替她的麵包店結算帳簿。
balance the books
The new accountant noticed at the Lagos office that the books had been kept very carelessly.
新會計到拉哥斯辦公室後發現帳簿過去一直被記得很草率。
keep the books
Inspectors arrived and asked to see the company's books going back five years.
稽查人員到場要求查閱公司近五年的帳簿。
James was fired after his manager caught him cooking the books.
James 被經理發現做假帳之後就被開除了。
文法句型
keep / balance / cook the books
用法筆記
Almost always plural and used with 'the'. Common verbs: keep, balance, audit, cook (informal for falsify).
常見錯誤
5. the whole body of written learning about a particular subject, especially when c
知識體系
某主題的全部書本知識與理論
the whole body of written learning about a particular subject, especially when compared with what people learn from doing the activity themselves
Harper reads all the books on parenting but still feels unsure at night.
Harper 讀遍了所有教養方面的知識體系，但夜裡仍會徬徨。
the books on + subject
Ife claims to have read the books on negotiation but loses every argument.
Ife 號稱讀過所有談判方面的知識體系，卻場場辯論都輸。
Coach Tamás insists that the books on training cannot replace experience.
Tamás 教練堅持訓練方面的知識體系永遠無法取代經驗。
The new manager threw out the books on management and trusted her own instincts.
新任經理拋開管理方面的知識體系，選擇相信自己的直覺。
- literature
more academic; the published research on a subject
- theory
narrower; the principles only, not the full body of writing
- experience
the practical contrast to book-learning
文法句型
the books on [subject]
用法筆記
Figurative — refers to the body of knowledge a topic has produced, not literally physical books. Often contrasted with practical experience.
6. the written official rules or correct procedures that decide what counts as acce
規矩；準則
官方認可的標準作業規定
the written official rules or correct procedures that decide what counts as acceptable in a particular job or organisation
Bilal does everything by the books, even when the rules seem silly.
Bilal 凡事都照規矩來，就算覺得規定很傻也一樣。
by the books
The young inspector goes strictly by the books and never makes exceptions.
那位年輕稽查員嚴格照規矩辦事，從不通融。
Nikos warned the team that this trade was not by the books.
Nikos 警告隊員，這筆交易並不符合規矩。
The hospital expects every nurse to follow the books on patient safety.
醫院要求每位護理師都依照病人安全方面的規矩來執行。
- rules
plainer; everyday word for the same idea
- regulations
more formal; usually written by an authority
- protocol
narrower; refers to official procedure rather than full rule set
文法句型
by the books
go by the books
用法筆記
Used in fixed phrases 'by the books' or 'go by the books'. Compare sense 5: this sense is about official rules; sense 5 is about all available knowledge.
7. the official records held by police or courts that list charges against someone
案底
警察或法院的正式紀錄
the official records held by police or courts that list charges against someone
Eve already had three theft charges on the books before she turned eighteen.
Eve 還沒滿十八歲，案底上就已經有三次竊盜紀錄。
on the books = officially recorded
The detective added one more charge to the books that evening.
那名警探當晚又在案底上加了一項罪名。
Théo's lawyer worked hard to keep the new offence off the books.
Théo 的律師費盡心思想讓這項新案件不留下案底。
Old fraud charges from the 1990s remain on the books against the bank.
那間銀行九零年代的詐欺案至今仍留在案底上。
文法句型
on the books
用法筆記
Found mainly in 'on/off the books' meaning officially recorded by police or courts. Also used informally about laws still in force (e.g. 'the law is still on the books').
8. the written words of plays, operas, or musicals that performers learn and follow
劇本
舞台演出用的台詞與台本
the written words of plays, operas, or musicals that performers learn and follow on stage
Vinícius rewrote the books for two of the company's older musicals.
Vinícius 重寫了劇團兩齣老音樂劇的劇本。
the books for + show
The director asked Alessia to study the books before rehearsals began.
導演要求 Alessia 在排練前先研讀劇本。
Soprano Maria Callas studied the books for La Traviata until the pages fell apart.
女高音 Maria Callas 反覆研讀《茶花女》的劇本，直到書頁都翻爛了。
Michael writes the books for school productions every summer.
Michael 每年暑假都為學校公演寫劇本。
文法句型
the books for [show]
用法筆記
Theatre and opera jargon. 'The book' (singular) of a musical is the spoken dialogue and stage directions; 'books' plural is used about multiple shows.
9. the written or computer records of all the bets a bookmaker has taken on horse r
賭注帳冊
賭注經紀人記下所有下注的本子
the written or computer records of all the bets a bookmaker has taken on horse races, matches, or similar events
Sven kept the books at the local track for nearly thirty years.
Sven 在當地賽馬場管賭注帳冊管了將近三十年。
keep the books = work as a bookmaker
By Saturday night the bookmaker's books were full of bets on the favourite horse.
到了週六晚上，賭注經紀人的賭注帳冊已寫滿了押熱門馬的賭注。
Imran refused to take any more wagers because his books were already heavy.
Imran 拒絕再收任何賭注，因為他的賭注帳冊已經太重。
Police raided the pub and seized the books from the back room.
警察突襲了那家酒吧，並從後房沒收了賭注帳冊。
文法句型
make / keep the books
用法筆記
Gambling sense. Often heard at racetracks. Note the related verb 'to book a bet' belongs to a different sense.
10. in some card games such as bridge, the first group of tricks a player or partner
成局牌數
橋牌等遊戲中得分前需贏的墩數
in some card games such as bridge, the first group of tricks a player or partnership has to take so that later tricks start counting for score
Astrid lost the round because she could not take her books in hearts.
Astrid 因為紅心方面吃不下成局牌數而輸了那一局。
take the books = win the required tricks
In bridge, the declarer has to take six tricks to make the books.
橋牌中，莊家得拿下六墩才能達成成局牌數。
Eitan and his partner had their books safely by the eighth round of the tournament.
Eitan 和搭檔在錦標賽第八輪時就已穩穩拿下成局牌數。
Beginner players at the Wellington bridge club often forget they need the books before any trick scores.
Wellington 橋牌社的初學者常忘記要先吃下成局牌數，後面的墩才會開始算分。
- tricks
the individual rounds within a card game
文法句型
make / take the books
用法筆記
Restricted to certain trick-taking card games, especially bridge. Often paired with verbs 'make' or 'take'.
books — 動詞
- bookspresent simple I / you / we / they
- bookses3rd person singular
- booksing-ing form
- booksedpast simple
1. (third-person singular form of 'book') arranges and pays for a service such as a
預訂
事先安排並付費保留座位、房間等
(third-person singular form of 'book') arranges and pays for a service such as a seat, a room, a table, or a performer to be kept for a later date
Kemi always books her plane tickets three months before any trip.
Kemi 每次出國前三個月就會預訂機票。
books + [reservation object]
The wedding planner books five hotel rooms for every out-of-town guest.
婚禮顧問會為每位外地賓客預訂五間飯店房。
Maeve books a quiet table near the window every Sunday lunch.
Maeve 每個禮拜日中午都會預訂窗邊那張安靜的桌位。
The village festival books the same headline band three summers in a row.
村裡的音樂節連續三個夏天都預訂同一支頭牌樂團。
Andrew always books online because the phone line is so slow.
Andrew 總是上網預訂，因為訂位電話實在太慢。
- cancels
the action that undoes a booking
文法句型
someone books something
someone books for [time]
用法筆記
More common in British English; American English often prefers 'reserves' or 'makes a reservation'. Subject is typically a person or organisation; object is the seat, room, table, or performer.
常見錯誤
2. (third-person singular form of 'book') officially writes down the name of someon
登記罪名
警察立案或裁判記名處罰
(third-person singular form of 'book') officially writes down the name of someone who has broken a rule, especially a police suspect or a player who has fouled in a match
The referee books any player who argues with him too loudly during a match.
比賽時只要球員跟裁判頂嘴太大聲，他就會登記罪名。
books + [player] + for + offence
Officer Tendai books every suspect in front of the duty sergeant.
Tendai 警員每次都在值班警司面前為嫌犯登記罪名。
If the goalkeeper wastes time, the referee usually books him.
若守門員拖延時間，裁判通常會替他登記罪名。
Antonia gets booked for speeding almost every winter on the same road.
Antonia 每年冬天幾乎都會在同一條路上因超速被登記罪名。
The new referee from Madrid books fewer players than the strict old one did.
馬德里來的新裁判替球員登記罪名的次數，比那位嚴格的老裁判少了不少。
- releases
for the police sense, the action of letting someone go without charge
文法句型
books someone for [offence]
用法筆記
Two related contexts: police/legal (entering charges) and sports (issuing a yellow card). Frequently passive in sports reporting.
常見錯誤
3. (third-person singular form of 'book') leaves a place fast, often suddenly or to
閃人；溜走
美式俚語，匆匆離開現場
(third-person singular form of 'book') leaves a place fast, often suddenly or to escape something — a casual American expression
Whenever the bell rings, Nicholas books out of the classroom first.
每次下課鐘一響，Nicholas 都第一個閃人離開教室。
books out / books it = leaves fast
Ramón books home the moment his shift at the diner ends.
Ramón 在餐館的班一結束就閃人回家。
Joon just books whenever an argument starts in the dorm.
宿舍裡只要一吵起來，Joon 就直接閃人。
If anyone mentions chores, Andrés books to his room and shuts the door.
只要有人提到家事，Andrés 就閃人回房間把門關上。
- stays
remains in the same place
文法句型
books + [direction adverb]
用法筆記
Slang, mostly North American teenage and young-adult speech. Often paired with 'out' or 'it'. Avoid in formal writing.