breakthrough
/ˈbreɪkθruː/ (bre, ipa) · [brˈekθrˌu] /ˈbreɪkθruː/ (ame, ipa) · [brˈekθrˌu] /ˈbrāk-ˌthrü/ (ame, mw) · /ˈbreɪk.θruː/ (bre, ipa) · [brˈekθrˌu] /ˈbreɪk.θruː/ (ame, ipa)
breakthrough — 名詞
- breakthroughsingular
- breakthroughsplural
1. A sudden and significant step forward in knowledge, technology, or problem-solvi
重大突破
解決難題的關鍵進展
A sudden and significant step forward in knowledge, technology, or problem-solving — such as a medical cure that finally works after years of failed attempts, or a new engineering method that removes a long-held limit.
The new cancer drug was a major breakthrough that saved thousands of lives.
這種新的癌症藥物是一項重大突破，拯救了數千條生命。
major breakthrough — adjective + noun collocation for significant advances
Scientists in Osaka described the discovery as a breakthrough in renewable energy storage.
大阪的科學家稱這項發現為可再生能源儲存領域的重大突破。
After years of research, Quan's team achieved a breakthrough in artificial intelligence for medical diagnosis.
經過多年研究，Quan 的團隊在人工智慧醫療診斷方面取得了重大突破。
The peace treaty was seen as a real breakthrough after decades of conflict between the two countries.
這項和平條約在兩國數十年的衝突之後被視為真正的突破。
- discovery
broader — any new finding, not necessarily solving a major problem
- advance
slightly less dramatic than breakthrough; steady forward movement
- innovation
focuses on a new method or product rather than a sudden solving of a problem
用法筆記
Countable noun. Often used with the verbs 'make' or 'achieve' and the adjective 'major'. This sense does NOT refer to physically breaking through a barrier — see noun sense 2 for that meaning.
常見錯誤
2. An act of forcing a way through a physical barrier or defensive line, especially
突破防線
強行穿過障礙或防線
An act of forcing a way through a physical barrier or defensive line, especially in combat — such as soldiers breaking through an enemy wall or a team cutting through a sealed door during a rescue operation.
The tank division achieved a breakthrough of the enemy's front line at dawn.
坦克師在黎明時突破了敵軍的前線防禦。
breakthrough of [barrier] — reveals the preposition pattern for the barrier sense
Rescue workers made a breakthrough through the collapsed tunnel wall to reach the trapped miners.
救援人員穿過了坍塌的隧道牆壁，成功接觸到受困的礦工。
History books describe the Normandy invasion as the breakthrough that turned the war.
歷史書將諾曼第登陸描述為扭轉戰局的關鍵突破。
The sappers created a breakthrough in the barbed-wire fence so the infantry could advance.
工兵在鐵絲網中開出了一條通路，讓步兵能夠前進。
- breach
emphasizes the gap opened; used in both military and literal barrier contexts
- penetration
more technical; focuses on the action of getting through rather than the result
- incursion
a hostile entry into a territory, not necessarily breaking through a specific barrier
用法筆記
Countable noun. Frequently followed by 'of' + the barrier or 'through' + the obstacle. Distinguish from noun sense 1: sense 1 is about discovery and problem-solving; sense 2 is about physically moving through or past something solid.
breakthrough — 形容詞
- breakthroughpositive
- more breakthroughcomparative
- most breakthroughsuperlative
1. Describing something that creates or represents a major change in a field, becau
突破性的
具有重大影響或開創意義的
Describing something that creates or represents a major change in a field, because it overcomes a long-standing difficulty or achieves something that was not possible before — used especially of products, discoveries, performances, or moments that set a new standard.
The company launched a breakthrough product that changed how people communicate online.
這間公司推出了一款突破性產品，改變了人們線上溝通的方式。
breakthrough product — most common adjective + noun pair
Maeve gave a breakthrough performance in the film, earning praise from critics everywhere.
Maeve 在片中的表現是一大突破，贏得了各地影評人的讚譽。
This breakthrough treatment offers hope to patients who had no other options.
這種突破性療法為別無選擇的病患帶來了希望。
The school's breakthrough approach to teaching reading raised test scores across all grade levels.
該校突破性的閱讀教學方法提高了所有年級的測驗成績。
- revolutionary
stronger — implies a complete change in how things are done
- pioneering
emphasizes being the first to do something
- groundbreaking
very close in meaning; slightly more common in academic contexts
- minor
small in importance or effect
- incremental
describes small, gradual change rather than a big leap
用法筆記
Attributive only — always used directly before a noun (e.g. 'a breakthrough idea', NOT 'the idea is breakthrough'). Distinguish from the noun: the adjective describes the noun it modifies, while the noun 'breakthrough' names the advance itself. Common in news headlines and marketing language.