capitalize

/ˈkæpɪtəlaɪz/ (bre, ipa) · [kˈæpətəlˌaɪz] /ˈkæpɪtəlaɪz/ (ame, ipa) · [kˈæpətəlˌaɪz] /ˈka-pə-tə-ˌlīz How to pronounce capitalize (audio) ˈkap-tə-/ (ame, mw)

capitalize — 動詞

  • capitalizepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • capitalizeshe / she / it
  • capitalizedpast simple
  • capitalizing-ing form

1. to change a letter or word from lowercase to capital form, especially at the beg

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

大寫

把字母或字詞寫成大寫形式

to change a letter or word from lowercase to capital form, especially at the beginning of a name or sentence.

例句

Please capitalize Monday and the names of months in your report.

請在報告裡把 Monday 和月份名稱大寫。

capitalize + names that require capitals

Nora forgot to capitalize the first word after the full stop.

Nora 忘了把句點後的第一個字母大寫。

capitalize + the first word

同義詞
反義詞
  • lowercase

    to write letters in small form rather than capitals

文法句型

capitalize + noun phrase

capitalize + the first letter of + noun phrase

用法筆記

Usually takes the letter, word, or title being changed as its object. In writing rules, it often appears in directions such as 'capitalize proper nouns' or 'capitalize the first word'.

2. to put money into a company or project so it has enough funds to keep operating

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

注資

提供企業營運或成長所需資金

to put money into a company or project so it has enough funds to keep operating or expand.

例句

The founders capitalized the startup with savings from three relatives.

創辦人用三位親戚存下的錢替新創公司注資。

capitalize + business + with + source of money

A local bank agreed to capitalize the clinic during its first year.

一家地方銀行同意在診所的第一年替它注資。

同義詞
  • fund

    broad everyday verb for providing money

  • finance

    slightly more formal, often for large projects

  • bankroll

    informal, often suggests backing from one source

反義詞
  • defund

    to remove financial support rather than provide it

  • underfund

    to give too little money for proper operation

文法句型

capitalize + company/project

capitalize + business + with + money/source

用法筆記

The object is usually a business, project, or institution that needs money, not a person. This sense often appears with investors, banks, founders, or owners as the subject.

3. to use a chance, strength, or change in conditions in a way that brings you an a

3.動詞不及物C1
釋義

善用

利用機會或條件為自己取得好處

to use a chance, strength, or change in conditions in a way that brings you an advantage, often in the phrase capitalize on.

例句

Hiro capitalized on the crowded station by opening his coffee cart early.

Hiro 善用車站人潮擁擠的時段，提早開了咖啡攤。

capitalize on + situation

The team capitalized on two defensive errors and won by three goals.

球隊善用對方兩次防守失誤，最後贏了三球。

同義詞
  • leverage

    common in business language, with a strategic tone

  • make use of

    broader and more neutral in tone

  • cash in on

    informal, often suggests quick profit

  • exploit

    can sound negative or unfair

反義詞
  • waste

    to fail to use an opportunity well

  • miss

    to let a useful chance pass by

文法句型

capitalize on + noun phrase

用法筆記

Usually followed by 'on' plus the opportunity, weakness, demand, or skill being used. Distinguish from sense 2: here you gain from a situation, rather than supply money to a business.

常見錯誤

❌The team capitalized the other side's error.
✅The team capitalized on the other side's error.
💡this sense normally needs 'on' before the thing you use to your advantage.

4. to turn assets, profits, or reserve funds you already own into capital or ready

4.動詞及物C2
釋義

資本化；變現

把既有資產或準備金轉成資本或現金

to turn assets, profits, or reserve funds you already own into capital or ready cash.

例句

After the merger, the company capitalized part of its cash reserve.

併購後，公司把部分現金準備金資本化。

capitalize + reserve fund

The board capitalized last year's profit to support the new plant.

董事會把去年的部分利潤資本化，用來支援新廠。

同義詞
  • monetize

    modern business verb for turning an asset into money

  • convert

    neutral and broad, but less specific about finance

  • liquidate

    stronger word, often suggests selling assets off

文法句型

capitalize + assets/profits/reserves

用法筆記

This sense is used in finance or accounting contexts. The object is usually reserves, profits, land, or other assets the owner already has, not a company receiving fresh outside money as in sense 2.