care
care — 動詞
1. to feel that someone or something matters to you, so that you take an interest i
在乎；關心
覺得重要而在意
to feel that someone or something matters to you, so that you take an interest in their wellbeing or feel concerned about what happens to them.
Adina only cares about football and never talks about anything else.
Adina 只在乎足球，從不聊別的話題。
care about + noun (object of interest)
The team leader showed she truly cared by asking about everyone's weekend.
團隊主管關心每位組員的週末生活，顯示她是真心在乎。
care (intransitive) showing concern through actions
Does the government really care what happens to young people in rural areas?
政府真的在乎偏鄉年輕人的遭遇嗎？
Baraka cares deeply about the environment and cycles to work every day.
Baraka 非常關心環境，每天都騎腳踏車上班。
Lien used to care what others thought, but now she just does what makes her happy.
Lien 以前很在意別人的看法，但現在她只做讓自己開心的事。
- mind
used in questions and negatives; 'Do you mind?' focuses on being bothered rather than interested
- be concerned about
more formal; suggests worry rather than general interest
- give a damn
very informal; strong emotional investment, almost always in negative statements
文法句型
care about + noun/gerund
care + question word (what/whether/how)
用法筆記
In affirmative sentences, this sense usually takes a modifier like 'deeply', 'truly', or 'a lot'. The bare phrase 'I care' on its own can sound vague or poetic without additional context.
常見錯誤
2. to say in a blunt or impolite way that a person or thing does not matter to you
不在乎
粗魯表示毫不關心
to say in a blunt or impolite way that a person or thing does not matter to you at all and you refuse to be concerned about them.
"Your brother is crying in his room," Madison said. "I don't care — he started the fight."
Madison 說：「你弟弟在房間裡哭。」「我才不在乎——是他先動手的。」
fixed dismissive phrase: I don't care
Kabir told his landlord he did not care about the noise complaint and refused to stop drumming.
Kabir 告訴房東他不在乎噪音投訴，而且拒絕停止打鼓。
don't care about + noun (target of dismissal)
The manager made it clear she did not care that five staff had resigned that month.
主管清楚地表示她不在乎那個月有五名員工辭職。
"She is not coming to your party," Kasia said. "I do not care whether she shows up or not."
Kasia 說：「她不來你的派對了。」「我才不管她來不來。」
- could not care less
stronger and more emphatic than 'don't care'
- not give a damn
very informal and can be offensive
文法句型
do not care about + noun/gerund
do not care + that-clause
do not care + question word
用法筆記
Always used in negative form ('don't care', 'doesn't care', 'didn't care'). The affirmative 'I care' in this rude sense is not used — the dismissive force comes entirely from the negation.
常見錯誤
3. to express that another person's choices or activities are none of your concern
不管
不在乎他人做什麼
to express that another person's choices or activities are none of your concern and you are not bothered by what they do.
Xiu shrugged and said she did not care what her roommate did after midnight.
Xiu 聳聳肩，說她不在乎室友半夜做什麼。
don't care what + clause (another's actions)
If Karim wants to drop out of college, his parents say they do not care what he decides.
如果 Karim 想輟學，他父母說他們不管他做什麼決定。
don't care what + clause (life choices)
"Do whatever you like — I honestly do not care what you decide," Maeve told her brother.
Maeve 對弟弟說：「你想怎樣就怎樣——我真的不在乎你決定什麼。」
The boss did not care how the team finished the report, only that it was done.
主管不在乎團隊怎麼完成報告，只要求報告有交出來就好。
- not mind
less dismissive and more neutral; 'I don't mind what you do' is calmer than 'I don't care'
文法句型
do not care + question word (what/how/whether) + clause
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2 (RUDE DISMISSAL): sense 2 targets a person or thing directly ('I don't care about him'), while this sense targets the specific actions or choices of another person ('I don't care what he does').
4. to indicate that something which already took place or was said does not affect
不在意
對已發生的事無所謂
to indicate that something which already took place or was said does not affect you and you have no interest in discussing it further.
Anjali said she did not care what happened at last week's meeting because she was leaving the company.
Anjali 說她不在意上週會議發生了什麼事，因為她就要離職了。
don't care what happened (past event dismissed)
"I do not care who spread that rumour about me," Antonia told her friends with a wave of her hand.
Antonia 對朋友揮揮手說：「我不在意是誰散布了那個謠言。」
don't care who + past action (speech dismissed)
"I do not care what the critics wrote about my novel," the author said with a shrug.
作者聳聳肩說：「我不在意評論家怎麼評論我的小說。」
The customer did not care how the error had occurred; he just wanted a full refund.
顧客不在意錯誤是怎麼發生的；他只想要全額退款。
- be past caring
suggests the person cared before but has stopped; 'I'm past caring what she said'
文法句型
do not care + question word (what/who/how) + clause (referring to past)
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 3 (OTHERS' ACTIONS): sense 3 looks forward to what someone might do, while this sense looks backward at what has already happened or been said. The clause often uses past tense.
5. to dismiss a matter as having so little value or significance that it is not eve
無所謂
認為某事毫無價值
to dismiss a matter as having so little value or significance that it is not even worth your attention or concern.
"I could not care less about which phone brand you prefer," Vikram said with a yawn.
Vikram 打著哈欠說：「我無所謂你偏好哪個手機品牌。」
could not care less + about (emphatic dismissal)
Antonia told her classmates she could not care less who won the student election.
Antonia 告訴同學她一點也不在乎誰贏了學生會選舉。
could not care less + question word
"Who cares what colour we paint the living room? We need to fix the leaky roof first," said the homeowner.
屋主說：「誰在乎客廳漆什麼顏色？我們得先修好漏水的屋頂。」
The teenager told his parents he could not care less about the curfew and would come home when he wanted.
青少年告訴父母，他完全不在乎宵禁，想幾點回家就幾點回家。
- could not care less
the strongest common expression of dismissal; implies zero caring
- not give a hoot
informal, slightly humorous dismissal
文法句型
could not care less + about/question word
who cares (rhetorical question)
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2 (RUDE DISMISSAL): sense 2 rejects a person or thing with blunt hostility, while this sense reduces the matter to something trivial — the tone is more of contemptuous indifference than active rudeness. 'Could not care less' and the rhetorical 'Who cares?' are the most common structures.
常見錯誤
6. to politely ask someone if they would like something or if they wish to do somet
想要
禮貌邀請或提供
to politely ask someone if they would like something or if they wish to do something, used especially in formal situations and service contexts.
Would you care to join us for dinner next Saturday, Professor Otis?
Otis 教授，您願意下週六和我們一起共進晚餐嗎？
would you care + to-infinitive (polite invitation)
If you would care to follow me, I will show you to your table.
如果您願意跟我來，我帶您入座。
if you would care + to-infinitive (offering service)
The waiter asked if the guests would care for some wine before the main course.
服務生詢問客人是否想在主菜前喝點酒。
Would anyone here care to share their thoughts on the new office layout?
在座有人想要分享對新辦公室規劃的看法嗎？
- would like
more common and neutral; 'Would you like some tea?' covers the same polite offer
- want
more direct and less formal; 'Do you want to come?' is not as polite
文法句型
would you care + to-infinitive
if you would care + to-infinitive
would you care for + noun
用法筆記
Almost always appears in the conditional form 'would care' (not 'do care'). This sense is more common in British English than American English. In casual conversation, 'Would you like…?' or 'Do you want…?' replaces it.
常見錯誤
care — 名詞
1. the work of looking after someone's health, safety, and general well-being, espe
照顧
保護並滿足他人需求的過程
the work of looking after someone's health, safety, and general well-being, especially for people who cannot fully manage on their own.
Soraya took her grandfather to the clinic for medical care after his fall.
Soraya 帶祖父去診所，接受跌倒後的醫療照顧。
collocation: medical care / health care
The nursing home provides round-the-clock care for elderly residents who live alone.
這間安養院為獨居的年長居民提供全天候的照顧。
Parents are responsible for the care of their young children until they grow up.
父母有責任照顧年幼的子女，直到他們長大成人。
A mobile dental van offers free care to people who cannot easily reach a dentist.
一輛行動牙科廂型車為不便前往牙醫診所的人提供免費的照護。
The hospital expanded its intensive care unit after the winter flu outbreak.
該醫院在冬季流感爆發後擴大了加護病房的規模。
- attendance
formal, used mainly of medical or official service
- tending
more physical, often used for plants or animals
- supervision
focuses on watching over, not providing direct help
- neglect
failure to look after someone properly
用法筆記
Often combined with a preceding noun or adjective that specifies the type of need — medical care, dental care, child care, intensive care, etc.
常見錯誤
2. used as the second part of a compound noun to name a service that looks after pe
照護
用於複合詞中，指特定照護服務
used as the second part of a compound noun to name a service that looks after people's health, children, teeth, skin, or other needs.
The government spent more on healthcare last year than on road building.
去年政府在醫療保健上的支出比道路建設還多。
compound: healthcare
Reuben found a well-run childcare centre close to the train station.
Reuben 在火車站附近找到了一間管理良好的托兒中心。
compound: childcare
Many older people now rely on homecare services to stay in their own houses.
現在許多老年人依靠居家照護服務才能繼續住在自己的房子裡。
The rising cost of elder care is a concern for families across the country.
日漸高漲的老年人照護費用是全國許多家庭關切的問題。
3. the quality of paying attention to what you are doing in order to avoid damage,
小心
避免物品受損或受傷的謹慎態度
the quality of paying attention to what you are doing in order to avoid damage, injury, or mistakes — for example, handling a glass object with care, or taking care when crossing a street.
The box was marked "Fragile — handle with care" in large red letters.
箱子上用紅色大字寫著「易碎品——小心搬運」。
phrase: handle with care
Felix painted the window frames with great care so the paint would not drip.
Felix 非常小心地油漆窗框，以免油漆滴落。
pattern: with [adjective] care
Mauricio took extra care when he carried the heavy tray across the room.
Mauricio 端著沉重的托盤穿過房間時格外小心。
Always use care when you cut vegetables with a sharp kitchen knife.
用鋒利的菜刀切菜時，永遠要小心。
A little extra care while driving in the rain can prevent a serious accident.
下雨天開車時多一份小心，就能避免一場嚴重事故。
- caution
slightly more formal; often used in warnings
- attention
broader; can refer to mental focus in any context
- carefulness
less common but direct synonym
- carelessness
lack of attention leading to mistakes
用法筆記
Frequently appears in the fixed phrases take care (to do something) and with care. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 3 is about avoiding harm in a specific action, while sense 1 is about ongoing provision of someone's needs.
常見錯誤
4. a situation in which a child is looked after by adults who are not their birth p
寄養
由政府安排的非親生家庭照顧
a situation in which a child is looked after by adults who are not their birth parents, arranged by a government or official social service.
Sivan and her husband decided to take two young siblings into care after the tragedy.
Sivan 和丈夫在那場悲劇後決定收養兩個年幼的兄弟。
phrase: take someone into care
The children were put into care when their parents became too ill.
那對父母病重之後，孩子們被交由社會機構安置。
phrase: put into care
Social workers found a home for the baby after six months in foster care.
社工人員為這個寄養六個月的嬰兒找到了一個家。
Darius grew up in care but still visited his biological grandmother every holiday.
Darius 在寄養家庭長大，但每個假期仍會去探望親生祖母。
- foster care
the most common specific term
- local authority care
formal British term
用法筆記
Commonly used in the fixed phrases in care, take into care, and put into care. This sense does not take an article: children in care (not in the care).
常見錯誤
5. an approach that lets people with mental health conditions or learning disabilit
社區照護
讓患者在自家接受照護的制度
an approach that lets people with mental health conditions or learning disabilities receive medical and daily support at home, instead of staying in hospital for long periods.
After ten years in hospital, Ari went home under a community care plan.
Ari 在醫院住了十年之後，依照社區照護計畫回到家中。
collocation: community care plan
Nurses visit patients at home each week as part of care in the community.
護理師每週到府訪視病患，這是社區照護的一部分。
phrase: care in the community
Many people with mild learning difficulties benefit from living independently with community care support.
許多有輕度學習障礙的人在接受社區照護支援下獨立生活，從中受益良多。
The council runs a community care scheme for older adults who need daily help at home.
市議會經營一項社區照護方案，為每天需要居家協助的老年人提供服務。
- domiciliary care
formal term for home-based care
- home care
broader; not specific to mental health
- institutional care
care provided in a hospital or residential facility
用法筆記
Chiefly British English. Care in the community is a specific policy term in the UK referring to deinstitutionalisation of mental health patients.
6. steady focus on every part of a task so that the work is done correctly and has
用心
對細節的專注與仔細
steady focus on every part of a task so that the work is done correctly and has good quality.
Hannah proofread the report with great care to catch every spelling mistake.
Hannah 非常用心地校對報告，找出每一個拼字錯誤。
pattern: with [adjective] care + infinitive purpose
Tamás listened with care to the instructions before starting the exam.
Tamás 專心地聽完考試說明之後才開始作答。
A good photographer takes care with lighting and composition in every shot.
好的攝影師在每一張照片的光線與構圖上都很用心。
The accountant checked the numbers with extreme care to ensure nothing was wrong.
會計師極其仔細地核對數字，以確保沒有任何錯誤。
Sofie arranged the flowers on the table with such care that each stem looked perfect.
Sofie 用心佈置桌上的花，每一枝莖葉都看起來完美無缺。
- thoroughness
focuses on covering all parts of a task
- diligence
suggests steady, earnest effort over time
- attention to detail
common phrase; more explicit about specifics
- negligence
formal; failure to give proper attention
- sloppiness
informal; careless, untidy work
7. the practice of being careful to avoid mistakes, damage, or danger while doing s
謹慎；小心
做事專注以避開錯誤或危險
the practice of being careful to avoid mistakes, damage, or danger while doing something.
Min handled the old ceramic bowl with great care, afraid it might crack.
Min 小心地捧著那個舊陶瓷碗，深怕它會裂開。
collocation: with care / with great care
Pedro told his daughter to take care when crossing the busy road near their school.
Pedro 告訴女兒過學校附近那條繁忙的馬路時要小心。
collocation: take care when + [action]
Sari packed the glass ornaments with extra care after the previous shipment was damaged.
上次寄送時玻璃飾品受損了，所以 Sari 這次格外小心地包裝。
A little more care when you type would prevent most of these spelling errors.
打字時多謹慎一點，就能避免大部份的拼字錯誤。
- caution
more formal; focuses on avoiding danger rather than mistakes
- attentiveness
more formal; emphasises focused observation
- circumspection
very formal; used in legal or formal writing
- carelessness
opposite quality; doing things without attention
- negligence
more formal; failing to take proper care
文法句型
care + noun (with care / take care)
用法筆記
This sense is uncountable and often appears in the fixed phrases 'with care', 'take care', and 'handle with care'.
常見錯誤
8. the act of handling a task, problem, or responsibility that needs attention or a
處理；負責
接手處理事務或問題
the act of handling a task, problem, or responsibility that needs attention or action.
Ryan said he would take care of booking the train tickets for their trip.
Ryan 說他會負責訂他們那趟旅行的火車票。
phrasal pattern: take care of + [task]
The manager asked a cleaner to take care of the mess after the office party.
經理請清潔人員處理辦公室派對後的髒亂。
Ife left the application forms for Talia to take care of while she was away.
Ife 把申請表留給 Talia，讓她在自己不在時處理。
Taking care of customer complaints is part of Asher's daily routine at the hotel.
處理顧客投訴是 Asher 在飯店日常工作的一部分。
- neglect
to fail to deal with something
文法句型
take care of + noun
用法筆記
This sense is almost always used in the fixed phrase 'take care of'. The object is typically a task, problem, bill, arrangement, or responsibility — not a person or animal.
常見錯誤
9. the state of being anxious or troubled about something that could go wrong; or a
憂慮；煩惱
對可能發生問題的憂心或負擔
the state of being anxious or troubled about something that could go wrong; or a specific problem that creates this kind of unease.
Shirin tried to hide the care in her voice while asking about the exam results.
Shirin 在問起考試成績時，試著隱藏語氣中的憂慮。
uncountable: care as a feeling of worry
The old farmer's face was deeply lined with care after many years of hard work.
那位老農夫的臉上因多年辛勞而刻滿了憂愁。
Caio shared his financial cares with a trusted friend who offered to help.
Caio 把自己的財務煩惱告訴了一位信任的朋友，對方主動提出幫忙。
Anthony spoke to a counsellor about the cares that had been troubling him for months.
Anthony 向輔導員傾訴了困擾他好幾個月的煩惱。
- peace of mind
opposite state; freedom from worry
- contentment
general satisfaction without troubling thoughts
用法筆記
This is a more formal or literary synonym for 'worry' or 'anxiety'. Uncountable use ('care' as a general feeling) is less common than countable use ('cares' as specific problems). Frequently appears in fixed expressions such as 'without a care in the world'.