carve

/kɑːv/ (bre, ipa) · /kɑːrv/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈkärv/ (ame, mw)

carve — 動詞

1. to use a sharp tool such as a knife or chisel to make a shape, pattern, or objec

1.動詞及物 / 不及物C2
釋義

雕刻；雕

在硬材上刻出形狀或圖案

to use a sharp tool such as a knife or chisel to make a shape, pattern, or object by removing material from a firm substance like wood, stone, or bone.

例句

Priya spent the afternoon carving a small elephant out of pine wood.

Priya 花了一下午時間，用一塊松木雕刻出一隻小象。

carve + object + out of + material

The artisan carved intricate flowers along the edge of the old oak door.

工匠在舊橡木門的邊緣刻上了精緻的花朵圖案。

carve + object + prepositional phrase of location

同義詞
  • sculpt

    more specific to stone, metal, or clay; often implies shaping by adding and removing

  • engrave

    cuts lines or letters into a flat surface; shallower than carving

  • chisel

    names the tool used; suggests heavier or rougher cutting

文法句型

carve + object (material or shape)

carve + into/from/out of + material

用法筆記

Frequently used with prepositions showing the source material: 'carve from/out of' (material) or 'carve into' (surface). The object can be either the material itself ('carve wood') or the resulting shape ('carve a statue').

常見錯誤

❌He carved the meat into a small wooden toy.
✅He carved a small wooden toy out of the piece of pine.
💡'carve' for woodcraft takes the finished object as direct object, not the source material.

2. to separate cooked meat into thin, flat portions using a long knife, typically a

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

切片；切

將熟肉切成薄片

to separate cooked meat into thin, flat portions using a long knife, typically at a dining table so people can take the pieces they want to eat.

例句

Uncle Yusuf carved the roast turkey at the dinner table while everyone watched.

Yusuf 叔叔在晚餐桌上切烤火雞，大家都看著他。

carve + specific meat for serving

The chef carved thin slices of lamb and placed them neatly on each plate.

主廚將羊肉切成薄片，整齊地擺在每個盤子上。

carve + slices of + meat

同義詞
  • slice

    more general; works for bread, cake, fruit; less associated with formal meat-serving

  • cut up

    less precise; the pieces are not necessarily thin slices

文法句型

carve + meat noun

用法筆記

Unlike sense 1, this sense only applies to cooked meat and is almost always transitive. The object is the whole piece of meat (turkey, ham, chicken, roast), not the resulting slices.

常見錯誤

❌She carved the raw chicken before cooking it.
✅She carved the roast chicken after taking it out of the oven.
💡This sense only applies to cooked meat prepared for serving.

3. to achieve or create something valuable, such as a career, reputation, or role,

3.動詞及物C1
釋義

開創；謀得

努力開創事業或名聲

to achieve or create something valuable, such as a career, reputation, or role, through sustained effort and determination — for example, an artist carving a name for herself in a competitive industry.

例句

Diego carved a successful career in journalism after years of reporting from conflict zones.

Diego 在衝突地區報導多年後，為自己在新聞界開創了成功的事業。

carve + a career in [field]

The young designer carved a niche for herself in sustainable fashion by using recycled materials.

這位年輕設計師利用回收材料，在永續時尚領域為自己開創了一片天地。

carve + a niche for oneself

同義詞
  • create

    less emphatic; lacks the connotation of struggle and effort

  • forge

    similar register; emphasises shaping against resistance

  • build

    broader and more neutral; lacks the 'cutting through obstacles' imagery

文法句型

carve + object (reputation/career/niche) + (for yourself)

用法筆記

No passive form exists for this sense. The object is typically an abstract noun like career, reputation, niche, name, or place. Frequently followed by 'for yourself' or 'for herself/himself' to emphasise personal effort. The sense carries a connotation of overcoming obstacles.

常見錯誤

❌He was carved a career in finance.
✅He carved a career for himself in finance.
💡This sense is never passive; use the active form with 'for himself/herself/themselves.'