characterise
characterise — 動詞
1. If a quality or feature is a very typical part of a person, place, or thing, tha
特徵；典型
成為…的典型特徵
If a quality or feature is a very typical part of a person, place, or thing, that quality characterises them — so much so that you use that quality to recognise or describe the person, place, or thing. For example, a dry climate characterises northern Mexico, or a calm manner characterises an experienced teacher.
The dry, dusty climate that characterises northern Mexico makes the landscape very different from the tropical south.
乾燥多塵的氣候是墨西哥北部的典型特徵，使其景觀與熱帶南部截然不同。
something + characterises + place
A quiet, patient approach characterised Élise's work as a nurse in the busy hospital.
耐心而沉穩的態度是Élise在繁忙醫院從事護理工作的特色。
noun phrase + characterises + possessive noun
The old town is characterised by narrow cobbled streets and stone bridges that date back to the 14th century.
這座古城以狹窄的鵝卵石街道和可追溯至14世紀的石橋為特色。
A strong sense of loyalty and mutual help characterises the community where Ramón spent his childhood.
強烈的忠誠感和互助精神是Ramón成長的那個社區的特色。
- typify
more informal and slightly less common; suggests an example that perfectly represents a group ('His behaviour typifies the attitude of his generation.')
- distinguish
emphasises what makes someone or something different from others ('The tall tower distinguishes the village from miles away.')
- mark
suggests a clear, visible feature that sets something apart ('A love of tradition marks this community.')
文法句型
something + characterise(s) + something
something + be characterised + by + something
用法筆記
Most commonly used in the active pattern [quality + characterise + entity] or the passive [entity + be characterised + by + quality]. The passive is especially frequent in academic and descriptive writing, where the focus is on the entity being described rather than on the quality itself.
常見錯誤
2. To describe someone or something by stating their most important qualities or fe
描繪；描述
描述主要特質或特徵
To describe someone or something by stating their most important qualities or features — especially when you judge them or fit them into a particular category. For example, a historian might characterise a period as a time of progress, or a critic might characterise a film as a masterpiece of modern cinema.
In her report, Mayumi characterised the new housing policy as creative but impossible to fund.
Mayumi在報告中將這項新住房政策描述為富有創意但資金不足。
characterise + noun + as + adjective
The historian Baraka characterised the 1920s as a decade of both great freedom and deep inequality.
歷史學家Baraka將1920年代描述為一個既充滿自由又深陷不平等的十年。
characterise + period + as + noun phrase
Museum curators struggled to characterise Ilan's early paintings as either Impressionist or Expressionist.
博物館策展人難以將Ilan的早期畫作簡單歸類為印象派或表現派。
Critics have characterised Darius's new film as a bold mix of comedy and political drama.
影評人將Darius的新片形容為喜劇與政治劇的大膽融合。
The novelist characterised the main figure in her story as a stubborn but kind-hearted old fisherman.
這位小說家將故事中的主角描寫為一位固執但心地善良的老漁夫。
- describe
more general; describes any kind of detail, not only the most important qualities ('He described his trip to Japan in detail.')
- portray
common in literary and artistic contexts; suggests a visual or creative representation ('The film portrays her as a brave pioneer.')
- define
suggests setting clear boundaries or limits around a concept ('The dictionary defines 'courage' as the ability to face danger.')
- depict
often used for visual art or written description that creates a vivid picture ('The novel depicts life in Victorian London.')
文法句型
characterise + noun + as + noun/adjective
it is + adj + to characterise + noun
用法筆記
The most common structure is [verb + object + as + complement]. The complement can be an adjective phrase ('as unfair'), a noun phrase ('as a masterpiece'), or a participial phrase ('as being outdated'). This sense is distinct from sense 1: in sense 2, a person actively describes something; in sense 1, a quality naturally belongs to something.