chiefly
/ˈtʃiːfli/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈtʃiːfli/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈchē-flē/ (ame, mw)
chiefly — 副詞
1. used to say that something is more important than the rest, or makes up the larg
主要；大半
表示最重要部分，或佔整體大多數
used to say that something is more important than the rest, or makes up the larger part of a whole
The museum is chiefly known for its large collection of stone tools.
這間博物館主要以大量石器收藏聞名。
be chiefly known for [feature]
Liam visits the library chiefly to study before his evening shift.
Liam 去圖書館主要是為了在晚班前讀書。
chiefly to + verb
The soup is made chiefly from tomatoes, beans, and fresh herbs.
這鍋湯大半是用番茄、豆子和新鮮香草做成的。
Our questions were chiefly about bus fares and the train schedule.
我們的問題主要和公車票價及火車時刻表有關。
Aoi works chiefly with older patients at the small town clinic.
Aoi 在這間小鎮診所主要照顧年紀較大的病人。
- mainly
the most neutral everyday choice
- primarily
often stresses importance or purpose more clearly
- mostly
more often focuses on quantity or proportion
- predominantly
more formal and suggests stronger dominance
文法句型
be chiefly known for + noun
verb + chiefly + prepositional phrase
be made chiefly from + noun
用法筆記
Common in both speech and writing. It often points to the main reason, topic, group, or material, and usually sits before the phrase it emphasizes.
常見錯誤
chiefly — 形容詞
- chieflypositive
- chiefliercomparative
- chiefliestsuperlative
1. connected with a chief or with the position that a chief holds
酋長的
和酋長身分、職責或家族有關
connected with a chief or with the position that a chief holds
The chiefly duties included settling disputes and welcoming visiting elders.
這些酋長的職責包括調解紛爭並迎接來訪的長者。
chiefly + noun in historical writing
The carved staff was a chiefly symbol in the island community.
那根雕刻手杖在這個島上社群中是酋長的象徵。
a chiefly symbol
Only chiefly families could enter the inner courtyard during the ceremony.
典禮期間，只有酋長家族的人可以進入內院。
Their marriage linked two chiefly houses on the coast.
這樁婚事把沿海兩個酋長家族連結了起來。
- chieftainly
rare and literary; very close in meaning
- tribal
broader; relates to a tribe in general, not specifically its chief
文法句型
chiefly + noun
用法筆記
This sense is rare and appears mostly in historical or anthropological writing. It is used before a noun to describe status, property, or customs connected with a chief.