church
[tʃˈɚtʃ] /ˈchərch/ (ame, mw) · /tʃɜːtʃ/ (bre, ipa) · [tʃˈɚtʃ] /tʃɜːrtʃ/ (ame, ipa)
church — 形容詞
- churchpositive
- churchercomparative
- churchestsuperlative
1. connected with a church building or a church organization — used before a noun t
教會的
與教堂或教會組織有關的
connected with a church building or a church organization — used before a noun to describe something that belongs to or is part of a church
The choir sang beautiful church music during the Easter service.
復活節禮拜中，詩班唱出了優美的教會音樂。
church + noun: church music
Noor admired the old church architecture while walking through the village.
Noor 走過村莊時，欣賞了古老的教堂建築。
Church law forbids the marriage of close relatives in many denominations.
許多教派的教會法禁止近親通婚。
There was a heated debate about church politics at the regional meeting.
在區域會議上，教會政治引發了激烈的辯論。
Xiu helped organize the church garden sale to raise money for new benches.
Xiu 協助籌辦教會園藝義賣，為添購新長椅募款。
- ecclesiastical
more formal; used in official writing about church structure or doctrine
- secular
not connected with religion or the church
文法句型
church + noun
2. related to the officially recognized state church in a country, especially the C
國教會的
與官方認可的國教有關的
related to the officially recognized state church in a country, especially the Church of England
Church courts in England once had authority over marriage and inheritance cases.
英國的教會法庭曾負責審理婚姻與繼承案件。
church + noun: church courts
Zola wrote a detailed essay on church governance in Tudor England.
Zola 寫了一篇關於都鐸時期英格蘭教會治理的詳細論文。
The church hierarchy opposed the new law on religious education.
教會當局反對這項新的宗教教育法案。
Bishops hold authority over church property under the established system.
根據國教制度，主教掌管教會財產。
Parish records from the church register date back to the seventeenth century.
教會登記簿上的堂區記錄可追溯至十七世紀。
- ecclesiastical
formal; used for the institutional or official church
- civil
relating to the state rather than the established church
文法句型
church + noun
用法筆記
Frequently used before nouns that describe legal, political, or administrative matters (courts, property, hierarchy). This sense is more formal than sense 1.
常見錯誤
church — 名詞
- churchsingular
- churchesplural
1. a place of worship where Christians meet to pray, sing, and hold religious cerem
教堂
基督徒進行禮拜的建築物
a place of worship where Christians meet to pray, sing, and hold religious ceremonies
The old stone church stood on the hilltop for over three hundred years.
那座古老的石造教堂矗立在山頂上已有三百多年。
Maeve walked past the church every morning on her way to school.
Maeve 每天早上上學途中都會經過那座教堂。
There is a small wooden church in the village with beautiful painted windows.
村子裡有一座小小的木造教堂，窗戶上畫著美麗的彩繪。
The church bells rang loudly to announce the start of the wedding.
教堂的鐘聲響亮地響起，宣布婚禮即將開始。
Volunteers cleaned the church from floor to ceiling before the Christmas service.
在聖誕禮拜之前，志工們把教堂從地板到天花板徹底打掃了一遍。
文法句型
the + church
a + church
用法筆記
When used with no article ('go to church', 'at church'), this sense overlaps with sense 3 (SERVICE) — the building and the event are understood together.
常見錯誤
2. a particular Christian group with its own name, teachings, and leadership struct
教派；宗派
有獨特名稱與教義的基督教團體
a particular Christian group with its own name, teachings, and leadership structure — for example, the Catholic Church or the Methodist Church
The Anglican Church has millions of members in countries around the world.
英國聖公會在全世界有數百萬信徒。
the + proper name + Church
Kabir is studying the differences between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church.
Kabir 正在研究東正教會與羅馬天主教會之間的差異。
Each church in the Protestant tradition ordains its own ministers.
新教傳統中的每個教派都會自行按立牧師。
The Presbyterian Church split into two branches over the issue in the nineteenth century.
長老教會在十九世紀因該議題分裂成兩個分支。
Lauren's family belongs to the Baptist Church, while her neighbours attend the local Methodist Church.
Lauren 的家人屬於浸信會，而她的鄰居參加當地的衛理公會。
- denomination
a more general and neutral term for any named religious group within Christianity
- communion
formal; describes churches that share the same beliefs and recognize each other's leaders
文法句型
the + proper name + Church
用法筆記
Always preceded by 'the' when referring to a specific denomination by name ('the Catholic Church'). Also used without capitalisation for churches in general ('which church do you belong to?').
3. a religious ceremony held in a church building, usually on Sunday, that includes
禮拜
在教堂舉行的宗教聚會
a religious ceremony held in a church building, usually on Sunday, that includes prayers, songs, and a sermon
Eitan goes to church every Sunday morning with his grandmother.
Eitan 每週日早上都和祖母去教堂做禮拜。
go to church (no article)
We met at church and walked home together after the service ended.
我們在教堂相遇，禮拜結束後一起走回家。
The children sat quietly through church even though they were bored.
孩子們雖然覺得無聊，但在禮拜過程中仍安靜地坐著。
Henrik usually reads the newspaper after church on Sunday afternoons.
Henrik 通常在週日下午做完禮拜後看報紙。
The early church service draws a smaller crowd than the main one at ten.
清晨的教堂禮拜參加人數比十點的主堂禮拜少。
文法句型
go to church
at church
after church
用法筆記
In this sense the word is typically used without an article or determiner ('at church', 'after church'). When an article is added ('the church service'), the meaning shifts toward the specific event rather than the general practice.
常見錯誤
4. the Christian religion viewed as a single organized body with its leaders, follo
基督教會
基督教作為整體組織
the Christian religion viewed as a single organized body with its leaders, followers, and traditions across the world
The Church has always placed great importance on charity and helping the poor.
基督教會一向極為重視慈善與幫助窮人。
the Church as institution
Throughout history the Church has both influenced and been shaped by political events.
在歷史上，基督教會既影響了政治事件，也受到政治事件的形塑。
Rodrigo's thesis examines the relationship between the early Church and the Roman Empire.
Rodrigo 的論文探討了早期基督教會與羅馬帝國的關係。
The Church teaches that all people are equal in the eyes of God.
基督教會教導說，在上帝眼中人人平等。
Many reformers argued that the Church had become too focused on wealth and power.
許多改革者認為基督教會變得過於注重財富與權力。
- Christendom
archaic or literary; refers to the worldwide body of Christians and historically Christian countries
- the body of Christ
theological term found in Christian scripture; describes all believers as one spiritual body
文法句型
the Church
the + adjective + Church
用法筆記
Usually capitalised as 'the Church' when referring to the universal Christian institution. Distinguish from sense 2 (DENOMINATION), which names a specific group — here the reference is to the whole of Christianity across denominations.
5. the group of people who are officially appointed as ministers, priests, and othe
神職人員
教會內被任命的領袖群體
the group of people who are officially appointed as ministers, priests, and other leaders within a Christian organization
The church issued a statement on poverty signed by all the local priests.
教會發表了一份關於貧窮問題的聲明，由當地所有神父簽署。
the church as collective body of clergy
The church has spoken out against injustice many times throughout the decades.
幾十年來，教會多次公開反對不公義。
The church appointed Isabela as the new pastor for the northern parish.
教會任命 Isabela 為北部堂區的新任牧師。
The church decided to open a new community centre for local young people.
教會決定為本地年輕人開設一間新的社區中心。
When the bishop retired, the church appointed a temporary leader from a neighbouring diocese.
主教退休後，教會從鄰近教區任命了一位臨時領袖。
- clergy
the most direct synonym; refers to people ordained for religious duties
- priesthood
more specific; refers to priests collectively, especially in Catholic and Orthodox traditions
- laity
church members who are not clergy
文法句型
the church + singular/plural verb
用法筆記
In this sense 'the church' refers to the clergy as a collective body making decisions (compare 'the church decided', 'the church issued'). It can take a singular or plural verb depending on whether the group is seen as a unit or as individuals.
6. the people who regularly come together for worship at a specific church
會眾
定期參加某教堂禮拜的一群人
the people who regularly come together for worship at a specific church
The whole church sang the hymn together with great energy and joy.
全體會眾滿懷活力與喜樂地唱起了聖詩。
The church voted to install a new heating system before the winter.
會眾投票決定在冬天來臨前安裝新的暖氣系統。
the church as congregation votes/decides
Bao invited the entire church to a picnic in the park after the Sunday service.
Bao 邀請全體會眾在週日禮拜後到公園野餐。
The church welcomes everyone regardless of age, background, or experience.
這間教會歡迎每一個人，無論年齡、背景或經歷。
Half the church stayed after the ceremony to help pack away the chairs and flowers.
一半的會眾在儀式結束後留下來幫忙收拾椅子和花飾。
- congregation
the most direct synonym; refers to the assembled group of worshippers
- flock
literary or biblical; emphasises the pastor's role as shepherd of the congregation
文法句型
the church + singular/plural verb
用法筆記
When 'the church' refers to people rather than a building or institution, the verb often describes collective actions (voted, welcomed, sang). This sense may overlap with sense 3 (SERVICE) — when people act together during worship, both meanings are in play.
常見錯誤
church — 動詞
- churchpresent simple I / you / we / they
- churches3rd person singular
- churching-ing form
- churchedpast simple
1. to bring someone to a church building so that a formal religious ceremony can be
接受教堂儀式
帶某人到教堂接受宗教儀式
to bring someone to a church building so that a formal religious ceremony can be performed for them — for example, a blessing after childbirth, a baptism, or a marriage blessing
In medieval England women were traditionally churched forty days after giving birth.
在中世紀的英格蘭，婦女通常在產後四十天接受教堂儀式。
passive: be churched
Parish records show the infant was churched on the first Sunday of May.
老舊的堂區記錄顯示，該嬰兒在五月第一個星期日接受了教堂儀式。
The priest churched the couple in a quiet ceremony long after their civil wedding.
神父在民事婚禮之後很久，為這對夫婦舉行了一場安靜的教會儀式。
Piotr found a note saying his great-grandmother had been churched as a baby.
Piotr 發現一則筆記，提到他的曾祖母小時候曾接受過教堂儀式。
文法句型
church + object
be churched
用法筆記
This sense is now very rare in everyday English. You are most likely to encounter it in historical writing, parish records, or old literature. The most common collocation is 'to be churched', referring to the traditional ceremony of 'churching' women after childbirth.