civilization
/ˌsɪvəlaɪˈzeɪʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌsɪvələˈzeɪʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌsi-və-lə-ˈzā-shən/ (ame, mw)
civilization — 名詞
- civilizationsingular
- civilizationsplural
1. A stage of human development in which people live in organized communities with
文明
社會文化高度發展的人類社會與生活方式
A stage of human development in which people live in organized communities with complex systems of government, law, and culture; also, the specific traditions, art, and daily practices that belong to a particular society or historical era.
Ravi's class project compared the farming methods of two ancient civilizations in South America.
Ravi 的課堂報告比較了南美洲兩個古文明在農耕方法上的差異。
countable: a particular civilization
The clay pots found near the river gave archaeologists clues about a lost civilization.
河邊發現的陶罐為考古學家提供了一個失落文明的線索。
Trade between different civilizations helped spread knowledge and technology across continents.
不同文明之間的貿易促進了知識與技術在各大洲的傳播。
The museum displayed gold jewellery and tools from civilizations thousands of years old.
博物館展示了數千年前文明的黃金首飾與石器。
Modern civilization depends on electricity, written laws, and roads to function smoothly.
現代文明依賴電力、成文法律和道路才能順利運作。
- society
A broader term for any group of people living together; civilization implies a higher level of organisation and development.
- culture
Focuses on the arts, beliefs, and customs rather than the full social and political structure.
- community
Describes a smaller group; does not carry the same sense of large-scale development.
- primitive society
A society at an early stage of development, without complex institutions.
用法筆記
Countable use ("an ancient civilization") refers to a specific society with its own culture. Uncountable use ("modern civilization") refers to the general state of being socially and technologically developed.
常見錯誤
2. A place or situation where people enjoy modern conveniences such as electricity,
文明便利
擁有現代化設施的舒適生活環境
A place or situation where people enjoy modern conveniences such as electricity, running water, and reliable services — often used humorously when returning to a populated area after time in a remote or basic setting.
After three weeks of camping in the desert, the small hotel felt like civilization again.
在沙漠露營三週後，那間小旅館讓人感覺像回到了文明便利的世界。
informal/humorous: 'felt like civilization'
The hikers cheered when the village with hot showers finally felt like civilization.
登山客們到達有熱水淋浴的村莊時開心歡呼——終於感覺回到了文明世界。
informal: 'felt like civilization' after a remote trip
Some people prefer the slow pace of country life over the rush of modern civilization.
有些人喜歡鄉村生活的慢步調，勝過現代文明便利的緊湊節奏。
The remote research station had none of the comforts that Leila called civilization.
那座偏遠的研究站完全沒有 Leila 所謂的文明便利。
After a week without power, residents saw how much they needed modern civilization.
斷電一週後，居民們才發現自己多麼需要現代文明便利。
- modern life
More neutral; lacks the humorous tone of this sense of 'civilization'.
- comforts of home
A phrase that captures the same idea of returning to familiar amenities.
- wilderness
An area without modern facilities or human development.
- the wild
Informal term for a place without any modern amenities.
用法筆記
This sense is almost always uncountable and used in a light-hearted or ironic tone. It typically contrasts a basic environment (camping, remote village, power outage) with the familiar comforts of urban life. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 2 does NOT refer to a specific historical society; it refers broadly to 'the comfortable modern way of life.'
常見錯誤
3. The gradual process by which a group of people develops more advanced social str
開化；文明化
社會文化趨向進步的過程
The gradual process by which a group of people develops more advanced social structures, systems of knowledge, and cultural institutions over time.
The civilization of the region's early tribes took place over many centuries.
該地區早期部落的開化過程歷經了數個世紀之久。
uncountable: process of civilizing
Scholars debate whether civilization always improves people's lives or sometimes destroys older traditions.
學者們爭論文明化是否總是改善人類生活，或是會摧毀舊有傳統。
The invention of writing marked a key step in the civilization of early human communities.
文字的發明標誌著人類早期社群開化過程中的一個關鍵步驟。
Some historians argue that the civilization of different regions followed very different paths.
有些歷史學家主張不同地區的文明化路徑差異很大。
The civilization of Europe was closely linked to the growth of towns, trade, and universities.
歐洲的文明化與城鎮、貿易和大學的發展密切相關。
- development
Broader term that can apply to economic, social, or personal growth without the cultural focus.
- advancement
Focuses on progress and improvement, often in technology or knowledge.
- enlightenment
Historically associated with the 18th-century intellectual movement; narrower in scope.
用法筆記
This sense is always uncountable and typically used with 'the civilization of + [region/people]'. It is more formal and academic than senses 1 and 2. It describes a historical process, not a current state or a humorous contrast.