coal
/kəʊl/ (bre, ipa) · /kəʊl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈkōl/ (ame, mw)
coal — 名詞
1. A dark, rock-like fuel that people dig from underground. It formed over millions
煤炭
一種地下開採的黑色化石燃料
A dark, rock-like fuel that people dig from underground. It formed over millions of years as ancient plants decomposed under heavy layers of earth. Setting it on fire gives off intense heat, which people use to warm buildings and generate electricity.
The power plant burns over five hundred tonnes of coal each day to keep the city's lights on.
這座發電廠每天燃燒超過五百噸的煤炭，以維持城市的供電。
collocation: burn coal — energy generation
Aiko picked up a dusty lump of coal from the pile and tossed it into the iron stove.
Aiko 從煤堆裡撿起一塊滿是灰塵的煤炭，扔進了鐵製火爐裡。
countable: a lump of coal
Generations of families in this valley have worked in the mines digging coal from deep underground tunnels.
這個山谷裡的好幾代人都在礦場工作，從深深的地下隧道中挖取煤炭。
Leila explained that burning coal releases gases which trap heat in the atmosphere and warm the planet.
Leila 解釋說，燃燒煤炭會釋放出困住大氣中熱量的氣體，導致地球暖化。
The old railway line was built mainly to carry coal from the mines to the harbour for export.
這條舊鐵路主要是為了將煤炭從礦場運到港口出口而建造的。
- anthracite
a very hard type of coal that burns with little smoke
- coke
coal that has been heated to remove gases, used in steelmaking
- fossil fuel
broader category that includes coal, oil, and natural gas
- renewable energy
energy sources like solar or wind that do not run out
用法筆記
Usually uncountable when referring to the substance in general ('a tonne of coal,' 'coal mining'). Countable when talking about individual pieces ('a coal flew out of the fireplace').
常見錯誤
coal — 動詞
1. To heat wood or other plant material in an environment with little oxygen so tha
燒成炭
將木材加熱成木炭
To heat wood or other plant material in an environment with little oxygen so that it turns into a black, carbon-rich substance (charcoal), often for use as fuel or in art.
The traditional method was to coal oak branches inside a clay mound for several days.
傳統方法是將橡木樹枝放在黏土窖裡悶燒數天，使其變成木炭。
traditional craft context
Yara coaled the bamboo canes slowly over the fire pit until their surfaces turned completely black.
Yara 將竹竿放在火坑上慢慢燒烤，直到表面完全變成黑色。
In rural workshops, craftsmen still coal wood in covered pits to make charcoal for blacksmith forges.
在鄉村作坊裡，工匠們仍然在覆蓋的土坑中燒製木炭，供應鐵匠鍛爐使用。
Kofi coaled the almond shells in a metal drum to make fuel for his pottery kiln.
Kofi 將杏仁殼放入金屬桶中燒製成炭，作為陶窯的燃料。
文法句型
coal + object (wood, plant material)
用法筆記
Very rare in modern English. The verb 'char' or the phrase 'burn to charcoal' is far more common for the same meaning.
2. To provide a ship, train, or building with a supply of coal for heating or power
供煤
為船或火車補充煤炭燃料
To provide a ship, train, or building with a supply of coal for heating or powering its engines.
The port authority coaled every transatlantic steamer before the long voyage to New York.
港口管理單位為每一艘橫跨大西洋的蒸汽船裝滿煤炭，以準備前往紐約的長途航行。
historical nautical context
Railway workers coaled the steam locomotives at dawn so they were ready for the morning express run.
鐵路工人在黎明時為蒸汽火車頭添加煤炭，讓它們準備好早上的特快列車行程。
collocation: coal + steam locomotive
During the harsh winter of 1917, the city coaled all its public schools twice as often as usual.
在1917年嚴酷的冬天，市政府為所有公立學校補充煤炭的次數增加了一倍。
A team of dockworkers coaled the cargo ship before it set sail for Hong Kong.
一組碼頭工人為貨船裝滿煤炭，準備啟航前往香港。
- fuel
broader; can refer to any fuel type, not just coal
文法句型
coal + object (ship, locomotive, building)
用法筆記
Used almost exclusively in historical contexts about the age of steam. The modern equivalent is 'supply with coal' or 'fuel with coal.'
3. To take a supply of coal on board, used of a ship or steam locomotive preparing
裝煤
船或火車自行裝載煤炭
To take a supply of coal on board, used of a ship or steam locomotive preparing for a journey.
The steamship coaled at Cape Town before continuing its journey across the Indian Ocean.
這艘蒸汽船在開普敦裝載煤炭，然後繼續穿越印度洋的航程。
intransitive: ship + coal + at [port]
Old photographs show ocean liners coaling at Southampton harbour between transatlantic crossings.
老照片顯示，遠洋郵輪在橫跨大西洋的航程之間，於南安普敦港裝載煤炭。
historical context
During wartime, naval destroyers would coal quickly at secret harbours to avoid enemy submarines.
戰時，海軍驅逐艦會在秘密港口快速裝煤，以避免被敵方潛艇發現。
The old fishing trawler coaled every Monday at the pier before heading out to sea.
那艘老漁船每週一在碼頭裝煤，然後出海捕魚。
文法句型
coal + at [location]
coal + for [purpose]
用法筆記
Intransitive only — the ship or locomotive is the subject, not the person doing the supplying. Modern usage is largely limited to historical writing about the steam era.