complementary
/ˌkɒmplɪˈmentri/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌkɑːmplɪˈmentri/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌkäm-plə-ˈmen-t(ə-)rē/ (ame, mw)
complementary — 形容詞
1. describes two things or people that combine well because each supplies qualities
互補的
互相補足所缺的
describes two things or people that combine well because each supplies qualities or features that the other lacks, creating a more complete or effective whole.
Leila's calm approach and Ravi's energetic style are complementary — they balance each other at work.
Leila 的冷靜態度和 Ravi 的活力風格相輔相成——他們在工作上完美地平衡彼此。
be complementary — describing people's contrasting qualities
The two departments provide complementary services — one handles design while the other manages production.
這兩個部門提供互補的服務——一個負責設計，另一個負責生產。
complementary services — business context
Yusuf's practical skills and Wen's creative ideas form a complementary partnership that their clients value.
Yusuf 的實務技巧與 Wen 的創意想法形成互補的合作關係，客戶對此評價很高。
Selling traditional noodles with a modern tea bar is a complementary strategy for the restaurant.
在傳統麵攤旁增設現代茶飲吧，是這家餐廳的互補經營策略。
- matching
suggests similarity or likeness; complementary things are typically different, not alike
- compatible
focuses on coexistence without conflict, not on mutual completion
- corresponding
emphasises a systematic one-to-one alignment rather than filling gaps
- supplementary
means added extra; complementary implies mutual completion, not simple addition
- incompatible
unable to work together or exist harmoniously
- conflicting
clashing or opposing, rather than filling gaps
文法句型
be complementary to [noun/noun phrase]
用法筆記
Often used with 'to' (a skill complementary to another). Also common in business and team contexts to describe departments, roles, or people that together cover a full range of needs without unnecessary overlap.
常見錯誤
2. describes a pair of colours that produce black, white, or grey when combined in
互補色
混合後產生中性色的色彩
describes a pair of colours that produce black, white, or grey when combined in the right amounts, and create a vivid contrast whenever they appear alongside each other — for example, red and green, blue and orange, or yellow and purple.
Green and red are complementary colours that create strong contrast when used together in design.
綠色和紅色是互補色，在設計中一起使用時會產生強烈的視覺對比。
complementary colours + visual contrast — colour theory
The designer chose complementary shades of blue and orange for the hotel lobby.
設計師為飯店大廳選擇了藍色和橘色的互補色調。
complementary shades — artistic choice
When mixed, complementary colours like purple and yellow produce a neutral brown or grey.
混合互補色（如紫色和黃色）時，會產生棕色或灰色的中性色調。
Beatriz painted the sunset with complementary colours to make the clouds stand out.
Beatriz 用互補色畫出夕陽，讓雲朵變得更加突出。
文法句型
complementary colour
complementary shade
complementary to [colour name]
用法筆記
In colour theory every colour has exactly one complementary colour — the colour opposite it on the colour wheel. Artists and designers rely on complementary pairs to create visual energy and balance. This sense is almost always used attributively (before a noun).