compromise
compromise — 名詞
1. a situation where opposing sides in a disagreement each give up something import
妥協；折衷
雙方讓步以解決分歧
a situation where opposing sides in a disagreement each give up something important in order to reach a shared solution
Valentina and Min reached a compromise about how to share the office space.
Valentina 和 Min 就如何共用辦公室空間達成了妥協。
collocation: reach a compromise
After three hours of difficult talks, the two companies finally agreed on a compromise.
經過三小時的艱難談判，兩家公司終於同意了折衷方案。
The compromise between the political parties ended the long debate over the new law.
兩大政黨之間的妥協為新法案的長期辯論劃下了句點。
Zola's parents and teachers worked out a compromise that let her study at home twice a week.
Zola 的父母和老師達成折衷方案，讓她每週在家自學兩天。
The neighbourhood association and the park district accepted the compromise, clearing the way for the playground repairs to begin.
社區協會與公園管理處接受了折衷方案，為遊樂場的維修工程清除了障礙。
- agreement
broader term; a compromise is a type of agreement, but not all agreements involve giving things up
- settlement
more formal, often legal; focuses on ending a dispute rather than the process of giving ground
- concession
one-sided giving up; not a mutual arrangement like a compromise
- middle ground
describes the resulting position; less formal than 'compromise'
- disagreement
the state that a compromise is meant to resolve
- deadlock
a situation where neither side will give up anything
文法句型
reach a compromise (on sth)
compromise between [two sides]
用法筆記
Commonly used with the verbs 'reach', 'work out', 'find', and 'accept'. The uncountable form (e.g. 'by compromise') describes the method of settling a dispute rather than a specific deal.
常見錯誤
2. something that combines features from two different things or positions, creatin
折衷方案
介於兩者之間的事物
something that combines features from two different things or positions, creating a result that falls somewhere between them
The new sofa is a compromise between modern style and old-fashioned comfort.
這張新沙發是現代風格與傳統舒適感之間的折衷方案。
pattern: a compromise between X and Y
Tamás chose a compromise that blended traditional wooden furniture with clean modern lines.
Tamás 選擇了一個折衷方案，將傳統木製家具與簡潔的現代線條相結合。
The restaurant menu offered a compromise between spicy Szechuan dishes and milder Cantonese food.
這家餐廳的菜單是四川辣味菜餚與清淡粵菜之間的折衷。
Christopher's chair was a compromise between a desk seat and a lounge chair.
Christopher 的椅子是辦公椅與休閒椅之間的折衷。
- middle ground
nearly interchangeable; slightly less concrete about the blend of features
- halfway point
focuses on position between extremes rather than combined qualities
- balance
emphasises equal weighting rather than a single blended outcome
- extreme
a position at one end, not between two things
文法句型
a compromise between [sth] and [sth]
用法筆記
This sense is usually singular and appears in the pattern 'a compromise between X and Y'. It focuses on the resulting blend rather than the process of negotiation.
常見錯誤
compromise — 動詞
1. to give up part of what you want so that a disagreement can be resolved with som
妥協；讓步
各退一步以達成協議
to give up part of what you want so that a disagreement can be resolved with someone else
After weeks of disagreement, the neighbours finally compromised on the height of the new fence.
經過數週爭執，鄰居們終於在新圍牆的高度上達成妥協。
pattern: compromise on + issue
Ilan refused to compromise on safety, even when the deadline was very tight.
即使期限很緊，Ilan 仍然拒絕在安全問題上讓步。
pattern: refuse to compromise on + principle
The two leaders compromised by agreeing to share control of the disputed area.
兩位領導人相互妥協，同意共同控制有爭議的地區。
The design team and the marketing department compromised on the project timeline by extending the deadline by two weeks.
設計團隊與行銷部門在專案時程上達成妥協，將截止日期延長了兩週。
Management was willing to compromise with the union over working hours.
管理階層願意與工會就工時問題進行妥協。
- give ground
more informal; focuses on conceding rather than the mutual outcome
- meet halfway
implies equal movement from both sides; more conversational
- negotiate
broader process; negotiating does not always require giving things up
- insist
to refuse to change your position
- stand firm
to refuse to give up anything
文法句型
compromise + on + [issue]
compromise + with + [person/group]
compromise + over + [matter]
用法筆記
Intransitive. The issue being negotiated goes after 'on' (e.g. 'compromise on the price'), while the other party goes after 'with' (e.g. 'compromise with the buyer'). Both patterns can appear together.
常見錯誤
2. to lower your moral or professional standards below the level you would normally
降低標準
放棄原則或道德底線
to lower your moral or professional standards below the level you would normally uphold
Dahlia refused to compromise her principles by signing a contract she did not trust.
Dahlia 拒絕為了簽一份她不信任的合約而降低自己的原則。
collocation: compromise one's principles
The journalist compromised his reputation by publishing a story that he had not checked.
那位記者發布未經查證的新聞，損害了自己的名譽。
Vikram compromised his values by working for a company whose products he disliked.
Vikram 為一家他不喜歡的公司工作，等於降低了個人價值標準。
Karim knew that lying on the application form would compromise his commitment to honesty.
Karim 明白在申請表上說謊會違背他對誠信的堅持。
文法句型
compromise + [principles/standards/values/beliefs]
用法筆記
Transitive, taking an abstract object such as 'principles', 'standards', 'values', or 'integrity'. Unlike verb sense 1, this sense cannot take 'on' — you compromise your principles, not 'on your principles'.
常見錯誤
3. to place something valuable, such as security, health, or reputation, at risk of
損害；危及
使安全、健康等陷入危險
to place something valuable, such as security, health, or reputation, at risk of harm or damage
A weak password can compromise the security of an entire computer system.
密碼太弱可能危及整個電腦系統的安全。
collocation: compromise security
The hospital's computer network was compromised by a virus that leaked patient data.
醫院的電腦網路遭到病毒入侵，導致病人資料外洩。
passive: be compromised by + [threat]
Ziad's careless words compromised the team's chances of winning the final match.
Ziad 不經意的言語損害了球隊贏得總決賽的機會。
Élise warned that the new road would compromise the safety of children walking to school.
Élise 警告說，這條新路會危及步行上學的孩童安全。
Delaying treatment could compromise the patient's recovery after the serious operation.
延誤治療可能會影響患者大手術後的恢復情況。
- endanger
stronger emotional tone; implies immediate threat to life or safety
- weaken
less formal; focuses on reduced effectiveness rather than exposure to risk
- jeopardize
slightly more formal; used for plans, chances, or relationships
- undermine
gradual damage from below; less about immediate risk
文法句型
compromise + [security/safety/reputation/health]
be compromised by + [sth]
用法筆記
Frequently used in the passive voice (e.g. 'The system was compromised'). Common in computing (security breaches), medicine (health outcomes), and safety contexts. The object is almost always something that can deteriorate or be damaged, not a thing that can be broken physically.