constant
/ˈkɒnstənt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈkɑːnstənt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈkän(t)-stənt/ (ame, mw) · /ˈkɒn.stənt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈkɑːn.stənt/ (ame, ipa)
constant — 形容詞
- constantpositive
- more constantcomparative
- most constantsuperlative
1. Occurring again and again over a period of time, or continuing without stopping.
持續不斷的
一直發生或持續不中斷的
Occurring again and again over a period of time, or continuing without stopping.
The constant noise from the construction site made it hard for Otis to concentrate on his homework.
建築工地的持續噪音讓 Otis 很難專心做功課。
attributive: constant + noun (noise)
Isabela grew tired of her brother's constant teasing about her new haircut.
Isabela 對哥哥不斷嘲笑她的新髮型感到厭煩。
The baby's crying was so constant that Vikram and his wife barely slept for a week.
寶寶哭個不停，Vikram 和太太整整一週幾乎沒睡好。
A constant stream of customers kept the café busy from morning until late evening.
絡繹不絕的客人從早上到深夜一直讓咖啡館忙個不停。
Darius had to take frequent breaks because the constant pain in his lower back made sitting difficult.
Darius 必須經常休息，因為下背部的持續疼痛讓他很難久坐。
- continuous
focuses on the unbroken nature, while 'constant' can also mean repeatedly occurring with gaps
- persistent
often carries a slightly negative connotation, like an unwelcome or annoying continuation
- ongoing
emphasises that something is still in progress, not necessarily frequent
- intermittent
starts and stops rather than happening all the time
- occasional
happens only from time to time
文法句型
constant + noun
be + constant
用法筆記
Commonly modifies nouns for sounds, actions, or conditions that happen without a break (noise, crying, pain, stream, reminders, interruptions).
常見錯誤
2. Remaining at the same level, amount, or rate without changing over time.
恆定不變
數量或程度穩定不變的
Remaining at the same level, amount, or rate without changing over time.
The oven must be kept at a constant temperature for the cake to bake evenly.
烤箱必須保持攝氏一百六十度的恆溫，蛋糕才能烤得均勻。
collocation: constant temperature
Matthew's body weight stayed constant even though he started eating more vegetables.
Matthew 雖然開始多吃蔬菜，但他的體重一直維持不變。
Drivers on the motorway should try to maintain a constant speed to save fuel and reduce accidents.
在高速公路上行駛的駕駛人應盡量保持時速穩定，以節省油耗並減少事故。
The price of the bus ticket has remained constant for the past six years, which surprised Yasmin.
這五年來公車票價一直維持不變，讓 Yasmin 感到驚訝。
The number of students in the school has been fairly constant, with only small changes each year.
學校的學生人數大致持平，每年只有小幅變動。
- variable
changes or can change easily
- fluctuating
goes up and down irregularly
文法句型
constant + noun
remain + constant
stay + constant
用法筆記
Frequently used with verbs like remain, stay, keep, and hold. Subject is typically a measurable quantity such as temperature, speed, price, level, or rate.
常見錯誤
3. Faithful and dependable in a personal relationship, especially as a friend or co
忠誠可靠
對朋友或夥伴始終忠誠可靠的
Faithful and dependable in a personal relationship, especially as a friend or companion.
Throughout the difficult years, Dario remained a constant friend who never let Sora down.
在那些艱難的年頭裡，Dario 始終是 Sora 忠實的朋友，從未讓她失望。
attributive: constant friend / constant companion
Grandfather's constant companion was an old sheepdog that followed him everywhere around the farm.
爺爺的忠實夥伴是一隻老牧羊犬，農場各處都跟著他。
For over forty years, Mrs. Chen was a constant presence in the local library, always ready to help young readers.
四十多年來，陳太太一直是當地圖書館的固定身影，隨時樂於幫助小讀者。
The small bookstore was a constant source of comfort for Sofie whenever she felt anxious about city life.
每當 Sofie 對都市生活感到焦慮時，那家小書店總是能給她恆久的安慰。
- unfaithful
breaks a promise of loyalty or commitment
- fickle
changes feelings or loyalty quickly and often
文法句型
constant + noun (person)
用法筆記
Almost always used before a noun (attributive position). This sense is mainly restricted to nouns referring to people (friend, companion) or personified things (presence, source of comfort). Distinguish from sense 1: a 'constant friend' is loyal, not merely someone who frequently visits.
常見錯誤
constant — 名詞
- constantsingular
- constantsplural
1. A value or quantity in mathematics, physics, or other sciences that stays the sa
常數
數學或科學中固定不變的數值
A value or quantity in mathematics, physics, or other sciences that stays the same in all situations within a given system.
In physics class, Christopher learned that the speed of light is a universal constant that nothing can exceed.
Christopher 在物理課上學到，光速是一個任何物體都無法超越的宇宙常數。
scientific: universal constant
The Greek letter π represents a mathematical constant equal to roughly three point one four.
希臘字母 π 代表的數學常數大約等於三點一四。
To solve the equation, first identify which terms are variables and which are constants.
要解這條方程式，首先要判斷哪些項是變數、哪些是常數。
Indra had to memorise several physical constants, including the charge of an electron, for the exam.
Indra 為了考試必須背熟好幾個物理常數，包括電子的電荷量。
- fixed value
a plain-English equivalent when avoiding technical jargon
- invariable
more formal and less common in everyday speech
- variable
a quantity that can change within the same system or problem
文法句型
a constant
the constant + of + noun
用法筆記
The subject is usually a mathematics, physics, or chemistry context. The most common examples are π (pi), the speed of light, and the gravitational constant.
常見錯誤
2. A quality, situation, or person that always stays the same and can be counted on
不變的事物
在變化環境中始終存在且可靠的元素
A quality, situation, or person that always stays the same and can be counted on in a changing environment.
In a fast-moving world, family dinners every Sunday remained one constant that everyone looked forward to.
在這個快速變遷的世界裡，每週日的家庭聚餐始終是大家期待的一件事。
noun phrase: one constant
Change is the only constant in life, as an old saying reminds us.
俗話說，變遷是人生唯一不變的常態。
For the students, their teacher's warm smile was the one constant they could rely on during a difficult school year.
對學生們來說，老師溫暖的笑容是他們在艱難學年裡可以信賴的依靠。
Eli found that his morning run was a constant that helped him stay calm no matter what else was happening.
Eli 發現，早晨跑步是一項固定的習慣，能讓他在其他事情紛亂時保持冷靜。
文法句型
a constant
the one constant
the only constant
用法筆記
Often used in the pattern 'the only constant' or 'the one constant' to emphasise that everything else changes except this one thing. The phrase 'change is the only constant' is a well-known fixed expression.