content
content — 形容詞
1. experiencing a sense of wellbeing about your current situation, without wanting
滿足的
對現狀感到滿意而不求改變
experiencing a sense of wellbeing about your current situation, without wanting anything different or better than what you have.
Mert felt content living in a small flat by the sea, even though his friends had bigger houses.
Mert 住在海邊的小公寓裡感到滿足，即使他的朋友有更大的房子。
be content + gerund for situation satisfaction
The old cat seemed content to lie in the sun all afternoon.
那隻老貓似乎很滿足整個下午都躺在陽光下。
be content to + infinitive
Ava was content with her exam results and did not want to retake any subject.
Ava 對考試成績感到滿足，不想再重修任何科目。
Nikos is never content — he always wants a faster car or a fancier phone.
Nikos 永遠不會滿足——他總是想要更快的車或更高級的手機。
The children were content playing with wooden blocks for hours while their parents talked.
孩子們滿足地用積木玩了好幾個小時，讓父母在一旁聊天。
- discontented
the direct opposite; unhappy with one's situation
- dissatisfied
stronger, implies active disappointment rather than just lack of satisfaction
文法句型
be content
be content with + noun/gerund
be content to + infinitive
用法筆記
Predicative only — you cannot say 'a content person'; instead use 'a contented person'. The pattern 'content with + noun/gerund' describes the source of satisfaction, while 'content to + infinitive' describes the activity one is happy doing.
常見錯誤
content — 動詞
1. to accept what you have or are able to get, even though it is less than what you
滿足於
接受現有條件而不強求更好
to accept what you have or are able to get, even though it is less than what you had hoped for, and stop trying to get something better.
The museum did not have the painting she wanted, so Élise contented herself with a poster from the gift shop.
博物館沒有她要的那幅畫，所以 Élise 在禮品店買了一張海報就滿足了。
content oneself with + noun phrase
Kabir could not afford a new laptop, so he contented himself with repairing his old one.
Kabir 買不起新筆電，所以修理舊的那台就滿足了。
Having missed the last bus, Ishaan contented himself with sleeping on a bench at the station.
錯過了最後一班公車，Ishaan 只好在車站的長椅上睡覺來將就。
Ignacio had dreamed of studying in Paris but contented himself with a university closer to home.
Ignacio 原本夢想能在巴黎讀書，最後選擇離家較近的大學也就滿足了。
- settle for
more informal and common in spoken English; does not need a reflexive pronoun
- make do with
informal idiom meaning to manage with less than desired
- resign oneself to
stronger, suggests accepting something unwanted after a struggle
- strive for
to make great efforts to get something better
文法句型
content oneself with + noun/gerund
用法筆記
This verb always requires a reflexive object (myself, yourself, himself, herself, ourselves, themselves) followed by 'with'. It cannot be used without the reflexive pronoun or with a different preposition. Distinguish from sense 2: here the person actively limits their own expectations rather than being made happy by something.
常見錯誤
2. to give someone the happiness or satisfaction they need, especially by providing
使滿足
讓某人感到快樂和滿意
to give someone the happiness or satisfaction they need, especially by providing what they desire — for example, contenting a child with a favourite snack, or contenting an audience with a fine performance.
A single scoop of ice cream was enough to content the hungry child.
一球冰淇淋就足以讓那飢餓的孩子感到滿足。
content + direct object (person)
The hotel manager tried to content the complaining guest by offering a room upgrade.
飯店經理試圖提供升等房間來滿足那位抱怨的客人。
Nothing could content Tuan after he lost his grandfather’s old watch.
Tuan 弄丟了祖父的舊手錶之後，沒有什麼能使他滿足。
Roya was contented by a simple dinner of rice and vegetables after her long journey.
Roya 在長途旅行後，一頓簡單的米飯配蔬菜就讓她心滿意足了。
- displease
to make someone unhappy or annoyed
文法句型
content + object
be contented by/with + noun/gerund
用法筆記
This sense is less common in everyday speech than the adjective 'content'. It is often found in formal or literary writing. The past participle 'contented' is also used as an adjective (e.g., 'a contented sigh').
常見錯誤
content — 名詞
1. the ideas, information, or themes that make up what a written work, speech, film
內容
文章、演講或電影中的思想或訊息
the ideas, information, or themes that make up what a written work, speech, film, or similar creation communicates to its audience.
The content of her lecture focused on how artificial intelligence is changing medicine.
她演講的內容聚焦於人工智慧如何改變醫學。
content of + lecture/speech
Teachers should check that the content of a film is suitable for young students.
教師應確認電影的內容是否適合年輕學生觀看。
The content of the article was fascinating, but the writing style made it hard to follow.
那篇文章的內容非常吸引人，但寫作風格讓人難以理解。
Jabari enjoyed the course because the content was practical and relevant to his job.
Jabari 很喜歡這門課，因為內容實用且與他的工作相關。
Online courses need clear and well-organised content to keep students engaged throughout the term.
線上課程需要有清晰且組織良好的內容，才能在整個學期維持學生的學習興趣。
- subject matter
emphasises the topic or theme being discussed; more explicit about what the work is 'about'
- substance
suggests important, meaningful content as opposed to trivial or filler material
- theme
a central or recurring idea, narrower than 'content'
- message
the main point or lesson the creator intends to communicate
文法句型
content of + writing/speech/film
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2: sense 1 refers to the ideas or themes themselves (the 'what' of a work), while sense 2 refers to digital material published on websites. This sense can apply to both traditional and digital media, but emphasises the meaning or message rather than the format.
常見錯誤
2. text, images, audio, video, and other material that is created and shared on web
數位內容
網站或社群媒體上的資訊、圖片或影片
text, images, audio, video, and other material that is created and shared on websites, social media, or other digital platforms.
Mayumi creates content for a popular travel blog about her trips across Southeast Asia.
Mayumi 為一個熱門旅遊部落格創作內容，記錄她在東南亞的旅行。
creates content (common collocation)
Social media platforms must remove harmful content such as hate speech and false information.
社群媒體平台必須刪除仇恨言論和假資訊等有害內容。
Good content is the key to attracting more followers on any online channel.
好的內容是任何線上頻道吸引更多粉絲的關鍵。
The website’s content includes product reviews, how-to videos, and customer stories.
這個網站的內容包括產品評論、教學影片和顧客故事。
Christopher started a YouTube channel and uploads fresh content every Tuesday morning.
Christopher 開了一個 YouTube 頻道，每星期二早上上傳新的內容。
- material
broader, can refer to non-digital things too; less specific to online media
- media
focuses on the format (video, audio) rather than the informational value
- digital assets
formal/business term for content treated as valuable resources
文法句型
content + noun (content creator)
digital content
online content
用法筆記
This is the most common meaning of 'content' in everyday internet-related language. It is uncountable: 'many contents' is incorrect. Use 'a lot of content', 'pieces of content', or 'content items' instead. The related noun 'content creator' refers to someone who makes digital material professionally.
常見錯誤
3. a list at the front of a book, magazine, or journal that shows the titles of the
目錄
書刊各部分的標題和頁碼列表
a list at the front of a book, magazine, or journal that shows the titles of the sections or articles and the page number where each one begins.
Ramón checked the contents page to find the chapter about Japanese architecture.
Ramón 查看了目錄頁，尋找關於日本建築的那一章。
contents page (attributive use)
Aoi always reads the contents of a textbook before deciding whether to buy it.
Aoi 在決定是否購買教科書之前，總是會先看目錄。
The contents of the magazine included articles on travel, fashion, and food.
那本雜誌的目錄包括旅遊、時尚和美食等文章。
A good contents page helps readers find the information they need quickly.
好的目錄頁能幫助讀者快速找到所需的資訊。
- table of contents
more formal and complete term; often abbreviated as TOC
- index
different — lists specific topics alphabetically at the end, not sections at the front
文法句型
contents of + book/magazine
contents page
用法筆記
Often used in the plural form 'contents' (e.g., 'the contents of the book'). When referring to the page itself, use 'contents page' not 'content page'. Pronounced /ˈkɒn.tents/ (KON-tents) for the plural noun — different from the adjective/verb pronunciation /kənˈtent/.
常見錯誤
4. every item or object that is located inside a container, bag, room, building, or
所含之物
容器或物體內部的全部東西
every item or object that is located inside a container, bag, room, building, or other enclosed area.
The customs officer asked Reuben to empty his bag and show its contents.
海關官員要求 Reuben 清空包包並展示其中的物品。
contents of a bag/container
The contents of the box were carefully wrapped in newspaper to prevent damage.
盒子裡的物品都用報紙仔細包好，以防破損。
Firefighters checked the contents of the burning building before deciding how to enter.
消防員檢查了起火建築物內部的狀況，再決定如何進入。
A label on the bottle lists its contents and the recommended dosage for children.
瓶子上面的標籤列出內容物以及兒童的建議用量。
The archaeologist carefully recorded the contents of the ancient tomb before removing anything.
考古學家在搬走任何物品之前，仔細記錄了古墓內的所有東西。
- items
neutral term for individual objects; less specific to being inside something
- things inside
informal paraphrase, clearer for learners
- inventory
formal list of items, often used for official records
文法句型
(the) contents of + container/bag/room/building
用法筆記
Almost always used in the plural 'contents' (pronounced /ˈkɒn.tents/). The singular 'content' would be unusual here except in technical contexts. Do not confuse with sense 3 (table of contents), which also uses 'contents' but refers specifically to a list of sections in a publication.
常見錯誤
5. the quantity or percentage of a specific material that exists within another mat
含量
特定物質在另一物質中的比例或數量
the quantity or percentage of a specific material that exists within another material, for example the fat in cheese, the iron in vegetables, or the water in soil.
The fat content of this cheese is much higher than that of low-fat yogurt.
這款起司的脂肪含量遠高於低脂優格。
fat content of + food (noun + content of)
Doctors recommend checking the sugar content of packaged drinks before buying them.
醫生建議購買包裝飲料前先檢查含糖量。
The iron content in spinach is important for people who do not eat red meat.
菠菜的鐵含量對不吃紅肉的人來說很重要。
The water content of the soil determines which crops can grow well in the area.
土壤的水分含量決定了哪些作物能在該地區長得好。
Battery labels must show the heavy-metal content to help consumers recycle them safely.
電池標籤必須標示重金屬含量，以幫助消費者安全回收。
- proportion
more general; can refer to any part of a whole, not just substances
- level
emphasises the degree or concentration rather than the raw amount
- percentage
more specific, used when the amount is expressed as a percentage
文法句型
[substance] content of + [food/product/material]
high/low content of
用法筆記
Pronounced /ˈkɒn.tent/ (KON-tent) — same as noun senses 2–5, different from the adjective/verb /kənˈtent/. This sense is common in scientific, nutritional, and technical writing. It always appears with a preceding noun specifying the substance (e.g., 'fat content', 'alcohol content', 'moisture content').
常見錯誤
6. a feeling of quiet happiness and satisfaction with your life or current situatio
滿足
快樂和滿意的感覺
a feeling of quiet happiness and satisfaction with your life or current situation, without needing or wanting anything more.
Lisa gazed at her blooming garden with deep content, feeling that all her hard work had paid off.
Lisa 滿懷滿足地望著她繁花盛開的花園，覺得所有的辛苦都值得了。
with + content (prepositional phrase)
A look of quiet content spread across Haruto’s face as he watched the sunset over the lake.
Haruto 望著湖上的夕陽，臉上浮現一抹寧靜的滿足神情。
The children played to their heart’s content in the park until the street lights came on.
孩子們在公園裡盡情玩耍，直到路燈亮起。
After years of city stress, Hugo finally found content in a simple life by the coast.
Hugo 在都市壓力下生活多年後，終於在海邊的簡單生活中找到了滿足。
- contentment
more common than 'content' as a noun; means the same but is the standard word
- satisfaction
broader, can come from specific achievements, not only general life situation
- peace of mind
emphasises freedom from worry rather than positive happiness
- discontent
a feeling of unhappiness with one's situation
- dissatisfaction
a stronger, more active unhappiness
文法句型
to one's heart's content
with content
用法筆記
This noun sense (pronounced /kənˈtent/, stress on second syllable) shares its pronunciation with the adjective and verb. It is far less common than the countable noun senses (pronounced /ˈkɒn.tent/). The fixed phrase 'to one’s heart’s content' (meaning as much as one wants) is the most frequently used form of this sense.