converter
/kənˈvɜːtə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /kənˈvɜːrtər/ (ame, ipa) · /kən-ˈvər-tər/ (ame, mw)
converter — 名詞
- convertersingular
- convertersplural
1. A person, device, or machine that changes something from one form, use, or state
轉換器
將某物轉變成另一形式的人或裝置
A person, device, or machine that changes something from one form, use, or state into a different one.
The old factory installed a new converter to turn waste heat into electricity for the workshop.
那間舊工廠安裝了一台新的轉換器，把廢熱轉變成電力供車間使用。
converter + into [transformation pattern]
Tom downloaded a currency converter on his phone before flying to Seoul for the conference.
Tom 在飛往首爾參加會議前，在手機上下載了一個貨幣轉換器應用程式。
compound noun: currency converter
A catalytic converter on a car changes harmful gases into less dangerous substances before they leave the exhaust pipe.
汽車上的觸媒轉換器會在有害氣體排出排氣管之前，將它們轉變成危害較小的物質。
The kitchen assistant used a small converter to turn the oven temperature from Celsius to Fahrenheit.
廚房助手用了一個小轉換器，把烤箱溫度從攝氏轉成華氏。
- transformer
Specifically changes electrical voltage or current; narrower and more technical than converter.
- adapter
Makes things compatible without necessarily changing their fundamental form; often a physical plug or software bridge.
- modifier
Changes something slightly or conditionally, rather than transforming it entirely.
用法筆記
Often used in compound nouns where the first word specifies what is being converted (e.g. currency converter, catalytic converter).
常見錯誤
2. A device that changes electrical energy from one form to another, for example fr
電源轉換器
改變電流形式（如交流轉直流）的設備
A device that changes electrical energy from one form to another, for example from alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) or the opposite.
The technician connected the power converter so the solar panels could supply electricity to the entire house.
技師接好了電源轉換器，讓太陽能板可以為整間房子供電。
compound noun: power converter
A voltage converter is necessary when using American appliances in countries with a different power supply voltage.
在電壓不同的國家使用美國電器時，需要一個電壓轉換器。
voltage converter + necessary when + purpose
The engineer replaced the old AC-to-DC converter with a more efficient model that wasted less energy as heat.
工程師把舊的交流轉直流轉換器換成了一個更高效、浪費較少熱能的型號。
Wei bought a travel converter that works in both Europe and North America for charging his laptop and camera.
Wei 買了一個在歐洲和北美都能使用的旅行用轉換器，用來充筆記型電腦和相機。
用法筆記
Distinguish from 'transformer' — a transformer changes voltage levels only, while a converter changes the type of current (AC↔DC). Frequently used with the preposition 'from...to...'.
常見錯誤
3. A device that changes a radio, television, or other broadcast signal from one fr
訊號轉換器
改變無線電或電視信號頻率的設備
A device that changes a radio, television, or other broadcast signal from one frequency or format to another so that a receiver can display or play it.
The broadcast station installed a new signal converter to change the transmission frequency for the local radio channel.
廣播電台安裝了一台新的訊號轉換器，來改變當地廣播頻道的發射頻率。
signal converter + frequency change
Many families bought a digital converter box when the government switched all TV broadcasts from analog to digital signals.
政府在把所有電視廣播從類比訊號轉換成數位訊號時，許多家庭買了一個數位轉換盒。
compound noun: digital converter box
A frequency converter lets the old shortwave radio pick up weather reports from stations in Southeast Asia.
頻率轉換器讓那台老舊的短波收音機可以收聽來自東南亞各電台的天氣報告。
The repair shop fitted a converter onto the satellite dish so it could receive channels from a different orbital position.
修理店在小耳朵上裝了一個轉換器，這樣就能接收來自不同軌道位置的頻道。
- set-top box
A broader term for a device that receives and decodes TV signals; a converter is one type of set-top box.
- downconverter
Specifically shifts a signal from a higher frequency to a lower one; a type of converter used in satellite systems.
用法筆記
Common in the context of TV and radio technology. The phrase 'digital converter box' was widely used during the transition from analog to digital broadcasting in many countries.
常見錯誤
4. A software program or hardware device that changes data from one file format or
格式轉換器
將資料從一種格式轉為另一種的軟體或裝置
A software program or hardware device that changes data from one file format or encoding system into another so that different applications can use it.
The IT team used a video converter to change MP4 training clips to AVI for the editing software.
IT 團隊用了一個影片轉換器，把 MP4 訓練影片片段轉成 AVI 格式給剪輯軟體使用。
video converter + format change
A PDF converter lets you turn Word documents into files that anyone can open without special editing software installed.
PDF 轉換器讓你可以把 Word 文件轉成任何人不需要安裝特殊編輯軟體就能打開的檔案。
compound noun: PDF converter
The photographer used a batch file converter to resize and rename all two hundred images at once before uploading them.
攝影師使用批次檔案轉換器，一次把兩百張照片調整尺寸並重新命名，然後再上傳。
Free online converters often add watermarks to your files unless you pay for the premium version of the service.
免費的線上轉換器通常會在你的檔案上加上浮水印，除非你付費使用進階版本。
- transcoder
Specifically changes data from one encoding or compression format to another; common in video and audio contexts.
- ripper
Extracts and converts media content from a disc or stream into a file format; a type of converter with a specific use case.
用法筆記
Often followed by 'from...to...' to specify the source and target formats. The term can refer to both standalone software and online web-based tools. 'Batch converter' handles multiple files at once.