counterpoint
counterpoint — 名詞
1. a compositional technique in music that weaves several distinct melodic lines to
對位法
同時結合多條獨立旋律的作曲技巧
a compositional technique in music that weaves several distinct melodic lines together, allowing each line to remain separate while the whole piece sounds pleasing
In Bach's fugues, the counterpoint between soprano and bass lines creates a rich, layered sound.
在巴哈的賦格曲中，女高音與低音部之間的對位法創造出豐富且層次分明的聲音。
counterpoint between X and Y — shows the preposition pattern
The music teacher explained that counterpoint requires each melody to be interesting on its own.
音樂老師解釋說，對位法要求每一段旋律本身都必須有趣動聽。
Learning to write counterpoint helped Yan understand how different vocal parts can work together.
學習寫對位法讓 Yan 了解不同的聲部如何能彼此配合。
Kwame listened as violin and cello played in counterpoint, weaving two tunes into one piece.
Kwame 聽著小提琴和大提琴以對位法演奏，將兩段旋律編織成一首樂曲。
Reuben studied sixteenth-century counterpoint before composing his first string quartet.
Reuben 在創作他的第一首弦樂四重奏之前，先研究了十六世紀的對位法。
- polyphony
the broader term for music with multiple simultaneous voices; counterpoint is the technique that creates polyphony
- part-writing
focuses on how individual vocal/instrumental lines move; less common in general use
- monophony
music with only a single melodic line, no harmonic texture
文法句型
counterpoint between X and Y
in counterpoint with
用法筆記
This sense belongs to music theory, especially discussion of Baroque and Renaissance composition. You will rarely hear it in everyday conversation about pop or rock music.
常見錯誤
2. a person, thing, or idea that, when placed next to a different one, creates a no
對比物；對照
與他者並置時產生對比的元素
a person, thing, or idea that, when placed next to a different one, creates a noticeable and interesting difference between them
The quiet village life provided a perfect counterpoint to Diya's busy job in the city.
寧靜的鄉村生活與 Diya 在城市裡忙碌的工作形成了完美的對比。
counterpoint to + noun phrase — typical preposition pattern
In the painting, the artist uses dark shadows as a counterpoint to the bright flowers.
在這幅畫中，藝術家使用深色陰影來襯托鮮豔的花朵。
Hoa's calm voice was a welcome counterpoint to the angry shouting in the room.
Hoa 平靜的聲音與房間裡憤怒的叫喊聲形成了令人欣慰的對照。
The novel's humorous scenes serve as a counterpoint to its serious discussion of grief.
這部小說中的幽默場景與其對悲傷的嚴肅探討形成了對比。
- contrast
more general; does not carry the sense of artistry or intentional pairing that counterpoint implies
- foil
specifically a person or thing that makes another's qualities stand out by being very different
- complement
suggests the two things complete each other; counterpoint emphasises difference rather than completion
- match
something that is very similar, not contrasting
文法句型
a counterpoint to + noun phrase
serve as a counterpoint
用法筆記
Often followed by the preposition 'to' to show what is being contrasted. Subject can be anything — a person, a colour, a mood, a design element, or an argument.
常見錯誤
counterpoint — 動詞
- counterpointpresent simple I / you / we / they
- counterpoints3rd person singular
- counterpointing-ing form
- counterpointedpast simple
1. to deliberately place one person, thing, or idea next to a different one so that
形成對比
將不同事物並置以凸顯差異
to deliberately place one person, thing, or idea next to a different one so that the differences between them become clear or striking — for example, a filmmaker counterpointing a joyful scene with a sad one
The director counterpointed the happy wedding scene with shots of the empty family home.
導演用空蕩蕩的老家畫面來襯托那場快樂的婚禮場景。
counterpointed + noun + with + noun — shows the transitive pattern
Talia's modern glass building was designed to counterpoint the old stone church next to it.
Talia 的現代玻璃建築被設計成與旁邊古老的石造教堂形成對比。
In his speech, the professor counterpointed the risks of new technology against its potential benefits.
教授在演講中將新科技的風險與其潛在的好處進行對比。
The writer counterpoints joy with hardship to show the journey's full story.
這位作家用苦難來襯托快樂的時刻，以呈現旅程的完整面貌。
- match
to make similar or identical rather than contrasting
文法句型
counterpoint + noun + with + noun
be counterpointed by + noun
counterpoint + noun + against + noun
用法筆記
Common in art, film, literary, and architectural criticism. More formal than 'contrast' and suggests that the pairing is deliberate and meaningful, not accidental.
常見錯誤
2. to write or arrange a piece of music by adding one or more independent melodies
寫對位曲
以對位法創作或編排音樂
to write or arrange a piece of music by adding one or more independent melodies to a given tune, following the rules of counterpoint
Lotte spent the weekend learning how to counterpoint a folk tune with a second melody.
Lotte 花了一個週末學習如何為一首民謠加上第二段旋律來寫對位曲。
counterpoint + noun + with + noun — composition pattern
The choir sang a piece where each voice part was carefully counterpointed against the others.
合唱團演唱了一首曲子，其中每個聲部都與其他聲部仔細地形成了對位。
Nicholas enjoys counterpointing slow, long notes with fast, short ones in his compositions.
Nicholas 喜歡在他作曲時用快速短促的音符來襯托緩慢悠長的音符。
The composer counterpointed the main theme with a quieter melody in the lower register.
這位作曲家將主旋律與音域較低的較安靜旋律形成了對位。
- write in counterpoint
phrasal alternative that is more common than the single-word verb
- arrange contrapuntally
more technical and formal
文法句型
counterpoint + noun + with + noun
be counterpointed with
用法筆記
Rare outside of music education and composition textbooks. Most English speakers use 'write in counterpoint' or 'compose using counterpoint' instead of the verb form.