countries
countries — 名詞
- countriessingular
- countriesesplural
1. A separate part of the world that keeps its own government, makes its own laws,
國家
有疆界、政府、法律的主權區域
A separate part of the world that keeps its own government, makes its own laws, and controls its own borders — the standard way of referring to one of our planet's political divisions.
Tuan's family moved to a new country when he was eight years old.
Tuan 八歲時，他的家人搬到了另一個國家。
country as a political unit with borders
Japan is a country made up of thousands of islands in the Pacific Ocean.
日本是一個由太平洋上數千個島嶼組成的國家。
Each country in the European Union has its own laws and government.
歐盟的每個國家都有自己的法律和政府。
The two countries signed a peace agreement after years of conflict.
這兩個國家在多年衝突後簽署了和平協議。
Omar wants to visit every country in Southeast Asia before he turns thirty.
Omar 想在三十歲前走遍東南亞的每個國家。
文法句型
country + verb (singular/plural agreement by context)
adjective + country (e.g. foreign country, home country)
用法筆記
This is the most common meaning of 'country'. It may be used with either singular or plural verb agreement depending on whether the country is treated as a single entity ('the country is') or as its people ('the country are divided').
常見錯誤
2. The entire population of a nation, thought of as one body that can share the sam
全民；國民
一國境內的全體人民
The entire population of a nation, thought of as one body that can share the same experiences, opinions, or emotions.
The whole country mourned when the former president passed away last spring.
前總統去年春天逝世時，全國人民都哀悼不已。
the whole country = everyone living there
The country voted in a new government after years of economic trouble.
經歷多年經濟困境後，全國人民投票選出了新政府。
Yael believes the country is ready for change after the last election.
Yael 認為上次選舉後，全國人民都準備好迎接改變。
The country celebrated wildly when their rugby team won the World Cup.
他們的橄欖球隊贏得世界盃時，全國人民都熱烈慶祝。
- people
more direct; refers to persons rather than the abstract collective body
- population
more statistical and formal; emphasises numbers rather than shared feeling
- nation
overlaps here; 'the nation' also refers to the people, but carries a stronger sense of shared identity
文法句型
the whole country + verb (singular)
the country + verb (singular for unity, plural for individuals)
用法筆記
Frequently appears with 'the whole country' or 'the entire country'. Unlike sense 1, this sense cannot be pluralised — you cannot say 'the countries celebrated' to mean 'people celebrated'. Use 'the people of both countries' instead.
常見錯誤
3. Any region beyond built-up urban areas, where the land is typically farmed or wi
鄉間；郊外
遠離城鎮的田野與自然區域
Any region beyond built-up urban areas, where the land is typically farmed or wild, dotted with few buildings and offering a slower way of life.
Manuela grew up in the country, far from the noisy city streets.
Manuela 在鄉下長大，遠離了喧囂的城市街道。
in the country = rural area
Wei's family bought a small stone house in the country to escape the busy city life.
Wei 的家人在鄉下買了一棟小石屋，逃離繁忙的城市生活。
The country roads were quiet and lined with tall oak trees on both sides.
鄉間小路很安靜，兩旁種滿了高大的橡樹。
Stefan prefers the country because the air is cleaner and the nights are quiet.
Stefan 比較喜歡住在鄉下，因為空氣更乾淨，夜晚也更寧靜。
- countryside
the more explicit term; always means rural land and cannot be confused with 'nation'
- rural area
more formal and descriptive; used in writing and official contexts
- the outdoors
broader — includes wilderness, parks, and mountains, not just farmland
文法句型
in the country
the country (no article for other senses requires 'the' here)
用法筆記
Always takes the definite article 'the'. 'In the country' is the standard phrase. Distinguish from sense 1 by the presence of 'the' — 'a country' (sense 1) is a nation; 'the country' (sense 3) is rural land. Context usually disambiguates: mention of farms, fields, fresh air signals this sense.
常見錯誤
4. A stretch of territory defined by its natural characteristics — such as hills, f
地帶；地形區
以自然特徵描述的地域
A stretch of territory defined by its natural characteristics — such as hills, forest, desert, or open fields — rather than by political borders.
The rocky country around the village is perfect for hiking and climbing.
村莊周圍的岩石地帶非常適合登山和攀岩。
adjective + country describing landscape type
This part of the state is open country with few trees or buildings.
這個州這片區域是開闊地帶，樹木和建築物很少。
The desert country stretched for miles with nothing but sand and rocks.
沙漠地帶綿延數英里，只有沙子和岩石。
Drivers should be careful on the narrow roads through hill country.
開車經過丘陵地帶時，要小心狹窄的道路。
文法句型
adjective + country (describing landscape)
country of + noun
用法筆記
Nearly always appears with a preceding adjective (open, hill, desert, mountain, wooded, flat). Cannot be pluralised. The adjective describes the dominant terrain feature of the area.
常見錯誤
5. A shortened way of saying 'country music' — a popular music style that uses guit
鄉村音樂
鄉村音樂的簡稱
A shortened way of saying 'country music' — a popular music style that uses guitars, fiddles, and vocals to tell stories about everyday life, love, and hardship.
Naoko listens to country on her drive to work every morning.
Naoko 每天開車上班的路上都會聽鄉村音樂。
informal: 'country' = country music
The radio station plays mostly country and some classic rock.
這家電台主要播放鄉村音樂，偶爾也放一些經典搖滾。
Kabir has been a fan of country since his grandfather played him old records.
Kabir 從小聽爺爺放老唱片，從那時起就成了鄉村樂迷。
Constanza learned to play guitar so she could join a country band.
Constanza 為了加入鄉村樂團而學了吉他。
- country music
the full, formal term
- country and western
older term, used mainly for traditional styles
- bluegrass
a related but distinct genre with more acoustic instruments and faster picking
文法句型
listen to country
play country
a country fan
用法筆記
Informal shortening used in conversation and radio contexts. In formal writing or when first introducing the topic, use the full term 'country music'. Note: predominantly used in American English.
常見錯誤
countries — 形容詞
- countriespositive
- more countriescomparative
- most countriessuperlative
1. Relating to the countryside or rural life — describing things that are typical o
鄉村風
與鄉村生活或鄉土風格有關的
Relating to the countryside or rural life — describing things that are typical of peaceful, natural areas outside cities, such as simple buildings, quiet roads, or traditional home decoration.
Jenna bought a country cottage with a big garden and stone walls.
Jenna 買了一間鄉村小屋，有大花園和石牆。
country + noun describing rural style
The inn had a warm country style with wooden furniture and a fireplace.
這家旅館採用溫馨的鄉村風格，有木製家具和壁爐。
Tamar and her husband enjoy a quiet country life away from the busy city streets.
Tamar 和她的丈夫享受遠離繁忙街道的寧靜鄉村生活。
Country roads wind through green hills and past small farming villages.
鄉間小路蜿蜒穿過翠綠的山丘和農莊。
Dahlia decorated her kitchen in a charming country style with flower patterns.
Dahlia 以迷人的鄉村風格裝飾她的廚房，用了花卉圖案。
文法句型
country + noun (country road, country life, country style)
用法筆記
Attributive only — this adjective must come directly before the noun it modifies ('a country cottage', not 'the cottage is country'). If you need a predicative form, rephrase using 'rustic' or 'rural' ('the cottage is very rustic').
常見錯誤
2. Relating to or suitable for country music — describing the genre itself, its per
鄉村音樂的
與鄉村音樂有關或適合此類音樂的
Relating to or suitable for country music — describing the genre itself, its performers, instruments, or events.
Dahlia went to a country music festival in Nashville last summer.
Dahlia 去年夏天去納什維爾參加了一場鄉村音樂節。
country + noun describing music genre
Daniel plays in a country band that performs at local bars on weekends.
Daniel 在一個鄉村樂團彈吉他，週末在當地酒吧演出。
Eliska's voice is perfect for country songs with its warm and deep tone.
Eliska 的歌聲溫暖而低沉，非常適合演唱鄉村民歌。
The country singer walked on stage wearing a cowboy hat and boots.
那位鄉村歌手戴著牛仔帽，穿著靴子走上舞台。
- country-and-western
more traditional and slightly dated term; sometimes used to emphasise the older style
- folk-country
a subgenre blending folk music with country elements
文法句型
country + noun (country music, country singer, country band)
用法筆記
Always used attributively before the noun it modifies. The most common collocations are 'country music', 'country singer', 'country band', and 'country song'. This sense is strongly associated with American culture and the southern United States.