declining
/dɪˈklaɪn/ (bre, ipa) · [dɪklˈaɪnɪŋ] /dɪˈklaɪn/ (ame, ipa) · /dɪˈklaɪnɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · [dɪklˈaɪnɪŋ] /dɪˈklaɪnɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · [dɪklˈaɪnɪŋ] /di-ˈklī-niŋ dē-/ (ame, mw)
declining — 動詞
- decliningpresent simple I / you / we / they
- declinings3rd person singular
- declininging-ing form
- decliningedpast simple
1. to become smaller in number, weaker in strength, or lower in quality over a peri
下降；衰退
數量減少、品質變差、力量減弱
to become smaller in number, weaker in strength, or lower in quality over a period of time
Asher noticed that his energy levels were declining as he got older.
Asher 發現隨著年紀增長，他的體力一直在下降。
decline + adverb phrase showing time
The number of students at the village school has been declining for years.
這所村莊學校的學生人數多年來持續減少。
decline + for [time period]
Jin read a report showing that fish populations in the lake are declining fast.
Jin 閱讀了一份報告，指出湖中的魚群數量正在快速減少。
Car sales in the region declined sharply after the new tax was introduced.
新稅制實施後，該地區的汽車銷售量急遽下降。
The quality of tap water in that area has been declining since the factory opened.
自從那間工廠開工以來，該地區的自來水水質就不斷惡化。
- decrease
more general and less formal; used for numbers and amounts
- drop
implies a sudden or significant fall; more informal
- deteriorate
focuses on things getting worse in quality, not quantity
文法句型
decline + adverb/prepositional phrase
用法筆記
Often used with adverbs that describe speed or degree, such as sharply, steadily, rapidly, or gradually. The subject is usually a quantity, a measurement, or a measurable quality.
常見錯誤
2. to say no to an offer, invitation, or request in a polite way
婉拒；謝絕
有禮貌地拒絕邀約或請求
to say no to an offer, invitation, or request in a polite way
Linh politely declined the invitation to the conference because of a prior commitment.
Linh 因事先已有安排，婉拒了大會的邀請。
decline + invitation/offer/request
Greta declined to comment on the rumours when reporters asked her outside the courthouse.
Greta 婉拒對這些傳聞發表評論，記者們在法院外追問她也沒用。
decline to + infinitive
Baraka was offered a promotion but declined it, saying he preferred his current role.
Baraka 獲得了晉升的機會，但他婉拒了，說自己比較喜歡目前的職位。
When the waiter brought the dessert menu, Aylin smiled and declined with a wave of her hand.
服務生端上甜點菜單時，Aylin 微笑著揮手謝絕。
The ambassador declined the gift, explaining that government rules did not allow her to accept it.
大使婉拒了這份禮物，說明政府規定不允許她接受饋贈。
文法句型
decline + noun phrase (offer/invitation/request)
decline to + infinitive
用法筆記
More formal than refuse or say no. Common in professional and diplomatic contexts. If the object is a that-clause, use decline to + infinitive instead (not decline that).
常見錯誤
3. to show or list all the grammatical forms a word can take depending on its funct
詞形變化
依語法功能變化名詞、代詞、形容詞形式
to show or list all the grammatical forms a word can take depending on its function in a sentence — for instance, whether it acts as the subject or the object of a verb
In Latin class, the teacher asked the students to decline the noun 'puella' through all its cases.
在拉丁文課堂上，老師要求學生將名詞 puella 列出所有格位變化形式。
decline + noun in [language]
German adjectives decline to show the gender and case of the noun they describe.
德語形容詞會根據所修飾名詞的性別和格來變化形式。
The textbook explained how to decline Russian nouns in six different grammatical cases.
這本課本解釋了如何在六種不同的語法格中變化俄語名詞。
Languages that decline their nouns are called inflectional languages, unlike Chinese which does not use case endings.
會變化名詞形式的語言稱為屈折語，中文則不使用格尾綴。
Professor Nakamura spent the whole lesson showing the class how to decline the German definite article.
Nakamura 教授花了整堂課向學生示範如何變化德語定冠詞。
文法句型
decline + noun/pronoun/adjective
decline in a language
用法筆記
Almost exclusively used in the context of language study and linguistics. The subject can be a person (a language learner or teacher) or a word itself (this noun declines in four cases). Also used transitively (the teacher declined the noun) and intransitively (the noun declines).
常見錯誤
declining — 形容詞
- decliningpositive
- more decliningcomparative
- most decliningsuperlative
1. becoming less successful, less powerful, or less active; decreasing in number, a
衰退；下滑
正在減少、變弱或變差的
becoming less successful, less powerful, or less active; decreasing in number, amount, or quality
The declining membership of the club worried its board of directors.
該俱樂部會員人數持續下滑，令董事會感到憂心。
declining + noun (membership/sales/population)
Beatrix moved away from the city because of its declining job opportunities.
Beatrix 因為城市工作機會愈來愈少而搬離了那裡。
Farmers in the region face declining rainfall and hotter summers each year.
該地區的農民每年面臨越來越少的降雨和更炎熱的夏季。
Hannah wrote an article about the declining number of public libraries in rural towns.
Hannah 寫了一篇關於鄉鎮公立圖書館數量日益減少的文章。
The company's declining profits forced it to close three of its factories last month.
該公司利潤持續衰退，迫使上個月關閉了三家工廠。
用法筆記
Used attributively (before a noun) to describe something that is in the process of getting worse. Unlike the verb form, the adjective cannot take adverbs like 'sharply' after it.
常見錯誤
2. relating to the final part of someone's life, when their health or strength is b
晚年；暮年
人生最後階段，健康與體力衰退的時期
relating to the final part of someone's life, when their health or strength is becoming weaker
Reema's grandfather spent his declining years gardening and reading history books.
Reema 的爺爺晚年以從事園藝和閱讀歷史書籍度日。
declining years / declining days
Ayesha's grandmother wrote her memoirs during her declining years so the family would remember their stories.
Ayesha 的祖母晚年撰寫回憶錄，讓家人記住他們的故事。
The painter created some of his finest works in his declining years despite failing eyesight.
這位畫家晚年雖然視力衰退，仍創作出了一些最優秀的作品。
Jin's parents plan to move to a smaller house in their declining years to simplify their lives.
Jin 的父母計劃晚年搬進小一點的房子，讓生活簡單些。
The documentary followed three elderly musicians through their declining years as they prepared for a final concert.
這部紀錄片記錄了三位年長音樂家晚年的生活，以及他們準備最後一場演奏會的過程。
- old age
neutral term without the nuance of weakening; simply refers to being old
- twilight years
more poetic; suggests the end of a long life
- final years
neutral and factual; does not imply frailty
用法筆記
Almost always used in the phrase declining years or declining days. Carries a respectful, slightly formal tone. Often preceded by a possessive (his/her/their).