deconstruct

/ˌdiːkənˈstrʌkt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌdiːkənˈstrʌkt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌdē-kən-ˈstrəkt/ (ame, mw)

deconstruct — 動詞

  • deconstructpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • deconstructshe / she / it
  • deconstructedpast simple
  • deconstructing-ing form

1. to break a subject or idea into its basic pieces so that you can understand what

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

剖析；解析

拆解分析，揭示事物背後的隱含假設或偏見

to break a subject or idea into its basic pieces so that you can understand what it truly means, often uncovering hidden assumptions or biases that were not obvious before

例句

The documentary deconstructs the myth of the self-made billionaire by tracing his family's inherited wealth.

這部紀錄片追溯一位億萬富翁的家族繼承財富，藉此剖析了所謂「白手起家」的神話。

deconstruct + myth — revealing hidden assumptions

In his essay, Dr. Kwame Osei deconstructs the language used in political speeches to show how they create fear.

在文章中，Kwame Osei 博士剖析了政治演說的語言，揭示這些語言如何製造恐懼。

同義詞
  • analyze

    more neutral and general; does not imply uncovering hidden biases

  • dissect

    suggests very detailed, methodical examination; can feel more clinical

  • unpack

    more informal; focuses on revealing layers of meaning without the critical edge

反義詞

文法句型

deconstruct + noun phrase (myth, argument, idea)

用法筆記

Frequently used in academic and analytical writing. The object is typically an abstract concept (myth, argument, ideology) rather than a physical object. Often implies revealing something negative or hidden — biases, power structures, or contradictions that the surface presentation tries to conceal.

常見錯誤

❌The demolition crew deconstructed the old building.
✅The demolition crew demolished the old building.
💡'deconstruct' describes analytical examination, not physical destruction.

2. to study a piece of writing very closely in order to argue that the text has no

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

解構

拆解文本，證明沒有固定不變的意義

to study a piece of writing very closely in order to argue that the text has no single, stable meaning, and that instead every person who reads it creates their own understanding

例句

The literature seminar deconstructed the poem, showing how each reader finds a different meaning in the same lines.

文學討論課解構了這首詩，展現每位讀者如何從相同詩句中讀出不同的意義。

deconstruct + text — revealing multiple interpretations

Professor Ananya Sharma uses deconstruction to challenge the traditional reading of Shakespeare's plays.

Ananya Sharma 教授運用解構方法來挑戰對莎士比亞劇作的傳統解讀。

同義詞
  • interpret

    more general; does not imply the radical instability of meaning

  • critique

    focuses on evaluating strengths and weaknesses rather than dismantling fixed meaning

  • analyze

    neutral and broader; lacks the specific theoretical framework of deconstruction

文法句型

deconstruct + text/poem/novel

用法筆記

This sense is specific to literary theory and philosophy, particularly associated with the work of the French thinker Jacques Derrida. Unlike sense 1 (ANALYZE STRUCTURE), which assumes a true meaning can be uncovered, this sense argues that meaning is never fixed or stable — it changes with every reader and every reading.

常見錯誤

❌The book review deconstructed the novel's plot.
✅The academic paper deconstructed the novel's narrative structure.
💡In literary theory, 'deconstruct' means analyzing the instability of meaning, not just giving an opinion or summary.

3. to take an object, a piece of music, or a design apart and then put it back toge

3.動詞及物C1
釋義

重組；拆解再造

拆解後以全新方式重新組合，常用於藝術創作

to take an object, a piece of music, or a design apart and then put it back together in a completely different form, often as a creative or artistic act

例句

The fashion designer deconstructed a classic suit jacket and turned it into a modern dress.

這位時裝設計師把一件經典西裝外套拆解，然後改造成一件現代洋裝。

deconstruct + garment — taking apart to remake

In music class, Leo deconstructed a pop song and rebuilt it using only his voice.

在音樂課上，Leo 把一首流行歌曲拆解，只用自己的人聲重新編排。

同義詞
  • rework

    less analytical; focuses on altering without the emphasis on revealing hidden meaning

  • reimagine

    emphasizes the creative vision for a new form

  • dismantle and rebuild

    more literal and less specialized than 'deconstruct' in this sense

文法句型

deconstruct + object + into/and + new form

用法筆記

Common in art, fashion, music, and design contexts. The emphasis is on creative transformation — the result is not the same object reassembled, but something new and unexpected. Unlike sense 1, this sense involves physical objects as well as abstract ones, and unlike sense 2, it involves creating or rebuilding rather than purely analyzing.

常見錯誤

❌I deconstructed my Lego castle and followed the instructions to rebuild it the same way.
✅The sculptor deconstructed the old bicycle frame and welded the parts into a garden sculpture.
💡'Deconstruct' in this sense requires creative transformation, not simply taking apart and rebuilding the same thing.