deliberate
deliberate — 形容詞
1. done on purpose, especially when the action is harmful or wrong — not the result
故意的
有意的，非意外
done on purpose, especially when the action is harmful or wrong — not the result of an accident or mistake
The fire at the warehouse was no accident — police say it was deliberate.
那場倉庫火災不是意外——警方說那是有人蓄意縱火。
be deliberate — describing an event as intentional
Noor's comment was a deliberate attempt to upset her younger brother.
Noor 那句話是故意要讓弟弟難過。
deliberate attempt + infinitive
Adaeze made a deliberate choice to ignore the offensive message.
Adaeze 故意選擇不理會那則冒犯人的訊息。
The damage to the painting was too precise for an accident — it was deliberate vandalism.
那幅畫上的損壞太過精準，不可能是意外——那是蓄意破壞。
The company's delay in paying suppliers was a deliberate strategy to save cash.
該公司延遲付款給供應商，是為了節省現金的蓄意策略。
- intentional
the closest synonym but more neutral in tone; does not carry the same negative connotation
- calculated
suggests cold, planned action with awareness of the harmful result
- premeditated
used mainly in legal contexts for crimes planned in advance
- willful
emphasizes stubborn determination to do something, often despite knowing it is wrong
- accidental
happening without anyone planning or intending it
- unintentional
not done on purpose, though it may still cause harm
用法筆記
This sense often describes negative actions such as lies, attacks, or deceptions. For neutral or positive actions done on purpose, 'intentional' or 'planned' may sound more natural.
常見錯誤
2. done in a slow, steady way that shows care and attention at each step — not in a
從容；審慎
緩慢而小心地進行
done in a slow, steady way that shows care and attention at each step — not in a hurry
The surgeon made a series of deliberate, steady cuts through the tissue.
外科醫生做了一系列從容而平穩的切割。
deliberative, steady cuts — describing careful physical actions
Lara spoke in a slow, deliberate voice so the audience could follow every word.
Lara 用緩慢而審慎的聲音說話，讓觀眾每一個字都聽得清楚。
slow, deliberate voice — describing careful speech
With deliberate movements, the old carpenter sanded the wood until it was perfectly smooth.
老師傅以從容的動作打磨木材，直到表面光滑如鏡。
Hui took a deliberate step forward, testing the ice beneath her foot.
Hui 從容地踏出一步，測試腳下的冰層是否穩固。
The dancers crossed the stage at a deliberate pace, holding each pose for three seconds.
舞者以從容的步伐行經舞台，每個姿勢都定格了三秒鐘。
- measured
suggests a controlled, regular pace that has been carefully judged
- unhurried
simpler word; emphasizes the lack of rush without the nuance of carefulness
- purposeful
suggests each movement has a clear goal behind it
用法筆記
Only describes observable actions — movements, speech, physical processes. Unlike sense 1, this meaning has no negative connotation and is often used to praise someone's carefulness.
常見錯誤
deliberate — 動詞
1. to reflect carefully on something, often by talking it over with others, so that
深思；商議
仔細思考或討論後決策
to reflect carefully on something, often by talking it over with others, so that you can settle on a choice
The jury spent four days deliberating before they reached a verdict.
陪審團花了四天商議，才達成裁決。
jury deliberates — common legal context
Constanza deliberated over whether to accept the promotion or stay in her current role.
Constanza 深思著該接受升遷，還是留在目前的職位。
deliberate over whether to + infinitive
The committee is still deliberating on the best way to use the donation.
委員會仍在商議如何使用這筆捐款最恰當。
Élise and her team deliberated for three hours before announcing the new policy.
Élise 和團隊商議了三小時，才宣布新政策。
The board deliberated about the risks before approving the merger.
董事會在批准合併之前，仔細討論了其中的風險。
文法句型
deliberate (about/on/over) + noun phrase
deliberate + wh-clause
用法筆記
Pronunciation differs from the adjective: verb /dɪˈlɪbəˌreɪt/ (four syllables, last like 'eight'), adjective /dɪˈlɪbərət/ (four syllables, last like 'it'). Commonly used in formal, legal, academic, and business contexts. The subject is usually a person or group making an important decision — not used for trivial choices.