discern

/dɪˈsɜːn/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈsɜːrn/ (ame, ipa) · /di-ˈsərn -ˈzərn/ (ame, mw)

discern — 動詞

  • discernpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • discernshe / she / it
  • discernedpast simple
  • discerning-ing form

1. to understand what something really means, or notice its real nature, when that

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

察覺

看出隱藏的意思或意圖

to understand what something really means, or notice its real nature, when that is not easy at first.

例句

Manuela soon discerned the manager's real concern behind his polite questions.

Manuela 很快就察覺到經理客氣提問背後真正的顧慮。

discern + hidden concern

After reading the email twice, Hugo discerned a quiet warning in it.

把那封 email 讀了兩遍後，Hugo 察覺到裡面有個含蓄的警告。

同義詞
  • perceive

    broader and slightly less focused on hidden meaning

  • realize

    more common and often less formal

  • recognize

    can mean identifying something without the same depth of judgment

反義詞
  • miss

    fail to notice the important point

  • misread

    understand the situation in the wrong way

文法句型

discern + hidden meaning/problem/intention

discern + that-clause

discern + who/what/how-clause

用法筆記

Often takes objects such as motive, meaning, intention, or pattern. Unlike sense 2, this sense focuses on interpretation rather than simply catching a faint sign with the senses.

2. to catch a weak sound, shape, smell, or other sign with your senses when it is h

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

辨認

在難看清時感覺到聲音或形體

to catch a weak sound, shape, smell, or other sign with your senses when it is hard to notice.

例句

From the shore, Adisa could barely discern a fishing boat in the fog.

站在岸邊時，Adisa 只能勉強辨認出霧中的漁船。

could barely discern + object

Adina discerned a weak smell of smoke near the closed classroom door.

Adina 在緊閉的教室門邊辨認出一股淡淡的煙味。

discern + smell

同義詞
  • detect

    neutral and common for noticing a weak sign

  • make out

    more informal and especially common for sight or sound

  • pick up

    informal and often used for sounds or signals

反義詞
  • overlook

    fail to notice something that is present

  • ignore

    choose not to notice or react to it

文法句型

can/could barely discern + object

discern + sound/smell/shape/detail

discern + object + in/through + [medium]

用法筆記

Usually takes something directly sensed, such as a voice, smell, movement, or outline. Unlike sense 1, it does not mainly suggest working out a hidden meaning.

3. to tell one person, idea, or quality apart from another by noticing the differen

3.動詞及物C1
釋義

分辨

分出兩者之間的差別

to tell one person, idea, or quality apart from another by noticing the difference between them.

例句

New staff often struggle to discern useful feedback from casual complaints.

新進員工常常難以分辨有用的回饋和隨口的抱怨。

discern A from B

Aylin quickly discerned the difference between kindness and simple politeness.

Aylin 很快就分辨出善意和單純禮貌之間的差別。

discern the difference between A and B

同義詞
  • distinguish

    the most direct and common verb for seeing a difference

  • differentiate

    more formal and often used in academic or technical writing

  • tell apart

    plain and conversational

反義詞
  • confuse

    treat two different things as if they were the same

  • mix up

    informal and often used for practical mistakes

文法句型

discern + A + from + B

discern + the difference + between + A and B

discern + whether + clause

用法筆記

Frequently appears with from, between, or whether to mark the contrast being judged. Unlike sense 2, this sense is about separating alternatives rather than simply noticing them.