disturb

/dɪˈstɜːb/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈstɜːrb/ (ame, ipa) · /di-ˈstərb/ (ame, mw)

disturb — 動詞

  • disturbpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • disturbshe / she / it
  • disturbedpast simple
  • disturbing-ing form

1. to stop someone's current activity by making a noise, entering their space, or a

1.動詞及物B1
釋義

打擾；干擾

打斷他人正在做的事

to stop someone's current activity by making a noise, entering their space, or asking them a question

例句

A loud signal from a passing train disturbed everyone in the meeting room.

一列經過的火車發出巨大的訊號聲，打擾了會議室裡的每個人。

passive: be disturbed by [noise source]

Tariro did not want to disturb the class, so she entered very quietly.

Tariro 不想打擾課堂，所以她非常安靜地走進教室。

disturb + group + negative intention

同義詞
  • interrupt

    more specific — usually stopping speech or a process

  • bother

    more informal, often implies minor annoyance

  • disrupt

    stronger — prevents an event or system from continuing

反義詞
  • leave alone

    casual — not interfering with someone

  • keep quiet

    idiomatic — remaining silent so as not to disturb

文法句型

disturb + person/activity

disturb + person + by + gerund

do not disturb

用法筆記

Commonly used in polite formulas: 'Sorry to disturb you' is a standard opener before interrupting someone's work. The phrase 'do not disturb' commonly appears on signs hung on doors. This sense is broader than 'interrupt' — it applies to any activity, not just speech.

常見錯誤

❌Sorry to bother you, can I ask something?' (in a formal workplace).
✅Sorry to disturb you, can I ask something?
💡'bother' is casual; 'disturb' is more appropriate in formal or professional settings.

2. to behave in a noisy, violent, or offensive way in a public place, creating a si

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

擾亂

以喧鬧行為破壞公共安寧

to behave in a noisy, violent, or offensive way in a public place, creating a situation that breaks laws about public order

例句

Fans disturbed the peace by shouting and letting off fireworks after the match.

球迷在比賽後大聲喊叫並施放煙火，擾亂了安寧。

disturb + the peace + by + noisy behaviour

The police arrested Walid for disturbing the peace during the street festival.

警方在街頭節慶期間逮捕了 Walid，罪名是擾亂公共安寧。

legal: arrest for disturbing the peace

同義詞
反義詞

文法句型

disturb + the peace

disturb + public order

用法筆記

The legal term 'disturb the peace' has a specific meaning in many jurisdictions, covering noise, fighting, threats, or other disorderly behaviour in public. The object is almost always 'the peace' or 'public order'. This sense is not used for quiet, private interruptions.

常見錯誤

❌Please don't disturb the peace while I study' (referring to quiet interruption).
✅Please don't disturb me while I study.
💡'disturb the peace' is a legal phrase about public order, not a polite request for quiet.

3. to make someone feel anxious, upset, or emotionally unsettled, especially about

3.動詞及物B1
釋義

使不安；困擾

讓人心煩或感到憂慮

to make someone feel anxious, upset, or emotionally unsettled, especially about something unexpected or unpleasant — for example, news of an accident, a frightening image, or a worrying change

例句

The news about the earthquake disturbed Ava deeply, and she could not sleep.

關於地震的消息讓 Ava 深感不安，她無法入睡。

deeply disturbed + by [event]

It disturbed Rafael to see his grandmother looking so weak after the operation.

看到祖母在術後看起來如此虛弱，讓 Rafael 感到非常困擾。

it disturbs + person + to see/hear

同義詞
  • upset

    stronger — implies sadness or emotional pain

  • trouble

    slightly less intense; can be about practical worries

  • alarm

    implies fear or a sense of danger

反義詞
  • calm

    to make someone feel peaceful again

  • reassure

    to comfort someone who is worried

文法句型

disturb + person

it disturbs + person + that-clause

disturb + person + to see/hear/learn

用法筆記

Frequently used in passive voice ('I was disturbed by...'). This sense is stronger than 'worry' — it suggests deeper emotional distress or unease. The subject is usually an event, news, image, or sight, not a person deliberately causing upset.

常見錯誤

❌His loud chewing disturbed me' (meaning annoyed).
✅His loud chewing annoyed me.
💡'disturb' in this sense is for real emotional distress, not everyday irritation.

4. to change the position of something so that it is no longer in its proper place,

4.動詞及物B2
釋義

弄亂；移動

改變物品原有的位置或整齊狀態

to change the position of something so that it is no longer in its proper place, often leaving things untidy or disorganised

例句

Someone had disturbed the papers on the desk while Tyler was away from his office.

Tyler 離開辦公室時，有人動過他桌上的文件。

passive: had been disturbed

The wind disturbed the pile of leaves that Indra had just swept together.

風吹亂了 Indra 剛剛掃好的落葉堆。

同義詞
  • disarrange

    more formal; specifically about orderliness

  • displace

    suggests moving something to a different location

  • mess up

    informal; makes things untidy

反義詞

文法句型

disturb + object

passive: had been disturbed

用法筆記

Often used in passive voice or in warnings/instructions. The object is typically a physical arrangement of items — papers, furniture, bedding, evidence. It is not used for large objects that stay in place.