elemental
/ˌelɪˈmentl/ (bre, ipa) · [ˌɛləmˈɛntəl] /ˌelɪˈmentl/ (ame, ipa) · [ˌɛləmˈɛntəl] /ˌe-lə-ˈmen-tᵊl/ (ame, mw)
elemental — 形容詞
- elementalpositive
- more elementalcomparative
- most elementalsuperlative
1. relating to the simplest and most essential qualities or needs that something is
基本；根本
最基本且重要的
relating to the simplest and most essential qualities or needs that something is built upon, and which feel powerful because they are so basic
The documentary explored the elemental need for food, water, and shelter in every human society.
這部紀錄片探討了人類社會中對於食物、水和住所的基本需求。
collocation: elemental need
Minh felt an elemental sense of joy just by being near the sea each morning.
Minh 每天早上光是靠近海邊，就感受到一種原始的喜悅。
Trust is an elemental part of any strong friendship between two people.
信任是任何深厚友誼中不可或缺的基本要素。
Ayana's speech touched on the elemental question of what it means to be human.
Ayana 的演講觸及了「身為人意味著什麼」這個根本問題。
For the refugees, finding safe housing was an elemental need that could not be ignored.
對難民來說，找到安全的住所是一個不容忽視的基本需求。
- fundamental
the closest synonym; both mean 'forming a necessary base', but 'elemental' adds a sense of raw power
- basic
more neutral and common; lacks the 'strong/important' connotation of 'elemental'
- essential
focuses on necessity rather than simplicity or power
- primal
suggests something ancient and original, often in an emotional context
- secondary
less important or derived from something else
- nonessential
not necessary for the basic structure
文法句型
elemental + noun
用法筆記
Often used with nouns that describe deep human experiences: 'need', 'desire', 'fear', 'truth', 'question'. This sense emphasises that something is not just basic but also powerful and hard to ignore.
常見錯誤
2. relating to the wild and destructive power of nature, such as wind, fire, water,
自然力的
大自然強大力量的
relating to the wild and destructive power of nature, such as wind, fire, water, and storms
The hurricane released an elemental fury that flattened whole towns along the coast.
這場颶風釋放出自然力量的怒火，將沿岸整個城鎮夷為平地。
collocation: elemental fury
Tanvi stood on the cliff and felt the elemental power of the crashing waves below.
Tanvi 站在懸崖上，感受著下方浪潮的自然力量。
collocation: elemental power
Ancient people saw thunder and lightning as the work of powerful elemental gods.
古人將雷電視為強大的自然神祇之作。
The earthquake was a reminder of the elemental forces that shape our planet.
這場地震讓人們再次警覺到塑造地球的自然力量。
Haruto described the volcano's eruption as an act of elemental violence that reshaped the landscape.
Haruto 將火山爆發形容為一場重塑地貌的自然暴力。
- civilised
controlled and orderly, as opposed to wild natural power
文法句型
elemental + noun
用法筆記
Common in literary or descriptive writing rather than everyday conversation. Frequently paired with nouns describing destructive events: 'fury', 'power', 'force', 'violence'.
3. existing as a pure chemical element rather than combined with other elements in
元素的
化學元素的；以純元素形式存在的
existing as a pure chemical element rather than combined with other elements in a compound; relating to the basic substances that all matter is made of
Gold can be found in its elemental form as nuggets buried in riverbeds or rocks.
黃金可以元素形式存在於河床或岩石中的金塊裡。
collocation: elemental form
In chemistry class, Kian learned how to identify elemental substances using a flame test.
在化學課上，Kian 學會了如何用焰色測試來辨識元素物質。
Oxygen is essential to life, but rarely exists in pure elemental form in air.
氧氣對生命至關重要，但很少以純元素形式存在於空氣中。
Scientists study the elemental composition of distant stars by analysing the light they give off.
科學家透過分析恆星發出的光線來研究其元素組成。
Camila's research project examined the properties of elemental carbon in diamond and graphite forms.
Camila 的研究計畫探討了元素碳在鑽石和石墨型態中的性質。
- pure
a simpler word; means 'not mixed with anything else', which overlaps with one aspect of 'elemental'
- uncombined
a technical chemistry term; describes an element that has not formed a compound
文法句型
elemental + noun
用法筆記
Used in chemistry and earth science to distinguish a pure element from a mixture or compound. 'Elemental' is different from 'elementary' (simple or easy) — do not confuse them.