elements
elements — 名詞
1. parts or features that join together to make something complete.
部分；成分
構成整體的部分
parts or features that join together to make something complete.
Warm colors were the main elements in the cafe's new design.
溫暖的色彩是那家咖啡館新設計中的主要部分。
pattern: elements in a design
Trust and timing are key elements in a good rescue plan.
信任和時機都是一套好救援計畫中的關鍵要素。
collocation: key elements in
Sound and light were striking elements in the museum's night show.
聲音和燈光都是那場博物館夜間表演裡很醒目的部分。
Patience and clear rules are useful elements in a children's game.
耐心和清楚的規則是兒童遊戲裡有用的要素。
文法句型
elements of + noun
key elements in + noun
combine different elements
用法筆記
Use this sense for parts, qualities, or features inside a larger whole. It differs from sense 4, which is about factors that affect a result or decision.
2. the most basic ideas or skills that someone must learn in a subject.
基礎
學科最基本內容
the most basic ideas or skills that someone must learn in a subject.
Our first music class covered the elements of reading notes.
我們第一堂音樂課教的是識譜的基礎。
pattern: elements of + subject
The course teaches the elements of algebra before harder equations.
這門課先教代數基礎，之後才進入較難的方程式。
Coach Meilin reviewed the elements of safe climbing with beginners.
Meilin 教練跟初學者複習了安全攀岩的基礎。
The workbook breaks the elements of grammar into short lessons.
這本練習本把文法基礎拆成一課一課的短單元。
- basics
more everyday and less formal
- fundamentals
slightly more formal, often used in teaching or training
文法句型
elements of + subject
learn the elements of + subject
用法筆記
This sense is usually followed by of plus a school subject or skill area.
3. pure substances in chemistry, each made of only one kind of atom.
元素
只含一種原子的物質
pure substances in chemistry, each made of only one kind of atom.
Carbon and oxygen are elements that every science student learns early.
碳和氧都是每個理科學生很早就會學到的元素。
pattern: elements that every student learns
The poster grouped the elements by color on the classroom wall.
那張海報依顏色把元素分組，貼在教室牆上。
The app shows which elements stay solid at room temperature.
那個應用程式會顯示哪些元素在室溫下保持固態。
In lab club, Yumi memorized the symbols for twenty elements.
在實驗社裡，Yumi 背下了二十個元素的符號。
文法句型
chemical elements
elements such as + noun
group the elements by + property
用法筆記
Use this scientific sense for substances such as oxygen, iron, or gold. It differs from sense 8, which belongs to older beliefs rather than modern science.
4. pieces of information or conditions that help decide how something turns out.
因素
影響結果或判斷的條件
pieces of information or conditions that help decide how something turns out.
Cost and distance were the main elements in the family's choice.
費用和距離都是那家人做選擇時的主要因素。
pattern: elements in a choice
Sleep and stress can be hidden elements in a child's headaches.
睡眠和壓力可能是孩子頭痛背後隱藏的因素。
Time, luck, and training were all elements in the team's success.
時間、運氣和訓練都是那支球隊成功的因素。
The judge said several elements shaped the final decision.
法官說，有幾個因素左右了最後的判決。
- factor
the closest everyday synonym
- consideration
often used when people are weighing a decision
文法句型
elements in + decision
elements that shape + result
take elements into account
用法筆記
This sense focuses on what influences an outcome, judgment, or calculation. Use sense 1 instead when you simply mean parts of a thing.
5. wind, rain, cold, and similar outdoor weather that can affect people or things.
風雨
風雨等惡劣天候
wind, rain, cold, and similar outdoor weather that can affect people or things.
Heavy rain and wind left the hikers exposed to the elements.
大雨和強風讓那些登山客直接暴露在風雨中。
fixed phrase: exposed to the elements
The fishermen stayed in port when the elements turned rough at dawn.
天剛亮時風雨轉強，所以漁夫們留在港內。
Stone walls protected the old church from the worst elements.
石牆保護了那座老教堂，使它不受最猛烈風雨侵襲。
After one wet hour, the market stalls were no match for the elements.
才淋了一個小時的雨，那些市場攤位就敵不過風雨了。
- weather
broader and more neutral; this sense often suggests rough outdoor conditions
文法句型
exposed to the elements
protect from the elements
fight the elements
用法筆記
This sense usually appears with the definite article in phrases such as exposed to the elements or protect from the elements.
6. the surroundings or situation in which someone feels naturally skilled and comfo
適合環境
最自在拿手的情境
the surroundings or situation in which someone feels naturally skilled and comfortable.
On the busy stage, Tomás looked completely in his element.
在熱鬧的舞台上，Tomás 看起來完全處在最適合自己的環境裡。
fixed phrase: in your element
Ayana is in her element when the kitchen is full of guests.
廚房裡一坐滿客人，Ayana 就進入最自在拿手的情境。
The sheep seemed in their element on the windy hillside.
那些羊在多風的山坡上，看起來正處在最適合自己的環境裡。
During the live debate, Ravindra was clearly in his element.
現場辯論一開始，Ravindra 顯然就進入了自己最拿手的情境。
文法句型
be in your element
feel in your element
用法筆記
Most often used in the phrase be in your element, especially when someone is doing something they handle with ease.
7. people of a particular kind inside a larger group, often ones seen as troublesom
分子
大群體中的某類人
people of a particular kind inside a larger group, often ones seen as troublesome or extreme.
Police watched the violent elements at the edge of the rally.
警方盯著集會邊緣那些暴力分子。
collocation: violent elements
The mayor said criminal elements had moved into the empty building.
市長說，犯罪分子已經搬進那棟空著的大樓。
collocation: criminal elements
A few extremist elements within the movement rejected the peace deal.
那場運動中的少數激進分子拒絕接受和平協議。
Teachers quickly separated the disruptive elements from the younger children.
老師們很快就把那些搗亂分子和年紀較小的孩子分開。
文法句型
elements within + group
criminal elements
extremist elements
用法筆記
This sense is often used in news or formal contexts, especially with negative adjectives such as criminal, violent, or extremist.
8. earth, air, fire, and water as the four basic substances in older belief systems
四元素
古人認為萬物四基質
earth, air, fire, and water as the four basic substances in older belief systems.
Ancient thinkers believed the world rose from four basic elements.
古代思想家相信，世界是由四元素生成的。
fixed set: the four elements
The game uses fire, water, air, and earth as magical elements.
那款遊戲把火、水、風、土設定成帶魔力的四元素。
Our history teacher compared Chinese theories with the Greek elements.
我們的歷史老師把中國的理論和希臘四元素做了比較。
The mural showed the four elements around the center sun.
那幅壁畫把四元素畫在中央太陽的周圍。
文法句型
the four elements
earth, air, fire, and water
用法筆記
Use this historical or fantasy sense for older ideas about the makeup of the world, not for modern chemistry.