equal
/ˈiːkwəl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈiːkwəl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈē-kwəl/ (ame, mw) · /ˈiː.kwəl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈiː.kwəl/ (ame, ipa)
equal — 形容詞
- equalpositive
- more equalcomparative
- most equalsuperlative
1. having the same amount, size, or value as something else — for example, two piec
相等的
在數量或價值上相同
having the same amount, size, or value as something else — for example, two pieces of cake cut so that each is the same size, or two numbers that represent the same quantity.
The baker cut the cake into two equal halves for the twins.
烘焙師傅將蛋糕切成相等的兩半，給那對雙胞胎兄妹。
collocation: equal halves
Both teams scored an equal number of goals, so the match ended in a draw.
兩支隊伍進球數相等，因此比賽以平手收場。
collocation: equal number of
The two bottles hold an equal volume of water — one litre each.
這兩個瓶子容量相等，各裝一公升的水。
Dividing the profits into four equal shares seemed fair to everyone.
將利潤分成四個相等的份額，所有人都覺得公平。
A day on Venus is roughly equal to 243 Earth days in length.
金星上的一天大約等於243個地球日。
- identical
means exactly the same in every detail, stricter than 'equal'
- equivalent
same in effect or function, not necessarily in exact measure
- same
general term for not different; less precise than 'equal'
文法句型
equal to + noun
用法筆記
When comparing two items, use the pattern 'equal to + noun'. Unlike the verb sense, the adjective requires the preposition 'to': 'This amount is equal to that amount.'
常見錯誤
2. treated or valued just like everyone else, with no one receiving better or worse
平等的
權利或待遇相同
treated or valued just like everyone else, with no one receiving better or worse treatment because of who they are — for instance, every citizen sharing the identical legal protections regardless of background.
All citizens are equal under the law in a democratic society.
在民主社會中，所有公民在法律面前都是平等的。
fixed phrase: equal under the law
Talia believes every child deserves equal access to quality education.
Talia 相信每個孩子都應該享有平等的優質教育機會。
The company introduced an equal-pay policy for men and women doing the same job.
公司推行了男女同工同酬的政策。
The new law guarantees equal opportunities for all job applicants regardless of age.
這項新法保障所有求職者享有平等機會，不因年齡而有差異。
In many countries, women still fight for equal treatment in the workplace.
在許多國家，女性仍在爭取職場上的平等待遇。
- unequal
not having the same rights or treatment
- discriminatory
treating people unfairly based on group differences
文法句型
equal + noun (attributive)
be + equal
用法筆記
Very common in formal, legal, and social-justice contexts. Often appears in fixed phrases such as 'equal rights', 'equal opportunities', and 'equal pay'.
常見錯誤
3. having the necessary ability, strength, or courage to deal with a difficult situ
勝任的
有能力應付困難任務
having the necessary ability, strength, or courage to deal with a difficult situation or task — for example, a doctor being equal to the demands of a complex surgery.
The young surgeon proved equal to the challenge of the emergency operation.
那位年輕的外科醫師證明了自己能夠勝任緊急手術的挑戰。
fixed pattern: prove equal to + noun
After months of training, Mayumi felt equal to managing the entire department alone.
經過幾個月的訓練，Mayumi 覺得自己有能力獨自管理整個部門了。
pattern: feel equal to + gerund
The old wooden bridge was no longer equal to carrying the weight of heavy trucks.
那座舊木橋已經無法承載重型卡車的重量了。
The manager wondered if the new team was equal to the enormous task ahead.
經理懷疑新團隊是否有能力應付眼前的龐大任務。
- capable of
more common in everyday English, less formal
- up to
informal alternative; 'I'm not up to it today'
- adequate for
focuses on sufficiency rather than inherent ability
- unequal to
not having the necessary ability or strength
- incapable of
lacking the ability altogether
文法句型
be + equal + to + noun/gerund
用法筆記
This sense follows only the fixed pattern 'equal to + noun/gerund'. It is fairly formal and more common in written English than in everyday conversation. The negative form 'not equal to' is particularly frequent.
常見錯誤
equal — 名詞
- equalsingular
- equalsplural
1. a person whose ability, status, or importance matches another person's — for exa
同等的人
地位或能力相同者
a person whose ability, status, or importance matches another person's — for example, a chess champion who has no rival in the country, or a product that competes with the best on the market.
As a chess player, the young champion has no equal in the country.
在西洋棋方面，那位年輕的冠軍在全國無人能敵。
fixed expression: have no equal
The new tablet is the equal of any high-end laptop in terms of speed.
這款新平板電腦在速度上可以媲美任何高階筆電。
pattern: the equal of + noun
Takeshi treats all of his colleagues as equals, regardless of their job titles.
Takeshi 將所有同事都視為平等的人，不論他們的職稱為何。
Among the students in her class, Eve had few equals in mathematical ability.
在班上的同學當中，Eve 的數學能力很少有人比得上。
The athlete finally met her equal in the Olympic finals — a runner from Kenya.
那位運動員終於在奧運決賽中遇到了勢均力敵的對手──一位來自肯亞的跑者。
- peer
focuses on age or social group rather than ability
- match
emphasises competitive equivalence; 'he met his match'
- counterpart
a person in a similar position in a different organisation
文法句型
possessive + equal
no + equal
the + equal + of + noun
用法筆記
Often used in the negative structures 'have no equal' or 'without equal' to emphasise that someone/something is the best. Can also be used with possessive pronouns: 'my equal', 'his equal'.
常見錯誤
❌ 'This product has no equal in the marketplace.' — This is actually correct! But note: 'no equal' is always singular, never 'no equals'.
equal — 動詞
- equalpresent simple I / you / we / they
- equals3rd person singular
- equalling-ing form
- equalledpast simple
1. to have the same value, amount, or size as something else — for example, two plu
等於
在數值或數量上相同
to have the same value, amount, or size as something else — for example, two plus two equalling four, or a measurement in one unit equalling a specific amount in another unit.
Two plus two equals four — it is one of the first maths facts children learn.
二加二等於四──這是孩子們最早學到的數學知識之一。
maths formula: X plus Y equals Z
One kilometre equals approximately six-tenths of a mile.
一公里大約等於零點六英里。
The total cost of the repairs equalled the current market value of the car.
維修費用總額等於那輛車目前的市價。
A single United States dollar currently equals about thirty pesos in the local exchange market.
一美元目前在當地外匯市場上大約等於三十披索。
The amount of water in the tank equals about two hundred litres when full.
水箱裝滿時的水量大約等於兩百公升。
文法句型
X + equals + Y
用法筆記
Unlike the adjective sense ('equal to'), the verb 'equal' does NOT take a preposition. Use 'X equals Y', not 'X equals to Y'. Very common in mathematics, finance, and measurement contexts.
常見錯誤
2. to reach a level or result that is as good as someone else's — for example, a ru
比得上
達到相同的標準或水準
to reach a level or result that is as good as someone else's — for example, a runner who ties a world record, or a business that performs as well as its main competitor.
The young sprinter equalled the world record in her very first international race.
那位年輕的短跑選手在她生涯第一場國際賽事中就追平了世界紀錄。
pattern: equal + a record
No other player in the tournament has equalled his score of one hundred and forty-seven.
本次錦標賽中沒有其他選手能比得上他一百四十七分的成績。
The company's third-quarter profits nearly equalled those of its biggest rival in the industry.
該公司第三季的獲利幾乎追平了業界最大競爭對手的表現。
Camila studied every evening to equal her brother's excellent grades in mathematics.
Camila 每天晚上都認真讀書，希望能趕上哥哥優異的數學成績。
The new smartphones battery life equals that of the previous model by a narrow margin.
這款新手機的電池續航力以些微差距與前一代機型相當。
- fall short of
not reaching a particular standard or target
文法句型
X + equals + Y + in + noun
用法筆記
This sense is typically used in competitive or achievement contexts: sports records, academic results, business performance. Often occurs with 'equal + a record/score/achievement'. The past tense is 'equalled' (UK) or 'equaled' (US).
常見錯誤
3. to produce a particular result or effect — for example, missing a deadline equal
導致
產生特定的結果或後果
to produce a particular result or effect — for example, missing a deadline equalling the loss of a contract, or a certain number of points equalling a prize.
Missing the deadline for the application equals losing the chance to study abroad.
錯過申請截止日期就等於失去出國留學的機會。
pattern: [action] equals [consequence]
In this game, collecting a hundred gold coins equals winning a bonus level.
在這款遊戲中，收集一百枚金幣就能開啟一個獎勵關卡。
For many families, owning a home equals achieving a sense of long-term security.
對許多家庭來說，擁有自己的房子就等於實現了長期的安定感。
In the scoring system, a correct answer equals ten points for the contestant.
在這套計分系統中，答對一題等於參賽者獲得十分。
Refusing to negotiate in this situation equals accepting the terms they have offered.
在這種情況下拒絕協商，就等於接受了他們提出的條件。
- means
more versatile and common in everyday English
- amounts to
emphasises the cumulative or net effect
- is equivalent to
more formal, often used in logical arguments
文法句型
X + equals + Y (outcome)
用法筆記
This sense is often used to explain rules, consequences, or logical implications. It overlaps with verb/1 (SAME VALUE), but verb/3 extends from mathematical equality to logical or situational equivalence. Common in games, business, and everyday reasoning.
常見錯誤
4. to make something equal, balanced, or uniform with something else — for example,
使相等
使事物相同或平衡
to make something equal, balanced, or uniform with something else — for example, a late goal equalling the score, or a policy aimed at equalling opportunities.
The striker's goal in the final minute equalled the score at two goals each.
前鋒在最後一分鐘進球，將比分扳成二比二平手。
pattern: goal equals the score
The new scholarship programme aims to equal educational opportunities across all regions.
新的獎學金計畫旨在使全國各地的教育機會趨於平等。
Élise's generous donation helped equal the funds raised by the two competing teams.
Élise 的大筆捐款拉平了兩支競爭隊伍的募款金額。
The tax reform was designed to equal the financial burden across different income groups.
這項稅制改革旨在使不同收入群體的財務負擔趨於平衡。
- unbalance
to make uneven or unequal
文法句型
X + equals + Y (makes Y equal)
用法筆記
This sense is less common than the other verb senses and is often replaced by 'equalize' in modern English, especially in British English. Most frequently encountered in sports contexts ('equalled the score') or formal writing about policy.