essential
essential — 形容詞
1. needed so much that a particular activity, situation, or process cannot succeed
必要的
絕對需要；不可或缺
needed so much that a particular activity, situation, or process cannot succeed or continue without it.
A passport is essential when you travel to a foreign country.
出國旅行時，護照是必不可少的。
essential when + clause
It is essential that Noor reads the safety instructions before starting the machine.
Noor 在啟動機器前必須先閱讀安全說明。
it is essential that + clause
Ryo found that warm clothing was essential during the mountain hike.
Ryo 發現登山時保暖衣物是必不可少的。
Good communication skills are essential for anyone working in a team.
良好的溝通技巧對任何團隊合作的人來說都是必要的。
The nurse said it is essential to drink plenty of water in hot weather.
護理師說，天氣炎熱時多喝水非常重要。
- necessary
more general and neutral; 'essential' is stronger
- vital
suggests something is needed for life or continued existence
- crucial
emphasises that a specific outcome depends on it
- indispensable
the strongest; nothing can replace it
- unnecessary
not needed in any way
- optional
you can choose whether to have it or not
文法句型
essential for [noun/phrase]
essential to [noun/phrase]
it is essential that [clause]
it is essential to [verb]
用法筆記
Can be followed by 'for' (emphasising the goal), 'to' (emphasising the connection), a that-clause, or a to-infinitive. The that-clause often takes a subjunctive verb (no -s on third person).
常見錯誤
2. describing the basic nature or character that makes something or someone what th
本質的
事物最根本或最重要的性質
describing the basic nature or character that makes something or someone what they truly are, without which they would be different.
The essential difference between the two libraries is their opening hours.
這兩間圖書館最根本的差別在於開放時間。
attributive: essential + [noun]
Honesty is an essential quality in any good friendship.
誠實是任何良好友誼中不可或缺的特質。
Allison covered the essential points of the report in the first five minutes.
Allison 在前五分鐘內就涵蓋了報告的重點。
Patience is essential to the art of teaching young children.
耐心是教導幼兒這門藝術的本質要素。
- fundamental
suggests something forms the foundation of a system or idea
- basic
simpler and more common; less formal
- inherent
emphasises that it naturally belongs to someone or something
- secondary
less important, not part of the core
- superficial
relating only to the surface, not the real nature
文法句型
essential [noun]
essential to [noun]
用法筆記
Usually placed directly before a noun (attributive position). When used predicatively with 'to', the meaning is closer to 'forming a basic part of' rather than 'absolutely necessary'.
常見錯誤
essential — 名詞
1. something that you must have in order to live, work, or function properly in dai
必需品
生活或工作中不可或缺的物品
something that you must have in order to live, work, or function properly in daily life.
The shop sells basic essentials like rice, oil, and soap.
那家商店販賣米、油、肥皂等基本生活必需品。
often plural: basic essentials
Clean drinking water is an essential that every community should have access to.
乾淨的飲用水是每個社區都應該擁有的必需品。
countable singular: an essential
When the power went out, candles became an essential for the Watanabe family.
停電時，蠟燭成了渡邊家的必需品。
The charity provides essentials such as blankets and medicine to families in need.
該慈善機構提供毛毯和藥品等必需品給有需要的家庭。
文法句型
the essentials
an essential
basic essentials
用法筆記
Often used in the plural form 'essentials' when listing everyday basic items. The singular form 'an essential' is common when naming one specific necessary item.
常見錯誤
2. a central idea, fact, or quality that forms the most important part of something
精髓
構成某事物最重要的核心概念或特質
a central idea, fact, or quality that forms the most important part of something and cannot be removed.
The essentials of good cooking include fresh ingredients and proper timing.
烹飪的精髓在於新鮮食材和恰到好處的時機。
the essentials of [something]
Leo explained the essentials of the new safety rules to the whole team.
Leo 向全體團隊解釋了新的安全規則的要點。
Knowing your rights is an essential of living in a democratic society.
了解自己的權利是民主社會生活的基本要素。
The essentials of the plan were agreed on before the meeting started.
該計畫的基本要點在會議開始前就已達成共識。
- fundamental
often used in the same way; 'the fundamentals of' is equally common
- basic
simpler, less formal; 'the basics of' is common in everyday speech
- core
suggests the innermost or most vital part
- detail
a small, often less important piece of information
- minor point
a less significant aspect
文法句型
the essentials of [something]
an essential of [something]
用法筆記
The plural 'essentials' is more common than the singular. The phrase 'the essentials of [something]' is a fixed pattern — it introduces the most important concepts of a subject or activity.