explain
/ɪkˈspleɪn/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪkˈspleɪn/ (ame, ipa) · /ik-ˈsplān/ (ame, mw)
explain — 動詞
- explainpresent simple I / you / we / they
- explainshe / she / it
- explainedpast simple
- explaining-ing form
1. to tell someone about something in a way that helps them understand it clearly.
解釋
詳細說明使對方了解
to tell someone about something in a way that helps them understand it clearly.
Wei Chen explained the new parking rules to the staff before the meeting.
魏晨在開會前向同事說明了新的停車規定。
explain + noun phrase + to + person
Amara explained that the pharmacy closes at eight on weekdays.
Amara 說明藥局平日八點關門。
explain + that-clause
Can you explain how to fill out this visa application form?
你能說明一下這份簽證申請表要怎麼填嗎？
Dr. Patel's chart explains why the patient's fever keeps returning.
Patel 醫師的圖表說明了病人的燒為什麼一直不退。
The librarian explained the borrowing rules to the new students.
圖書館員向新生說明了借書規則。
- clarify
more formal; focuses on removing confusion rather than describing a whole topic
- illustrate
means to explain by giving examples or pictures; more specific
- define
narrower — gives the exact meaning of a single word or concept
文法句型
explain + noun phrase + to + person
explain + that-clause
explain + wh-word + clause
explain (intransitive)
用法筆記
The person being told is introduced by 'to'. 'Explain me the problem' is incorrect — use 'explain the problem to me'. Frequently used with question words (how, why, what, where).
常見錯誤
2. to give reasons for something you have said or done, especially when other peopl
辯解
為自己的行為提出理由
to give reasons for something you have said or done, especially when other people think it was wrong.
Kwame had to explain why he missed three days of work without calling.
Kwame 必須解釋他為什麼三天沒上班也沒打電話。
explain + why + clause for justification
Yuki explained herself to the manager after the mistake in the accounts.
Yuki 在帳目出錯後向主管為自己辯解。
explain + reflexive pronoun
How do you explain spending the company's money on personal items?
你要怎麼解釋把公司的錢花在私人用品上？
João could not explain his sudden anger toward the new colleague.
João 無法解釋他為什麼突然對新同事生氣。
The boy tried to explain his side of the story to his parents.
那個男孩試著向父母說明整件事情的來龍去脈。
- justify
more formal; focuses on proving that the action was right
- account for
suggests explaining in detail, often in a report or official context
- defend
stronger; suggests arguing against an accusation
- accuse
to say someone has done wrong — opposite of defending your actions
文法句型
explain + reflexive pronoun
explain + why + clause
explain + noun phrase (of personal action)
用法筆記
Often used with a reflexive pronoun (explain yourself, explain themselves). This sense carries a defensive tone — you are justifying, not simply informing.
常見錯誤
3. to be the reason why something happens or why someone behaves in a particular wa
說明原因
某事物是另一事物發生的原因
to be the reason why something happens or why someone behaves in a particular way.
The heavy rain explains why the outdoor concert was cancelled.
暴雨說明了戶外音樂會為何取消。
subject is a situation, not a person
That explains the strange noise we heard in the basement last night.
這解釋了我們昨晚在地下室聽到的怪聲。
Her nervous talkativeness is explained by the years she spent living alone.
她話多的性格可以用獨居多年的經歷來解釋。
Nothing can explain why someone would harm a defenceless animal.
沒有任何理由能解釋為什麼有人會傷害毫無抵抗力的動物。
The traffic on the highway explains why Ingrid arrived an hour late.
高速公路塞車說明了 Ingrid 為什麼遲到一個小時。
- account for
more formal; often used in reports or science
- justify
stronger implication that the reason is sufficient and morally acceptable
文法句型
fact/event + explains + noun phrase
fact/event + explains + why + clause
noun phrase + is explained by + noun phrase (passive)
用法筆記
Subject is usually a fact, event, situation or condition — not a person. Rarely used in the imperative with this meaning. Distinguish from sense 1: in this sense, nothing is being communicated to anyone; a cause simply accounts for an effect.