fairness
/ˈfeənəs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈfernəs/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈfer-nəs/ (ame, mw)
fairness — 名詞
1. the principle that all people have the right to be treated equally and in a mora
公平；公正
不偏袒地對待所有人
the principle that all people have the right to be treated equally and in a morally right way, without one person or group receiving special favour over another.
Ari argued that fairness in the workplace meant equal pay for work of equal value.
Ari 認為職場上的公平意味著同工同酬。
collocation: fairness in the workplace
Jisoo's sense of fairness led her to defend the new student against unkind remarks.
Jisoo 強烈的公平感促使她在那名新同學受到他人不友善的評論時挺身為他辯護。
collocation: sense of fairness
The players respected the referee because she showed fairness to both sides throughout the match.
球員們都很尊敬那位裁判，因為她在整場比賽中對雙方都一視同仁。
The hiring committee demonstrated fairness by interviewing every candidate for the same length of time.
招聘委員會對每位候選人進行相同時間的面試，展現了公平原則。
Jude worried that the new school rule would affect the fairness of the grading system.
Jude 擔心學校的新規定會影響評分制度的公平性。
- justice
broader concept that includes legal systems and punishments; fairness is more about everyday treatment.
- equity
more formal term, often used in legal or financial contexts; implies adjusting rules to achieve proportional fairness.
- impartiality
focuses on not having favourites or biases; less about moral rightness, more about neutrality.
- unfairness
direct opposite: the quality of treating people unequally or unjustly.
- bias
takes the form of favouring one side; fairness is about the absence of this.
用法筆記
Frequently appears with possessives: 'sense of fairness', 'commitment to fairness'. Often paired with 'justice' in formal contexts: 'fairness and justice'. Subject is commonly an institution or authority figure (judge, manager, referee).
常見錯誤
2. a fixed expression used when you are about to say something that makes a person
說句公道話
考慮所有因素後的持平觀點
a fixed expression used when you are about to say something that makes a person or situation seem less bad or more balanced, especially after a criticism or a one-sided argument.
In all fairness to Ziad, he had only been told about the deadline the day before it was due.
說句公道話，Ziad 在截止日期的前一天才被告知這個期限。
pattern: in all fairness to [someone]
The room was small, but in all fairness the price was very cheap for that area.
那間飯店房間確實很小，但平心而論，以該區域的標準來看房價已經非常便宜了。
pattern: in all fairness + contrasting clause
Mira said the service was slow, but in fairness the kitchen was extremely busy that night.
Mira 說服務很慢，但公平地說，那天晚上廚房實在忙得不可開交。
Hari admitted the rent was high, but in fairness the apartment included all utility bills.
Hari 承認房租很高，但公平地說，那間公寓包含所有水電瓦斯費用。
The landlord raised the rent suddenly, but in all fairness he had given three months' notice.
房東突然漲了房租，但平心而論，他早在三個月前就發了通知。
- to be fair
interchangeable with 'in all fairness', slightly less formal.
- admittedly
similar function of conceding a point, but does not include the nuance of defending someone.
- granted
similar conceding function, but typically introduces the opposite side of an argument without the moral weight.
文法句型
in all fairness (to someone)
in fairness
to be fair
用法筆記
This sense only exists inside the fixed phrases 'in all fairness', 'in fairness (to someone)', or 'to be fair'. These phrases open a clause that adds a contrasting or balancing point. The speaker typically agrees with a criticism first, then uses this phrase to introduce a reason that paints a fuller picture. 'In fairness to + person' directly defends someone; 'in all fairness' defends a situation or decision.
常見錯誤
3. a dated or literary term describing beauty of appearance, particularly a light c
美貌
美麗，尤指膚色白皙
a dated or literary term describing beauty of appearance, particularly a light complexion or attractive facial qualities.
The poem praised the fairness of her complexion and the gentle curve of her smile.
那首詩讚頌了她膚色的白皙與笑容的柔和曲線。
collocation: fairness of complexion
In Renaissance art, a woman's fairness was celebrated as a sign of virtue and noble birth.
在文藝復興時期的畫作中，女性的美貌常被視為美德與高貴出身的象徵。
register: literary / historical
Haruto smiled at the old love letter, amused by its praise of Zuri's fairness and grace.
Haruto 看著那封古老的情書笑了出來，被信中讚頌 Zuri 美貌與優雅的詞句逗樂了。
The old portrait captured the fairness of the young princess, with her pale skin and light hair.
那幅古老的肖像畫捕捉了年輕公主的美貌，展現她白皙的肌膚與淺色的秀髮。
Zayd read a medieval poem that compared his beloved's fairness to the morning sun.
Zayd 讀了一首中世紀詩歌，詩中將他愛人的美貌比作清晨的陽光。
- beauty
modern, general term; 'fairness' is narrower and older.
- loveliness
similar poetic tone but broader: can apply to personality as well as looks.
用法筆記
This sense is dated or strongly literary in modern English. It is unlikely to appear in everyday conversation outside of historical fiction, poetry, or discussions of classic art. The most common collocation is 'fairness of complexion'. Unlike sense 1, this meaning has no connection to justice or morals.