figures
figures — 名詞
1. a written sign such as 3, 7, or 152, used to record a count, quantity, or sum on
數字；數目
代表數字的符號或以數字表示的金額
a written sign such as 3, 7, or 152, used to record a count, quantity, or sum on paper rather than in words.
Mauricio wrote the total in figures next to the words on the cheque.
Mauricio 在支票上的文字旁邊用阿拉伯數字寫下總額。
in figures vs in words contrast
The bill came to almost two thousand dollars, a figure that shocked the family.
帳單金額將近兩千美元，這個數字讓全家人嚇了一跳。
Please add up these figures and tell me the total profit for March.
請把這些數字加起來，告訴我三月的總利潤是多少。
Cyrus checked the sales figures three times before sending the report to his boss.
Cyrus 在把報告寄給老闆前，把銷售數字檢查了三次。
The figure on the receipt was hard to read because the printer was running out of ink.
收據上的數字很難看清楚，因為印表機快沒墨水了。
用法筆記
Often plural when listing amounts (sales figures, unemployment figures). Use 'in figures' to contrast with 'in words'.
常見錯誤
2. used in phrases like 'single figures' (between 1 and 9), 'double figures' (betwe
位數範圍
個位數、兩位數或三位數的範圍
used in phrases like 'single figures' (between 1 and 9), 'double figures' (between 10 and 99), and 'triple figures' (100 or more) to describe what range a number falls in.
Inflation has stayed in single figures for the past five years in this country.
這個國家過去五年的通貨膨脹率一直維持在個位數。
in single figures fixed phrase
Élise scored in double figures for the first time in her basketball career last night.
Élise 昨晚籃球比賽生涯首次得分達到兩位數。
in double figures sports collocation
Daily new cases have finally dropped back into single figures across the small town.
這座小鎮每日新增病例終於降回個位數。
The temperature rose into triple figures during the heatwave in Phoenix last August.
去年八月鳳凰城熱浪期間，氣溫飆升到三位數。
- digits
informal alternative; 'two digits' = double figures
文法句型
in single/double/triple figures
用法筆記
Almost always used in the fixed phrase 'in [single/double/triple] figures'. Standalone use without these modifiers belongs in sense 1.
3. the dim outline of someone seen from far away, in fog, or in low light, when the
人影；身影
因距離或光線看不清臉的人形輪廓
the dim outline of someone seen from far away, in fog, or in low light, when their face and details are not yet clear.
Through the morning mist Otis saw two figures walking slowly along the beach.
Otis 透過早晨的薄霧看見兩個人影沿著海灘慢慢走著。
saw + figure(s) + walking pattern
A tall figure appeared at the gate, and Christopher's dog began barking loudly.
一個高大的身影出現在門口，Christopher 的狗開始大聲狂吠。
Yan could just make out a hooded figure crossing the bridge in the dark.
Yan 隱約看見一個戴兜帽的人影在黑暗中走過橋。
Two shadowy figures stood under the streetlight whispering to each other.
兩個黑影站在路燈下互相低聲交談。
- silhouette
outline only against a light background
- shape
more general; 'figure' implies a person
- outline
stresses the visible edge of the body
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 6 (woman's body shape, evaluative): this sense is purely about the outline/silhouette of someone seen from afar.
4. someone who is important, well-known, or seen as typical of a certain group, pro
人物；名人
在某領域有名望或具代表性的人
someone who is important, well-known, or seen as typical of a certain group, profession, or movement.
Amani became a leading figure in the country's independence movement during the nineteen-sixties.
Amani 在一九六〇年代成為該國獨立運動的領導人物。
leading figure in + movement
Several public figures spoke out against the new tax law at the rally yesterday.
昨天在集會上，好幾位公眾人物公開反對新稅法。
public figures fixed collocation
Faisal is now a respected figure in the local restaurant scene after twenty years of hard work.
經過二十年的努力，Faisal 如今是當地餐飲圈備受敬重的人物。
Trang's grandfather was a central figure in the village school for over thirty years.
Trang 的祖父在那所村莊小學任教超過三十年，是學校的核心人物。
The novel describes the lives of several historical figures from the Tang dynasty.
這本小說描寫了幾位唐朝歷史人物的生平。
- personality
stresses fame in media or entertainment
- personage
formal; suggests dignity or importance
- celebrity
fame-focused; 'figure' covers respected/influential, not just famous
文法句型
figure + in/of + field
用法筆記
Always takes a modifier (public, leading, central, historical, etc.) or a 'in/of + field' phrase to specify what kind of importance is meant.
常見錯誤
5. an image or small sculpted object that represents a human shape — for example a
人像；雕像
繪畫、雕塑或模型呈現的人物形象
an image or small sculpted object that represents a human shape — for example a painted portrait, a carved wooden doll, or a bronze statuette.
Ilan bought a small wooden figure of a dancer at the craft market in Lisbon.
Ilan 在里斯本的工藝市集買了一個小巧的木刻舞者像。
figure of + person collocation
The painting shows three figures gathered around a long wooden table sharing bread.
這幅畫描繪三個人圍坐在一張長木桌旁分食麵包。
Tyler collects metal figures of soldiers from the First World War period.
Tyler 收藏了第一次世界大戰時期的金屬士兵小雕像。
A bronze figure of the city's founder stands in the middle of the main square.
一座該城市創建者的青銅像矗立在主廣場中央。
用法筆記
Object must be the depicted form of a person, animal, or being. For abstract patterns (geometric shapes), use sense 8.
6. the overall shape of a woman's body, usually mentioned in terms of how attractiv
身材
女性整體的體型，常帶評價意味
the overall shape of a woman's body, usually mentioned in terms of how attractive or well-proportioned it appears.
Soraya exercises daily to keep her figure trim after the birth of her second baby.
Soraya 生下第二個寶寶後每天運動，努力保持身材苗條。
keep + one's figure pattern
The dress fitted Antonia's slim figure perfectly across the shoulders and waist.
這件洋裝完美貼合 Antonia 苗條的身材，肩線與腰身都剛剛好。
slim figure adjective pairing
Zuri has a wonderful figure and looks great in almost anything she wears.
Zuri 身材很好，幾乎穿什麼都好看。
Beatriz watches what she eats to keep her figure in shape for her dance shows.
Beatriz 為了在舞蹈表演中保持身材，會留意自己的飲食。
用法筆記
Typically used of women in everyday speech; calling a man's body a 'figure' is uncommon and may sound odd. Subject is usually a person, not a body part.
7. a diagram, chart, or picture inside a book, report, or scientific paper, usually
圖表；插圖
書籍或報告中標有編號的圖示
a diagram, chart, or picture inside a book, report, or scientific paper, usually given its own number for easy reference.
See Figure 3 on page 47 for a diagram of the human heart and its main blood vessels.
請參閱第 47 頁的圖三，可看到人類心臟與主要血管的示意圖。
Figure + number reference pattern
Walid included six figures in his thesis to show how rainfall has changed over fifty years.
Walid 在論文裡放了六張圖表，呈現五十年來雨量的變化。
include + figures + in document
The textbook places each figure right next to the paragraph that explains it.
這本教科書把每張插圖都緊鄰在解釋它的段落旁。
Soraya redrew the figures in her science report so the labels were easier to read.
Soraya 重新繪製了科展報告中的圖表，讓標籤更易閱讀。
- diagram
specifically a labelled drawing; 'figure' is the broader umbrella term
- illustration
any visual aid in a text; close synonym
- chart
specifically a data display (bar, pie, etc.)
文法句型
abbreviated as 'Fig.' before a number
用法筆記
Conventionally capitalised when followed by a number ('Figure 3'). Lower-case in general reference ('the figures in chapter 4').
8. in maths, any closed shape formed by lines, planes, or points — for example, a t
幾何圖形
由線、面或點構成的封閉幾何形狀
in maths, any closed shape formed by lines, planes, or points — for example, a triangle, square, circle, or sphere.
Asher asked the class to name each two-dimensional figure on the worksheet.
Asher 要全班同學說出習作上每一個二維幾何圖形的名稱。
two-dimensional figure technical collocation
A cube is a three-dimensional figure with six square sides and twelve edges.
立方體是一種三維圖形，有六個正方形面和十二條稜。
three-dimensional figure definition pattern
Brandon drew several geometric figures on the board to introduce the lesson on symmetry.
Brandon 在黑板上畫了好幾個幾何圖形，作為對稱單元的引言。
Match each name on the left with the correct figure on the right side of the page.
請把左邊的名稱與右邊對應的圖形配對。
用法筆記
Most common in maths textbooks and classroom talk. In everyday English, prefer 'shape' for the same idea.
figures — 動詞
1. to guess or believe that something will probably happen or turn out a certain wa
認為；料想
根據現有資訊推測某事可能發生
to guess or believe that something will probably happen or turn out a certain way, based on the information you have.
Ziad figured that the train would be late because of the heavy snow that morning.
Ziad 認為當天清晨大雪會讓火車誤點。
figure + that-clause pattern
I figured you'd be hungry, so I left a sandwich in the fridge for you.
我料想你會肚子餓，所以在冰箱裡幫你留了一份三明治。
informal: I figured + clause
The coach figures the team has a real chance of reaching the final this year.
教練認為球隊今年很有機會打進決賽。
Mauricio figured the meeting would last about an hour, but it ran until lunchtime.
Mauricio 原本以為會議大概只會開一個小時，結果卻一路開到午餐時間。
文法句型
figure + that-clause
figure + to-infinitive
用法筆記
Informal and mostly North American. In British English, prefer 'reckon' or 'suppose' in the same slot. Often shortened to a stand-alone reaction: 'That figures!' meaning 'That's what I expected'.
常見錯誤
2. to think of a person or thing as being a certain type or playing a certain role.
視為；看作
把某人或某物看成某種角色或類型
to think of a person or thing as being a certain type or playing a certain role.
Christopher figures himself as the leader of the group, although nobody actually voted for him.
Christopher 把自己視為這個團體的領導者，雖然根本沒人投票選他。
figure + reflexive + as + role
The teacher figured Trang as the most likely candidate to win the writing contest.
老師把 Trang 看作最有機會贏得作文比賽的人選。
figure + object + as + role
Many critics figure the new film as a quiet masterpiece that took years to make.
許多影評把這部新電影視為一部費時多年完成的低調傑作。
Otis figured his cousin as the kind of person who never returns borrowed books.
Otis 把自己的表弟看成那種借走書就不會還的人。
文法句型
figure + somebody/something + as + noun
用法筆記
Pattern is 'figure X as Y', where Y is a role, character type, or category. Without 'as', the same idea is usually expressed with 'see X as Y' or 'consider X to be Y'.
3. to show up as a noticeable element within a larger event, list, story, or activi
出現；佔有
在某事物中以顯眼方式出現或佔有角色
to show up as a noticeable element within a larger event, list, story, or activity.
Cyrus's name figures prominently in the list of donors for the new library wing.
Cyrus 的名字在新圖書館側翼的捐款人名單中位列前茅。
figure prominently in + something
Football figures heavily in life across most of Brazil's smaller coastal towns.
在巴西多數沿海小鎮，足球在生活中佔有極重要的地位。
figure heavily + in + activity
Local farmers figure in almost every chapter of Élise's history of the region.
在 Élise 撰寫的這部地區史中，幾乎每一章都會提到當地農民。
Honesty figured high among the qualities that Yan looked for in a business partner.
誠實在 Yan 挑選商業夥伴時所重視的特質中排在前面。
- appear
neutral; 'figure' suggests being a noticeable element
- feature
close synonym; often interchangeable with 'figure in'
- play a part
stresses active role rather than mere presence
文法句型
figure in/on/among + something
用法筆記
Usually paired with an adverb of degree ('prominently', 'heavily', 'high') or a preposition ('in', 'on', 'among') that says how or where the subject appears. Bare 'figure' without these is rare.
4. to work out a number or amount, usually by adding, subtracting, or doing simple
計算
用心算或筆算得出數字或金額
to work out a number or amount, usually by adding, subtracting, or doing simple maths in your head or on paper.
Amani figured the total cost of the trip and divided it between the four travellers.
Amani 算出整趟旅行的總費用，再由四位旅客平分。
figure + total/cost direct object
Faisal sat at the kitchen table figuring how much paint the bedroom walls would need.
Faisal 坐在餐桌旁計算粉刷臥室牆面需要多少油漆。
figure + how much pattern
Let me figure the tip while you find your jacket and gloves.
你去找外套和手套，我來算小費。
Ilan figured the distance from his house to the school at about three kilometres.
Ilan 估算他家到學校的距離大約是三公里。
文法句型
figure + amount
figure + how much/many
用法筆記
Informal, mostly American. British speakers usually say 'work out' instead. For more complex maths, 'calculate' is preferred even in American English.
5. to come to understand something tricky, usually after thinking about it for a wh
想通；弄懂
經過思考後弄明白棘手的事
to come to understand something tricky, usually after thinking about it for a while or trying different ideas; most often used as 'figure out'.
Tyler finally figured out why the printer kept jamming after every fifth page.
Tyler 終於弄清楚印表機為什麼每印到第五頁就卡紙。
figure out + why-clause
Antonia spent the whole afternoon trying to figure the new software out by herself.
Antonia 花了整個下午想自己摸索這套新軟體。
figure + object + out separation
Brandon could not figure how the magician had made the playing card disappear.
Brandon 怎麼也想不通魔術師是怎麼讓那張撲克牌消失的。
It took the police six months to figure out who had broken into the museum.
警方花了六個月才查出是誰闖進了那間博物館。
- work out
British everyday equivalent; same meaning
- solve
stresses the result; 'figure out' stresses the thinking process
- understand
general; lacks the 'after effort' nuance
文法句型
figure (out) + noun
figure (out) + wh-clause
用法筆記
Almost always 'figure out' in modern usage; bare 'figure' for this meaning is older and chiefly American. Object can sit between the verb and 'out' for short noun phrases.