first-class
/ˌfɜːst ˈklɑːs/ (bre, ipa) · [fˌɚstklˈæs] /ˌfɝːst ˈklæs/ (ame, ipa) · [fˌɚstklˈæs] /ˈfərs(t)-ˈklas/ (ame, mw) · [fˌɚstklˈæs] /ˌfɜːrst ˈklæs/ (ame, ipa)
first-class — 形容詞
1. very good in a way that puts something among the best of its kind — for example,
頂級的；一流
品質屬於最高水準的
very good in a way that puts something among the best of its kind — for example, a meal, a hotel, or a piece of work that no one could reasonably complain about.
Nala served Diego a first-class meal of grilled fish and saffron rice.
Nala 為 Diego 端上一頓頂級的烤魚配番紅花飯。
attributive: first-class + noun (meal)
The new library in Salma's village has first-class facilities for children.
Salma 村裡新建的圖書館有一流的兒童設施。
first-class + plural noun (facilities)
Critics agreed that the young pianist's performance was absolutely first-class.
樂評一致認為那位年輕鋼琴家的演出絕對是頂級水準。
Ada's photography studio offers first-class service at a reasonable price.
Ada 的攝影工作室以合理價格提供一流服務。
The hotel near the lake offered first-class breakfasts and warm, friendly staff.
湖邊那家旅館供應一流的早餐，員工也親切熱情。
- excellent
neutral and very common; first-class adds a stronger feeling of admiration
- outstanding
emphasises standing above others; first-class focuses more on overall quality
- top-notch
informal alternative; first-class works in both formal and informal contexts
- poor
general opposite for quality
- second-rate
implies clearly below acceptable quality
文法句型
first-class + noun
be + first-class
用法筆記
Often praises a person's skill, a piece of work, or a service. Distinguish from sense 3 (travel/hotel cabin) by checking whether the noun is a quality judgement (sense 1) or a literal cabin or ticket category (sense 3).
常見錯誤
2. describing the highest band of an undergraduate degree at British and many Commo
一等學位
英制大學最高等級的學位
describing the highest band of an undergraduate degree at British and many Commonwealth universities — the band ranked above an upper second-class (a 2:1).
Nadia graduated from Edinburgh with a first-class degree in mathematics.
Nadia 以一等學位從愛丁堡大學數學系畢業。
collocation: first-class degree in [subject]
Only six students in Mei's history class earned first-class honours that year.
那一年 Mei 的歷史班上只有六個學生拿到一等榮譽學位。
collocation: first-class honours (plural)
Eitan needs a first-class result to apply for the scholarship he wants.
Eitan 必須拿到一等成績才能申請他想要的獎學金。
Joshua works night shifts and still hopes to finish with a first-class mark.
Joshua 一邊值夜班一邊念書，仍希望以一等成績畢業。
- first
informal British shorthand: 'she got a first'
- summa cum laude
rough US equivalent for the top academic band
文法句型
first-class + degree/honours
用法筆記
Almost always modifies degree, honours, mark, or result. Subject is typically a student or graduate. Not used as a predicative adjective in this sense — say 'a first-class degree', not 'his degree was first-class'.
常見錯誤
3. describing the top tier of seating, service, or accommodation that an airline, t
頭等的
搭機、搭車或住宿最高等級的
describing the top tier of seating, service, or accommodation that an airline, train operator, or hotel offers — costing more than the business or standard option.
Nikhil saved for two years to book a first-class cabin on the night train to Mumbai.
Nikhil 存了兩年錢，才訂下往孟買夜車的頭等包廂。
collocation: first-class cabin
The airline gave Élise a free upgrade to a first-class seat after the long delay.
航空公司因為延誤太久，免費把 Élise 升等到頭等座位。
collocation: first-class seat
Diego waited in the quiet first-class lounge before his flight to Bogotá.
Diego 在安靜的頭等候機室等待飛往波哥大的班機。
Christopher and his mother shared a first-class suite at the small mountain hotel.
Christopher 和母親在山上的小旅館共住一間頭等套房。
- economy
the cheapest travel class, opposite of first-class on planes and trains
- second-class
the band directly below on trains
文法句型
first-class + cabin/seat/ticket/lounge
用法筆記
Modifies physical travel goods (cabin, seat, ticket, lounge, suite). Subject is usually a traveller or service provider. Distinguish from sense 1: here the noun names a specific cabin or service tier, not a general quality judgement.
常見錯誤
4. describing the everyday postal service most people choose for letters — faster t
普通郵資的
用於一般郵務等級的
describing the everyday postal service most people choose for letters — faster than second-class in the UK, and used for ordinary letters in the US.
Jenna stuck a first-class stamp on the birthday card before the post office closed.
Jenna 在郵局關門前把一張普通郵資的郵票貼在生日卡上。
collocation: first-class stamp
Salma sent the wedding invitations by first-class mail to make sure they arrived on time.
Salma 用普通郵件寄出婚禮邀請函，確保準時送達。
collocation: first-class mail
Nikhil's bookshop charges an extra pound for first-class postage on heavy parcels.
Nikhil 的書店寄重型包裹時，普通郵資要多收一英鎊。
Justin posted the rent cheque as a first-class letter to avoid late fees.
Justin 把房租支票以普通郵件寄出，免得遲交罰款。
- priority
US-style label for faster postal service
- second-class
UK postal band below first-class, slower and cheaper
文法句型
first-class + stamp/mail/post
用法筆記
Modifies postal goods (stamp, mail, post, letter, postage). In the UK first-class is the faster tier (vs second-class); in the US it is the standard tier used for ordinary letters.
常見錯誤
first-class — 副詞
1. in the top tier of seats or cabins on a plane, train, or ship — the level passen
搭頭等
以最高等級的座艙搭乘交通工具
in the top tier of seats or cabins on a plane, train, or ship — the level passengers pay extra for to get more comfort and space.
Tuan flew first class for the first time on his honeymoon trip to Paris.
Tuan 在巴黎蜜月旅行時第一次搭頭等艙出國。
collocation: fly first class
The retired diplomat always travelled first class on overnight trains.
那位退休外交官搭夜車一向都搭頭等。
collocation: travel first class
Nicholas saved his airline miles for years so he could go first class to Tokyo with his daughter.
Nicholas 存了好幾年的哩程，就為了和女兒搭頭等去東京。
Mei was upgraded and ended up sitting first class on the long flight home.
Mei 被升等，整趟回家的長途班機都坐在頭等艙。
- in luxury
broader; covers more than just transport class
- economy
as an adverb: 'fly economy' — the cheapest travel class
文法句型
travel/fly/go + first class
用法筆記
Always written without a hyphen when used as an adverb (fly first class), even though the adjective form is hyphenated (a first-class seat). Common verbs: fly, travel, go, sit.
常見錯誤
2. using the everyday postal tier most people choose for letters — the quicker opti
以普通郵件寄
用最常用的郵務等級寄送
using the everyday postal tier most people choose for letters — the quicker option in the UK, and the standard letter service in the US.
Diego posted the passport application first class so it would arrive before the deadline.
Diego 以普通郵件寄出護照申請，才能在截止日前送達。
collocation: post first class
Ada sent the contract first class and asked for a tracking number at the counter.
Ada 以普通郵件寄出合約，並到櫃台索取追蹤號碼。
collocation: send first class
Nadia always mails her grandmother's birthday cards first class to be safe.
Nadia 為了保險起見，總是以普通郵件寄奶奶的生日卡。
Felix posted the wedding gift first class on Monday and it reached Glasgow by Thursday.
Felix 週一以普通郵件寄出結婚禮物，週四就送到了格拉斯哥。
- second class
UK postal adverb: post something second class
文法句型
send/post/mail + first class
用法筆記
Written without a hyphen in adverbial use (send it first class). Common verbs: send, post, mail. Often appears immediately after the object of the verb.
常見錯誤
first-class — 名詞
1. the top seating area aboard an airplane or train where passengers pay extra for
頭等艙
飛機或火車最高等級的座艙
the top seating area aboard an airplane or train where passengers pay extra for wider seats, better food, and more personal space.
Nikhil walked through first class on his way to find his seat at the back of the plane.
Nikhil 穿過頭等艙走向飛機後段的座位。
preposition: through/in first class (as a place)
Élise got a last-minute upgrade to first class after the flight was overbooked.
Élise 因為班機超賣，臨時被升等到頭等艙。
collocation: upgrade to first class
First class was almost empty on the early morning train to Brussels.
早班開往布魯塞爾的火車上，頭等艙幾乎沒人。
Christopher loves the quiet meals served in first class on long flights.
Christopher 喜歡長途班機上頭等艙安靜送上的餐點。
- premium cabin
common in airline industry language
- economy
the cheapest cabin tier on planes and trains
文法句型
in/to first class
upgrade to first class
用法筆記
Uncountable; takes no article when used generically ('travel in first class') but can take 'the' for a specific cabin ('the first class was full'). Usually paired with 'in' or 'to'.
常見錯誤
2. the postal tier most people choose for ordinary letters — quicker than second cl
普通郵件
一般人最常使用的郵務等級
the postal tier most people choose for ordinary letters — quicker than second class in the UK, and the regular letter service in the US.
Jenna chose first class so the cards would reach her cousin before the new year.
Jenna 選擇普通郵件，讓卡片能在新年前送到表妹手上。
collocation: choose first class (postal)
Salma's corner shop now charges an extra pound for first class on small parcels.
Salma 的雜貨店現在寄小包裹的普通郵件要多收一英鎊。
collocation: charge extra for first class
Justin asked the clerk for the price of first class to Berlin.
Justin 向櫃員詢問寄到柏林的普通郵件費用。
Most birthday cards from Ada arrive on time because she always uses first class.
Ada 寄的生日卡多半能準時到，因為她總是用普通郵件。
- second class
the cheaper, slower UK postal tier
文法句型
by first class
send/post by first class
用法筆記
Uncountable. Frequently appears with 'use', 'choose', 'pay for', or after 'by' ('send it by first class' — though the adverbial 'send it first class' is more common in everyday speech).