general
general — 名詞
- generalsingular
- generalsplural
1. a very senior military officer who commands large numbers of troops and holds on
將軍
陸軍、空軍等最高軍階之一
a very senior military officer who commands large numbers of troops and holds one of the highest ranks in the army or similar armed force.
General Trang inspected the new recruits at the training base this morning.
Trang 將軍今天早上在訓練基地視察了新兵。
title before name: General + [surname]
The general ordered his troops to retreat before the approaching storm.
將軍命令他的部隊在暴風雨來臨前撤退。
the + general as subject
After twenty-five years of service, Caio was finally promoted to general.
服役二十五年後，Caio 終於晉升為將軍。
Selim met with two generals at the Pentagon to discuss the new military strategy.
Selim 在五角大廈與兩位將軍會面，討論新的軍事策略。
A letter signed by the general arrived at the village post office yesterday.
一封由將軍簽署的信件昨天送到了村裡的郵局。
- commander
less specific; can refer to any person in charge of a military unit, not necessarily of the highest rank
- chief of staff
a specific senior advisory role, not a rank like general
- field marshal
ranks above general in some armies; less common and more prestigious
- private
the lowest military rank, opposite in hierarchy
文法句型
the + general
General + [surname]
rank of + general
用法筆記
Frequently used as a title directly before a surname (General Trang, General Okafor). As a rank, it is often paired with a branch: general in the army, general in the air force.
常見錯誤
2. a broad statement or idea that applies to many situations rather than to one spe
通則；概論
適用於整體而非個案的陳述或概念
a broad statement or idea that applies to many situations rather than to one specific case; the opposite of a particular detail.
The teacher asked students to move from the general to the particular in their essays.
老師要求學生在文章中從通則推進到具體細節。
from the general to the particular — set phrase
Jin prefers to discuss the general before getting into the small details of the plan.
Jin 傾向先討論概論，再處理計畫中的細節。
Tamar's lecture stayed at the level of the general and offered few concrete examples.
Tamar 的演講停留在通則層次，幾乎沒有舉出具體例子。
The textbook discussed the general in detail before moving to specific cases.
那本教科書先詳細討論了通則，然後才談到具體案例。
- generalization
more common and neutral; a statement based on limited examples
- principle
broader; a fundamental truth or rule
- abstraction
emphasises the non-concrete nature; more technical
- specific
a particular detail or instance
- particular
a single case or example
文法句型
the + general
from the general to the specific/particular
in general
用法筆記
This sense is overwhelmingly used in fixed expressions such as 'in general' (as an adverb), 'from the general to the specific,' and 'the general' as a noun phrase. It rarely appears as a standalone countable noun with an article outside academic or formal writing.
常見錯誤
3. the highest leader of a Christian religious community, such as a group of monks,
總會長
修道會或宗教團體的最高領袖
the highest leader of a Christian religious community, such as a group of monks, nuns, or friars, who governs all its members worldwide.
The General of the Franciscan order visited the monastery in Taipei last autumn.
方濟各會的總會長去年秋天訪問了台北的修道院。
the General of [order] — standard title construction
Sister Anya was elected general of her congregation after teaching for two decades.
Anya 修女在從事教學工作二十年後，當選為她所屬修會的總會長。
The general addressed all members of the religious community during the annual conference.
總會長在年度會議上向所有修會成員發表演說。
A letter from the general was sent to every convent across East Asia.
一封來自總會長的信函被送往東亞各地的女修道院。
文法句型
the General of [religious order]
General + of + [order]
用法筆記
Often used with a capital G in official titles (the General of the Jesuits). The full official title is usually 'Superior General.' This sense is distinct from sense 1 (military) — context (religious order names, terms like 'convent,' 'friars') signals the meaning.
常見錯誤
general — 形容詞
- generalpositive
- more generalcomparative
- most generalsuperlative
1. covering or concerning a very broad range of individuals, objects, or locations,
普遍；全體
涉及大多數人或事物的
covering or concerning a very broad range of individuals, objects, or locations, as opposed to only a narrow or select group.
The general public showed strong support for the new public library in Tariq's neighbourhood.
一般大眾對 Tariq 社區裡的新公共圖書館表達了強烈的支持。
attributive: general public = ordinary people in a society
There is a general feeling among staff that working hours should be more flexible.
員工普遍認為，工作時數應該更有彈性。
A general election will take place in June, and all citizens over eighteen can vote.
六月將舉行大選，所有年滿十八歲的公民都可以投票。
The new rules cover general workplace safety and apply to every department.
新的規定涵蓋了職場安全的全體事項，適用於每個部門。
- widespread
focuses on geographical or numerical spread; more factual than 'general'
- universal
implies every single person or thing, not just most; stronger than 'general'
- common
less formal; suggests something shared by many but not necessarily all
- specific
limited to a particular group or situation
- particular
emphasises individuality rather than broad coverage
文法句型
general + noun
用法筆記
Attributive only — this sense almost always appears before a noun. Not used predicatively.
常見錯誤
2. happening in most normal situations; what you would typically expect under ordin
一般；通常
在大多數情況下常見的
happening in most normal situations; what you would typically expect under ordinary circumstances.
As a general rule, the museum closes at five o'clock during winter months.
通常來說，博物館在冬季月份下午五點關門。
fixed phrase: as a general rule = in most cases
The general practice in this clinic is to check each patient's blood pressure first.
這間診所的一般做法是先量每位患者的血壓。
Camila's general approach to difficult tasks is to break them into small steps.
Camila 面對困難工作的一般方法是把它分解成幾個小步驟。
In general terms, summer temperatures here reach about thirty degrees Celsius.
大體而言，這裡的夏季氣溫可達攝氏三十度左右。
- unusual
not typical or expected
- exceptional
rare and outside the normal pattern
文法句型
general + noun
as a general rule
用法筆記
Often appears in fixed adverbial phrases like 'as a general rule', 'in general terms'. This sense is distinct from sense 1 — it describes what is normal or typical, not what is widespread.
常見錯誤
3. relating to the whole picture that results from looking at all relevant sides of
整體；全面
從整體角度而非從局部看的
relating to the whole picture that results from looking at all relevant sides of a subject, rather than focusing on just one part.
Liang's doctor said that his general health is excellent for a man of seventy.
Liang 的醫生說，以一個七十歲的人來說，他的整體健康狀況非常好。
collocation: general health = overall condition of the body
We need a general idea of the costs before we commit to this project.
在我們投入這個專案之前，需要先對成本有個整體概念。
The general impression from the survey was that customers preferred the new packaging.
問卷調查的整體印象是，顧客比較喜歡新的包裝。
A general sense of unease filled the room after the sudden announcement.
那項突然的宣布過後，房間裡瀰漫著一股全面的不安氣氛。
- overall
nearly interchangeable; 'overall' is slightly more informal
- comprehensive
suggests thorough coverage of all details; stronger than 'general'
- holistic
more formal; emphasises interconnectedness of all parts
文法句型
general + noun
用法筆記
Typically used before abstract nouns describing assessment or condition (health, impression, attitude, sense). Not used for concrete, countable items.
常見錯誤
4. relating to what is best for the whole community or society, rather than for pri
公眾；公共
對整體社會有益的
relating to what is best for the whole community or society, rather than for private individuals or groups.
The new hospital was built for the general good of the entire community.
這間新醫院是為了全社區的公眾利益而興建的。
fixed phrase: the general good = benefit of all people
Élise believes that public money should serve the general welfare, not private interests.
Élise 認為公共財應該用於增進公眾福祉，而非圖利私人。
Politicians often claim to act in the general interest, but their actions tell a different story.
政治人物常說他們是為公眾利益而行動，但他們的作為卻並非如此。
The general good sometimes requires individuals to pay higher taxes for better public services.
為了公眾利益，有時個人需要繳納更高的稅金來換取更好的公共服務。
- public
broader; 'public good' and 'general good' are near synonyms but 'public' is more common in modern usage
- communal
focuses on shared ownership within a smaller group; 'general' implies society-wide scope
- collective
emphasises joint responsibility; often used in business contexts
- private
relating to individual rather than community interests
- individual
focusing on one person's benefit rather than society's
文法句型
the general + noun
用法筆記
Almost always follows the definite article ('the') and combines with a small set of abstract nouns: good, welfare, interest. Restricted to formal or political discourse.
常見錯誤
5. giving only the main or most important information, without including details, n
概括；大致
只含基本資訊而不講究細節的
giving only the main or most important information, without including details, numbers, or exact descriptions.
Can you give me a general idea of how much the kitchen repairs will cost?
你能不能跟我說一個大致的概念，廚房整修大概要花多少錢？
collocation: general idea = rough understanding without details
This handout is just a general overview of the main events in European history.
這份講義只是歐洲歷史主要事件的概括介紹。
The teacher first explained the general principles of chemistry before moving to formulas.
老師先講解化學的基本原理，然後才談到公式。
The article provides a general description of the ancient city and its main buildings.
這篇文章對這座古城及其主要建築做了概括的描述。
文法句型
general + noun
用法筆記
Often contrasted with 'specific' or 'detailed' in the same sentence. Frequently used with nouns of communication: idea, overview, description, outline, sense.
常見錯誤
6. referring to the broad nature of a group or category, without separating or exam
籠統；通盤
將事物視為整體而不細分的
referring to the broad nature of a group or category, without separating or examining individual members or cases.
In general, the children enjoyed the school trip to the science museum.
總體來說，孩子們很喜歡去科學博物館的校外教學。
fixed phrase: in general = speaking broadly, without exceptions
The report deals with general trends in housing rather than specific local cases.
這份報告探討的是房市的總體趨勢，而非特定地區的案例。
The term 'vegetable' is a general category that includes many different edible plants.
「蔬菜」這個詞是一個籠統的類別，包含了許多不同的可食用植物。
As a general observation, younger adults in this city prefer to rent rather than buy homes.
總體而言，本市年輕成人傾向於租房而非買房。
- specific
focusing on individual cases
- individual
considering each item separately
文法句型
in general
general + noun
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 3 (OVERALL VIEW): sense 3 evaluates a single entity holistically ('general health'), while sense 6 groups many items together without examining each one ('general trends', 'in general').
常見錯誤
7. designed or intended for a wide variety of uses, subjects, or functions, rather
廣泛的；綜合
涵蓋多種領域而非單一項目的
designed or intended for a wide variety of uses, subjects, or functions, rather than specialized for one particular purpose.
Kwame bought his cleaning supplies from a general store in the town.
Kwame 在鎮上的綜合商店買了清潔用品。
general + noun for broad-category shop
The school offers a general studies programme for first-year students.
學校為一年級學生開設了通識課程。
general studies as broad curriculum
Karim's general knowledge of world history impressed the whole class.
Karim 的廣泛世界史知識令全班同學印象深刻。
A general encyclopedia covers topics from art and science to sports and music.
綜合百科全書涵蓋從藝術、科學到體育和音樂的各種主題。
- wide-ranging
emphasizes the breadth of coverage more strongly
- broad
similar in meaning but even more common; 'broad' can also mean wide physically
- comprehensive
implies thoroughness and completeness, not just breadth
- specialized
focused on one particular area or subject
- narrow
limited to a small range
文法句型
general + noun (broad category)
用法筆記
Attributive use only — this sense appears before a noun and describes something that covers many topics rather than one narrow field.
常見錯誤
8. used in job titles to show that someone holds the highest position within an ent
總；首席
職稱中表示整個機構最高主管的
used in job titles to show that someone holds the highest position within an entire organization, department, or company
The General Manager of the hotel greeted each guest at the front door.
飯店的總經理在大門口親自迎接每一位客人。
General Manager as senior company title
Saira was elected Secretary General of the student council last month.
Saira 上個月當選為學生會的祕書長。
The Attorney General announced a new policy on data protection yesterday.
檢察總長昨天宣布了一項新的資料保護政策。
Christopher met with the Inspector General to discuss the audit results.
Christopher 與督察長會面討論了稽核結果。
文法句型
General + noun (job title)
用法筆記
This sense only appears as part of a formal job title and is always capitalized. The noun that follows is usually a role such as Manager, Secretary, Attorney, or Inspector.
常見錯誤
9. affecting the whole body rather than a single part — used especially in medical
全身的
影響整個身體而非局部的
affecting the whole body rather than a single part — used especially in medical and health contexts
The surgeon gave the patient general anaesthesia before the heart operation.
外科醫生在手術前為病人施打了全身麻醉。
general anaesthesia as whole-body medical procedure
Mayumi felt a general weakness in her arms and legs after the flu.
Mayumi 在感冒過後感到手腳無力。
Nikhil experienced general body aches for three days after the long hike.
Nikhil 在長途健行後全身痠痛了三天。
General swelling appeared in several parts of his body after the insect bite.
被蟲咬之後，他身體好幾個部位都出現了全身性腫脹。
- systemic
more technical medical term for whole-body effects
- widespread
broader term, not limited to medical contexts
- total
used in 'total body' but less common in medical writing
文法句型
general + noun (medical context)
用法筆記
Common in medical contexts. When used with conditions like weakness, pain, or swelling, it signals that the symptom is spread throughout the body rather than limited to one area.