generative

/ˈdʒenərətɪv/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdʒenərətɪv/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈje-nə-rə-tiv ˈjen-rə-tiv, ˈje-nə-ˌrā-tiv/ (ame, mw)

generative — 形容詞

  • generativepositive
  • more generativecomparative
  • most generativesuperlative

1. describing the ability or capacity to bring something new into existence — wheth

1.形容詞B2
釋義

生成的

能夠產出新事物的能力或系統

describing the ability or capacity to bring something new into existence — whether physical objects, ideas, systems, or creative works — rather than simply maintaining what already exists.

例句

The human mind has a remarkable generative capacity for new ideas and art.

人類的心智擁有出色的生成能力，能夠不斷產出新想法與藝術創作。

collocation: generative capacity

Professor Dinh described language as a generative system that allows endless new sentences.

Dinh 教授將語言描述為一套生成系統，能夠產生無窮無盡的新句子。

attributive use: generative + noun (system)

同義詞
  • productive

    Focuses on actual output or yield rather than the inherent capacity to produce. 'A productive meeting achieved concrete results.'

  • creative

    Emphasises originality and imagination, especially in the arts. 'Generative' can describe both creative and mechanical/structural production.

  • fertile

    Used literally for soil that supports abundant growth, or metaphorically for conditions rich in potential. 'Generative' tends to describe the mechanism or system of production itself.

反義詞
  • unproductive

    Lacking the capacity to yield useful results.

  • destructive

    Having the opposite effect — breaking things down rather than bringing them into being.

  • barren

    Describes a complete absence of creative or productive capacity.

文法句型

generative + noun

be + generative

用法筆記

Often used in formal or academic contexts, particularly in linguistics (generative grammar), philosophy, and systems theory. Typically appears attributively before a noun.

常見錯誤

❌She is a very generative painter.
✅She is a very productive / creative painter.
💡'Generative' describes a system or capacity, not a person's day-to-day output; 'productive' or 'creative' are more natural for describing individuals in everyday English.

2. relating to the biological process through which living organisms produce young

2.形容詞C1
釋義

生殖的

與繁殖或產生後代相關的

relating to the biological process through which living organisms produce young or new members of their species, especially in scientific contexts involving reproduction, heredity, and the organs or systems that make this possible.

例句

The biology textbook included a detailed diagram of the human generative system.

這本生物教科書裡附了一幅詳細的人類生殖系統圖解。

collocation: generative system (biological)

Kwame's research focused on the generative organs of tropical flowering plants in Ghana.

Kwame 的研究重點是迦納熱帶開花植物的生殖器官。

attributive: generative organs

同義詞
  • reproductive

    The more common and widely understood term in both general and medical usage. 'Generative' is rarer and more formal.

  • procreative

    Specifically refers to sexual reproduction in humans and animals; narrower in scope than 'generative'.

  • fertile

    Describes the ability to conceive or produce offspring, often used for individuals rather than systems or organs.

反義詞
  • infertile

    Unable to produce offspring.

  • sterile

    Completely lacking the ability to reproduce, often used after medical procedures or biological conditions.

文法句型

generative + noun

用法筆記

Primarily used in formal scientific or medical writing. 'Reproductive' is the more common everyday equivalent; 'generative' sounds markedly technical and is mostly found in textbooks and research papers.

常見錯誤

❌The doctor checked her generative health during the visit.
✅The doctor checked her reproductive health during the visit.
💡'Reproductive' is the standard adjective in clinical and everyday medical contexts; 'generative' is overly technical for routine conversation.