generic
/dʒəˈnerɪk/ (bre, ipa) · /dʒəˈnerɪk/ (ame, ipa) · /jə-ˈner-ik -ˈne-rik/ (ame, mw) · /dʒəˈner.ɪk/ (bre, ipa) · /dʒəˈner.ɪk/ (ame, ipa)
generic — 形容詞
- genericpositive
- more genericcomparative
- most genericsuperlative
1. describing a whole class or category of things rather than a specific item — for
通用的
適用於整體類別而非特定項目
describing a whole class or category of things rather than a specific item — for example, 'bird' is a generic term that covers sparrows, eagles, and penguins.
Furniture is a generic word for objects like tables, chairs, and beds.
「傢俱」是一個統稱，涵蓋桌子、椅子和床這類物品。
generic word for [category]
When you say 'citrus fruit', you use a generic term that covers oranges and lemons.
當你說「柑橘類水果」時，你使用的是涵蓋柳橙和檸檬的通用詞。
Dr. Meera used a generic label for the group instead of naming each plant.
Meera 醫生用了統稱來指這組植物，而不是一一說出每種植物名稱。
In biology class, Tamar learned that 'mammal' is a generic category covering dogs and whales.
在生物課上，Tamar 學到「哺乳動物」是一個涵蓋狗和鯨魚的通用類別。
Is there a generic name for all these different types of screws and bolts?
這些各種不同的螺絲和螺栓有沒有統稱？
- specific
refers to one particular item rather than a class
- individual
emphasises single items rather than groups
文法句型
generic + noun (term, name, label, category)
generic word for [category]
用法筆記
Often modifies nouns like 'term,' 'name,' 'label,' and 'category,' where the noun being described represents a supercategory that includes multiple specific items.
常見錯誤
2. sold under its chemical or common name rather than a brand name, typically at a
非專利；學名
不受商標保護的藥品或產品
sold under its chemical or common name rather than a brand name, typically at a lower price because the original manufacturer's legal protection has expired — used especially for drugs and consumer products.
The pharmacist recommended a generic version of the allergy medicine at half the price.
藥劑師推薦了價格一半的過敏藥學名藥版本。
generic version of [brand-name drug]
Many hospitals buy generic drugs to lower their costs while still offering effective treatment.
許多醫院購買學名藥來降低成本，同時仍提供有效的治療。
Feng chose the generic painkiller over the brand-name one because both worked the same way.
Feng 選擇了非專利止痛藥而非品牌藥，因為兩者的作用方式相同。
The store sells generic cleaning products in plain white bottles with simple labels.
這家商店販售無品牌清潔產品，包裝是簡單的白色瓶子和標籤。
When the patent ended, other companies began selling a generic version of the heart medication.
專利到期後，其他公司開始販售這種心臟藥的學名藥版本。
- non-proprietary
more formal; used in legal and regulatory contexts
- unbranded
focuses on the absence of a brand name; common in retail
- no-name
informal; slightly negative tone, implies cheap or low-status
- brand-name
sold under a specific company's registered trademark
- proprietary
legally owned and controlled by a particular company
文法句型
generic + noun (drug, version, product, medication)
generic + noun vs brand-name + noun
用法筆記
Common in medical and pharmaceutical contexts. The opposite is 'brand-name' or 'proprietary.' Also used for non-medical products such as groceries and household cleaners.
常見錯誤
3. bland and ordinary in a way that shows no imagination or distinctive character —
無創意；平淡
缺乏獨特風格或原創性
bland and ordinary in a way that shows no imagination or distinctive character — for example, a generic hotel room that looks exactly like every other chain hotel.
The hotel room had generic furniture that looked the same as every other chain hotel.
這間飯店房間的家具很普通，跟其他連鎖飯店看起來都一樣。
generic furniture — lacking distinctive character
Critics called the film generic and said it copied scenes from several older movies.
影評人說這部電影毫無新意，還抄襲了幾部老片的場景。
Ayana felt the wedding speech was too generic — it could have been written for anyone.
Ayana 覺得這場婚禮致詞太過制式化——任何人來都適用。
Instead of a generic greeting card, William made one himself with a funny drawing.
William 沒有買千篇一律的賀卡，而是自己畫了一張有趣的卡片。
The job interview felt scripted and generic, with the same questions every candidate gets.
這場工作面試感覺像是照稿演出且一成不變，問題跟每個求職者問的都一樣。
- unoriginal
directly states a lack of new ideas; slightly more negative
- cookie-cutter
informal, vivid; suggests mass-produced identical design
- standardised
can be neutral or positive; 'generic' is always negative in this sense
文法句型
generic + noun (design, response, speech, décor)
feel/look/be + generic
用法筆記
Carries a mildly negative connotation — describes something disappointing because of its lack of originality. Not interchangeable with 'general' in this sense.
常見錯誤
generic — 名詞
- genericsingular
- genericsplural
1. an item for sale, most often a medication, that does not carry a company's regis
學名藥
無品牌商標的藥品或產品
an item for sale, most often a medication, that does not carry a company's registered trademark — usually priced lower because the original patent protections have expired.
The doctor prescribed a generic instead of the brand-name drug to save the patient money.
醫生開了學名藥而非品牌藥，以幫病人省錢。
prescribed a generic instead of the brand-name drug
Élise checked whether the store sold a generic or a brand-name product.
Élise 確認這家店賣的是學名藥還是品牌產品。
When the patent expired, several companies began producing a generic of the same medication.
專利到期後，多家公司開始生產同一種藥物的學名藥。
The pharmacy offers both the brand-name medicine and a cheaper generic on the next shelf.
藥房同時提供品牌藥和旁邊貨架上較便宜的學名藥。
Hugo asked the pharmacist whether a generic was available for the cream the doctor ordered.
Hugo 問藥劑師，醫生開的那條藥膏是否有學名藥可用。
- generic drug
more explicit; avoids confusion with other types of generic products
- no-name brand
informal; focuses on the absence of brand recognition
- off-patent drug
technical; emphasises the legal status of an expired patent
- brand-name drug
the original trademarked product made by a specific company
文法句型
buy/prescribe/sell/take + a generic
generic for [drug name]
用法筆記
Most commonly used for prescription and over-the-counter drugs, but can refer to any product sold without a brand name. Often contrasted with 'brand-name product' or 'proprietary product.'