genius

/ˈdʒiːniəs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdʒiːniəs/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈjēn-yəs ˈjē-nē-əs/ (ame, mw)

genius — 名詞

  • geniussingular
  • geniusesplural

1. a level of natural intelligence, creativity, or ability that is far above what i

1.名詞B2
釋義

天才；天賦

卓越智力或創造力；擁有此能力者

a level of natural intelligence, creativity, or ability that is far above what is usual, particularly in areas such as music, art, or science. The word can also describe someone who possesses such an outstanding quality.

例句

Einstein's genius lay in his ability to see connections that others missed.

Einstein 的天賦在於他能看見別人忽略的關聯。

uncountable: possessive + genius refers to the quality

At just fourteen years old, Sayaka was already regarded as a musical genius.

Sayaka 年僅十四歲時就被視為音樂天才。

countable: a genius — a person with exceptional ability

同義詞
  • brilliance

    focuses more on intellectual brightness and sharpness than broad creative power

  • talent

    a natural ability that can be developed; less extreme than genius

  • prodigy

    specifically a young person with exceptional ability, while genius applies at any age

反義詞

文法句型

genius (uncountable) — quality

a genius (countable) — person

用法筆記

When used uncountably ('she has genius'), it describes the quality itself. When countable ('she is a genius'), it refers to a person. The uncountable form is typically modified by an adjective or possessive: 'musical genius', 'his genius'.

常見錯誤

❌She has a genius to solve problems.
✅She has a genius for solving problems.
💡genius takes the preposition 'for' + gerund, not 'to' + infinitive.
❌He is genius.
✅He is a genius.
💡when referring to a person, the countable form needs an article.

2. someone who strongly shapes the way other people think or behave, typically — bu

2.名詞C1
釋義

魔頭；黑手

對他人有強大(多負面)影響力者

someone who strongly shapes the way other people think or behave, typically — but not exclusively — in a harmful or controlling manner.

例句

The dictator's evil genius lay in manipulating his people's deepest fears.

那位獨裁者的邪惡魔頭本色，表現在他操弄人民最深層恐懼的手法上。

pattern: evil / dark / twisted genius — describing harmful influence

Rachid was the criminal gang's organizing genius, always staying in the shadows.

Rachid 是那個犯罪集團的幕後推手，總是躲在暗處操盤。

同義詞
  • mastermind

    emphasizes the planning and coordination role; more neutral than genius

  • puppeteer

    metaphorical, stressing secret control over others; always negative

文法句型

the (adjective) genius behind + noun

a genius for (negative) + noun/gerund

用法筆記

Frequently paired with a negative adjective ('evil', 'dark', 'twisted') to emphasize harmful influence. The phrase 'the genius behind X' means the mastermind who planned or controlled X.

常見錯誤

❌He was the genius of the plan.' (when meaning the planner)
✅He was the genius behind the plan.
💡the idiomatic preposition is 'behind', not 'of'.

3. a remarkable natural ability to do a specific activity or type of task particula

3.名詞B2
釋義

天分；專長

做特定活動的特殊天分

a remarkable natural ability to do a specific activity or type of task particularly well, almost as if it comes instinctively.

例句

Linh has a genius for making even the most complicated topics easy to understand.

Linh 很擅長把最複雜的主題變得淺顯易懂。

pattern: have a genius for + gerund

William has a genius for bringing calm to every tense meeting at work.

William 有本事讓每次緊張的會議氣氛都緩和下來。

同義詞
  • knack

    less formal and suggests a lighter, more everyday skill; a genius is stronger

  • gift

    similar level to genius but more commonly used for artistic or social abilities

文法句型

have a genius for + noun/gerund

用法筆記

Always used in the pattern 'have a genius for + noun/gerund' (never 'have genius for' without the article). The activity is usually social, creative, or interpersonal rather than academic.

常見錯誤

❌She has genius for cooking.
✅She has a genius for cooking.
💡the article 'a' is required in this pattern.
❌He has a genius to cook.
✅He has a genius for cooking.
💡use 'for' + gerund, not 'to' + infinitive.

genius — 形容詞