gracious
/ˈɡreɪʃəs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɡreɪʃəs/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈgrā-shəs/ (ame, mw) · /ˈɡreɪ.ʃəs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɡreɪ.ʃəs/ (ame, ipa)
gracious — 形容詞
- graciouspositive
- more graciouscomparative
- most gracioussuperlative
1. treating other people with warmth and good manners, especially by staying calm,
親切有禮
態度溫和、客氣又有風度
treating other people with warmth and good manners, especially by staying calm, friendly, and patient even when it would be easy not to.
Yasmin was gracious to every guest at her grandmother's birthday party, even the ones who arrived late.
Yasmin 對奶奶生日派對上的每一位客人都親切有禮，連遲到的客人也一視同仁。
gracious to + person
The librarian gave a gracious smile to the children who had spilled juice on the carpet.
對那幾個把果汁灑在地毯上的小朋友，圖書館員依然客氣地對他們微笑。
gracious + noun (smile / nod / reply)
After losing the final, Felipe was gracious in defeat and shook the winner's hand.
決賽輸了之後，Felipe 風度十足地接受敗局，還主動和冠軍握手。
It was gracious of Kian to drive my parents to the airport at five in the morning.
Kian 願意早上五點開車送我爸媽去機場，真是太客氣了。
Mr. Okafor thanked the waiter with a gracious nod and a quiet word of praise.
Mr. Okafor 客氣地向服務生點了點頭，並輕聲讚美了一句。
- rude
direct opposite in everyday speech.
- ungracious
the formal opposite, often used of unkind behaviour after winning or receiving help.
文法句型
gracious to + person
gracious in + noun/-ing
用法筆記
Often describes how someone behaves in a small but visible moment — a smile, a reply, a thank-you — rather than a long-term personality trait. Frequently paired with 'in defeat', 'in victory', 'in accepting', or 'enough to'.
常見錯誤
2. describing a home or style of living that feels comfortable, elegant, and unhurr
優雅舒適
因富裕而從容、講究的生活感
describing a home or style of living that feels comfortable, elegant, and unhurried because the people involved have plenty of money — for example, a large house with a garden, fine china at dinner, and live-in staff.
The old farmhouse offered gracious country living, with wide porches and a long wooden table.
這棟老農舍能讓人過上優雅的鄉村生活，有寬敞的走廊和一張長長的木桌。
gracious living / gracious country living
Mira grew up in a gracious old townhouse full of books and antique furniture.
Mira 在一棟擺滿藏書和古董家具的優雅老宅裡長大。
gracious surroundings / home / mansion
The hotel promised a gracious lifestyle of long lunches, sea views, and afternoon tea.
飯店主打一種優雅愜意的生活：悠長的午餐、海景，還有下午茶。
Inside the embassy, gracious rooms with tall windows opened onto a quiet garden.
大使館內，一間間有著高窗的優雅房間，全都通向一座安靜的花園。
文法句型
gracious + noun (living / home / lifestyle)
用法筆記
Almost always used before a noun (gracious home, gracious living), not after 'be'. Carries an old-fashioned, slightly romantic flavour — think of magazine descriptions of country estates, historic hotels, or upper-class lifestyles, not modern city apartments.
常見錯誤
3. showing kindness and willingness to forgive when one has the power to punish ins
仁慈寬厚
（神或上位者）願意憐憫、寬恕
showing kindness and willingness to forgive when one has the power to punish instead — typically said of God, but also of a king, judge, or other powerful person who chooses to be gentle.
The old hymn praises a gracious God who forgives those who turn back to him.
那首古老的聖歌讚頌一位仁慈寬厚的神，願意寬恕所有願意回頭的人。
gracious + God / Lord / Father
The young queen was gracious to the rebels and pardoned every one of them.
年輕的女王對叛軍展現仁慈，特赦了他們每一個人。
gracious to + the people being forgiven
Gita wept and thanked the gracious king who had spared her brother's life.
Gita 含著眼淚，感謝這位仁慈寬厚的國王饒了她哥哥一命。
Each evening, Aaron knelt by his bed and prayed to a gracious God for his sick mother.
每天傍晚，Aaron 都會跪在床邊，向仁慈的神為生病的母親祈禱。
- merciful
very close; both stress forgiveness despite the power to punish.
- compassionate
general kindness toward suffering; less tied to power and forgiveness.
- benevolent
wishing good to others; broader than gracious-as-merciful.
文法句型
gracious + noun (God / Lord / king)
用法筆記
Strongly religious flavour: most learners meet this sense first in hymns, prayers, and older speeches. Subject is normally God, a deity, or a powerful human figure (king, queen, victor) — not an ordinary person. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 1 is everyday warmth; sense 3 is mercy from above.
4. a respectful word placed before a royal title or a royal person's actions, the w
尊貴的
用於王室稱謂或行為的敬語
a respectful word placed before a royal title or a royal person's actions, the way 'His/Her Majesty' is used — for example, 'her gracious speech' for a queen's speech to parliament.
The minister bowed before reading out Her Gracious Majesty's message to the troops.
大臣鞠躬之後，宣讀了女王陛下對部隊的訓示。
Her / His Gracious Majesty
Crowds gathered outside the palace to hear the king's gracious speech at the opening of parliament.
群眾聚集在王宮外，要聽國王在國會開議時發表的尊貴致詞。
gracious speech / address / pardon
By gracious permission of the queen, the regiment was allowed to march through the city.
在女王恩准之下，該團獲准列隊穿過整座城市。
Engraved on the medal were the words: 'Awarded by gracious command of the late emperor.'
勳章上刻著一行字：「奉已故皇帝之尊貴諭令頒授。」
文法句型
gracious + royal title / royal action
用法筆記
Only used before a noun and almost only in royal, ceremonial, or historical writing — news reports about parliament, official letters, military citations. Learners are far more likely to read this sense than to produce it. Distinguish from sense 3: sense 3 says the ruler is being kind; sense 4 is simply a respectful label, like a title.
gracious — 感嘆詞
1. a short, slightly old-fashioned cry that you let out when something surprises yo
天哪；我的天
表示驚訝的稍嫌過時感嘆語
a short, slightly old-fashioned cry that you let out when something surprises you — similar to 'My goodness!' — often heard from older British speakers or in stories.
Gracious! I had no idea Hugo could already play the violin so well.
天哪！我都不知道 Hugo 小提琴已經拉得這麼好了。
Gracious! at the start of a surprised reaction
Good gracious, Nadia, who left all these muddy boots by the front door?
我的天，Nadia，誰把這些沾滿泥巴的靴子丟在大門口的？
Good gracious — slightly stronger surprise
'Gracious me!' Élise gasped as she lifted the brass lamp off the shelf.
Élise 從架上把那盞銅燈拿下來，忍不住驚呼：「我的老天！」
The grandmother said 'Gracious!' and clutched her pearls when the cat jumped onto the table.
看到貓跳上桌子，奶奶喊了一聲「天哪！」，還緊緊抓住自己的珍珠項鍊。
文法句型
Gracious!
Good gracious!
Gracious me!
用法筆記
Polite and slightly dated — speakers use it to avoid swear words. More common in British English and in writing than in modern American conversation. Often stretched with 'good' or 'me' for stronger surprise. A learner will almost always read this rather than say it.