hamper
/ˈhæmpə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈhæmpər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈham-pər/ (ame, mw) · /ˈhæm.pər/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈhæm.pɚ/ (ame, ipa)
hamper — 動詞
- hamperpresent simple I / you / we / they
- hampershe / she / it
- hamperedpast simple
- hampering-ing form
1. to make it difficult for a person, activity, or process to happen or continue as
阻礙；妨礙
使某人的行動或過程變困難
to make it difficult for a person, activity, or process to happen or continue as usual, especially by putting obstacles in the way
The heavy snowfall hampered the rescue team's efforts to reach the stranded climbers.
大雪阻礙了救援隊抵達受困登山者的行動。
hamper + noun phrase (efforts) as direct object
A shortage of skilled nurses has hampered the hospital's ability to treat all its patients.
專業護理人員短缺，影響了醫院治療所有病患的能力。
hamper + someone's ability to + infinitive
Ming-Wei's injured wrist hampered his work as a chef for several weeks.
明緯的手腕受傷後，有幾個星期無法順利地做廚師的工作。
Strict visa rules can hamper international students who want to study overseas.
嚴格的簽證規定可能會妨礙想出國留學的國際學生。
- help
opposite meaning in everyday use
- facilitate
formal opposite; to make a process easier
文法句型
hamper + noun phrase
hamper + someone + in + noun phrase
用法筆記
The subject of hamper is usually an external difficulty (weather, rules, lack of resources), not a person's choice. The object is typically an activity, effort, or process rather than a person directly.
常見錯誤
hamper — 名詞
- hampersingular
- hampersplural
1. a container that is larger than a typical box, usually with a fitted lid, used f
有蓋容器
有蓋的大型收納容器
a container that is larger than a typical box, usually with a fitted lid, used for holding household items, food, or other goods
Grandma stores her winter quilts in a wicker hamper at the foot of her bed.
奶奶把冬天的棉被收在她床尾的一個大柳條箱裡。
wicker hamper — material + type
The hotel staff brought a hamper filled with fresh fruit and pastries to the room.
飯店人員把一個裝滿新鮮水果和糕點的有蓋容器送到了房間裡。
Maria carried a plastic hamper full of apples and pears from the farmers' market.
Maria 提著一個裝滿蘋果和梨子的塑膠大籃子從農夫市集走出來。
A big picnic hamper sat on the blanket with bread, cheese, and lemonade inside.
一個大野餐籃放在毯子上，裡面有麵包、起司和檸檬水。
用法筆記
This is the broadest noun sense. When the purpose is clear from context (laundry, gifts, picnic), speakers often use more specific terms like 'laundry hamper' or 'gift hamper.'
2. a collection of food, drinks, and small gifts neatly arranged in a basket or box
禮物籃；禮盒
裝有食品飲料的禮品籃
a collection of food, drinks, and small gifts neatly arranged in a basket or box, presented as a gift on a special occasion
The company sent each employee a Christmas hamper filled with wine, cheese, and biscuits.
公司送給每位員工一份聖誕禮籃，裡面有葡萄酒、起司和餅乾。
Christmas hamper — seasonal compound noun
Sakura ordered a gourmet hamper of tea, honey, and chocolates for her host family.
小櫻訂了一個裝有茶葉、蜂蜜和巧克力的美食禮籃，送給她的接待家庭。
Park's family won a luxury hamper of champagne and truffles at the charity raffle.
Park 一家人在慈善抽獎中贏得了一個裝滿香檳和松露的豪華禮籃。
For his retirement, the staff collected money to buy him a hamper of fine foods.
他退休時，同事們湊錢買了一個裝滿精緻食品的禮物籃送給他。
- gift basket
the more common American English equivalent
- care package
similar idea but usually sent to someone living away from home
用法筆記
This sense is most common in British English. In American English, 'gift basket' is far more frequent. The items are typically packaged and presented attractively, not just thrown into a box.
常見錯誤
3. a container used in the home for holding dirty clothes, towels, and bed sheets u
洗衣籃
放置髒衣物的籃子
a container used in the home for holding dirty clothes, towels, and bed sheets until they are washed
Every Sunday, Diego carried the full laundry hamper downstairs to the washing machine.
每個星期天，Diego 都會把滿滿的洗衣籃搬下樓放到洗衣機旁。
laundry hamper — most common compound for this sense
The bathroom hamper was overflowing with towels, so Amara started a load of washing.
浴室裡的洗衣籃堆滿了毛巾，所以 Amara 開始洗一桶衣服。
A small plastic hamper in the corner holds the children's socks and shirts.
臥室角落的一個小塑膠洗衣籃裡放著孩子們的髒襪子和襯衫。
Lin found a forgotten banana in the bottom of the laundry hamper and groaned.
Lin 在洗衣籃底部發現了一根被遺忘的香蕉，無奈地嘆了口氣。
- laundry basket
more common in American English; often open at the top
- clothes basket
everyday alternative, less formal
用法筆記
In everyday conversation, many speakers simply say 'laundry basket' instead of 'laundry hamper,' especially in American English. A hamper usually has a lid, while a laundry basket may be open.
常見錯誤
❌ 'Throw your sweaty gym clothes into the bathroom hamper.' is correct — 'hamper' is a countable noun but often used without an article when modified by a room name (bathroom hamper, bedroom hamper).