handicap
/ˈhændikæp/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈhændikæp/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈhan-di-ˌkap -dē-/ (ame, mw) · /ˈhæn.dɪ.kæp/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈhæn.dɪ.kæp/ (ame, ipa)
handicap — 名詞
- handicapsingular
- handicapsplural
1. A physical or mental condition that limits a person's ability to move, see, hear
殘障
限制日常活動的身心狀況（現多視為冒犯用語）
A physical or mental condition that limits a person's ability to move, see, hear, or do everyday tasks. Many people now consider this word offensive and prefer the word 'disability' instead.
The new library entrance has a ramp for visitors with physical handicaps.
新圖書館入口設有斜坡，方便有肢體障礙的訪客進出。
physical handicap — note: now often considered offensive; use 'disability'
Hassan's brother was born with a severe mental handicap and needs full-time care at home.
Hassan 的哥哥天生有嚴重的智力障礙，需要全天候在家照護。
Old buildings without elevators are difficult for people with physical handicaps to enter.
沒有電梯的老舊建築對有肢體殘障的人來說很難進入。
The term 'handicap' is no longer used in official health forms; most people now say 'disability' instead.
「handicap」這個詞已不再用於正式醫療表格；現在多數人改用「disability」。
- disability
the modern, respectful alternative to 'handicap' for a physical or mental condition
- impairment
more clinical term, often used for specific limitations (e.g. 'visual impairment')
- condition
neutral term that avoids the negative associations of 'handicap'
- ability
the capacity to do something without limitation
文法句型
handicap
a handicap
handicaps
用法筆記
This sense is now widely considered offensive. Use 'disability' or 'impairment' instead in most contexts. The term 'handicap' originally referred to a person with a disability who had to beg with a cap in hand, and many people find this origin and the continued use of the word demeaning.
常見錯誤
2. A condition or situation that makes it difficult for someone or something to suc
障礙
阻礙成功或進展的不利因素
A condition or situation that makes it difficult for someone or something to succeed or make progress.
Wei's lack of English was a serious handicap when he started school in Canada.
Wei 在加拿大剛入學時，不會英文是一大障礙。
lack of [skill] is a handicap for [person]
The small kitchen is a real handicap when Carlos tries to cook for ten dinner guests.
廚房太小對 Carlos 來說是個障礙，他沒辦法為十位晚餐賓客做飯。
Poor internet access is a major handicap for students living in rural areas.
網路連線不佳對住在鄉下的學生來說是一大障礙。
Being very short can be a handicap for players who want to join a professional basketball team.
個子太矮對於想加入職業籃球隊的球員來說可能是一項障礙。
- disadvantage
more general term for any unfavourable condition; interchangeable with this sense
- obstacle
something that physically or metaphorically blocks progress
- drawback
a negative aspect of an otherwise positive situation
文法句型
a handicap
handicap to
be a handicap for
用法筆記
Unlike sense noun/1 (DISABILITY), this sense has no offensive connotation. It describes any factor — not necessarily medical — that makes progress harder.
常見錯誤
3. A system in sports like golf or horse racing where stronger competitors are give
讓分；差點
比賽中為平衡實力而給予的劣勢
A system in sports like golf or horse racing where stronger competitors are given a disadvantage (such as extra strokes or extra weight) so that all competitors have an equal chance of winning.
Santiago won the golf match even with a handicap of fifteen strokes.
Santiago 即使有十五桿的讓分，仍然贏得了高爾夫比賽。
golf handicap + number of strokes
The race uses a handicap system where faster horses carry extra weight.
這場比賽採用讓分制，跑得快的馬要駝更多重量。
Ananya's golf handicap dropped from twenty to fourteen after six months of practice.
Ananya 的高爾夫差點經過六個月練習後從二十降到了十四。
In a handicap race, a slow runner may start closer to the finish line than a fast runner.
在讓分賽中，跑得慢的選手可以比跑得快的選手更靠近終點線出發。
- allowance
used in some sports for the points or time given to balance competition
- weight advantage
specific to horse racing, where extra weight is added to faster horses
文法句型
a handicap
handicap system
give a handicap
have a handicap of
用法筆記
A lower golf handicap means a stronger player. A handicap of 0 (or 'scratch') means the player is at professional level. Beginners often start with handicaps above 20.
常見錯誤
handicap — 動詞
- handicappresent simple I / you / we / they
- handicaps3rd person singular
- handicapping-ing form
- handicappedpast simple
1. To make it more difficult for someone to do something or for something to develo
妨礙
使某人做事或某事發展更加困難
To make it more difficult for someone to do something or for something to develop or succeed.
The snowstorm handicapped the rescue team's efforts to reach the stranded climbers.
暴風雪妨礙了救援隊抵達受困登山者的行動。
handicapped + efforts to [do something]
Leila felt that her shyness handicapped her during group meetings at her new job.
Leila 覺得自己的害羞在新工作的團隊會議中妨礙了她。
The injury in his knee handicapped Yusuf's chances of competing in the national championship.
膝蓋的受傷妨礙了 Yusuf 參加全國錦標賽的機會。
New safety rules could handicap small factories that cannot afford to buy modern equipment.
新的安全法規可能會妨礙那些買不起新型設備的小型工廠。
文法句型
handicap someone/something
be handicapped by something
用法筆記
Frequently used in the passive voice: 'The project was handicapped by a lack of funding.' The subject is usually an external factor (weather, rules, injury) rather than a person's choice.
常見錯誤
2. To study the likely winners of a race or competition, especially in horse racing
預測勝負
評估比賽參賽者的獲勝機率
To study the likely winners of a race or competition, especially in horse racing, by evaluating each competitor's past performance and current condition.
The racing expert carefully handicapped each horse before the big race at the weekend.
賽馬專家仔細評估了每匹馬的實力，然後預測了週末大賽的勝負。
handicap + horses (assess winning chances)
Newspapers employ specialists to handicap major races for their readers every season.
報社每年聘請專家為讀者預測重要賽事的勝負。
Oluwaseun learned to handicap races by studying each horse's past performance records.
Oluwaseun 透過研究每匹馬的過往成績來學習預測賽馬勝負。
文法句型
handicap a race
handicap a contestant
handicap races
用法筆記
This sense belongs to horse racing and betting culture. In everyday conversation, people are more likely to say 'predict the winner' or 'assess the odds.' The noun form 'handicapper' refers to the person who does this job.