hard
hard — 形容詞
- hardpositive
- hardercomparative
- hardestsuperlative
1. Something that is hard does not change shape easily when you push or press it, a
堅硬的
不易彎曲、切割或破裂的
Something that is hard does not change shape easily when you push or press it, and is not soft.
Walid hit his hand against the hard wooden table and quickly pulled it back in pain.
Walid 用手敲到那張堅硬的木桌時，痛得縮回了手。
hard + noun for solid surfaces
A hard surface like stone or metal works well for rolling out dough.
像石頭或金屬這樣的硬表面，很適合用來擀麵團。
The bread was so hard that Jin could not cut it with a regular knife.
麵包硬到 Jin 用一般刀子都切不開。
describing food that has become solid/old
After the rain, the ground became hard and dry under the hot sun.
雨過之後，泥土在烈日下變得又硬又乾。
- hard surface
- hard wood
- hard ground
- hard floor
- hard bread
2. not simple; you need a lot of thinking, ability, or patience to make sense of it
困難的
需要大量思考、技巧或耐心才能做或理解的
not simple; you need a lot of thinking, ability, or patience to make sense of it or finish it.
The maths test was very hard, and Christopher could not finish all the questions.
數學考試非常難，Christopher 沒辦法寫完所有題目。
It is hard for Gabriela to wake up early every morning because she works late.
Gabriela 每天早起很困難，因為她都工作到很晚。
it + be + hard + for + someone + to-infinitive
Learning a new language can be hard at first, but it gets easier with practice.
學新語言一開始可能很難，但練習多了就會變簡單。
Choosing which university to attend is a hard decision for many students.
選擇要讀哪一所大學，對許多學生來說是個困難的決定。
hard + noun: hard decision, hard choice, hard question
- hard question
- hard test
- hard choice
- hard decision
- hard time
- hard life
- difficult
slightly more formal; interchangeable in most contexts
- tough
informal; suggests requiring endurance as well as skill
- challenging
more positive in tone; suggests something is hard but rewarding
文法句型
it + be + hard + to-infinitive
it + be + hard + for + object + to-infinitive
hard + noun
用法筆記
This is the most common sense of 'hard' for A1 learners. It often appears in the pattern 'it + be + hard + to-infinitive' (e.g. 'It is hard to say'). Do not confuse with 'hardly', which means 'almost not'.
常見錯誤
3. Someone who is hard is not easy to satisfy and only likes certain specific thing
挑剔的
不容易滿足，只喜歡特定事物
Someone who is hard is not easy to satisfy and only likes certain specific things rather than most things.
The restaurant critic was hard to please and rarely gave any dishes top marks.
那位美食評論家很難取悅，很少給任何菜餚高分。
hard to please: fixed expression
Beatrix's boss is very hard — she rejects every idea that the team suggests.
Beatrix 的老闆非常挑剔——團隊提出的每個點子她都否決。
When it comes to choosing music, Hari is hard to please and only listens to classical pieces.
Hari 在選音樂時很難取悅，他只聽古典樂曲。
hard to please: fixed expression for critical people
Hard customers often send food back to the kitchen if anything is wrong.
挑剔的顧客往往只要餐點有一點問題就會要求退回廚房。
hard + noun for describing critical people
- hard to please
- hard customer
- hard boss
- hard critic
- easy-going
relaxed and not easily bothered by imperfections
文法句型
hard + to-infinitive (hard to please, hard to satisfy)
用法筆記
Unlike sense 2 (DIFFICULT), this sense specifically describes a person who is hard to satisfy — not a task or situation. Commonly used in the expression 'hard to please'. Distinguish from sense 5 (SEVERE), which describes harsh treatment rather than picky standards.
4. A task or activity that is hard needs a lot of energy from your body or mind to
費力的
需要大量體力或精神投入的
A task or activity that is hard needs a lot of energy from your body or mind to finish.
Running a marathon is hard work that takes months of training to prepare for.
跑馬拉松是件費力的工作，需要好幾個月的訓練來準備。
collocation: hard work
Eliska put in a hard morning of gardening and needed a long rest afterwards.
Eliska 辛苦地整理了一上午的花園，之後需要好好休息。
Quan's job involves hard physical labour from sunrise to sunset every day.
Quan 的工作是從日出到日落每天做粗重的體力活。
collocation: hard physical labour
After a hard day of studying for exams, Lakshmi went for a walk to relax.
努力準備考試一整天之後，Lakshmi 出去散步放鬆。
- hard work
- hard day
- hard labour
- hard effort
- hard morning
- hard struggle
文法句型
hard + noun (hard work, hard day, hard labour)
用法筆記
Often used before nouns like 'work', 'day', 'labour', 'effort'. The focus is on the amount of energy needed, not on difficulty of understanding (sense 2). Frequently collocates with 'hard work' as a fixed pair.
5. Not kind or gentle; showing a lack of warmth, sympathy, or understanding toward
嚴厲的
不友善、不溫柔，缺乏同情心
Not kind or gentle; showing a lack of warmth, sympathy, or understanding toward someone.
The teacher gave Zola a hard look when she was whispering during the exam.
Zola 考試時偷講話，老師嚴厲地看了她一眼。
Heather's parents were very hard on her when she brought home low grades.
Heather 的爸媽在她成績不好的時候對她非常嚴格。
hard on someone: fixed prepositional phrase
Life in the refugee camp was hard, with very little food and no privacy at all.
難民營的生活很艱苦，食物很少，也完全沒有隱私。
The judge had a hard expression as she read the sentence to the court.
法官宣讀判決時，臉上帶著嚴厲的表情。
- hard on someone
- hard look
- hard expression
- hard eyes
- hard life
- hard times
文法句型
hard + on + someone
用法筆記
Commonly appears as 'hard on someone' (e.g. 'Don't be so hard on the children'). Unlike sense 6 (which focuses on criticism or unfairness), sense 5 emphasises a general lack of gentleness in behaviour, expression, or circumstances. The subject can be a person, a situation, or 'life' itself.
6. Describing a situation where someone is treated with strong criticism, very stri
苛刻的
嚴厲批評或給予不公平對待
Describing a situation where someone is treated with strong criticism, very strict standards, or unfair demands.
The newspaper was hard on the new mayor, attacking every decision she made.
那份報紙對新任市長的態度是苛刻的，攻擊她的每一個決定。
Don't be too hard on yourself — nobody can get everything right the first time.
別對自己太苛刻——沒有人第一次就能把每件事做對。
too hard on yourself: common self-compassion expression
Wages in that factory were low and conditions were hard on the workers.
那間工廠的薪資很低，工作條件對工人來說也很苛刻。
The coach was hard on the team, making them practise the same drill for hours.
教練對球隊很嚴格，讓他們把同一個練習動作重複練好幾個小時。
hard on someone: criticism through strict demands
- hard on someone
- too hard on yourself
- hard on the workers
- hard on the team
文法句型
hard + on + someone
too hard + on + someone
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 5 (SEVERE): sense 6 focuses on active criticism or unfair treatment, while sense 5 describes a general lack of gentleness. Sense 6 often appears where someone is actively judged or blamed, especially in the pattern 'too hard on someone'.
7. describes drinks, such as liquor or cider, that have a strong effect because the
烈性的
酒精含量高的
describes drinks, such as liquor or cider, that have a strong effect because they contain a lot of alcohol
Tunde only drinks hard liquor like whiskey on special occasions.
Tunde 只在特別場合喝威士忌這類烈酒。
hard + liquor / cider / drinks collocation
The bar menu lists hard cider, wine, and soft drinks separately.
餐廳的酒單將烈性蘋果酒、葡萄酒和軟性飲料分開列出。
Shirin avoids hard alcohol because it gives her a headache.
Shirin 因為喝烈酒會頭痛而避開不喝。
In many countries, hard drinks cost more than beer at local stores.
在許多國家，烈酒的價格比當地商店的啤酒還貴。
contrast: hard drinks vs beer / wine
- hard liquor
- hard cider
- hard drink
- hard alcohol
用法筆記
Typically used before nouns that name alcoholic beverages, such as liquor, cider, or drink.
常見錯誤
8. describes water that contains minerals like calcium, which stop soap from mixing
硬水的
含礦物質而難起泡的
describes water that contains minerals like calcium, which stop soap from mixing or creating bubbles properly
The tap water here is so hard that soap barely creates any bubbles.
這裡的自來水水質非常硬，肥皂幾乎無法起泡。
so + hard + that clause — cause and effect
Gabriela installed a water softener to deal with the hard water.
Gabriela 安裝了軟水器來處理水質過硬的問題。
water softener — common solution for hard water
Hard water leaves white mineral deposits on the kitchen kettle.
硬水會在廚房水壺上留下白色的礦物質沉澱。
Residents in the old building complained about the hard water supply.
舊大樓的住戶抱怨供水水質太硬。
- hard water
- hard water supply
- hard water deposits
- soft
soft water has low mineral content and lathers easily with soap
用法筆記
Most commonly appears in the fixed phrase hard water. The opposite is soft water.
常見錯誤
9. clearly supported by facts that anyone can examine and confirm as true
確鑿的
有事實可證明的
clearly supported by facts that anyone can examine and confirm as true
The police need hard evidence before they can arrest anyone.
警方在逮捕任何人之前需要確鑿的證據。
hard evidence — fixed legal collocation
There is no hard proof that the package ever arrived at the office.
沒有確切證據顯示包裹曾送達辦公室。
The journalist presented hard facts to support her investigation.
那名記者提出了確鑿的事實來支持她的調查。
hard facts — common before-noun pattern
Judges base their decisions on hard data, not personal opinions.
法官根據確切的數據做出判決，而非個人意見。
- hard evidence
- hard proof
- hard facts
- hard data
- hard information
- unproven
not yet shown to be true or false
- speculative
based on guesswork rather than facts
用法筆記
Always used before a noun (evidence, proof, facts, data). Does not appear after a linking verb — compare This evidence is strong, not This evidence is hard.
常見錯誤
10. describes a period of very cold or severe weather conditions that make life outd
惡劣的
天氣嚴酷難熬的
describes a period of very cold or severe weather conditions that make life outdoors difficult
The region experienced a hard winter with snow lasting until April.
該地區經歷了一個嚴冬，積雪一直持續到四月。
hard winter — most common fixed phrase for this sense
A hard frost damaged the young plants in Meera's garden.
一場嚴重的霜害損壞了 Meera 花園裡的幼苗。
Farmers lost most of their crops during the hard winter last year.
農民在去年的嚴冬中損失了大部分的作物。
The hikers turned back because of the hard weather on the mountain.
登山者因為山上天氣惡劣而折返。
hard weather — general use with location context
- hard winter
- hard frost
- hard weather
- mild
describes gentle, comfortable weather without extremes of cold or heat
用法筆記
Typically appears in fixed phrases such as hard winter, hard frost, or hard weather. Describes the season or conditions themselves, not how someone experiences them.
常見錯誤
To treat someone or something in a very strict or critical way.
對…嚴厲；對…不好
Mom was hard on me when I broke the vase.
Running every day can be hard on your knees.
In a difficult situation where you must choose between two bad options.
進退兩難
Maya was between a rock and a hard place when both offers came.
If I stay or leave, I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place.
To negotiate very forcefully to get the best possible deal.
極力討價還價
The car dealer drove a hard bargain, but I got a discount.
Sara strikes a hard bargain when buying used furniture.
To deliberately make things difficult or unpleasant for someone.
為難某人
The boss gave me a hard time about the late report.
Why do you always give your brother a hard time?
hard and fast
idiomFixed and not able to be changed under any circumstances.
不容改變的
There are no hard and fast rules for this recipe.
The deadline is hard and fast; we cannot extend it.
(as) hard as nails
idiomShowing no fear, sympathy, or kindness; very tough.
鐵石心腸；冷酷
The coach is as hard as nails and never praises anyone.
After years in the army, Grandpa became hard as nails.
hard cheese
idiomUsed to express fake sympathy, often meaning the opposite.
活該；真倒楣（諷刺）
You missed the bus? Hard cheese! You should have left earlier.
Hard cheese, but I don't feel sorry for you.
hard going
idiomDifficult to understand or requiring a lot of effort.
困難的；費力的
I found the physics textbook very hard going.
The hike was hard going because of the steep trail.
hard luck
idiomUsed to tell someone you feel sorry for them about a problem.
真倒楣；運氣不好
You failed the test? Hard luck, maybe next time.
Hard luck, Tom. You almost won the race.
A problem or situation that is very difficult to deal with.
難題；棘手的事
This math puzzle is a hard nut to crack.
Getting funding for the project is a tough nut to crack.
Someone or something so successful that it is hard for others to match.
難以超越的人或事
The previous CEO was a hard act to follow.
Her speech was excellent; it will be a tough act to follow.
the hard way
idiomLearning something through unpleasant experiences or mistakes.
透過慘痛經驗
He learned the hard way not to touch a hot stove.
I found out the hard way that lying has consequences.
To have difficulty doing something.
做某事有困難
I had a hard job finding a parking spot downtown.
She will have a difficult job convincing her parents.
To use more time or effort on a task than is needed.
小題大作；費力做
He made hard work of cleaning the garage.
Why do you make hard work of such a simple recipe?
no hard feelings
idiomUsed to say that you are not angry after an argument or competition.
不記仇；沒惡意
You beat me fair and square. No hard feelings, okay?
We disagreed, but no hard feelings between us.
play hard to get
idiomTo pretend not to be interested in order to seem more attractive.
欲擒故縱
She played hard to get, so he kept calling her.
Stop playing hard to get and just say yes.
To examine something very carefully and without rushing.
仔細審視
We need to take a long hard look at our budget.
Take a long cool look at the problem before deciding.
Requiring too much effort; not worth the trouble.
太費力；太麻煩
Cooking a big dinner is too much like hard work tonight.
Learning a new language seems too much like hard work.
hard — 副詞
1. putting a great deal of energy and attention into what you do
努力；使勁
付出大量體力或心力的方式
putting a great deal of energy and attention into what you do
Élise studied hard for the chemistry exam and got top marks.
Élise 為了化學考試努力讀書，最後拿到了最高分。
collocation: study hard
The delivery crew worked hard all morning to load the truck.
送貨人員整個早上拼命工作，要把卡車裝滿。
collocation: work hard
Kian pushed hard against the heavy wooden door until it opened.
Kian 用力推著那扇沉重的木門，直到它打開。
adverb modifying push: push hard + against
You have to try hard if you want to improve your spoken English.
如果你想增進英文口說能力，就必須努力嘗試。
collocation: try hard
- work hard
- try hard
- study hard
- push hard
- fight hard
- breathe hard
- diligently
more formal; focuses on careful, steady effort rather than sheer exertion
- strenuously
emphasises physical force; less common in everyday speech
- vigorously
suggests lively, energetic effort rather than sustained labour
用法筆記
Hardly is NOT the adverb form of 'hard' — it means 'almost not'. Compare: 'I worked hard' (with great effort) vs 'I hardly worked' (very little effort).
常見錯誤
2. If rain or snow falls hard, it falls in large amounts
猛烈；大量
形容雨或雪下得很大
If rain or snow falls hard, it falls in large amounts
It rained so hard last night that the streets flooded.
昨晚雨下得很大，街道都淹水了。
dummy-it subject: it rains/snows hard
The snow fell hard all afternoon, covering the town in white.
雪下了整個下午，整座小鎮都覆蓋在白色之中。
collocation: snow falls hard, covering + noun phrase
Paloma could hear the rain beating hard against the windows.
Paloma 可以聽到雨水猛烈地打在窗戶上。
collocation: beat hard against [surface]
By morning, the rain was falling so hard that the river had risen by a metre.
到了早上，雨下得很大，河水已經漲了一公尺。
result clause: so hard that [consequence]
- rain hard
- snow hard
- fall hard
- beat hard
- lightly
of rain/snow: in small amounts
用法筆記
This sense is restricted to weather verbs — mainly 'rain', 'snow', and occasionally 'hail'. It cannot be used for wind ('blew hard' uses sense 1).
同根字
常見搭配
名詞搭配
- hard work
- hard time / hard times
- hard evidence
- hard facts
- hard data
- hard proof
- hard copy
- hard cash
- hard labour
- hard luck
- hard drugs
- hard drive
副詞搭配
- very hard
- extremely hard
- really hard
- too hard
- so hard
- incredibly hard
- particularly hard
- awfully hard
常用片語
- hard to believe
- hard to say
- hard to tell
- hard to imagine
- hard at work
- no hard feelings
- play hard to get
- learn something the hard way
- a hard act to follow
- hard and fast (rules)
- old habits die hard
- between a rock and a hard place
介系詞搭配
- hard on someone
- hard for someone
- hard of hearing