hints

IPA/hɪnt/
KK[hˈɪnts]IPA/hɪnt/

hints — 名詞

  • hintssingular
  • hintsesplural

1. an indirect verbal or non-verbal signal through which a person makes their thoug

1.名詞B1
釋義

暗示；提示

不直接說出想法或意圖的間接表示

an indirect verbal or non-verbal signal through which a person makes their thoughts, wants, or expectations known without spelling them out.

例句

Femi kept yawning and looking at his watch, but his guest did not take the hint.

Femi 一直打哈欠並看手錶，但他的客人沒有領會這個暗示。

take + the hint: to understand and act on an indirect signal

Naoko dropped a heavy hint that she wanted a bicycle for her birthday.

Naoko 做了一個強烈的暗示，說她生日想要一輛腳踏車。

drop + a hint: to give an indirect suggestion

常見搭配
  • drop a hint
  • take a hint
  • give a hint
  • broad hint
  • heavy hint
  • subtle hint
  • hint about
  • hint of
同義詞
  • clue

    a clue is more specific and helps solve a puzzle or mystery, while a hint is usually about someone's thoughts or wishes

  • suggestion

    a suggestion can be direct or indirect; a hint is always indirect

  • implication

    more formal; an implication must be inferred from what is said rather than from an intentional signal

反義詞
  • announcement

    an announcement is a clear and public statement — the opposite of an indirect hint

文法句型

give + someone + a hint

drop + a hint

take + a hint

hint + about/of + noun/gerund

hint + that-clause

用法筆記

Common in fixed expressions: 'take a hint' (understand what is indirectly being said) and 'drop a hint' (give an indirect suggestion). The possessive pronoun is often used: 'my hint', 'her hint'.

常見錯誤

He hinted me that he was tired.
He hinted to me that he was tired.
'hint' always takes 'to' before the indirect object.
She gave hint about the gift.
She gave a hint about the gift.
As a countable noun, 'hint' generally needs an article.

2. a short, practical tip that makes a task or situation easier to handle.

2.名詞B1
釋義

秘訣；小建議

幫助完成某事的實用小技巧

a short, practical tip that makes a task or situation easier to handle.

例句

The book is full of handy hints on how to remove stains from clothing.

這本書充滿了去除衣物污漬的實用小秘訣。

hint + on + how to: for practical advice

Otis shared a few gardening hints that kept his roses blooming all summer.

Otis 分享了一些園藝秘訣，讓他的玫瑰整個夏天都盛開。

常見搭配
  • handy hint
  • helpful hint
  • useful hint
  • hint on
  • hints for
  • gardening hint
  • cooking hint
同義詞
  • tip

    very similar; 'tip' is slightly more informal and commonly used in everyday contexts like restaurants or life hacks

  • advice

    broader and more general; advice can be long and detailed, whereas a hint is short and specific

  • pointer

    slightly informal; a pointer is usually a single, focused piece of guidance

文法句型

a hint + on + how to + verb

hints + for + noun/gerund

handy + hint

helpful + hint

用法筆記

This sense is often used in the plural (hints) or in titles of advice articles ('Ten Hints for a Better Night's Sleep'). It overlaps with 'tip' but 'hint' sounds slightly more informal.

常見錯誤

Can you hint me on how to cook rice?
Can you give me a hint on how to cook rice?
'hint' as a noun takes the verb 'give'; the verb form 'hint' does not take a direct personal object.

3. a very small but perceptible amount of a particular quality, especially in food,

3.名詞B2
釋義

些微；微量

極少但可察覺的特定味道或特質

a very small but perceptible amount of a particular quality, especially in food, drink, or the air.

例句

The sauce had a faint hint of garlic that made it surprisingly tasty.

醬汁裡有一絲淡淡的蒜味，意外地好吃。

a hint of + flavour: for small tastes or smells

There was a hint of salt in the breeze from the nearby sea.

從附近海面吹來的微風中夾帶著一絲鹹味。

常見搭配
  • a hint of
  • faint hint
  • slight hint
  • hint of lemon
  • hint of garlic
  • hint of sadness
  • hint of colour
同義詞
  • touch

    a touch suggests a trace of something physical or tangible, while a hint is often sensory or emotional

  • dash

    used in cooking for a small, quick addition of a liquid ingredient; stronger than a hint

  • suggestion

    more formal; 'a suggestion of mint' means the same but sounds more literary

反義詞
  • lot

    a large amount, the opposite of a tiny hint

文法句型

a hint of + noun

用法筆記

Used primarily with sensory experiences: taste, smell, colour, and emotion. It is almost always preceded by 'a' and followed by 'of'. Compare with 'touch' (physical feel) and 'dash' (usually in cooking).

常見錯誤

The room had a hint of cats.
There was a faint smell of cat in the room.
'a hint of' is used for subtle, pleasant, or neutral qualities, not strong or unpleasant odours.

4. a very small sign or piece of information that helps you guess the nature, exist

4.名詞B2
釋義

線索；徵兆

有助於推測事物本質或方向的小跡象

a very small sign or piece of information that helps you guess the nature, existence, or future direction of something.

例句

The first hint of trouble came when the engine started making a strange noise.

第一個出問題的徵兆是引擎開始發出奇怪的聲響。

first hint of + trouble/danger: earliest sign

Kian saw a hint of rain in the dark clouds gathering to the west.

Kian 從西方聚集的烏雲中看出即將下雨的跡象。

常見搭配
  • first hint of
  • give a hint that
  • no hint of
  • hint of trouble
  • hint of danger
  • hint of spring
同義詞
  • clue

    a clue is more concrete and is used in problem-solving or mystery contexts; a hint is subtler

  • indication

    more formal and slightly stronger; an indication tends to be clearer than a hint

  • sign

    broader; a sign can be large or small, strong or weak, while a hint is always slight

文法句型

a hint + of + noun

a hint + that-clause

the first hint of + noun

用法筆記

Subtly different from sense 1: sense 1 is an intentional communication between people, whereas sense 4 is an observable sign or clue about any phenomenon. 'The first hint of spring' refers to observable signs, not someone's intention.

常見錯誤

I found a hint that the door was open.
There was a hint that the door was open.
Use 'there was a hint' to describe an observed sign, not 'I found a hint' which sounds like sense 1.

hints — 動詞

同根字

常見搭配

名詞搭配

副詞搭配

常用片語

  • drop a hint
  • take a hint
  • give a hint
  • a hint of
  • hint at

介系詞搭配