imp
/ɪmp/ (bre, ipa) · [ˈɪmp] /ɪmp/ (ame, ipa) · [ˈɪmp] /ˈimp/ (ame, mw)
imp — 名詞
- impsingular
- impsplural
1. In stories and traditional tales, a tiny creature that looks partly human and pa
小惡魔
民間故事中搗蛋的小精靈
In stories and traditional tales, a tiny creature that looks partly human and partly animal, known for making trouble and playing tricks on people using magic.
An old book told of an imp that lived under the bridge and frightened travellers.
一本舊書提到橋下住著一隻會嚇唬路人的小惡魔。
A mischievous imp in Irish stories stole bread and hid it in a tree.
愛爾蘭故事中有一隻調皮的小惡魔，偷了麵包並藏到樹上。
used in storytelling about folklore creatures
Felix drew a green imp with pointed ears, a long tail, and tiny horns.
Felix 畫了一隻綠色小惡魔，有尖耳朵、長尾巴和小小的角。
According to legend, an invisible imp hides people's keys when they are in a hurry.
據說有一隻隱形的小惡魔，專趁人們趕時間的時候把鑰匙藏起來。
- demon
more powerful and seriously evil than an imp; an imp is small and tricksome, not truly dangerous
- goblin
a larger, uglier creature in folklore that is often more hostile and less playful than an imp
- gremlin
a modern folklore imp blamed specifically for mechanical problems on planes or machines
- sprite
a fairy-like being that is more playful than malicious; less focused on causing trouble
- angel
a heavenly being that is good and kind, the opposite of a mischievous spirit
2. A child, especially a young one, who behaves in a slightly naughty but charming
小搗蛋
頑皮但可愛的孩子
A child, especially a young one, who behaves in a slightly naughty but charming or amusing way, without meaning any real harm.
The Parks' little imp of a daughter hid the remote control behind the sofa.
Park 家那個小搗蛋女兒把遙控器藏到沙發後面了。
Yara grinned like a playful imp at her grandmother and then ran off laughing.
Yara 像個小搗蛋似的對奶奶咧嘴一笑，然後笑著跑開了。
noun phrase 'a playful imp' used affectionately in comparison
The class imp, Mateo, put a plastic frog on the teacher's chair.
班上的小搗蛋 Mateo 把一隻塑膠青蛙放在老師的椅子上。
Aunt Rosa called the boy a cheeky little imp after he tied her shoelaces together.
Rosa 阿姨說那男孩真是個調皮的小搗蛋，因為他把她的鞋帶綁在一起。
- rascal
very similar tone, often used for older children; slightly more old-fashioned than 'imp'
- scamp
nearly identical meaning; slightly less common in modern American English
- little devil
idiomatic expression with the same playful feel; more exaggerated in tone
用法筆記
This sense is always affectionate or playful — the speaker is amused, not angry. For truly bad or harmful child behaviour, words like 'brat' or 'menace' are more appropriate. 'Imp' suggests the mischief is cute and the child is likable despite the trouble they cause.