infelicitous

IPA/ˌɪn.fəˈlɪs.ɪ.təs/
IPA/ˌɪn.fəˈlɪs.ə.t̬əs/

infelicitous — 形容詞

  • infelicitouspositive
  • more infelicitouscomparative
  • most infelicitoussuperlative

1. Describes a remark, choice of words, or action that is inappropriate or ill-time

1.形容詞C1
釋義

不恰當；不宜

不合乎場合或時機的

Describes a remark, choice of words, or action that is inappropriate or ill-timed for the situation, often creating awkwardness or discomfort.

例句

The ambassador's infelicitous comment about local traditions earned him a sharp glare from his translator.

大使對當地傳統說了不恰當的話，翻譯員狠狠瞪了他一眼。

collocation: infelicitous comment / remark / choice

Caio found his joke about car accidents infelicitous when his colleague mentioned her recent crash.

Caio 發現自己的車禍笑話很不合時宜，因為同事不久前才出過車禍。

formal register — avoids in casual speech

常見搭配
  • infelicitous comment
  • infelicitous remark
  • infelicitous choice
  • infelicitous term
  • infelicitous phrase
  • infelicitous decision
同義詞
  • inappropriate

    broader and more common; can describe anything unsuitable

  • ill-timed

    focuses specifically on poor timing rather than poor content

  • tactless

    emphasises social insensitivity more than the formality of infelicitous

  • unseemly

    similar formal register but suggests behaviour that violates propriety

反義詞

文法句型

infelicitous + noun (comment/word/choice/decision)

用法筆記

Formal or literary word. Reserve for written contexts where you want to criticise a choice of words or timing: journalism, academic prose, or formal letters. In everyday conversation, inappropriate, ill-timed, or tactless sound more natural.

常見錯誤

His infelicitous shirt was too casual for the party.
His shirt was inappropriate for the party.
infelicitous is about language, choices, and timing, not about clothing style.
The food was infelicitous.
The choice of menu was infelicitous for the formal dinner.
infelicitous modifies the decision or choice, not the object itself.

2. Describes an event, period, or set of circumstances that causes unhappiness or d

2.形容詞C1
釋義

不順遂；不快

帶來不幸或尷尬的

Describes an event, period, or set of circumstances that causes unhappiness or discomfort, typically because it happens at an unlucky or awkward moment.

例句

The wedding date proved infelicitous when Typhoon Goni struck the island that same weekend.

婚禮日期挑得很不順遂，因為同一週末颱風襲擊了島嶼。

collocation: infelicitous date / time / moment

Romi described the infelicitous timing of the merger, which arrived just as the economy slowed.

Romi 形容公司合併的時機很不湊巧，正趕上經濟放緩。

pattern: infelicitous + noun + of + noun phrase (timing of [event])

常見搭配
  • infelicitous time
  • infelicitous moment
  • infelicitous timing
  • infelicitous event
  • infelicitous chain of events
  • infelicitous chapter
同義詞
  • unfortunate

    more common and less formal; covers bad luck broadly

  • inopportune

    focuses on poor timing; similar register

  • awkward

    emphasises social or practical discomfort rather than formality

  • unhappy

    archaic sense meaning 'unlucky'; sounds old-fashioned

反義詞
  • felicitous

    the direct opposite; well-chosen and bringing happiness

  • fortunate

    everyday antonym for unfortunate events

  • timely

    antonym focusing on good timing

文法句型

infelicitous + noun (time/moment/event/situation)

be + infelicitous + for + noun phrase

用法筆記

Often paired with nouns related to timing (moment, date, time) or results (event, chain, chapter). Distinguished from sense 1 by focusing on the outcome (unhappiness) rather than the inappropriateness of a choice. Use unfortunate or awkward in casual contexts instead.

常見錯誤

I felt infelicitous after hearing the bad news.
The timing of the news was infelicitous for me.
infelicitous describes the situation, not a person's feelings.
The weather was infelicitous for our picnic.
The weather was unfortunate for our picnic.
infelicitous is too formal for a casual complaint about weather.

同根字

  • infelicity
    名詞C1
  • infelicitously
    副詞C2
  • felicitous
    形容詞C1
  • felicitously
    副詞C2
  • felicity
    名詞C1

常見搭配

名詞搭配

常用片語

  • chain of events
  • series of events

介系詞搭配