light
/laɪt/ (bre, ipa) · [lˈaɪt] /laɪt/ (ame, ipa) · [lˈaɪt] /ˈlīt/ (ame, mw)
light — 動詞
- lightpresent simple I / you / we / they
- lights3rd person singular
- lighting-ing form
- litpast simple
- lightedpast participle
1. to put a flame to something so that it begins to burn, or for an object to begin
點燃；點火
讓物品開始燃燒或自己起火
to put a flame to something so that it begins to burn, or for an object to begin burning by itself.
Grandpa lit the candles on the birthday cake with a long match.
爺爺用一根長火柴點燃了生日蛋糕上的蠟燭。
light + [object] with [tool]
The dry leaves lit easily once the wind picked up in the garden.
院子裡的風一吹起來，乾枯的葉子就輕易燒了起來。
intransitive: [object] + lights (begins to burn)
Maria struck a match and lit the gas stove before cooking dinner.
瑪麗亞劃了一根火柴，在做晚餐前點燃了瓦斯爐。
He stepped outside the bar to light a cigarette in the cold rain.
他走出酒吧，在冷雨中點了一根菸。
The campers lit a small fire to cook beans and stay warm.
露營的人點了一小堆火來煮豆子並取暖。
- ignite
more formal or technical; common in writing about engines or fuels
- kindle
literary; usually for starting a fire from small materials like twigs
- set fire to
phrasal; often suggests intentional or harmful burning
- extinguish
formal; to make a flame stop burning
- put out
everyday phrasal verb for stopping a flame
文法句型
light + [object]
[object] + lights
用法筆記
Past tense and past participle are both 'lit' in everyday use; 'lighted' also exists but is far less common. Object is usually a flame-bearing thing: candle, match, cigarette, fire, stove.
常見錯誤
2. to send light onto a place or thing so that people can see it clearly, often usi
照亮；點亮
用光源讓某地方或物體變明亮
to send light onto a place or thing so that people can see it clearly, often using lamps, candles, or other light sources.
Hundreds of small lanterns lit the narrow streets of the old town.
數百盞小燈籠照亮了老城區狹窄的街道。
light + [place]
The stage was lit by warm yellow lamps during the school play.
學校演出時，舞台被溫暖的黃色燈光照亮。
passive: be lit by [light source]
A single candle lit the small wooden table where Anna was reading.
一根蠟燭照亮了安娜正在讀書的小木桌。
Bright fireworks lit the sky above the harbor on New Year's Eve.
跨年夜，明亮的煙火照亮了港口上方的天空。
- illuminate
more formal; common in writing about buildings, monuments, or art
- light up
phrasal; very common in everyday speech for the same meaning
- brighten
suggests an increase in existing light, not creating it from darkness
- darken
to make a place less bright
文法句型
light + [place / object]
be lit by [light source]
用法筆記
Frequently passive ('be lit by…'). Subject is typically a light source (lamp, candle, fireworks, sun); object is a place or surface. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is about brightness, not about starting a flame.
常見錯誤
light — 名詞
- lightsingular
- lightsplural
1. the natural or artificial brightness, given off by things like the sun, a flame,
光；光線
可讓眼睛看見東西的明亮現象
the natural or artificial brightness, given off by things like the sun, a flame, or an electric bulb, that lets your eyes see what is around you.
Bright sunlight streamed through the kitchen window onto the breakfast table.
明亮的陽光從廚房窗戶灑進來，照在早餐桌上。
noun phrase as subject describing source of light
There wasn't enough light in the cave for Anna to read the map.
洞穴裡的光線不夠，安娜沒辦法看清楚地圖。
collocation: enough light / not enough light
The painting looks completely different in natural light.
這幅畫在自然光下看起來完全不一樣。
Light travels much faster than sound through the air.
光在空氣中傳播的速度比聲音快很多。
A warm yellow light filled the small wooden chapel at sunset.
夕陽時，溫暖的黃光灑滿了那座小木造禮拜堂。
- brightness
more about the level or intensity than the phenomenon itself
- illumination
more formal; often used about lighting in buildings or art
- glow
softer, warmer light, often from a small source
文法句型
light from + [source]
in the light
用法筆記
Uncountable in this sense. Frequently appears with adjectives describing colour or quality (warm, soft, bright, dim) and with prepositional phrases naming the source ('light from the moon').
常見錯誤
2. a lamp, bulb, or other device that you switch on so it gives off brightness in a
燈；燈具
可開關發光的設備，如燈泡或檯燈
a lamp, bulb, or other device that you switch on so it gives off brightness in a room, on a street, or on a vehicle.
Please turn off the lights before you leave the office.
離開辦公室前，請把燈關掉。
collocation: turn on / turn off the lights
Mia hung tiny white lights along the balcony for the party.
米亞為了派對，在陽台上掛了一串小白燈。
One of the lights above the stairs has stopped working again.
樓梯上方的其中一盞燈又壞了。
The driver flashed his lights to warn us about the sharp bend.
司機閃了幾下車燈，提醒我們前面有急彎。
Street lights came on as the sky grew darker over the harbour.
天色變暗時，港口的路燈一一亮了起來。
文法句型
turn on/off the light
switch the light on/off
用法筆記
Countable in this sense, often used in the plural for a set of lamps (street lights, Christmas lights, headlights). Compounds are very common: 'street light', 'desk light', 'fairy lights'.
常見錯誤
3. a coloured signal at a road junction (red for stop, amber for caution, green for
紅綠燈
路口控制車輛行進的紅黃綠號誌
a coloured signal at a road junction (red for stop, amber for caution, green for go) that controls when drivers and cyclists may move.
Turn left at the next set of lights and the school is straight ahead.
在下一個紅綠燈左轉，學校就在正前方。
collocation: at the lights / at the next set of lights
The taxi driver went through a red light and almost hit a cyclist.
計程車司機闖紅燈，差點撞到一位騎單車的人。
collocation: go through a red light
We waited at the lights for over a minute in heavy morning traffic.
我們在紅綠燈前等了一分多鐘，早上的車流非常多。
The lights changed to green just as Daniel reached the crossing.
丹尼爾走到斑馬線時，燈號剛好變成綠燈。
- traffic lights
the most common full form
- stoplight
American English, usually singular
- signal
more technical or official, used in road-safety writing
文法句型
at the lights
go through a red light
用法筆記
Almost always used in the plural ('the lights') even when referring to a single junction. Often appears as 'traffic lights' for clarity, or simply 'the lights' once context is clear.
常見錯誤
4. a match, lighter, or other small flame that you use to start a cigarette or cand
火源；打火機
可點燃香菸或蠟燭的小火
a match, lighter, or other small flame that you use to start a cigarette or candle burning.
Excuse me, have you got a light for my cigarette?
不好意思，請問你有打火機可以幫我點菸嗎？
informal register: 'have you got a light?'
Tom searched his pockets for a light to start the campfire.
湯姆翻遍口袋，想找個火來點營火。
She asked the man at the next table for a light.
她向隔壁桌的男士借個火。
Without a light, we couldn't get the candles on the cake going.
沒有火，我們點不著生日蛋糕上的蠟燭。
文法句型
have you got a light?
ask for a light
用法筆記
Informal and often appears in the fixed question 'Have you got a light?' when asking a stranger for a flame. Treated as countable, almost always singular.
常見錯誤
5. in fixed phrases like 'set light to' or 'put a light to', the act of making some
點燃；放火
在固定片語中表示讓某物起火燃燒
in fixed phrases like 'set light to' or 'put a light to', the act of making something catch fire and burn.
Vandals set light to a row of bins behind the supermarket last night.
昨晚有破壞分子放火燒了超市後面的一排垃圾桶。
fixed phrase: set light to + [object]
The old farmer put a light to the dry leaves at the edge of the field.
那位老農夫在田邊點燃了一堆乾葉子。
fixed phrase: put a light to + [object]
Be careful not to set light to the curtains with that candle.
小心別用那根蠟燭把窗簾點著了。
Someone had set light to a pile of newspapers in the alley.
巷子裡有人放火燒了一疊報紙。
- set fire to
the more common, neutral equivalent in both varieties
- ignite
more formal or technical
- put out
the opposite action: to stop something burning
文法句型
set light to + [object]
put a light to + [object]
用法筆記
Mainly British and largely confined to the fixed expressions 'set light to' and 'put a light to'. American English usually says 'set fire to' instead.
常見錯誤
6. the lungs of a sheep, pig, or other animal, prepared and cooked as food, often u
動物肺臟
可食用的羊、豬等動物肺臟
the lungs of a sheep, pig, or other animal, prepared and cooked as food, often used in traditional dishes or as pet food.
The butcher sold sheep's lights cheaply for use in old country recipes.
肉販把羊肺廉價賣出，供傳統鄉下食譜使用。
collocation: sheep's / pig's lights
My grandmother used to boil lights and onions for the farm dogs.
我祖母以前會煮肺和洋蔥給農場上的狗吃。
Traditional haggis contains lights, heart, and liver mixed with oats.
傳統的哈吉斯裡有肺、心和肝，再混上燕麥。
Some old cookbooks suggest stewing pig's lights with carrots and herbs.
有些舊食譜建議把豬肺和紅蘿蔔、香草一起燉煮。
用法筆記
Always plural in this sense and now rare in everyday speech. Mostly seen in older recipes, butchery contexts, and discussions of traditional British dishes such as haggis.
7. a look that briefly shows in someone's eyes and hints at an emotion or thought,
眼神；神色
眼中流露的情緒或想法
a look that briefly shows in someone's eyes and hints at an emotion or thought, such as joy, anger, or curiosity.
A mischievous light came into Sophie's eyes when her brother walked in.
弟弟一走進來，蘇菲眼中就閃過一抹調皮的神色。
a [adj] light came into [someone]'s eyes
The teacher saw a bright light in Marco's eyes as he solved the puzzle.
馬可解開那道謎題時，老師看見他眼中閃著明亮的神色。
saw a [adj] light in [someone]'s eyes
There was a strange light in his father's eyes that worried him.
他父親眼中有一種奇怪的神色，讓他感到擔心。
Anna noticed a soft light in her grandmother's eyes when they talked about home.
聊到家鄉時，安娜注意到奶奶眼中流露出一抹溫柔的神色。
A cold light entered the judge's eyes before he gave his decision.
法官宣判前，眼神裡浮現一絲冷冽。
文法句型
a [adj] light in someone's eyes
用法筆記
Almost always paired with an adjective describing the feeling (mischievous, strange, soft, cold) and the phrase 'in/into someone's eyes'. Mostly used in literary or descriptive writing.
常見錯誤
8. a small window, glass panel, or other opening in a wall or roof that lets daylig
採光窗；天窗
牆面或屋頂上引進日光的開口
a small window, glass panel, or other opening in a wall or roof that lets daylight enter a room.
The old chapel has narrow lights along the south wall to brighten the altar.
這間古老教堂南牆設有狹長的採光窗，用來照亮祭壇。
narrow lights along [a wall]
Builders cut a small light into the roof above the kitchen sink.
工人在廚房水槽上方的屋頂開了一扇小天窗。
cut a light into [a roof]
Each room had two tall lights facing the garden.
每個房間都有兩扇高大的採光窗，朝著花園。
The architect added a round light above the front door.
建築師在大門上方加了一扇圓形的採光窗。
文法句型
a light in [a wall/roof]
用法筆記
Technical use in architecture, building, and stained-glass contexts. In ordinary speech, learners should use 'window' or 'skylight' instead.
常見錯誤
9. the way a person, action, or situation seems to others — usually positive or neg
觀感；角度
他人對人事物所形成的看法
the way a person, action, or situation seems to others — usually positive or negative — depending on how it is described or viewed.
The new evidence put Daniel's actions in a very different light.
新證據讓丹尼爾的行為呈現出截然不同的觀感。
put [something] in a [adj] light
Reporters tried to show the mayor in a bad light during the campaign.
競選期間，記者試圖把市長塑造成負面的形象。
show [someone] in a bad light
After her speech, voters began to see the policy in a more positive light.
聽完她的演說後，選民開始以較正面的角度看待這項政策。
The documentary cast the company's history in a troubling light.
這部紀錄片讓這家公司的歷史顯得令人不安。
Don't paint your sister in a bad light just because you are angry with her.
別只因為氣姊姊就把她說得很糟。
- perspective
a viewpoint that shapes how something is judged; less idiomatic
- aspect
one particular side of a situation rather than its overall impression
- angle
informal; the chosen way of presenting a story or fact
文法句型
see/put/cast something in a [adj] light
in a [adj] light
用法筆記
Almost always appears in the fixed pattern 'in a + [adjective] + light' with verbs like 'see', 'put', 'show', 'cast', or 'paint'. The adjective (good, bad, positive, different, new) carries the real meaning.
常見錯誤
light — 形容詞
- lightpositive
- lightercomparative
- lightestsuperlative
1. easy to lift, carry, or move because the weight is small.
輕的
重量小、容易搬動的
easy to lift, carry, or move because the weight is small.
Anaya picked up the empty suitcase and noticed how light it felt.
Anaya 拿起空行李箱，發現它感覺好輕。
predicative use after 'feel'
Aluminium is a very light metal, so factories use it for aircraft parts.
鋁是一種很輕的金屬，所以工廠會用它來做飛機零件。
attributive: light + metal/material
Please pack a light bag if we are walking up the mountain tomorrow.
如果我們明天要爬山，請打包一個輕便的包包。
The baby birds were so light that they barely bent the thin branch.
那些雛鳥太輕了，幾乎不會壓彎那根細樹枝。
This new laptop is much lighter than the one I used last year.
這台新筆電比我去年用的那台輕多了。
- lightweight
often describes products designed to be easy to carry
- weightless
stronger; suggests almost no weight at all
- portable
focuses on being easy to move around, not just on weight
- heavy
the standard opposite for weight
文法句型
light + noun
feel/be + light
用法筆記
Often paired with size words like 'small', 'thin', or 'compact' to stress easy handling. Distinguish from sense 2 (clothing/material): sense 1 is about total weight, sense 2 is about how thin the fabric is.
常見錯誤
2. (of clothes or fabric) made from thin material so that the wearer stays cool in
輕薄的
用薄布料做的，適合涼爽穿著
(of clothes or fabric) made from thin material so that the wearer stays cool in warm weather.
Hannah wore a light cotton dress to the beach picnic on Saturday.
週六的海邊野餐，Hannah 穿了一件輕薄的棉質洋裝。
collocation: light cotton/linen + clothing item
Pack a light jacket for the evening, but leave your wool coat at home.
晚上帶件輕薄的外套，但羊毛大衣就留在家裡吧。
In Taipei summers, most people prefer light shirts and short trousers.
在台北的夏天，大多數人比較喜歡穿輕薄的襯衫和短褲。
These running shorts are made of a light fabric that dries very quickly.
這條跑步短褲是用輕薄的布料做的，乾得很快。
- thin
describes the fabric directly, not the wearer's experience
- summery
suggests bright colours and warm-weather style, not just thinness
- breathable
focuses on letting air through; common in sportswear
文法句型
light + clothing noun
用法筆記
Subject is usually a piece of clothing or a fabric type (cotton, linen, silk). Often contrasted with 'heavy' or 'thick' clothes worn in winter.
常見錯誤
3. having plenty of daylight, so that you can see things clearly without turning a
明亮的
有充足日光、看得清楚
having plenty of daylight, so that you can see things clearly without turning a lamp on.
It was already light when David's alarm clock rang at five in the morning.
David 早上五點鬧鐘響時，外面天已經亮了。
impersonal pattern: it + be + light
We chose this flat because the kitchen is bright and very light.
我們選了這間公寓，因為廚房很亮、採光很好。
predicative: a room is light
The sky stays light until almost ten o'clock during a Scottish summer.
在蘇格蘭的夏天，天空到將近十點才會暗下來。
Open the curtains to make the bedroom feel a little lighter, please.
請拉開窗簾，讓臥室感覺再亮一點，謝謝。
文法句型
it + be + light
light + room/space
用法筆記
Often used in the impersonal pattern 'it is/gets light' to talk about sunrise. Distinguish from sense 4 ('PALE'): sense 3 is about how much daylight a place has, sense 4 is about colour shade.
常見錯誤
4. (used before a colour) closer to white than to black; not deep or strong in shad
淺色的
顏色偏白、不深濃
(used before a colour) closer to white than to black; not deep or strong in shade.
Sophie painted her bedroom walls a soft, light blue last weekend.
Sophie 上週末把臥室的牆壁漆成柔和的淺藍色。
pattern: light + colour
He was wearing a light green shirt and dark jeans at the party.
他在派對上穿了一件淺綠色的襯衫和深色牛仔褲。
My grandmother has light grey hair and warm brown eyes.
我奶奶有一頭淺灰色的頭髮，還有一雙溫暖的棕色眼睛。
The cafe walls are light pink, which makes the room feel friendly.
這家咖啡廳的牆壁是淺粉色的，讓整個空間感覺很親切。
文法句型
light + colour word
light + noun (of an item with that colour)
用法筆記
Comes immediately before a colour word to make a paler version of it. Cannot be used alone to describe a colour: say 'light blue', not just 'light' to describe paint.
常見錯誤
5. (of books, films, or music) fun and easy to follow, without difficult ideas or h
輕鬆的
內容好懂、不沉重的娛樂
(of books, films, or music) fun and easy to follow, without difficult ideas or heavy emotions.
Olivia packed a couple of light novels for her flight to Bangkok.
Olivia 為飛往曼谷的航班帶了幾本輕鬆的小說。
collocation: light novel/reading
After a long week, Tom prefers light comedies to serious dramas.
工作了一整週後，Tom 比較喜歡看輕鬆的喜劇而不是嚴肅的劇情片。
contrast pattern: light vs serious
The cafe plays light jazz in the background while customers chat.
客人聊天時，這家咖啡廳的背景會放輕鬆的爵士樂。
Her speech kept the tone light and funny, even though the topic was sad.
雖然主題很沉重，她的演講還是維持輕鬆又幽默的口吻。
- easy
wider; can describe many activities, not just media
- lighthearted
stresses cheerful mood more than easy content
- fluffy
informal; sometimes slightly negative, suggesting little depth
文法句型
light + reading/music/comedy/entertainment
用法筆記
Often contrasted with 'serious', 'heavy', or 'deep' when talking about books, films, music, or conversation. Common collocates: 'reading', 'novel', 'comedy', 'music', 'tone', 'mood'.
常見錯誤
6. in the fixed phrase 'make light of something', to act as though a problem or wor
輕描淡寫
把嚴重的事當成不重要
in the fixed phrase 'make light of something', to act as though a problem or worry is small and not worth bothering about.
Daniel made light of his injury, but the doctor said he needed surgery.
Daniel 對自己的傷勢輕描淡寫，但醫生說他需要動手術。
fixed phrase: make light of + noun
Please don't make light of the safety rules; they protect every worker here.
請別輕忽安全規定，它們保護著這裡的每一位員工。
Reporters accused the minister of making light of the flood victims' losses.
記者指控部長對水災受災戶的損失輕描淡寫。
She tried to make light of her bad exam results by joking with her friends.
她考試考得很差，便試著用和朋友開玩笑的方式輕描淡寫帶過。
- trivialise
more formal; common in news writing
- downplay
neutral; means presenting something as smaller than it is
- dismiss
stronger; suggests refusing to take something seriously at all
- take seriously
the most natural opposite phrase
- exaggerate
the opposite direction: making something seem bigger
文法句型
make light of + something
用法筆記
Almost always appears in 'make light of'. Often sounds critical: the speaker thinks the person is wrongly treating something serious as a joke. Object is usually a problem, mistake, or other person's feelings.
常見錯誤
7. small in degree, force, or quantity — for example, a gentle wind, a soft tap on
輕微；少量
程度、力道或數量小的
small in degree, force, or quantity — for example, a gentle wind, a soft tap on the door, or only a small amount of rain.
A light breeze moved the curtains in Mia's bedroom that afternoon.
那天下午，輕柔的微風吹動了 Mia 房間裡的窗簾。
collocation: light breeze / light wind / light rain
Tom felt a light tap on his shoulder and turned around quickly.
Tom 感覺到肩膀被輕輕拍了一下，便迅速回過頭。
collocation: light tap / light touch / light pressure
Traffic was light on Sunday morning, so we reached the airport early.
星期天早上車流量很少，所以我們提早到達機場。
Only light snow fell in the village last night, so the roads stayed clear.
昨晚村子裡只下了一點小雪，所以路面仍然乾淨。
She gave the door a light push, and it swung open by itself.
她輕輕推了一下門，門就自己打開了。
用法筆記
Frequently used before nouns naming weather, sounds, or physical contact (rain, wind, snow, tap, push, touch). Distinguish from sense 12 (NOT SEVERE), which describes tasks or punishments rather than physical force.
常見錯誤
8. describes a person who only eats, drinks, or smokes a small amount — for example
食量小的
吃、喝或抽得少的人
describes a person who only eats, drinks, or smokes a small amount — for example, a light eater who never finishes a full plate.
Grandpa is a light eater and usually leaves half his rice on the plate.
爺爺食量很小，盤子裡的飯通常會剩下一半。
collocation: light eater / light drinker / light smoker
As a light drinker, Jamal orders one small glass of wine and stops there.
Jamal 酒量不大，只點一小杯紅酒就停了。
collocation: light drinker
My uncle is a light smoker — maybe two cigarettes a week at most.
我叔叔抽得很少，一週頂多兩根菸。
Children who are light eaters often need smaller meals served more often.
食量小的孩子常常需要少量多餐。
用法筆記
Almost always used before the nouns 'eater', 'drinker', or 'smoker'. Rarely stands alone — you say 'She is a light eater', not 'She eats light'.
常見錯誤
9. describes sleep that is easy to disturb, or a sleeper whom small sounds wake up
淺眠的
一點聲音就會醒的睡眠或人
describes sleep that is easy to disturb, or a sleeper whom small sounds wake up — for example, someone who hears every footstep in the hallway.
Anna is such a light sleeper that the cat's footsteps wake her up.
Anna 睡得非常淺，連貓的腳步聲都會把她吵醒。
collocation: light sleeper / light sleep
I had a light sleep last night and heard every car pass on the street.
我昨晚睡得很淺，街上每一輛經過的車都聽得見。
collocation: a light sleep
Babies often fall into a light sleep and wake at the smallest sound.
嬰兒常常只進入淺眠，一點點聲音就會醒過來。
Because Mark is a light sleeper, his wife tiptoes around the bedroom each morning.
因為 Mark 睡得淺，他太太每天早上都在臥室裡躡手躡腳。
- restless
stresses moving and not resting well
用法筆記
Used mainly with 'sleeper' or 'sleep'. The opposite is 'heavy sleeper' — someone who can sleep through loud noises.
常見錯誤
10. describes a meal or snack that contains a small portion and does not feel heavy
清淡；簡便
份量少且容易消化的餐點
describes a meal or snack that contains a small portion and does not feel heavy in the stomach — for example, a salad or a piece of toast before bed.
We had a light lunch of soup and bread before the long meeting.
在那場長會議前，我們吃了湯加麵包這樣的簡便午餐。
collocation: light lunch / light meal / light snack
After her dance class, Lucy prefers a light snack such as fruit or yogurt.
上完舞蹈課後，Lucy 喜歡吃水果或優格之類的清淡點心。
collocation: light snack
The hotel serves a light breakfast of toast, jam, and coffee on the terrace.
飯店在露台上提供吐司、果醬和咖啡這樣的簡單早餐。
Doctors suggest a light dinner if you plan to go to sleep within two hours.
如果你打算兩小時內就睡覺，醫師建議晚餐吃清淡一點。
用法筆記
Common before meal nouns: 'light lunch', 'light dinner', 'light snack', 'light breakfast'. On product labels, 'light' can also signal lower calories or fat.
常見錯誤
11. describes an alcoholic drink that has a mild taste or low alcohol level — for ex
淡的；低酒精
口味溫和或酒精含量低的飲料
describes an alcoholic drink that has a mild taste or low alcohol level — for example, a pale beer or a delicate white wine.
Daniel ordered a light beer because he had to drive home after dinner.
Daniel 點了一杯淡啤酒，因為晚餐後他得開車回家。
collocation: light beer / light wine
This light white wine goes well with grilled fish on a summer evening.
這款清爽的白酒很適合在夏夜搭配烤魚。
collocation: light wine
The bar serves a light, fruity cocktail that tastes more like juice than alcohol.
這間酒吧的調酒清爽果香，喝起來比較像果汁而不像酒。
Many guests at the wedding chose a light beer over the stronger local ales.
婚禮上很多客人選擇淡啤酒，而不是當地較烈的麥酒。
- strong
high in alcohol or bold in flavour
- full-bodied
wine term for rich and heavy taste
用法筆記
Often appears on drink labels and menus to flag lower alcohol or a softer flavour. Distinguish from sense 10 (food): a 'light beer' is mild, while a 'light meal' is small.
常見錯誤
12. not serious, severe, or causing much trouble — used about an injury, illness, we
輕微；不嚴重
傷勢、症狀或損害程度不嚴重的
not serious, severe, or causing much trouble — used about an injury, illness, weather event, or remark — for example, a small cut on the finger or a short, gentle shower of rain.
Mr. Chen had only a light injury after slipping on the kitchen floor.
陳先生在廚房滑了一跤，只受了點輕傷。
collocation: light injury
Sara stayed home with a light cold and was back at school the next day.
Sara 因輕微感冒在家休息一天，隔天就回去上學了。
collocation: light cold / light fever
The storm caused only light damage to the roof tiles above the kitchen.
這場暴風只對廚房上方的屋瓦造成輕微損害。
The teacher took the boys' jokes as light teasing, not real bullying.
老師把男孩們的玩笑當成輕微的開玩笑，並不是真正的霸凌。
By morning the heavy rain had become a light shower over the village.
到了早上，原本的大雨已經減弱成村子上方的小雨。
用法筆記
Pairs with nouns for problems that are minor in scale or harm: 'injury', 'cold', 'damage', 'shower', 'teasing'. Distinguish from sense 13 (MILD PUNISHMENT), which is reserved for sentences, fines, and other legal penalties; and from sense 7 (NOT MUCH), which describes physical force or amount rather than seriousness.
常見錯誤
13. less harsh or shorter than people might expect; used about a punishment, prison
從輕；輕判
刑罰、罰款或刑期判得不嚴厲的
less harsh or shorter than people might expect; used about a punishment, prison term, or fine that is not severe.
The judge gave Marco a surprisingly light sentence of six months.
法官出乎意料地只判了 Marco 六個月的輕刑。
collocation: light sentence
Many readers felt the fine was too light for such a serious crime.
許多讀者覺得，這麼嚴重的罪行，罰款開得太輕了。
predicative: the fine was light
First-time offenders often receive a lighter punishment than repeat criminals.
初犯者通常會得到比累犯更輕的處罰。
The young driver got off with a light penalty after pleading guilty.
那位年輕駕駛認罪後，只受到輕微的處分。
Critics said the two-year term was light given the damage caused.
批評者認為，以造成的損害來看，兩年的刑期太輕了。
文法句型
a light + sentence/punishment/fine
用法筆記
Subject is always a legal punishment: sentence, fine, penalty, prison term. Often appears in the phrase 'get off lightly / with a light penalty'. Distinguish from sense 12 (NOT SEVERE), which covers minor injuries, illnesses, weather, or remarks — never legal punishments.
常見錯誤
14. able to be finished with very little effort or time; mostly used in the fixed ph
輕鬆完成的
用來形容輕易完成的事情
able to be finished with very little effort or time; mostly used in the fixed phrase 'make light work of something' to say someone handled a task quickly and without trouble.
Two strong volunteers made light work of moving the piano upstairs.
兩位強壯的志工輕輕鬆鬆就把鋼琴搬上樓。
fixed phrase: make light work of [task]
The hungry children made light work of the bowl of pasta.
那群飢餓的孩子三兩下就把那碗義大利麵吃光了。
make light work of + food
With the new software, Anna made light work of the monthly report.
有了新軟體，Anna 很快就把月報表處理完了。
The champion made light work of his first opponent, winning in two sets.
這位冠軍輕鬆擊敗了第一位對手，只用兩盤就贏球。
- easy
the everyday word for tasks that need little effort
- effortless
stronger; suggests no effort at all
- quick
focuses on speed rather than difficulty
文法句型
make light work of + noun
用法筆記
Almost always appears in 'make light work of + noun'. Outside this phrase, native speakers usually choose 'easy' or 'quick' instead. Different from sense 13: this sense describes effort, not a punishment.