liking

/ˈlaɪkɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈlaɪkɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈlī-kiŋ/ (ame, mw)

liking — 名詞

1. a positive emotional response toward a person, thing, or activity — you feel ple

1.名詞B1
釋義

喜愛

對人或事物感到喜歡的情感

a positive emotional response toward a person, thing, or activity — you feel pleased when you spend time with that person or do that thing

例句

From the first day of school, Ravi had a strong liking for his history teacher.

從開學第一天起，Ravi 就非常喜愛他的歷史老師。

have a liking for [person]

The stray cat showed its liking for Leila by rubbing against her leg every morning.

那隻流浪貓每天早上都會在 Leila 腿上磨蹭，表達對她的喜愛。

show one's liking for [person/animal]

同義詞
  • fondness

    softer and more gentle than 'liking'; often used for people or small animals

  • affection

    stronger emotional bond, usually between people who are close

  • taste

    focuses on personal preference in style or aesthetics, less emotional than 'liking'

反義詞
  • dislike

    a direct opposite — a negative feeling toward someone or something

  • aversion

    a strong and active feeling of not wanting to be near something

文法句型

have a liking for + noun/gerund

show a liking for + noun/gerund

用法筆記

Typically used with the verb 'have' or 'show', followed by the preposition 'for' and a noun or gerund. Describes a sustained positive feeling rather than a passing preference.

常見錯誤

❌I have a liking for play tennis.
✅I have a liking for playing tennis.
💡After 'liking for,' use a noun or a gerund (-ing form), not a bare verb.
❌I have a liking to coffee.
✅I have a liking for coffee.
💡The correct preposition after 'liking' in this sense is 'for,' not 'to.'

2. the standard by which a person judges whether something is suitable, enjoyable,

2.名詞B2
釋義

喜好

符合個人偏好或要求的情況

the standard by which a person judges whether something is suitable, enjoyable, or acceptable — used in fixed phrases that compare how things are with how someone would prefer them to be

例句

The room temperature was much warmer than usual for Theo's liking.

房間的溫度比 Theo 習慣的還要高很多。

too [adj] / more [adj] than usual for one's liking

If the sauce is not to your liking, the chef can prepare a different one.

如果醬汁不合您的口味，主廚可以另外準備一份。

to one's liking (suitable for someone)

同義詞
  • taste

    closest synonym; 'to one's taste' is an alternative form of 'to one's liking'

  • preference

    more general; does not fit in the phrase 'to one's preference' as naturally

文法句型

too + adjective + for + possessive + liking

to + possessive + liking

用法筆記

This sense appears almost entirely in two fixed phrase patterns: (1) 'to + possessive + liking' meaning 'suitable for someone,' and (2) 'too + adjective + for + possessive + liking' meaning 'more than someone prefers.' The possessive must match the subject of the sentence.

常見錯誤

❌The food is to my liking taste.
✅The food is to my liking.
💡'To one's liking' is a complete phrase; do not add extra words like 'taste' or 'style.'
❌This music is not for my liking.
✅This music is not to my liking.
💡The correct preposition in the suitability phrase is 'to,' not 'for.' ('For one's liking' is used with patterns like 'too hot for my liking.')