literal
/ˈlɪtərəl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈlɪtərəl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈli-t(ə-)rəl/ (ame, mw)
literal — 形容詞
- literalpositive
- more literalcomparative
- most literalsuperlative
1. The plainest and most direct way to read a word, without figurative or symbolic
字面的
指詞語最基本、非比喻的意義
The plainest and most direct way to read a word, without figurative or symbolic layers.
The literal meaning of 'fox' is a wild animal, not a clever person.
「狐狸」的字面意思是野生動物，而不是聰明的人。
literal meaning vs. figurative meaning
When Ayana said she was 'dying of laughter,' she did not mean that literally.
Ayana 說她「笑死了」的時候，她的意思並非字面上的。
Children often interpret idioms in a literal manner before they learn figurative language.
兒童在學會比喻用法之前，經常用字面的方式理解成語。
Joaquín explained that 'spill the beans' has nothing to do with actual beans.
Joaquín 解釋說，「spill the beans」和真正的豆子完全無關。
In class, the teacher asked for the literal meaning of each metaphor.
課堂上，老師要求全班找出每個比喻的字面意義。
- basic
simpler and less technical; covers core meaning but lacks the contrast with figurative
- exact
emphasises precision rather than the basic-or-figurative distinction
- denotative
technical term used in linguistics; much more formal and less common
- figurative
the direct opposite — meaning extended through metaphor or imagery
- metaphorical
similar to figurative; refers specifically to comparison-based extensions of meaning
文法句型
the literal meaning/sense of [noun]
literal + noun
用法筆記
Frequently contrasted with 'figurative' or 'metaphorical' in language-learning contexts. This sense is the most common and appears in all registers.
常見錯誤
2. Describing a translation or transcription that reproduces each word of the origi
逐字的
逐詞對譯，不考慮整體語境
Describing a translation or transcription that reproduces each word of the original exactly, without adapting the phrasing to sound natural in the target language.
A literal translation of the French phrase sounds awkward in English.
將法文片語逐字翻譯成英文後，聽起來很不自然。
collocation: literal translation + sounds awkward
Reema's word-for-word translation of the German poem sounded very unnatural in English.
Reema 逐字翻譯的德文詩，在英文中聽起來非常不自然。
For legal contracts, a literal rendering of the original terms is often required.
在法律合約中，通常需要對原始條款進行逐字翻譯。
The student produced a literal translation that followed every word of the Latin original.
那位學生做出了逐字翻譯，緊跟拉丁原文的每一個詞。
- verbatim
stronger emphasis on exact repetition; often used for speech and quotations rather than translation
- word-for-word
more colloquial and transparent; interchangeable but less formal
- exact
broader meaning; can refer to precision in any context, not only translation
文法句型
literal translation/rendering/version of [text]
用法筆記
Almost exclusively used attributively before nouns like 'translation,' 'rendering,' or 'version.' Predicative use ('this translation is literal') is possible but less common.
3. Describing a person, statement, or work that stays strictly with facts or obviou
缺乏想像力的
平鋪直敘，缺少創意
Describing a person, statement, or work that stays strictly with facts or obvious details and shows no creative imagination or emotional depth.
Padma's literal description of the sunset failed to capture its beauty.
Padma 對日落缺乏想像力的描述，完全無法捕捉它的美。
collocation: literal description / literal mind
Erik's literal mind could not appreciate the abstract paintings at the gallery.
Erik 缺乏想像力的頭腦無法欣賞畫廊裡的抽象作品。
The report was a literal account of events, with no analysis or emotion.
那份報告只是平鋪直敘地記錄事件，沒有任何分析或情感。
Christopher wanted a creative design but received a literal drawing of a tree.
Christopher 想要一個有創意的設計，但收到的卻是一棵樹的實物圖。
- prosaic
more formal; suggests a dry, uninspired quality in writing or speech
- matter-of-fact
emphasises a practical, emotionless tone rather than lack of creativity specifically
- unimaginative
more direct and negative; focuses solely on absence of creative thinking
- creative
opposite in the sense of producing original or imaginative work
- imaginative
stresses the ability to form new ideas and mental images
文法句型
literal + noun (mind, description, account)
subject + be + literal
用法筆記
Carries a mildly negative connotation. Often used to criticise art, writing, or thinking that is overly factual and fails to engage the audience.
literal — 名詞
1. A small mistake in written or printed text, typically involving a single wrong l
錯字
印刷或書寫時出現的單一字元錯誤
A small mistake in written or printed text, typically involving a single wrong letter or character — for example, writing 'teh' instead of 'the.'
The editor found one literal on the first page of the manuscript.
編輯在稿件的第一頁發現了一個錯字。
A single literal changed the meaning of the entire contract clause.
一個錯字改變了整份合約條款的意思。
collocation: a single literal / spot a literal
Jisoo caught a literal in her email just before pressing send.
Jisoo 在按下發送鍵之前，發現了電郵裡的一個錯字。
Proofreaders are trained to spot every literal, no matter how small.
校對員受過訓練，無論多小的錯字都能找出來。
文法句型
a literal
spot/find/catch a literal
用法筆記
Now less common than 'typo' in everyday language. 'Literal' in this sense is primarily used in formal editing and publishing contexts.