markings
markings — 名詞
1. Coloured shapes, stripes, or spots that appear naturally on the fur, feathers, o
斑紋
動物身上的有色線條或斑點圖案
Coloured shapes, stripes, or spots that appear naturally on the fur, feathers, or skin of an animal and help people tell one species or individual from another.
The tiger's black stripes are distinctive markings that help it hide in the tall grass.
老虎的黑色條紋是獨特的斑紋，有助於牠們在長草叢中藏身。
collocation: distinctive markings
Birdwatchers use the white markings on a sparrow's wings to tell similar species apart.
賞鳥人士利用麻雀翅膀上的白色斑紋來區分不同種類。
pattern: markings on [body part]
Each zebra in the herd has a unique set of black and white markings on its body.
斑馬群中的每一匹馬身上都有獨一無二的黑白斑紋。
The markings on a monarch butterfly's orange wings warn birds that it tastes unpleasant.
君主斑蝶橙色翅膀上的斑紋警告鳥類，告訴牠們這種蝴蝶吃起來味道不好。
The wildlife biologist photographed the leopard's spot markings to track its movements across the reserve.
那位野生動物生物學家拍攝了花豹的斑點斑紋，以追蹤牠們在保護區內的移動路線。
- pattern
Broader term — pattern can refer to any repeated design; markings specifically refers to natural marks on living things.
- colouration
More technical term used in biology to describe the full colour appearance, not just the marks.
- stripes
A specific type of marking (long narrow bands); not interchangeable when the shape is spots or patches.
文法句型
markings on [animal/body-part]
用法筆記
This sense is almost always used in the plural; the singular form 'marking' is rare and refers to one individual spot or stripe rather than the overall pattern.
常見錯誤
2. Colours, numbers, letters, or symbols placed on an object, surface, or road to p
標記
用於識別的顏色、數字或符號
Colours, numbers, letters, or symbols placed on an object, surface, or road to provide information, show ownership, or indicate a specific use.
The mechanic checked the serial markings on the engine to find the right replacement part.
技師檢查了引擎上的序號標記，以便找到正確的替換零件。
collocation: serial markings
Yellow road markings near the school tell drivers that they must slow down to forty kilometres an hour.
學校附近的黃色道路標記告訴駕駛人必須將時速降到四十公里。
collocation: road markings
The boxes in the warehouse had special fragile markings so the workers would handle them with care.
倉庫裡的箱子上有特別的易碎標記，這樣工人搬運時才會小心處理。
Archaeologists found mysterious markings carved into an old stone wall near the village temple.
考古學家在一塊靠近村莊寺廟的古老石牆上發現了神秘的雕刻標記。
Inspectors look for official markings on food containers to confirm the products are safe to eat.
稽查員檢查食品容器上的官方標記，以確認產品食用安全。
- symbols
Often implies a meaningful sign or character; markings is broader and can include non-symbolic marks like lines.
- labels
Refers to attached tags or written information; markings are directly applied to the surface.
- insignia
More formal and specific to official badges or emblems of rank; markings covers a wider range.
文法句型
markings on [object/surface]
用法筆記
Unlike sense 1 (which refers to natural patterns on animals), this sense refers to human-made or applied marks on objects, roads, or surfaces. The two senses are distinguished by the subject — living creature vs. manufactured object.
常見錯誤
3. The task of reading students' written assignments or exam papers, finding errors
評分
批改學生作業並給分數的工作
The task of reading students' written assignments or exam papers, finding errors, and giving a score or grade for each piece of work.
The history teacher spent the whole weekend doing the marking for thirty exam papers.
那位歷史老師花了一整個週末，批改三十份考卷。
collocation: do the marking
Fair marking requires the same standards to be applied to every student's essay in the class.
公平的評分要求對班上每位學生的作文都採用同樣的標準。
The school hired two graduate assistants to help with the marking of multiple-choice science tests.
學校聘請了兩名研究生助理，協助批改自然科的多選題測驗卷。
Online tools have made the marking of simple grammar exercises much faster for language teachers.
線上工具讓語言老師批改簡單文法練習的速度快了許多。
A pile of unfinished marking on the desk reminded Mr. Okonkwo that the term was almost over.
書桌上一疊未批改的作業提醒 Okonkwo 老師，學期快結束了。
- grading
The American English equivalent; 'marking' is more common in British and Australian systems.
- assessment
Broader term that includes quizzes, final exams, and ongoing evaluation; marking refers specifically to scoring written work.
- correction
Focuses on identifying errors rather than assigning a score; marking covers both error-finding and grading.
文法句型
the marking of [work]
用法筆記
In this sense the word is uncountable and almost always used in the singular form 'marking'. Saying 'markings' to mean graded work is extremely rare. This sense is predominantly used in British English; American English prefers 'grading' instead.
常見錯誤
4. In sports such as football, basketball, and hockey, the action of staying close
盯人
緊跟對手以防其得分的防守動作
In sports such as football, basketball, and hockey, the action of staying close to a player from the opposing team to prevent them from receiving the ball or scoring points.
The defender's tight marking of the striker stopped the visiting team from scoring a single goal.
後衛對前鋒的緊迫盯人，讓客隊一整場比賽都破不了門得分。
collocation: tight marking
Good man-to-man marking means following your opponent everywhere they move on the basketball court.
良好的人盯人防守意味著你要跟著對手在籃球場上的每一個移動。
collocation: man-to-man marking
The coach told the team to switch from zone defence to close marking after the halftime break.
教練告訴球隊，中場休息後要從區域聯防改為貼身盯人。
Her strong marking in the final match kept the opposing point guard from making easy passes to her teammates.
她在冠軍賽中強勁的盯人防守，讓對方的控球後衛無法輕鬆傳球給隊友。
The referee called a foul because the marking on the number ten player had become too rough and physical.
裁判吹了犯規，因為對十號球員的盯人動作變得過於粗暴和激烈。
- guarding
The more general term used across many sports in American English; 'marking' is the standard term in British football.
- covering
Describes staying near an opponent but often implies zone defence; marking suggests a closer, one-on-one approach.
- shadowing
Implies following an opponent very closely all over the field; more intense than standard marking.
- dribbling
The offensive action of moving with the ball, which is the opposite of marking someone off the ball.
文法句型
marking of [player]
用法筆記
This sense is uncountable and used in the singular 'marking'. It is most common in British sports commentary and coaching. American English more frequently uses 'guarding' or 'defence'. Distinguish from sense 2: here the focus is on the defensive action in games, not on visible marks on surfaces.