Mediterranean
Mediterranean — 名詞
1. the stretch of salt water that separates Europe from Africa and reaches eastward
地中海
南歐、北非與西亞之間的海洋
the stretch of salt water that separates Europe from Africa and reaches eastward to Asia, connecting to the Atlantic Ocean through the Strait of Gibraltar.
Every summer, the Watanabe family sails across the Mediterranean on their boat.
每年夏天，渡邊家都會乘船橫跨地中海。
the + proper noun as a place name
The Mediterranean is known for its warm, clear water and sandy beaches.
地中海以溫暖清澈的海水和沙灘聞名。
describing the sea's characteristics
Ships travelling from Asia to Europe often cross the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal.
從亞洲駛往歐洲的船隻經常經由蘇伊士運河穿越地中海。
Ancient traders used the Mediterranean as a highway for moving goods between three continents.
古代的商人把地中海當作連接三大洲的貿易通道。
Eleni looked out from the cliff and watched the sun set over the Mediterranean.
Eleni 從懸崖上眺望，看著夕陽沉入地中海。
- Mediterranean Sea
the full formal name, used in more technical or geographic writing
文法句型
the + [proper noun]
用法筆記
Always capitalised and usually used with 'the' — 'the Mediterranean' refers specifically to this body of water. Do not confuse with 'the Mediterranean region' (noun sense 2).
常見錯誤
2. the countries and lands that border the Mediterranean Sea, considered together a
地中海地區
環地中海各國構成的區域
the countries and lands that border the Mediterranean Sea, considered together as one area.
Brooke is planning a trip around the Mediterranean that includes Spain, Greece, and Turkey.
Brooke 正在規劃一趟地中海之旅，涵蓋西班牙、希臘和土耳其。
listing countries in the region
Olive trees have been grown all across the Mediterranean for thousands of years.
地中海地區種植橄欖樹已有數千年的歷史。
The Mediterranean produces a large share of the world's wine and citrus fruits.
全球葡萄酒和柑橘類水果有很大一部分產自地中海地區。
Summer temperatures in the Mediterranean can reach over thirty-five degrees Celsius.
地中海地區的夏季氣溫可能超過攝氏三十五度。
Many birds spend winter in the warmer parts of the Mediterranean before flying north.
許多鳥類在地中海較溫暖的地區過冬，然後再飛往北方。
- Mediterranean region
more explicit, avoids ambiguity with the sea
- Mediterranean basin
more formal and technical term for the area around the sea
文法句型
the + [proper noun] for a region
用法筆記
Distinguish from noun sense 1 (the sea body itself). When context mentions countries, farming, or climate, sense 2 is intended. Also distinct from the adjective, which directly modifies a noun.
常見錯誤
Mediterranean — 形容詞
1. connected with the nations and cultures along the Mediterranean coastline, inclu
地中海的
來自或關於地中海及周邊國家的
connected with the nations and cultures along the Mediterranean coastline, including their food, weather, building styles, and way of life.
The Mediterranean climate has hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters.
地中海型氣候夏季炎熱乾燥，冬季溫和多雨。
collocation: Mediterranean climate
Ignacio ordered a Mediterranean salad with olives, tomatoes, and feta cheese.
Ignacio 點了一份地中海沙拉，裡頭有橄欖、番茄和羊奶起司。
collocation: Mediterranean salad / Mediterranean food/cuisine
Hoa loves cooking with olive oil and fresh herbs, just like Mediterranean chefs do.
Hoa 喜歡用橄欖油和新鮮香草來做菜，就像地中海廚師那樣。
The hotel used traditional Mediterranean style — white walls and bright blue window frames.
這間旅館採用傳統地中海風格——白色牆壁配上鮮亮的藍色窗框。
Daichi attended a conference on Mediterranean history at the university in Barcelona.
Daichi 到巴塞隆納大學參加了一場地中海歷史會議。
- southern European
narrower — only covers the European side, not North Africa or the Levant
文法句型
Mediterranean + noun
用法筆記
Always capitalised as a proper adjective. Commonly pairs with nouns describing climate, cuisine, architecture, culture, and history. There is no lower-case sense in modern learner English (the technical 'mediterranean' meaning landlocked is obsolete outside specialist geography).