mend

/mend/ (bre, ipa) · /mend/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈmend/ (ame, mw)

mend — 動詞

  • mendpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • mendshe / she / it
  • mendedpast simple
  • mending-ing form

1. to put an object or relationship back into good condition after it has been torn

1.動詞及物B1
釋義

修補；修復

修理破損物品或改善關係

to put an object or relationship back into good condition after it has been torn, damaged, or stopped working correctly — for instance, repairing a shirt with a hole, fixing a broken chair, or rebuilding trust between people

例句

Tunde used a needle and thread to mend the hole in his jeans.

Tunde 用針線修補牛仔褲上的破洞。

mend + hole/tear in clothing

Salma and her older brother finally mended their relationship after months of silence.

Salma 和她哥哥在沉默了幾個月後，終於修補了他們的關係。

mend + relationship after disagreement

同義詞
  • repair

    more formal and common for mechanical and electronic objects

  • fix

    more informal, used for everyday problems of all kinds

  • patch

    specifically means covering a hole with a separate piece of material

反義詞

文法句型

mend + noun phrase (the thing being fixed)

用法筆記

Often used for fabric, clothing, and relationships. For electronic or mechanical repairs, 'fix' or 'repair' are far more common in everyday speech.

常見錯誤

❌I mended my computer with new parts.
✅I fixed my computer with new parts.
💡'mend' sounds odd for electronic devices; use 'fix' or 'repair'.

2. to become healthy again after being hurt or injured — used especially for bones,

2.動詞不及物B2
釋義

癒合；康復

傷口或骨骼恢復健康

to become healthy again after being hurt or injured — used especially for bones, wounds, and skin that grow back together naturally

例句

The doctor said Haruto's broken arm would mend in about six weeks.

醫生說 Haruto 骨折的手臂大約六週就會癒合。

broken arm + will mend (future healing)

Linh's sprained ankle is slowly mending, and she can walk without crutches now.

Linh 扭傷的腳踝正在慢慢康復，她現在已經可以不用拐杖行走了。

同義詞
  • heal

    more common for all types of injuries and illnesses; 'mend' is slightly more specific to bones

  • recover

    broader in meaning, used for health returning after any illness or injury

反義詞

文法句型

mend (no object) — subject is bone, wound, or injured body part

用法筆記

Only used for living tissue — bones, wounds, cuts, and skin. Do not use for general illnesses such as colds, fevers, or the flu.

常見錯誤

❌My cold is finally mending.
✅My cold is finally getting better.
💡'mend' is used for wounds and broken bones, not for general illnesses like a cold or cough.

3. to change from bad behaviour to good behaviour — to begin acting in a more accep

3.動詞及物B2
釋義

改過；改正

停止壞習慣，改變行為

to change from bad behaviour to good behaviour — to begin acting in a more acceptable and responsible way, always appearing in the fixed phrase 'mend one's ways'

例句

After being caught cheating, Ilan promised his teachers he would mend his ways.

Ilan 作弊被抓到後，向老師們承諾他會改過自新。

mend one's ways (fixed phrase for stopping bad behaviour)

The manager warned Erik that he must mend his ways or lose his job.

經理警告 Erik，如果他再不改正，就會被開除。

同義詞
  • reform

    more formal and broader in application, can apply to systems as well as people

  • improve

    more general, not specifically about stopping bad behaviour

反義詞
  • relapse

    to fall back into bad behaviour after trying to change

文法句型

mend one's ways

mend one's manners

用法筆記

Almost always appears as the fixed phrase 'mend one's ways' (or occasionally 'mend one's manners'). The object is always a possessive pronoun + 'ways' or 'manners'.

常見錯誤

❌He mended his behaviour after the warning.
✅He mended his ways after the warning.
💡'behaviour' is not used with 'mend' in this sense; the fixed expression is 'mend one's ways'.

mend — 名詞