metaphysical
/ˌmetəˈfɪzɪkl/ (bre, ipa) · [mˌɛtəfˈɪzɪkəl] /ˌmetəˈfɪzɪkl/ (ame, ipa) · [mˌɛtəfˈɪzɪkəl] /ˌme-tə-ˈfi-zi-kəl/ (ame, mw)
metaphysical — 形容詞
- metaphysicalpositive
- more metaphysicalcomparative
- most metaphysicalsuperlative
1. concerning the area of philosophy that asks what reality is, what exists, and ho
形上學的
關於存在、現實與知識本質的哲學
concerning the area of philosophy that asks what reality is, what exists, and how we can know things
Haruto gave a lecture on metaphysical questions that kept his class debating for hours.
Haruto 講了一堂關於形上學問題的課，讓他的學生們爭論了好幾個小時。
collocation: metaphysical questions
Yara read a metaphysical essay asking whether numbers exist outside the human mind.
Yara 讀了一篇形上學論文，探討數字是否存在於人類心智之外。
collocation: metaphysical essay
Daniel's thesis tackled the metaphysical problem of how consciousness arises from physical brain processes.
Daniel 的論文處理了一個形上學難題：意識如何從大腦的物理過程中產生。
The seminar explored metaphysical questions about whether the past is as real as the present.
研討會探討了形上學的問題，追問過去是否和現在一樣真實。
Linh chose a module on metaphysical philosophy after asking what reality itself is made of.
Linh 選修了一門形上學哲學課程，因為她想追問「現實」本身是由什麼構成的。
- philosophical
broader term covering all branches of philosophy, not only metaphysics
- ontological
more technical and narrower, specifically about the nature of being
- transcendental
used in Kantian philosophy for conditions that make experience possible
用法筆記
Most often used as an attributive adjective (before the noun), as in 'metaphysical question' or 'metaphysical philosophy.'
常見錯誤
2. describing ideas that are so removed from everyday concerns that they feel impos
抽象玄奧
過於理論化，脫離實際可感知的事物
describing ideas that are so removed from everyday concerns that they feel impossible to grasp or put into practice
Samir grew tired of the consultant's metaphysical talk about 'brand energy' and 'corporate souls.'
Samir 對顧問那些關於「品牌能量」和「企業靈魂」的玄虛言論感到厭煩。
collocation: metaphysical talk
Joaquín found the committee's metaphysical debate about fairness useless for reaching any real decision.
Joaquín 覺得委員會對公平性的抽象爭論對做出實際決定毫無幫助。
Talia told her team to set aside metaphysical theories and focus on real customer feedback.
Talia 要求她的團隊放下抽象理論，專注於真實的客戶回饋。
The reviewer complained that the argument grew too metaphysical and lost touch with real evidence.
評論者抱怨這項論證變得太過玄虛，已經脫離了實際證據。
Théo warned that the discussion was turning metaphysical when the team needed practical solutions.
Théo 警告說討論正變得玄虛空泛，而團隊需要的是務實的解決方案。
- abstract
more general; not necessarily tied to philosophy
- theoretical
may still be grounded in a discipline, while 'metaphysical' implies floating free of all practical concerns
- abstruse
formal; emphasises difficulty of understanding rather than impracticality
用法筆記
Often carries a mildly dismissive tone, suggesting that an idea is too far removed from practical reality to be useful. Frequently paired with intensifying adverbs like 'purely' or 'too.'
常見錯誤
metaphysical — 名詞
1. a member of a group of 17th-century English poets—such as John Donne—whose work
玄學派詩人
17世紀以奇特意象和哲思著稱的英國詩人
a member of a group of 17th-century English poets—such as John Donne—whose work used clever, intellectual comparisons and explored deep questions about love and faith
Dr. Okafor's lecture on the metaphysicals examined Donne's comparison of two lovers to a compass.
Okafor 博士關於玄學派詩人的講座，探討了 Donne 將兩個戀人比作圓規的著名意象。
specialized term: the metaphysicals (group of 17th-century poets)
Yara described John Donne as the most inventive metaphysical, praising his unusual comparisons.
Yara 認為 John Donne 是最具原創力的玄學派詩人，稱讚他獨特的比喻手法。
singular count noun: a metaphysical
Samir read the metaphysicals to show how poetry could be clever and heartfelt at once.
Samir 研讀玄學派詩人的作品，藉此展示詩歌可以既機智又動人。
Linh contrasted the metaphysicals' intricate imagery with the simpler style of the Romantics.
Linh 將玄學派詩人繁複的意象與浪漫派詩人簡潔的風格做了對比。
Haruto's favourite metaphysical was Andrew Marvell, whose poems still feel sharp and urgent today.
Haruto 最喜歡的玄學派詩人是 Andrew Marvell，他覺得 Marvell 的詩至今讀來依舊犀利而迫切。
用法筆記
Usually appears in the plural 'the metaphysicals' when referring to the group as a whole. The singular 'a metaphysical' refers to one poet from the group. Key figures include John Donne, Andrew Marvell, and George Herbert.