minor
/ˈmaɪnə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmaɪnər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈmī-nər/ (ame, mw) · /ˈmaɪ.nər/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmaɪ.nɚ/ (ame, ipa)
minor — 形容詞
- minorpositive
- more minorcomparative
- most minorsuperlative
1. limited in how important, serious, or large something is, so that it does not ma
次要；輕微
程度或重要性較低的
limited in how important, serious, or large something is, so that it does not make much difference or cause big problems
Daichi suffered only minor injuries when his bicycle hit the car.
Daichi 的腳踏車撞上汽車時，他只受了輕傷。
collocation: minor injuries
The shop made a few minor changes to the product design after customer complaints.
這家店根據顧客意見，對產品設計做了幾處小修改。
collocation: minor changes
Rachid played a minor part in the school play but did his best.
Rachid 在學校話劇裡演了一個小角色，但他盡了全力。
At first it seemed like a minor problem, but it grew worse overnight.
一開始這只像個小問題，但一夜之間愈來愈嚴重。
These are minor details that we can fix later before the deadline.
這些都是小細節，我們可以在截止日前再處理。
- slight
emphasises very small degree rather than comparative unimportance; 'a slight delay' vs 'a minor delay'
- trivial
stronger in dismissing something as unimportant; more informal and negative in tone
- insignificant
focuses on having no meaningful effect; more formal than 'minor'
- major
direct opposite in degree or importance
- significant
implies something matters and should not be ignored
用法筆記
Frequently modifies nouns for problems, injuries, or changes. Does not apply to matters of life safety or large-scale impact — use 'major' for the opposite.
常見錯誤
2. describing a musical key, scale, or chord that produces a sound often felt to be
小調；小音階
聽起來悲傷的音樂調式
describing a musical key, scale, or chord that produces a sound often felt to be sad, dark, or serious — contrasted with major keys that sound brighter
The song starts in a minor key before shifting to a happier melody.
這首歌以小調開頭，然後轉成較歡快的旋律。
Élise learned to play a minor scale on the piano for her exam.
Élise 為了考試學了如何在鋼琴上彈奏小音階。
collocation: minor scale
This piece is written in B minor, which gives it a mournful atmosphere.
這首曲子是 B 小調，給人一種哀傷的氣氛。
The orchestra played a slow minor chord that echoed through the hall.
管弦樂團奏出一個緩慢的小和弦，在大廳中迴盪。
- major
the brighter-sounding key and scale system; the direct musical opposite
用法筆記
Commonly follows the key name, e.g. 'C minor', 'A minor'. Use 'major' for the brighter counterpart. This sense only applies to music — do not use it to describe mood outside of musical contexts.
3. relating to the lower-level professional sports leagues where players train and
小聯盟的
次級職業運動聯賽的
relating to the lower-level professional sports leagues where players train and gain experience before possibly moving up to the top league
Ishaan spent three years on a minor league baseball team before being promoted.
Ishaan 在小聯盟棒球隊待了三年後才獲得晉升。
Minor league hockey games in this town draw around two thousand fans.
這個城鎮的小聯盟冰球比賽大約能吸引兩千名觀眾。
collocation: minor league hockey / baseball
The young pitcher signed a contract with a minor league club in Florida.
那位年輕投手與佛羅里達的一支小聯盟球隊簽了合約。
Many professional players start their careers in the minor league system.
許多職業球員都是從小聯盟體系開始職業生涯的。
- major league
the top-level professional league; the direct opposite
用法筆記
Predominantly used in American English for baseball and ice hockey. The noun form 'the minors' (plural) is very common as a shorthand reference.
4. relating to a secondary subject that a university student studies with fewer cou
副修的
大學次要科目的
relating to a secondary subject that a university student studies with fewer courses than their main subject, which is called the major
Tuan chose to study business as his major and a minor subject in Japanese.
Tuan 選擇以商學為主修，日文為副修科目。
collocation: minor subject
Sivan is taking minor courses in art history alongside her engineering degree.
Sivan 在攻讀工程學位的同時，也修習藝術史的副修課程。
collocation: minor courses
Students must declare their major and minor fields by the end of their second year.
學生必須在第二年結束前申報主修和副修領域。
A minor program usually requires about half the credits of a major program.
副修課程通常只需要主修課程一半的學分。
- secondary subject
descriptive but less compact than 'minor'; used mainly in formal university documents
- major
the main subject of study; requires more courses
用法筆記
Almost always paired with 'major' in academic contexts. Used primarily in North American universities; UK universities more commonly use terms like 'joint honours' or 'subsidiary subject.'
常見錯誤
minor — 名詞
- minorsingular
- minorsplural
1. someone who has not yet reached the legal age of adulthood and therefore cannot
未成年人
未達法定成年年齡的人
someone who has not yet reached the legal age of adulthood and therefore cannot vote, sign contracts, or be held fully responsible for their actions in the same way adults can
The law forbids selling alcohol to any minor under the age of eighteen.
法律禁止向未滿十八歲的未成年人出售酒精飲料。
legal context: selling to a minor
Tyler, still a minor at seventeen, needed a parent's permission to travel abroad.
Tyler 年僅十七歲還是未成年人，出國需要父母同意。
The court appointed a guardian to represent the minor in the legal case.
法院指定了一名監護人，代表該未成年人處理法律案件。
Banks usually require a parent to co-sign any account opened by a minor.
銀行通常要求父母共同簽署未成年人開立的帳戶。
用法筆記
A legal term with a precise age cutoff that varies by country (usually 18). In everyday conversation, 'child' or 'teenager' is more common; 'minor' is formal and legal.
常見錯誤
2. the set of professional sports leagues, especially in baseball, that operate at
小聯盟
次級職業運動聯賽
the set of professional sports leagues, especially in baseball, that operate at a level below the top national league and serve as a training ground for players
Heloísa played in the minors for four years before joining the national team.
Heloísa 在小聯盟打了四年球，之後才加入國家隊。
idiomatic: play in the minors
Scouts from the major leagues often watch games in the minors for new talent.
大聯盟的球探經常觀看小聯盟比賽，尋找新秀。
The pitcher was sent back to the minors to work on his throwing technique.
那位投手被送回小聯盟，以調整其投球技術。
Minor league attendance grew last year as fans enjoyed cheaper tickets.
由於票價較便宜，去年小聯盟的觀眾人數有所成長。
- farm system
informal term emphasising the development role; 'the farm system' is common in baseball talk
- major league
the top-level professional league
用法筆記
Usually appears in the plural form 'the minors.' When used as a countable noun, 'a minor' can refer to a specific lower-level league or a team in that league.
3. a secondary subject that a university student studies in fewer courses than thei
副修科目
大學中次於主修的科目
a secondary subject that a university student studies in fewer courses than their main subject, and which is recorded on their degree at graduation
Rachel declared a minor in Spanish alongside her major in nursing.
Rachel 在護理主修之外，也申請了西班牙語副修。
collocation: declare a minor / minor in [subject]
His minor in computer science helped him find a job in the tech industry.
他的電腦科學副修幫助他在科技業找到了工作。
collocation: minor in [subject]
Students can often complete a minor without adding extra time to their degree.
學生通常可以在不延長畢業時間的情況下完成副修。
Zayd chose environmental studies as his minor because he cared about climate issues.
Zayd 選擇環境研究作為副修，因為他關心氣候議題。
- secondary concentration
formal academic terminology; less common in everyday student speech
- major
the primary area of study requiring the most courses
用法筆記
Typically follows the pattern 'a minor in [subject]' or 'declare a minor.' Many US universities require a minimum number of credit hours for a minor, usually 15-24 credits.
常見錯誤
minor — 動詞
- minorpresent simple I / you / we / they
- minors3rd person singular
- minoring-ing form
- minoredpast simple
1. to choose and study a particular subject at university as your second area of fo
副修
在大學選修次要科目
to choose and study a particular subject at university as your second area of focus, taking fewer classes in it than in your main subject (your major)
Jude decided to minor in music while studying for a business degree.
Jude 決定在攻讀商學學位的同時副修音樂。
grammar: minor in [subject]
Christopher minored in economics and found the classes surprisingly useful.
Christopher 副修經濟學，他發現那些課程出乎意料地實用。
past tense: minored in
You can minor in almost any subject that your university offers as a program.
你可以副修大學開設的幾乎任何科目。
Daichi is planning to minor in Japanese literature next semester.
Daichi 正計劃下學期副修日本文學。
- specialise in
broader term; not restricted to North American university systems and can refer to any depth of study
- major in
to study something as your primary subject with more courses
文法句型
minor in + subject
用法筆記
Always followed by 'in' + the name of the subject. Only used in North American university systems. For other systems, use 'take subsidiary courses in' or 'do a minor in.'