non-human
/ˌnɒn ˈhjuːmən/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌnɑːn ˈhjuːmən/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌnɒnˈhjuː.mən/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌnɑːnˈhjuː.mən/ (ame, ipa)
non-human — 形容詞
1. belonging to or coming from any living thing or object that is not a person — ty
非人類的
屬於動物、機器或其他非人的存在
belonging to or coming from any living thing or object that is not a person — typically animals, plants, robots, or imaginary beings.
The research team studied non-human primates such as chimpanzees and gorillas at the reserve.
研究團隊在保留區裡研究黑猩猩、大猩猩等非人類的靈長類動物。
common collocation: non-human + animal category noun
Andrés argued that some folk tales give non-human characters wisdom that humans lack.
Andrés 認為，有些民間故事賦予非人類的角色一種人類缺乏的智慧。
attributive use modifying a noun like 'characters'
Pet owners often treat their dogs as family, yet the law still classes them as non-human.
飼主常把狗當成家人，但法律上仍把牠們歸類為非人類的存在。
Defne is writing her thesis on the rights of non-human animals in modern legal systems.
Defne 的論文研究主題是現代法律制度中非人類動物的權利。
Many old paintings show angels and other non-human figures around the seated king.
許多古畫中，國王身旁圍繞著天使等非人類的形象。
- non-person
rare; mostly philosophical or legal
- animal
as adjective ('animal rights'), narrows to living creatures only
- human
the direct opposite category
文法句型
non-human + noun
be + non-human
用法筆記
Often used attributively before a noun naming the type of being or object — animals, primates, agents, characters, life. Frequent in scientific, legal, and animal-welfare writing where the contrast with humans matters.
常見錯誤
2. showing traits more typical of gods, beasts, or machines than of ordinary people
不似人的
顯出超出常人的冷酷、機械或神性特質
showing traits more typical of gods, beasts, or machines than of ordinary people — for example, eerie calm, raw cruelty, or perfect precision that no person would normally show.
Adina's voice in the recording sounded almost non-human, flat and without any emotion.
錄音裡 Adina 的聲音聽起來幾乎不似人，平板而毫無情緒。
evaluative use after a sensory verb like 'sounded'
The villain's non-human cruelty during the trial shocked even the older judges.
反派在審判中那種不似人的殘酷，連年長的法官也為之震驚。
attributive use suggesting an extreme moral quality
Tanvi described the chess engine's play as elegant but non-human, with no fear of losing pieces.
Tanvi 形容那個西洋棋引擎的下法優雅卻不似人，完全不怕失子。
The marathon winner ran the last mile at a pace that felt non-human to the watching crowd.
馬拉松冠軍最後一英里的速度，對圍觀群眾而言簡直不似人。
- inhuman
closer to cruel or lacking compassion
- robotic
stresses mechanical precision
- superhuman
positive: beyond normal ability
- human
in the warm, emotional sense
文法句型
sound/feel/seem + non-human
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: this evaluative sense applies to people or behaviour and signals something extreme or unnatural. Sense 1 is a neutral category label (animals, robots, etc.); this sense passes a judgement.
常見錯誤
non-human — 名詞
1. any single being — animal, robot, alien, or imagined creature — counted as separ
非人類存在
可指動物、機器或虛構生物的個體
any single being — animal, robot, alien, or imagined creature — counted as separate from people, used when a writer needs one label for that whole non-person group.
The science-fiction novel follows two humans and three non-humans on a long journey across space.
這本科幻小說描寫兩名人類和三名非人類存在一同進行的太空長征。
plural count noun: 'two humans and three non-humans'
Tariro's article asks whether a self-aware non-human should be granted basic legal rights.
Tariro 的文章探討一個具有自我意識的非人類存在是否應享有基本法律權利。
singular use with article: 'a non-human'
In the game, players can choose between humans, elves, and other non-humans before the first quest.
在這款遊戲裡，玩家可以在首次任務前選擇人類、精靈或其他非人類存在。
Mizuki kept arguing that the dolphins in the show were intelligent non-humans, not just clever pets.
Mizuki 一直堅持，表演中的海豚是聰明的非人類存在，不只是聽話的寵物。
- creature
broader and warmer; usually a living being
- non-person
rare; mostly legal or philosophical
- human
the direct counterpart noun
文法句型
a non-human
non-humans (plural)
用法筆記
Mostly found in science fiction, fantasy, philosophy, and animal-rights writing. In everyday speech a more specific word (animal, robot, alien) is usually preferred.