nous

IPA/naʊs/
KK[nˈus]IPA/naʊs/

nous — 名詞

1. the ability to make sensible decisions and take practical action in real-life si

1.名詞C1
釋義

實用智慧

憑經驗與直覺解決問題的能力

the ability to make sensible decisions and take practical action in real-life situations, relying on experience and instinct rather than formal knowledge.

例句

Feng had the nous to check the tyre pressure before driving across the desert.

Feng 有實用智慧，在穿越沙漠之前先檢查輪胎氣壓。

have + the + nous + to-infinitive

It takes political nous to know when to stay silent during a negotiation.

在談判中知道何時保持沉默，需要政治智慧。

typical modifier: political nous

常見搭配
  • have (the) nous
  • enough nous
  • business / political / social nous
  • show / display nous
  • sharp / real / basic nous
同義詞
  • common sense

    More widely understood; less intellectual and more everyday than 'nous'.

  • savvy

    Informal, slightly more modern and American-leaning; often used for consumer or digital contexts.

  • acumen

    More formal and specific, typically applied to business, finance, or politics rather than general life situations.

反義詞
  • foolishness

    Direct opposite — acting without good sense.

  • naivety

    Lack of practical experience or worldly judgment.

用法筆記

Primarily British English, used in informal or conversational contexts. Uncountable — cannot be used as 'a nous' or 'nouses'. Often modified by adjectives such as 'political', 'business', 'basic', or 'sharp'.

常見錯誤

She has a good nous for business.
She has good business nous.
'nous' is uncountable and does not take an article.
The project needs more nouses like his.
The project needs more people with his level of nous.
'nous' has no plural form.

常見搭配

常用片語

  • have the nous to [do something]
  • enough nous to [do something]