obey

IPA/əˈbeɪ/
KK[obˈe]IPA/əˈbeɪ/

obey — 動詞

  • obeypresent simple I / you / we / they
  • obeyshe / she / it
  • obeyedpast simple
  • obeying-ing form

1. to do what a person in charge tells you to do, or to act in line with a rule, la

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

服從；遵守

聽從權威指示，或不違反規定

to do what a person in charge tells you to do, or to act in line with a rule, law, sign, or written instruction.

例句

Soldiers must obey their commanding officer, even when the order seems harsh.

士兵必須服從指揮官的命令，即使那個命令看起來很嚴苛。

obey + [person in authority]

Drivers in Taipei have to obey the speed limit on every street.

在台北開車的人，每條街道都必須遵守速限。

obey + [rule/law]

常見搭配
  • obey orders
  • obey the law
  • obey commands
  • obey blindly
  • refuse to obey
同義詞
  • follow

    softer; works for advice or instructions, not just commands

  • comply with

    more formal; usually paired with rules, requests, or regulations

  • abide by

    formal; almost always with laws, rules, or agreements

反義詞
  • disobey

    direct opposite — refuse to follow

  • defy

    stronger; openly refuse and challenge authority

文法句型

obey + person

obey + rule/law/order

用法筆記

Subject is usually a person, animal, or group; object is either the authority figure (parent, officer, judge) or the rule/order itself. Used intransitively when the obeyed party is clear from context.

常見錯誤

You must obey to your parents.
You must obey your parents.
'obey' is transitive in English; no preposition before the person.
The dog obeyed at the trainer.
The dog obeyed the trainer.
direct object only, no 'at' or 'with'.

2. of an object or natural system, to act in the way described by a scientific rule

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

符合；遵循

依照科學定律或原理運作

of an object or natural system, to act in the way described by a scientific rule or principle.

例句

A falling apple obeys the law of gravity, no matter how high it starts.

掉落的蘋果一定符合萬有引力定律，不管從多高開始掉。

[natural object] + obey + [scientific law]

Light obeys very strict rules when it passes through a glass prism.

光線通過玻璃稜鏡時，會遵循非常嚴格的規律。

常見搭配
  • obey the law of gravity
  • obey physical laws
  • obey the principle
同義詞
  • follow

    common alternative; less formal in scientific writing

  • conform to

    more academic; emphasises matching a stated pattern

反義詞
  • violate

    used when something appears to break a known law

文法句型

[object/system] + obey + [law/principle]

用法筆記

Subject is typically an inanimate object, force, or system (light, gas, particle, wave); object is a named scientific principle. Distinguish from sense 1: no authority figure is involved, only physical regularity.

常見錯誤

The water obeys to the law of pressure.
The water obeys the law of pressure.
direct object, no 'to'.

3. if a body part will not obey its owner, it fails to move or perform as that pers

3.動詞及物C1
釋義

聽使喚

身體部位不受控制

if a body part will not obey its owner, it fails to move or perform as that person wants — usually because of injury, illness, or strong emotion.

例句

After the stroke, Mr. Lin's left hand simply would not obey him.

中風之後，林先生的左手就是不聽使喚。

frequently negated; body part as subject

Her legs refused to obey her as she tried to run from the burning house.

她想從失火的房子逃出去時，雙腿卻完全不聽使喚。

[body part] + refuse to obey + [person]

常見搭配
  • body refuses to obey
  • legs would not obey
  • fingers no longer obey
同義詞

文法句型

[body part] + (not) + obey + [person]

frequently negated

用法筆記

Almost always negative or limited (would not, refused to, no longer). Subject is a body part (hand, legs, voice, fingers); object is the person who owns that body part. Distinguish from sense 1: the failure is physical, not a choice to disobey.

常見錯誤

My hands don't obey for me.
My hands won't obey me.
direct object, no 'for'; usually negative with 'won't' or 'wouldn't'.

同根字

  • obedient
    形容詞B2
  • obedience
    名詞B2
  • obediently
    副詞C1
  • disobey
    動詞B2
  • disobedient
    形容詞B2
  • disobedience
    名詞B2

常見搭配

名詞搭配

  • orders
  • commands
  • rules
  • the law
  • instructions
  • authority
  • principle

副詞搭配

  • blindly
  • willingly
  • instantly
  • reluctantly
  • strictly

常用片語

  • refuse to obey
  • fail to obey
  • have no choice but to obey