off-key
off-key — 形容詞
1. describing a voice, note, or instrument that sounds slightly wrong because it is
走音的
音高沒唱準或奏準的
describing a voice, note, or instrument that sounds slightly wrong because it is not in tune.
Dario's violin sounded off-key during the slow part of the school concert.
Dario 的小提琴在學校音樂會的慢板段落有點走音。
pattern: sound off-key
Mira sang the last line off-key and laughed with the choir.
Mira 把最後一句唱得有點走音，還跟合唱團一起笑了。
Kwame stopped the rehearsal when one trumpet note came out off-key.
Kwame 在某個小號音吹得走音時叫停了排練。
Lan noticed the piano was off-key after the movers bumped it.
Lan 在搬家工人撞到鋼琴後，發現它有點走音。
- out of tune
the closest everyday alternative for music that does not match the right notes
- flat
more specific, because it usually means the pitch is too low
- sharp
more specific, because it usually means the pitch is too high
- in tune
matching the intended musical pitch
文法句型
be off-key
sound off-key
用法筆記
Usually describes singing, playing, or the sound itself. Distinguish from adverb/1, where off-key tells you how someone sings or plays.
2. slightly wrong or awkward for the occasion, so it does not fit the mood or situa
不合宜的
在那情境下顯得不對勁的
slightly wrong or awkward for the occasion, so it does not fit the mood or situation.
Bilal's joke felt off-key at the meeting about the factory fire.
Bilal 的玩笑在討論工廠火災的會議上顯得很不合宜。
used for a remark that clashes with the situation
Shanti's bright party hat looked off-key at the quiet memorial service.
Shanti 的亮色派對帽在安靜的追思禮拜上看起來很不合宜。
Christopher's cheerful email seemed off-key after the team lost their jobs.
Christopher 那封輕快的電子郵件在團隊丟了工作後顯得很不合宜。
Adina thought the ad's funny tone was off-key for a hospital campaign.
Adina 覺得那則廣告的搞笑語氣，用在醫院宣傳上很不合宜。
- inappropriate
stronger and more direct about something not fitting the situation
- awkward
can suggest social discomfort, not just a poor match of tone
- out of place
focuses on something not fitting its setting or moment
- appropriate
suitable for the situation or mood
- fitting
matching what the occasion calls for
文法句型
be off-key
seem off-key
用法筆記
Often describes a joke, comment, style, or tone that clashes with what people are feeling. Distinguish from adjective/1, which is only about musical pitch.
off-key — 副詞
1. in a way that misses the right notes, so the music sounds a little out of tune.
跑調地
以不準的音高唱奏
in a way that misses the right notes, so the music sounds a little out of tune.
Gabriel sang off-key during karaoke, but the crowd still clapped along.
Gabriel 唱卡拉 OK 時唱得跑調，但大家還是跟著拍手。
pattern: sing off-key
Samir played off-key after one guitar string slipped loose backstage.
Samir 的一根吉他弦在後台鬆掉後，彈得有點跑調。
pattern: play off-key
Élise hummed off-key while packing dishes into boxes after dinner.
Élise 晚飯後一邊把盤子裝箱，一邊跑調地哼著歌。
Andrés laughed as the children banged off-key on the old keyboard.
Andrés 笑著看孩子們在那台舊鍵盤上亂敲得跑調。
- out of tune
common alternative, especially after verbs like sing or play
- in tune
with the right musical pitch
文法句型
sing off-key
play off-key
用法筆記
Use the adverb when it modifies the action of singing or playing. Distinguish from adjective/1, which describes the voice, note, or instrument itself.