one-way
/ˌwʌn ˈweɪ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌwʌn ˈweɪ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈwən-ˈwā/ (ame, mw)
one-way — 形容詞
1. used for a road or traffic plan where drivers can go along it in just one direct
單行的
只准朝一個方向通行
used for a road or traffic plan where drivers can go along it in just one direction.
The bus had to circle the block because Pine Street is one-way.
因為松柏街是單行道，公車只好繞完整個街區。
one-way street in traffic restrictions
Yara checked the sign before driving into the one-way lane downtown.
Yara 開進市中心那條單行車道前，先看了標誌。
At rush hour, the city makes this bridge one-way toward the station.
尖峰時間時，市府會把這座橋改成只准往車站方向單向通行。
Theo parked on the next road because this street is one-way after noon.
因為這條街中午後會變成單行道，Theo 把車停到下一條路。
- one-directional
more technical and less common in everyday traffic talk
- two-way
allows traffic in both directions
文法句型
one-way street
one-way road
one-way system
用法筆記
Most often used with roads, streets, lanes, and city traffic systems. Distinguish from sense 4, which is broader and covers devices or channels that permit movement only forward.
常見錯誤
2. used for a ticket or fare that covers only the outward trip and not the trip bac
單程票的
只含去程，不含回程
used for a ticket or fare that covers only the outward trip and not the trip back.
At the airport, Hana bought a one-way ticket to Manila.
在機場，Hana 買了一張飛往馬尼拉的單程票。
one-way ticket for outward travel only
The travel clerk asked whether Saira needed a one-way fare or return.
售票員問 Saira 要單程票價還是來回票價。
contrast with return fare
Our student visa allowed only a one-way flight into Canada.
我們的學生簽證只准用單程機票入境加拿大。
Vinicius kept the one-way bus ticket in his passport wallet.
Vinicius 把那張單程巴士票收在護照夾裡。
- single
British English travel term for the same kind of ticket
- return
includes the trip back
- round-trip
American English term for a ticket that goes and comes back
文法句型
one-way ticket
one-way fare
one-way flight
用法筆記
Common in travel booking. In British English, a train or coach ticket with the same meaning is often called a 'single'. Distinguish from sense 3, which describes the journey itself rather than the ticket you buy for it.
常見錯誤
3. describing a trip or journey that goes outward only, without the return part.
單程的
只有去程，沒有回程
describing a trip or journey that goes outward only, without the return part.
After graduation, Christopher planned a one-way train trip across Europe.
畢業後，Christopher 計畫來一趟穿越歐洲的單程火車旅行。
one-way + trip/journey
The one-way walk to the mountain hut took four rainy hours.
走到山中小屋的那段單程步行，在雨裡走了四個小時。
Liang booked a one-way boat ride to the small island village.
Liang 訂了一趟開往小島村落的單程船程。
Ayesha saw the move to Seoul as a one-way journey.
Ayesha 把搬去首爾這件事看成一段單程旅程。
- outbound
focuses on the going part of the trip, especially in transport systems
- return
describes the journey back
- round-trip
includes both directions as one travel plan
文法句型
one-way trip
one-way journey
one-way drive
用法筆記
Used for the travel itself, not the ticket. It often suggests there is no plan to come back by the same route, and sometimes no plan to come back at all.
4. made so movement, flow, or transfer can go forward but cannot come back the oppo
單向的
只能往前，不能反向回流
made so movement, flow, or transfer can go forward but cannot come back the opposite way.
The plumber fitted a one-way valve under the sink to stop backflow.
水電工在水槽下裝了單向閥，避免髒水倒流。
one-way valve preventing reverse flow
This website uses a one-way link, so customers cannot reply through it.
這個網站用的是單向連結，所以客戶不能從原路回覆。
one-way link with no reverse path
Security staff opened a one-way gate for fans leaving the stadium.
保全人員打開單向閘門，讓球迷離開球場。
The book chute is one-way, so returns drop in but not out.
還書箱是單向投口，書掉進去後拿不回來。
- unidirectional
technical term used in science and engineering
- one-directional
formal or technical alternative
- two-way
allows movement or exchange in both directions
- bidirectional
technical opposite used in engineering and data systems
文法句型
one-way valve
one-way gate
one-way link
用法筆記
Broader than the traffic sense. This use often appears with valves, doors, gates, data links, and other systems where reverse movement is blocked by design.
5. used for glass or a mirror that lets people watch from one side while blocking t
單向鏡
也指只能單側看穿的玻璃
used for glass or a mirror that lets people watch from one side while blocking the view from the other side.
Police watched the interview through a one-way mirror next door.
警方在隔壁房間透過單向鏡觀察那場訊問。
one-way mirror for hidden observation
The baby slept behind one-way glass while nurses checked him quietly.
嬰兒睡在單向玻璃後方時，護理師安靜地查看他的狀況。
Visitors saw the sharks, but the one-way glass hid the divers.
遊客看得到鯊魚，但那片單向玻璃把潛水員藏住了。
Ayana stood behind the one-way mirror and wrote notes all morning.
Ayana 站在單向鏡後面，整個早上都在寫筆記。
- clear
lets people see through equally from both sides
文法句型
one-way mirror
one-way glass
用法筆記
Usually used in police rooms, labs, hospitals, or animal areas where one group needs to observe without being seen. It names the special surface itself, not the whole room.
6. almost certain to lead to a bad result once it starts.
注定出事
幾乎一定會帶來壞結果
almost certain to lead to a bad result once it starts.
Skipping insulin is a one-way ticket to a hospital bed.
不打胰島素，根本就是注定出事，最後會住進醫院。
a one-way ticket to + harmful result
Another rent rise could be a one-way ticket to closure.
再漲一次房租，對這家小店幾乎就會直接走向歇業。
The coach said lazy defending was a one-way ticket to defeat.
教練說，懶得防守這樣打下去就是注定會輸。
Posting the password online is a one-way ticket to disaster.
把密碼貼上網，根本就是注定出事。
- a fast track to trouble
similarly warns that something quickly leads to harm
文法句型
a one-way ticket to + bad result
用法筆記
Most often appears in the phrase 'a one-way ticket to ...'. It is strongly negative and suggests that the next bad result is very likely unless someone stops the process quickly.
常見錯誤
7. describing a relationship or pattern of effort where only one side keeps trying
單方面的
只有一方一直付出或努力
describing a relationship or pattern of effort where only one side keeps trying or giving while the other does little.
After months of unpaid effort, Mila called the friendship one-way.
白白付出了好幾個月後，Mila 說這段友情太單方面了。
relationship is + one-way
The marriage felt one-way because only one partner kept apologising.
這段婚姻讓人覺得很單方面，因為總是只有一個人在道歉。
Trang stopped texting first when the relationship became too one-way.
Trang 發現這段關係太單方面後，就不再先傳訊息了。
The teamwork was one-way: Omar helped everyone, but nobody helped him.
這種合作很單方面：Omar 幫所有人，卻沒有人幫他。
- one-sided
the closest everyday synonym for unequal effort
- unequal
broader and less focused on emotional give-and-take
- unbalanced
suggests the exchange is out of proportion
文法句型
one-way relationship
the relationship is one-way
用法筆記
Usually used for emotional, social, or work relationships where support should move both ways. Distinguish from sense 6, which is about a process leading to trouble rather than unfair effort between people.