over-the-counter
/ˌəʊvə ðə ˈkaʊntə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌəʊvər ðə ˈkaʊntər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌəʊ.və.ðəˈkaʊn.tər/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌoʊ.vɚ.ðəˈkaʊn.tɚ/ (ame, ipa)
over-the-counter — 形容詞
1. Relating to medicines and health products that people can buy from a pharmacy or
非處方的
不需醫師處方即可購買的
Relating to medicines and health products that people can buy from a pharmacy or shop without first getting a written instruction from a doctor.
The pharmacist recommended an over-the-counter painkiller for Kemi's back pain.
藥劑師推薦了一種非處方的止痛藥給 Kemi 緩解背痛。
attributive use before a noun (painkiller)
Many over-the-counter cold remedies contain similar ingredients to drugs that require a prescription.
許多非處方的感冒藥含有與處方藥相似的成分。
contrast with prescription drugs
Naoko bought an over-the-counter allergy spray instead of making an appointment with her doctor.
Naoko 買了一種非處方的過敏噴霧劑，沒有另外預約看醫生。
Felipe picked up an over-the-counter antifungal cream for his athlete's foot at the local pharmacy.
Felipe 在當地藥局買了一條非處方的抗黴菌藥膏來治療他的香港腳。
- non-prescription
The most common synonym; interchangeable in medical contexts.
- OTC
Standard abbreviation used on product labels and in pharmacy settings.
- prescription-only
Describes medicines that legally require a doctor's written order.
文法句型
over-the-counter + [noun: drug/medication/remedy]
用法筆記
Attributive only — used before a noun (e.g. 'an over-the-counter drug'). When the same meaning is expressed after a verb, the unhyphenated adverbial phrase 'over the counter' is used instead.
常見錯誤
2. Describing stocks, bonds, or other financial instruments that are exchanged dire
場外交易的
不在交易所掛牌直接在交易商之間買賣的
Describing stocks, bonds, or other financial instruments that are exchanged directly between financial professionals or institutions instead of being listed and traded on a central exchange building.
Small tech firms often trade as over-the-counter stocks before joining a major exchange.
小型科技公司通常在登上主要交易所之前，先以場外交易的股票形式進行買賣。
attributive before 'stocks'
The investment firm specialised in over-the-counter bonds for large institutional clients in Asia.
這家投資公司專門為亞洲的大型機構客戶處理場外交易的債券。
Regulators introduced new rules for over-the-counter derivatives after the 2008 financial crisis.
2008 年金融危機後，監管機構針對場外交易的衍生性金融商品推出了新的規定。
A startup raised capital by selling over-the-counter shares to private investors.
一家新創公司把場外交易的股票賣給私人投資者來籌措資金。
- unlisted
Emphasises that the security is not listed on any formal exchange.
- off-exchange
Describes trades that occur outside of a central exchange platform.
- OTC
Standard three-letter abbreviation used universally in finance.
- exchange-traded
Refers to securities that are listed and traded on a formal stock exchange.
- listed
Describes a company or security that has been accepted for trading on an exchange.
文法句型
over-the-counter + [noun: stock/security/trading]
用法筆記
Attributive only. In financial news, the abbreviation OTC is very common (e.g. 'OTC markets', 'OTC trading'). The opposite of over-the-counter in this sense is 'exchange-traded' or 'listed'.
常見錯誤
over-the-counter — 副詞
1. Used to describe how somebody obtains a product such as a medicine or a regulate
直接購買
不需處方或特別許可在商店買到
Used to describe how somebody obtains a product such as a medicine or a regulated item — you just go to a shop and buy it without first getting a doctor's written instruction or authority figure's special approval.
You can buy these antihistamine tablets over the counter at any pharmacy in town.
你可以在鎮上任何藥局直接購買這些抗組織胺藥片。
postpositive after verb 'buy'
Are these allergy tablets available over the counter, or do I need a prescription from my doctor?
這些過敏藥片可以直接購買嗎，還是我需要醫師的處方籤？
question form: available + over the counter
The pharmacist said the antihistamine was available over the counter, so Putri did not need a prescription.
藥劑師說這種抗組織胺藥可以直接購買，所以 Putri 不需要處方籤。
Dario bought aspirin over the counter at a convenience store near his hotel.
Dario 在他飯店附近的便利商店直接購買了阿斯匹靈。
- without a prescription
More explicit; limited to medical contexts.
- directly from a shop
A paraphrase that works for non-medical items.
- by prescription only
Describes items that legally require a doctor's written order.
文法句型
verb + over the counter
available + over the counter
用法筆記
This adverbial form is written without hyphens (over the counter). It follows a verb (buy, sell, purchase, get, obtain, be available). Do not use the hyphenated adjective form in this position.