pcr test

IPA/ˌpiː si ˈɑː test/
IPA/ˌpiː siː ˈɑːr test/

pcr test — 名詞

1. A medical test that looks for the genetic material of a virus or bacteria in a s

1.名詞B1
釋義

PCR 檢測

檢測病毒或細菌DNA的檢驗

A medical test that looks for the genetic material of a virus or bacteria in a sample taken from the body, usually from the nose or throat, by creating many copies of a specific piece of DNA so that even very small amounts can be detected.

例句

Yuna took a PCR test three days before her international flight.

Yuna 在出國航班的前三天做了 PCR 檢測。

collocation: take a PCR test

The school required all students returning from abroad to show a negative PCR test result.

學校要求所有從國外回來的學生出示陰性的 PCR 檢測結果。

同義詞
  • COVID test

    informal, narrower — refers specifically to coronavirus testing

  • nasal swab test

    describes the sample collection method, not the lab technique

反義詞
  • rapid antigen test

    faster but less accurate; detects viral proteins instead of genetic material

文法句型

PCR test + noun (sample/result/kit)

take/have/get + a PCR test

用法筆記

Frequently followed by the nouns "result", "sample", and "kit". The verb commonly paired with this sense is "take" (for the person being tested) or "administer" (for the medical worker). Distinguish from sense 2, which describes the technique used in research and forensics.

常見錯誤

❌I did a PCR test to check if I had a cold.
✅I took a PCR test to check if I had COVID-19.
💡PCR tests detect specific viruses like SARS-CoV-2, not general cold symptoms.
❌The PCR test said I was positive.
✅My PCR test result came back positive.
💡A test does not speak; the result is reported.

2. A laboratory method that rapidly makes millions of identical copies of a specifi

2.名詞B2
釋義

DNA 鑑定

大量複製DNA以進行分析

A laboratory method that rapidly makes millions of identical copies of a specific DNA sequence from a sample, used by scientists and forensic experts to study genetic material in detail for identification, research, or diagnosis purposes.

例句

Forensic scientists ran a PCR test on a drop of blood from the crime scene.

鑑識科學家針對犯罪現場的一滴血進行了 DNA 鑑定。

collocation: run a PCR test

Owen's team used a PCR test to compare DNA from ancient bones with modern populations.

Owen 的團隊利用 DNA 鑑定比對古代骨骸與現代族群的基因。

同義詞

文法句型

perform/run + a PCR test

PCR test + on + sample

用法筆記

Common in scientific and formal writing. The verbs "perform", "run", and "conduct" are preferred over "take" or "do". Distinguished from sense 1 by its broader application beyond infectious disease — including forensics, archaeology, paternity testing, and food safety.

常見錯誤

❌The lab did a PCR test to look at the cells under a microscope.
✅The lab performed a PCR test to amplify the DNA in the sample.
💡PCR amplifies DNA, not cells, and is not a microscopy technique.