plebeians
plebeians — 名詞
1. in ancient Rome, a person who belonged to the ordinary class of citizens rather
庶民
古羅馬的平民階級
in ancient Rome, a person who belonged to the ordinary class of citizens rather than the small group of wealthy and powerful families known as the patricians.
Under the old Roman laws, plebeians were not allowed to marry into patrician families.
根據古羅馬法律，庶民不得與貴族通婚。
domain: ancient Roman social class system
The plebeians elected their own officials, called tribunes, to protect their rights against patrician power.
庶民選出稱為護民官的官員，來保護自己不受貴族的壓迫。
plebeians + elected + tribunes (historical collocation)
Many plebeians fought for Rome and demanded land as payment for their service.
許多庶民在羅馬軍隊中當兵，並要求以土地作為服役的回報。
The struggle between patricians and plebeians shaped Roman politics for over two centuries.
貴族與庶民之間的衝突—稱為「等級之爭」—持續了兩百多年。
collocation: conflict between patricians and plebeians
- plebeians and patricians
- the plebeians elected
- plebeians demanded
- patricians
the wealthy noble class in ancient Rome that held most political power
文法句型
plebeians + plural verb
用法筆記
Usually found in its plural form when referring to the social class as a whole. The singular 'plebeian' describes one individual member.
常見錯誤
2. ordinary people who are not part of a wealthy, powerful, or aristocratic social
百姓
普通老百姓，無特權者
ordinary people who are not part of a wealthy, powerful, or aristocratic social group.
The writer was admired by aristocrats and plebeians for his stories about everyday life.
這位作家描述日常生活的誠實故事，深受貴族和百姓的喜愛。
contrast: aristocrats and plebeians
In the small coastal town, the wealthiest merchants treated the local plebeians with open disrespect.
在那個海邊小鎮，最有錢的商人公然鄙視當地的百姓。
The new tax on bread hurt plebeians far more than it affected the rich landowners.
對麵包課徵的新稅，對百姓的影響遠大於對有錢地主的影響。
Plebeians gathered at the market square to hear the governor's speech.
百姓聚集在市場廣場聆聽總督的演說。
The revolutionaries promised to give land to the plebeians who worked the fields.
革命人士承諾將土地從貴族手中分配給耕種田地的百姓。
- plebeians and aristocrats
- plebeians suffered
- plebeians gathered
- commoners
more neutral and widely used for non-noble classes across different historical periods
- the masses
suggests a large, undifferentiated group; often used in political contexts
- the common people
a straightforward phrase with the same meaning, suitable for everyday English
- aristocrats
people of the highest social class with inherited titles
- nobility
the class of people who hold titles and land by birth or royal grant
文法句型
plebeians + plural verb
用法筆記
This sense is literary or formal in modern English. In everyday conversation, 'ordinary people' or 'the common people' sounds more natural.
常見錯誤
plebeians — 形容詞
- plebeianspositive
- more plebeianscomparative
- most plebeianssuperlative
1. relating to or characteristic of ordinary people who are not from a wealthy or p
平民的
與下層階級有關的
relating to or characteristic of ordinary people who are not from a wealthy or powerful social class.
The senator never forgot his plebeian roots and always fought for farmers' rights.
那位參議員從未忘記自己的平民出身，總是為農民的權益奮鬥。
collocation: plebeian roots / origins
Clara preferred simple plebeian dishes like bean stew over the fancy food at noble banquets.
Clara 偏愛豆子湯這類簡單的平民菜餚，而不是貴族宴會上的精緻食物。
The meeting hall had a plebeian style, with plain benches and no decoration.
會議廳採用平民風格，只有樸素的長椅，沒有裝飾。
His plebeian clothing marked him as someone who worked with his hands for a living.
他那身平民衣著顯示他是靠雙手勞動維生的人。
- plebeian origins
- plebeian tastes
- plebeian style
- plebeian roots
- working-class
more modern and specific to industrial societies; 'plebeian' has a broader historical scope
- common
simpler and more widely understood, but can sound dismissive in some contexts
- popular
focuses on what ordinary people enjoy rather than their social position
- aristocratic
relating to the nobility or upper class
文法句型
plebeian + noun
用法筆記
Unlike the noun sense, this adjective is not limited to ancient Rome and can describe anything connected with ordinary people in any society.
2. lacking refinement, good taste, or education — used to describe someone's manner
粗俗的
缺乏教養或品味的
lacking refinement, good taste, or education — used to describe someone's manners, preferences, or lifestyle that are seen as coarse or unsophisticated.
The art critic called the paintings plebeian, but local collectors bought them all anyway.
那位藝術評論家說這些畫很粗俗，但當地的收藏家還是搶著買。
plebeian used as a dismissive or insulting adjective
Henry's plebeian habit of chewing with his mouth open embarrassed his wife at dinner parties.
Henry 張嘴咀嚼食物的粗俗習慣，讓他的妻子在晚宴上很尷尬。
Lina dismissed the comedy show as plebeian entertainment for people with no taste.
Lina 認為那齣喜劇是給沒品味的人看的粗俗娛樂。
The hotel lobby had a plebeian style, with plastic plants and cheap chairs.
飯店大廳風格粗俗，擺滿了塑膠植物和廉價椅子。
- plebeian tastes
- plebeian manners
- plebeian entertainment
- refined
showing good taste, education, and elegant manners
- sophisticated
having worldly knowledge and cultured tastes
文法句型
plebeian + noun
be + plebeian
用法筆記
This sense carries a strong negative judgement and can sound insulting. The speaker implies that the person or thing being described is beneath their own standards of taste.
常見錯誤
同根字
- plebeian名詞C1
- plebeian形容詞C1
常見搭配
名詞搭配
- plebeians (as subject)
- plebeian origins
- plebeian tastes
- plebeian manners
常用片語
- aristocrats and plebeians
- patricians and plebeians
- nobility and plebeians
介系詞搭配
- among plebeians
- between plebeians and (patricians/aristocrats/nobility)