primer

/ˈpraɪ.mər/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈpraɪ.mɚ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈpri-mər chiefly British ˈprī-mə/ (ame, mw)

primer — 名詞

  • primersingular
  • primersplural

1. A special layer of paint applied to wood, walls, or metal before the finishing p

1.名詞B1
釋義

底漆

上主要油漆前塗在表面的第一層塗料

A special layer of paint applied to wood, walls, or metal before the finishing paint, so that the top coat sticks better and the surface looks smooth.

例句

Manuela applied a coat of primer to the living-room wall before painting it blue.

Manuela 在客廳牆壁上塗了一層底漆，然後才刷上藍色油漆。

collocation: coat of primer / apply + primer

Without primer, the paint on the old wooden fence began to peel within a month.

那道舊木籬笆沒有上底漆，油漆不到一個月就開始剝落。

同義詞
  • undercoat

    Also a paint layer applied before the final coat, but more specific to house-painting; 'primer' is broader (walls, wood, metal).

  • base coat

    A general term for the first layer of paint; 'primer' is a specific product designed for adhesion.

常見錯誤

❌I need to buy a primer paint.
✅I need to buy some primer.
💡'primer' already means a type of paint; adding 'paint' is redundant.

2. A cream or liquid put on the face before foundation and other cosmetics, helping

2.名詞B1
釋義

妝前乳

化妝前塗在臉上的底妝產品

A cream or liquid put on the face before foundation and other cosmetics, helping the make-up to go on smoothly and stay in place for longer.

例句

Sayaka always uses a green-tinted primer before applying foundation to reduce redness.

Sayaka 在用粉底液之前，都會先使用綠色調的妝前乳來修飾泛紅。

pattern: use + primer before [make-up step]

For her cousin's wedding, Paloma smoothed a layer of primer over her cheeks before applying foundation.

為了參加表姐的婚禮，Paloma 在臉頰上塗了一層妝前乳，然後才上粉底。

pattern: apply primer before [make-up step] for [event]

同義詞
  • base

    A shorter, more general term for a layer of make-up applied first; 'primer' specifically refers to modern formulas that smooth the skin.

  • pre-foundation

    Descriptive but less common in everyday speech; 'primer' is the standard retail name.

常見錯誤

❌I put primer on my face after foundation.
✅I put primer on my face before foundation.
💡Primer is always the first step, applied under other make-up.

3. A short book that explains the essential ideas of a topic for readers who have n

3.名詞B1
釋義

入門書

介紹學科基本知識的簡明書籍

A short book that explains the essential ideas of a topic for readers who have no prior knowledge of it.

例句

The professor recommended a French grammar primer for students in their first semester.

教授推薦大一新生使用一本法語文法入門書。

pattern: [subject] + primer for [audience]

Mathieu bought a programming primer to learn the basics of Python before the course started.

Mathieu 在課程開始前買了一本程式設計入門書，先學 Python 的基礎。

同義詞
  • introduction

    Often used in book titles ('An Introduction to Physics'); 'primer' emphasises a very basic, beginner-friendly approach.

  • beginner's guide

    More explanatory in tone; 'primer' can be more concise and factual.

  • handbook

    Often more practical and reference-oriented; a primer is more about teaching concepts step by step.

用法筆記

A primer covers only the very basics; it is shorter and simpler than a full textbook on the same subject.

常見錯誤

❌This 500-page book is a primer on economics.
✅This 50-page booklet is a primer on economics.
💡A primer is short and introductory, not a lengthy or advanced text.

4. A talk, event, or first experience that teaches someone the basic facts or skill

4.名詞B2
釋義

入門介紹

讓人獲得基本知識的談話或經驗

A talk, event, or first experience that teaches someone the basic facts or skills needed to understand a new subject or situation.

例句

The weekend workshop served as a primer on digital marketing for small business owners.

週末的工作坊為小型企業老闆提供了一堂數位行銷入門介紹。

pattern: serve as a primer on [topic]

Ilan's first trip to Cambodia was a primer in cultural sensitivity and respectful travel.

Ilan 第一次去柬埔寨旅行，就是一堂文化敏感度和尊重異地習俗的入門課。

同義詞
  • introduction

    Similar meaning ('an introduction to Japanese culture'), but 'primer' carries a stronger sense of being the very first step.

  • grounding

    Emphasises building a solid foundation; 'primer' is more about basic, practical facts.

用法筆記

Often used in the patterns 'a primer on [topic]' or 'a primer in [skill/area]', emphasising that the experience introduces the very first stages of learning.

常見錯誤

❌I bought a primer on Python programming at the bookstore.' (If you attended a workshop, use sense 4; if you bought a book, use sense 3.)
✅The workshop was a primer on Python programming.
💡Sense 4 describes an event or experience, not a physical book.