prophet
/ˈprɒfɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈprɑːfɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈprä-fət/ (ame, mw)
prophet — 名詞
- prophetsingular
- prophetsplural
1. a person through whom a god delivers teachings, warnings, or announcements to a
先知
受神啟示而傳達訊息的人
a person through whom a god delivers teachings, warnings, or announcements to a community, often including predictions about what is going to happen
A prophet stood before the crowd and delivered a warning about the coming flood.
一位先知站在群眾面前，警告即將到來的大洪水。
prophet + delivers + message
Adina learned that a true prophet in her tradition never seeks personal fame or wealth.
Adina 學到，在她信仰的傳統裡，真正的先知絕不追求個人名聲或財富。
true prophet + in [one's] tradition
The old prophet warned the king that the drought would last seven years.
老先知警告國王，乾旱將持續七年。
Scholars still study the writings of ancient prophets from many different cultures.
學者們仍在研究來自不同文化的古代先知著作。
The villagers believed the prophet received visions through dreams sent by the gods.
村民相信那位先知是透過夢境接收來自眾神的異象。
用法筆記
In many religious traditions, a prophet is distinguished from a priest — a prophet brings new messages from the divine, while a priest leads rituals. This sense can refer to figures from Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and other faith traditions.
常見錯誤
2. a person who actively spreads or champions a new idea, system, or approach, espe
倡導者
提倡新觀念或改革的人
a person who actively spreads or champions a new idea, system, or approach, especially before most people accept it
Kian became known as a prophet of digital privacy after his book reached millions.
Kian 的著作觸及數百萬讀者後，他被譽為數位隱私的倡導者。
prophet of + [cause]
The scientist was called a prophet of climate action years before the topic went mainstream.
那位科學家在氣候議題成為主流之前，就被稱為氣候行動的倡導者。
Sora found himself a reluctant prophet of workplace change when his ideas spread across the company.
Sora 的點子在整間公司傳開後，他意外成了職場改革的倡導者。
Many dismissed Emre as a dreamer, but time proved the young prophet right about urban farming.
很多人曾把 Emre 當作夢想家，但時間證明了這位年輕倡導者對都市農業的看法是對的。
- critic
one who points out flaws rather than promotes a vision
文法句型
prophet + of + [cause/movement]
用法筆記
Often followed by 'of' plus a cause, movement, or field (e.g. 'a prophet of free trade', 'a prophet of educational reform'). Carries a positive connotation of foresight and influence.
常見錯誤
3. the name and title given to Muhammad, who received the Quran from God and founde
穆罕默德
伊斯蘭教的創始先知
the name and title given to Muhammad, who received the Quran from God and founded the Islamic faith
The Prophet Muhammad meditated in a cave near Mecca and received the first verses of the Quran.
先知穆罕默德在麥加附近的山洞中冥想，並接收了《古蘭經》最早的經文。
capitalised title: the Prophet + [full name]
Muslims around the world try to follow the example of the Prophet in their daily lives.
全世界的穆斯林在日常生活中的言行都努力效法先知。
Stories about the Prophet's kindness and honesty are told to children across many cultures.
關於先知仁慈與誠實的故事，流傳於許多文化之中，大人也常講給孩子聽。
Muslims believe the Prophet was chosen by God to deliver the final message to humanity.
穆斯林相信先知是受上帝揀選，向人類傳達最後訊息的人。
- Messenger of God
another common title for Muhammad in Islamic tradition; emphasises his role as a bearer of scripture
用法筆記
Always capitalised as 'the Prophet' when referring specifically to Muhammad. In Islamic tradition, prophets before Muhammad (including Abraham, Moses, and Jesus) are also respected, but 'the Prophet' alone refers to Muhammad.
4. someone who says they can see upcoming events before they happen, often without
預言者
自稱能預測未來的人
someone who says they can see upcoming events before they happen, often without a recognised religious role
Paloma smiled when the street prophet told her she would cross three oceans one day.
街頭預言者告訴 Paloma 她有一天會跨越三大洋，她聽了微微一笑。
street prophet (informal collocation)
The self-proclaimed prophet predicted that a major earthquake would strike the capital within a month.
那位自稱預言者的人說，一個月內首都將發生大地震。
Arjun ignored the prophet at the market who claimed to see disasters in his crystal ball.
Arjun 不理會市場裡那個宣稱能用水晶球看見災難的預言者。
Zuri laughed when the prophet said she would marry someone from a faraway land.
預言者說 Zuri 會嫁給一個來自遠方國度的人，Zuri 聽了哈哈大笑。
- fortune-teller
more common in everyday English; less dramatic in tone
- predictor
neutral term, often used for data or science-based forecasts
- soothsayer
old-fashioned or literary term for one who tells the future
用法筆記
Unlike sense 1, this sense can carry a skeptical or dismissive tone — the person's claim to know the future is not necessarily respected or believed. Often used with modifiers like 'self-proclaimed' or 'street'.