puppet

/ˈpʌpɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈpʌpɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈpə-pət/ (ame, mw)

puppet — 名詞

  • puppetsingular
  • puppetsplural

1. An object used in shows or play, designed to look like a human or creature, that

1.名詞A2
釋義

木偶

用線或手操控的人形玩具

An object used in shows or play, designed to look like a human or creature, that you make move — either by fitting your hand inside its cloth body and moving the head and arms with your fingers, or by pulling strings attached to its parts.

例句

Mei-Lin held a felt puppet over her hand and made it wave at the toddlers.

Mei-Lin 將一個布偶套在手上，讓它對著幼兒揮手。

hand puppet held over the hand

The puppet's strings got tangled, so Kwame had to carefully untie each one.

木偶的線纏在一起了，Kwame 只好小心地把每一條解開。

同義詞
  • marionette

    specifically a puppet moved by strings from above, often made of wood

  • hand puppet

    a puppet that fits over the hand; the most common type for children's play

  • doll

    a general toy figure of a person, but does not imply that it can be made to move by strings or hand

用法筆記

When describing the type, add a word before 'puppet': hand puppet (fits over the hand), string puppet (moved by strings from above), finger puppet (fits on one finger). The person who operates a puppet is called a puppeteer.

常見錯誤

❌I gave the child a puppet doll.
✅I gave the child a puppet.
💡'Puppet' already means a doll you make move; adding 'doll' is redundant.

2. A person or organization that seems to make its own decisions but is secretly co

2.名詞B2
釋義

傀儡

行動受他人控制的人或團體

A person or organization that seems to make its own decisions but is secretly controlled by a hidden outside force, especially for dishonest or unfair purposes.

例句

The prime minister was a puppet of the military leaders who really ran the country.

總理是軍方領袖的傀儡，真正統治國家的是軍方。

puppet of + group that controls

Nadia felt like a puppet in her own job, as her boss made every important decision.

Nadia 覺得自己在工作中像個傀儡，所有重要決定都由老闆來做。

同義詞
  • pawn

    suggests the person is expendable and used strategically by someone more powerful, like a chess piece

  • tool

    implies the person is used to carry out tasks for another's benefit, often without knowing the full plan

  • figurehead

    describes someone who has a title or official position but no real authority

反義詞
  • leader

    someone who makes independent decisions and directs others

  • independent person

    someone who acts on their own judgment

文法句型

puppet of someone/something

someone's puppet

用法筆記

Common in political contexts with nouns like 'government', 'regime', 'leader', or 'state' (e.g. a puppet government). The person or group in control is introduced with 'of': a puppet of the dictatorship.

常見錯誤

❌The president is a puppet who controlled by the generals.
✅The president is a puppet who is controlled by the generals.
💡A form of 'be' is needed before 'controlled' in this relative clause.
❌He is just a puppet of the company's.
✅He is just a puppet of the company.
💡Use 'of' directly without a possessive 's.