rationalise

IPA/ˈræʃ.ən.əl.aɪz/
IPA/ˈræʃ.ən.əl.aɪz/

rationalise — 動詞

  • rationalisepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • rationalises3rd person singular
  • rationalising-ing form
  • rationalisedpast simple

1. to invent seemingly logical reasons to explain or defend your own actions, decis

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

合理化；藉口

為行為編造合理說詞

to invent seemingly logical reasons to explain or defend your own actions, decisions, or feelings, especially when the real motive is less acceptable

例句

Linh rationalised missing the team dinner by claiming she had to finish an urgent report.

Linh 合理化她缺席團隊聚餐的理由，聲稱她必須完成一份緊急報告。

rationalise + gerund (missing) for justifying behaviour

The more Daniel tried to rationalise his anger, the more frustrated his sister became.

Daniel 越是想合理化自己的憤怒，他妹妹就越沮喪。

常見搭配
  • rationalise one's behaviour
  • rationalise a decision
  • rationalise one's feelings
  • rationalise one's actions
  • rationalise one's fears
  • rationalise a mistake
同義詞
  • justify

    more neutral; justify can be sincere, while rationalise implies the reason is invented

  • excuse

    more informal and openly negative; 'excuse' is often used for minor faults

  • explain away

    phrasal verb; suggests dismissing something as unimportant

文法句型

rationalise + noun phrase / gerund

rationalise + noun phrase + as + noun phrase / gerund

rationalise + that-clause

用法筆記

This sense carries a critical tone — the speaker implies that the 'good reason' given is not the person's real motive. Frequently takes a gerund phrase (rationalise doing something) or a noun phrase as object.

常見錯誤

I rationalised the maths problem and found the answer.
I worked through the maths problem and found the answer.
'Rationalise' means to justify after the fact, not to think through a problem logically.
She rationalised the data carefully before writing the report.
She analysed the data carefully before writing the report.
Use 'analyse' for careful thinking; use 'rationalise' for making excuses.

2. to reorganise a business, system, or set of activities in order to make it more

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

精簡；整頓

整頓業務以提升效率

to reorganise a business, system, or set of activities in order to make it more efficient, often by removing unnecessary parts or combining functions

例句

The hospital rationalised its services by closing two smaller clinics and expanding the main facility.

這家醫院透過關閉兩間較小的診所並擴建主要院區，來精簡服務。

rationalise + organisation + by + gerund for efficiency

After the merger, the two banks rationalised their branch networks to remove overlapping offices.

合併之後，兩家銀行整頓了各自的分行網絡，以裁撤重疊的據點。

常見搭配
  • rationalise a company
  • rationalise operations
  • rationalise production
  • rationalise services
  • rationalise the supply chain
  • rationalise branch networks
同義詞
  • streamline

    more common; emphasises making processes smoother rather than cutting

  • restructure

    similar but does not necessarily imply cutting; can mean any change to the structure

  • reorganise

    broader; does not specifically imply cutting the unnecessary

文法句型

rationalise + noun phrase (organisation / system / operation)

rationalise + noun phrase + by + gerund

用法筆記

Almost always used in business, management, or organisational contexts. Subject is typically a person with authority or an institutional body. Never used for personal psychology — that is Sense 1 (MAKE EXCUSES).

常見錯誤

The government plans to rationalise the tax system by making it fairer.
The government plans to reform the tax system by making it fairer.
'Rationalise' implies cutting or combining for efficiency; 'reform' is broader and includes fairness.

同根字

常見搭配

常用片語

  • try to rationalise
  • attempt to rationalise
  • a way to rationalise

介系詞搭配