recognise

IPA/ˈrek.əɡ.naɪz/
KK[rˈɛkəɡnˌaɪz]IPA/ˈrek.əɡ.naɪz/

recognise — 動詞

  • recognisepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • recognises3rd person singular
  • recognising-ing form
  • recognisedpast simple

1. to notice that you have seen, heard, or met someone or something before, and kno

1.動詞及物B1
釋義

認出；認得

認出曾見過或聽過的人事物

to notice that you have seen, heard, or met someone or something before, and know who or what they are as a result

例句

Matthew walked past me without speaking, but I recognised him from the conference last year.

Matthew 從我身邊走過去沒有說話，但我認出他是去年研討會上見過的人。

recognise + someone from [time/place]

The security camera was too dark to recognise the visitor's face at the front gate.

監視器畫面太暗，無法辨認出訪客在大門口的臉。

同義詞
  • identify

    more neutral — can be used for first-time identification, while recognise implies prior exposure

  • place

    informal — means to remember where you have seen someone before, e.g. 'I could not place her face'

  • know

    general — broader; recognise is specifically about knowing again after a gap

反義詞
  • overlook

    to fail to notice someone or something you could have recognised

文法句型

recognise + noun phrase

can/could recognise + noun phrase

recognise + noun phrase + as + noun phrase

用法筆記

Often used with can or could when describing the ability to recognise something at a particular moment. The object is usually a person, place, voice, smell, or sound that the subject has encountered before.

常見錯誤

❌I remembered him from the airport but could not say his name.
✅I recognised him from the airport but could not say his name.
💡'remember' means to bring something back to mind; 'recognise' means to know someone or something upon seeing or hearing them again.

2. to be able to name or describe someone or something because you know their parti

2.動詞及物B1
釋義

辨識；辨別

根據特徵辨別出某人或某物

to be able to name or describe someone or something because you know their particular signs or typical qualities

例句

Walid can recognise over forty kinds of mushrooms by their colour and shape alone.

Walid 光憑顏色和形狀就能辨識出四十多種蘑菇。

recognise + [type/kind] + by [feature]

The children had to recognise each capital city from a picture of its famous building.

孩子們必須從著名建築的照片來辨認各個首都城市。

同義詞
  • identify

    the closest synonym; both work for naming by features, but identify does not strongly imply prior familiarity

  • distinguish

    focuses on telling something apart from similar things; 'distinguish a robin from a sparrow'

  • discern

    more formal — means to see or notice something that is not obvious

反義詞

文法句型

recognise + noun phrase

recognise + noun phrase + by + noun phrase

常見錯誤

❌I could recognise the bird by listening its song.
✅I could recognise the bird by its song.' or 'I could recognise the bird by listening to its song.
💡'by' is followed by a noun phrase, not a gerund with a missing 'to'.

3. to accept or admit that something is true, legally valid, or important enough to

3.動詞及物B2
釋義

承認；認可

接受某事為真實、合法或重要

to accept or admit that something is true, legally valid, or important enough to be taken into account

例句

Most countries now recognise the right of every child to receive a free education.

大多數國家如今都承認每個孩子都有接受免費教育的權利。

recognise + the right of [someone] to [do something]

The manager recognised that the old system was no longer working and agreed to change it.

經理承認舊系統已經不管用了，並同意進行更換。

recognise + that-clause for admitting a fact

同義詞
  • acknowledge

    very similar; acknowledge can be more about admitting something is true even if unwillingly

  • accept

    broader — can refer to accepting a fact, situation, or offer; recognise adds a nuance of formal or official acknowledgement

  • admit

    often implies reluctance or conceding after resistance

反義詞
  • deny

    to say that something is not true or valid

  • reject

    to refuse to accept or believe something

文法句型

recognise + noun phrase

recognise + that-clause

be recognised as + noun/adjective

recognise + noun phrase + as + noun phrase

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1 (KNOW AGAIN): sense 3 is about agreeing that something is true or valid, not about seeing or hearing something familiar. Frequently used in legal, political, and social contexts. The passive form (be recognised as/in/by) is especially common.

常見錯誤

❌I recognise that he is right but I do not want to admit it.
✅I accept that he is right but I do not want to admit it.
💡'recognise' already means accepting something as true; using both 'recognise' and 'admit' can be redundant. Use 'accept' or 'admit' if you want to contrast with reluctance.

4. to publicly show that you value someone's work, effort, or qualities, often by p

4.動詞及物B2
釋義

表彰；肯定

公開肯定某人的成就或貢獻

to publicly show that you value someone's work, effort, or qualities, often by praising them or giving them an award

例句

The university recognised Ada's ten years of research with a lifetime achievement award.

那所大學頒發終身成就獎，表彰 Ada 十年來的研究成果。

recognise + [person/achievement] + with [award]

Isabela's dedicated work with homeless families was recognised when she received the Mayor's Community Award.

Isabela 在幫助無家可歸家庭方面的投入獲得了市長社區獎的肯定。

passive: be recognised for [work] + when [award]

同義詞
  • honour

    stronger — implies a high level of respect or a formal award

  • acknowledge

    less formal — can be a simple thank-you or public mention

  • appreciate

    focuses on feeling grateful rather than public action

反義詞
  • ignore

    to pay no attention to someone's achievements or efforts

  • overlook

    to fail to notice or recognise someone's contribution, often unintentionally

文法句型

be recognised for + noun phrase

be recognised as + noun phrase

recognise + noun phrase + with + noun phrase

用法筆記

This sense is usually passive or describes an official/public act by an institution, organisation, or authority figure. The object of recognition is typically a person's achievement, contribution, or quality, not the person themselves directly.

常見錯誤

❌The manager recognised my help by a thank-you card.
✅The manager recognised my help with a thank-you card.
💡Use 'with' for the means of recognition, not 'by'.