relationship

/rɪˈleɪʃnʃɪp/ (bre, ipa) · /rɪˈleɪʃnʃɪp/ (ame, ipa) · /ri-ˈlā-shən-ˌship/ (ame, mw)

relationship — 名詞

  • relationshipsingular
  • relationshipsplural

1. The way two or more separate things, ideas, or events affect each other or are l

1.名詞B1
釋義

關係；關聯

事物間的聯繫或相互影響

The way two or more separate things, ideas, or events affect each other or are linked together.

例句

Scientists have found a clear relationship between sleep quality and memory retention.

科學家發現睡眠品質與記憶力之間有明確的關係。

relationship between [noun] and [noun]

There appears to be no direct relationship between the two events.

這兩件事之間似乎沒有直接關聯。

no relationship — negated pattern

同義詞
  • connection

    broader and more neutral; a connection can be looser than a relationship

  • link

    suggests a more direct, causal tie between two things

  • correlation

    formal and statistical, used mainly in scientific or research contexts

反義詞

文法句型

relationship between [plural noun] and [plural noun]

用法筆記

Often paired with 'between' when comparing two variables or phenomena, as in 'relationship between X and Y.' The adjective 'direct,' 'inverse,' 'close,' or 'causal' frequently appears before the noun.

常見錯誤

❌There is a relation between smoking and lung cancer.
✅There is a relationship between smoking and lung cancer.
💡For connections between things, 'relationship' is the more natural choice in everyday English.
❌The relationship of stress to disease is well-known.
✅The relationship between stress and disease is well-known.
💡Use 'between X and Y,' not 'of X to Y,' for connections between two things.

2. How individuals, communities, and nations connect and interact with one another

2.名詞A2
釋義

關係；互動

人際、群體或國家間的互動狀態

How individuals, communities, and nations connect and interact with one another over time.

例句

Kabir has built a strong working relationship with his new manager.

Kabir 與新上司建立了穩固的工作關係。

working relationship — professional context

The two countries ended their diplomatic relationship after years of disagreement.

這兩個國家在多年爭執後終止了外交關係。

diplomatic relationship — between countries

同義詞
  • rapport

    emphasises mutual trust and understanding, often in professional settings

  • bond

    implies a deeper emotional attachment formed over time

  • dealings

    more transactional and formal, focusing on exchanges rather than feelings

反義詞
  • estrangement

    a state where people who were once close have become distant

  • hostility

    active opposition or unfriendliness between parties

文法句型

[adjective] relationship with [someone]

relationship between [people/groups]

用法筆記

Commonly paired with adjectives that describe the quality of the connection, such as 'close,' 'good,' 'strained,' 'professional,' or 'working.' For formal or distant interactions, 'diplomatic' or 'business' is used.

常見錯誤

❌I have a good relation with my coworkers.
✅I have a good relationship with my coworkers.
💡For interpersonal connections, 'relationship' is the standard word; 'relation' is rarely used this way.
❌We need to improve our relationship between each other.
✅We need to improve our relationship with each other.
💡'Relationship between X and Y' compares two named groups; 'relationship with' links a subject to one other party.

3. A close romantic or sexual connection between two people who are dating or invol

3.名詞A2
釋義

戀情；交往

兩人之間的浪漫或親密感情連結

A close romantic or sexual connection between two people who are dating or involved with each other.

例句

Sirin and Theo have been in a relationship for nearly three years.

Sirin 和 Theo 交往將近三年了。

in a relationship — common collocation

After dating for six months, Megan and Tyler decided to make their relationship official.

約會六個月後，Megan 和 Tyler 決定公開他們的戀愛關係。

同義詞
  • romance

    focuses more on love and passion than the partnership itself

  • partnership

    more formal; can refer to romantic or business connections

  • affair

    implies a secret or temporary romantic relationship, often outside an existing partnership

反義詞
  • breakup

    the end of a romantic relationship

  • separation

    a period or state of being apart, often before a formal end

文法句型

be in a relationship with [someone]

have a relationship with [someone]

用法筆記

Typically used with the verb 'be in' (be in a relationship) or 'start/end/have a relationship.' For married couples, 'marriage' is more specific and commonly used instead.

常見錯誤

❌They are in a relation.
✅They are in a relationship.
💡'Relation' is never used for romantic partnerships; always use 'relationship.'
❌We have a relationship for two years.
✅We have been in a relationship for two years.
💡Use 'be in a relationship' with duration, not 'have a relationship.'

4. A complicated connection with someone or something that involves both strong pos

4.名詞B2
釋義

愛恨關係

同時喜愛又厭惡的複雜連結

A complicated connection with someone or something that involves both strong positive and strong negative feelings at the same time.

例句

Nala has a love-hate relationship with social media — she loves connecting but hates the distraction.

Nala 對社群媒體又愛又恨——她喜歡聯繫朋友，但討厭因此分心。

love-hate relationship with [something]

Many long-distance runners develop a love-hate relationship with early morning training.

許多長跑選手對清晨訓練都有種又愛又恨的關係。

同義詞
  • mixed feelings

    less intense and more general; describes any combination of positive and negative emotions

  • ambivalence

    formal term for holding conflicting emotions about something at the same time

文法句型

have a love-hate relationship with [someone/something]

用法筆記

Almost always used as the fixed expression 'love-hate relationship.' The compound adjective is hyphenated. This sense rarely appears without the 'love-hate' modifier.

常見錯誤

❌She has a love and hate relationship with her job.
✅She has a love-hate relationship with her job.
💡The compound adjective 'love-hate' requires a hyphen, not 'and.'
❌My relationship with coffee is love-hate.
✅I have a love-hate relationship with coffee.
💡The standard structure places 'love-hate' before 'relationship' as a compound modifier.

5. A connection between people who share the same family, through blood, marriage,

5.名詞B1
釋義

親屬；血緣

因血緣、婚姻或收養形成的家庭聯繫

A connection between people who share the same family, through blood, marriage, or adoption.

例句

Sivan has a close relationship with his cousin, almost like brothers.

Sivan 與表弟關係親密，幾乎像親兄弟一樣。

close relationship — family context

The social worker drew a diagram showing all the family relationships on the tree.

社工人員畫了一張圖，展示族譜上所有的家庭關係。

同義詞
  • kinship

    formal term for family connection, often used in anthropology or legal contexts

  • blood tie

    specifically refers to genetic or birth-family connections

  • family connection

    the most general and neutral alternative

反義詞

文法句型

relationship to [someone]

relationship between [people]

用法筆記

Often followed by 'to' when naming a specific family member (relationship to my grandfather) or 'between' for comparing two people's positions on a family tree. Do not use 'relationship' to refer to the person themselves — use 'relative' instead.

常見錯誤

❌She is a close relationship of mine.
✅She is a close relative of mine.
💡A 'relationship' is the connection itself, not the person you are connected to.
❌What is your relationship with him?' (when asking about family)
✅What is your relationship to him?
💡Use 'to' for family connections.