relative

relative — 形容詞

  • relativepositive
  • more relativecomparative
  • most relativesuperlative

1. measured by comparing it with something else, rather than by looking at it on it

1.形容詞B1
釋義

相對的

透過比較而非獨立判斷的

measured by comparing it with something else, rather than by looking at it on its own

例句

Tyler tried to judge the relative size of the two apartments before choosing one.

Tyler 在選擇前試著判斷兩間公寓的相對大小。

relative + noun (size, value, cost)

The relative cost of living in different cities is something Bao considered before moving.

不同城市的相對生活開銷是 Bao 在搬家前考慮的因素。

同義詞
  • comparative

    more formal and more narrowly tied to explicit comparison of two items

  • proportional

    emphasises a mathematical or direct ratio, while 'relative' is softer

反義詞
  • absolute

    not dependent on comparison; measured on its own terms

文法句型

relative + noun

用法筆記

Typically used before a noun. The noun that follows is usually an abstract quality such as size, value, cost, or importance.

常見錯誤

❌The size is relative of the two houses.
✅The relative size of the two houses is easy to see.
💡'relative' goes before the noun, not after it with 'of'.

2. existing or felt only to a limited degree when measured against a different situ

2.形容詞B2
釋義

相對；有限

程度上有限、非絕對的

existing or felt only to a limited degree when measured against a different situation or standard; not complete or total

例句

After weeks of heavy rain, the village enjoyed a period of relative calm.

連續幾週大雨過後，村莊享受了一段相對平靜的時光。

relative + state noun (calm, peace, quiet)

Greta felt a sense of relative freedom once her final exams were over.

Greta 的期末考結束後，她感受到一種相對的自由。

同義詞
  • comparative

    can be used interchangeably in many contexts, though 'comparative' feels more analytical

  • moderate

    suggests a middle point on a fixed scale, not a comparison to something else

反義詞
  • absolute

    total and complete, not qualified by comparison

  • complete

    full and total, with no limits or conditions

文法句型

relative + noun (of degree/state)

用法筆記

Always implies a contrast. The sense works because the reader understands the opposite — relative calm means the situation could be worse. Frequently paired with state nouns such as peace, calm, safety, comfort, and freedom.

常見錯誤

❌The water is relative warm.
✅The water is relatively warm.
💡When modifying an adjective rather than a noun, use the adverb 'relatively'.

3. describes a pairing of one major and one minor key that use identical sharps and

3.形容詞B2
釋義

關係（調）的

共用相同調號的大小調

describes a pairing of one major and one minor key that use identical sharps and flats in their key signature

例句

C major has A minor as its relative minor key, since both use no sharps or flats.

C 大調的關係小調是 A 小調，因為兩者都沒有升降記號。

relative minor / relative major pairing

The music teacher showed the class how to find the relative minor of any major scale.

音樂老師向全班示範如何找到任何大調音階的關係小調。

同義詞
  • parallel

    a different concept — parallel keys share the same tonic note, not the same key signature

文法句型

relative + minor/major

relative key

用法筆記

Used only in music theory contexts. The term 'relative' here is a fixed technical label — it is not describing a comparison in the ordinary sense.

常見錯誤

❌C major is relative of A minor.
✅A minor is the relative minor of C major.
💡Use 'relative minor/major' as a set phrase, not 'relative of'.

4. changing in amount, degree, or size according to changes in something else; dire

4.形容詞B2
釋義

成比例的

隨其他因素變化而改變

changing in amount, degree, or size according to changes in something else; directly linked to another factor

例句

The amount of tax you pay is relative to your total income for the year.

你繳的稅額與年總收入成比例。

be relative to [sth] — proportional linkage

The stress on the bridge is relative to the weight of the traffic crossing it.

橋樑承受的壓力與通過車輛的重量成比例。

同義詞
  • proportional

    more mathematical and exact; 'relative' is slightly softer and more common in everyday speech

  • commensurate

    more formal, typically used in formal or legal writing

反義詞

文法句型

be relative to [something]

用法筆記

Almost always appears after a linking verb (is, are, remains) and is followed by 'to'. Never placed before a noun in this sense — saying 'a relative tax amount' would mean something else (sense 1).

常見錯誤

❌The price is relative with the demand.
✅The price is relative to the demand.
💡Always use 'to', never 'with' or 'of'.

5. connected with a particular subject, topic, or matter being discussed

5.形容詞C1
釋義

有關的

與特定主題有聯繫

connected with a particular subject, topic, or matter being discussed

例句

The lawyer presented evidence that was relative to the case before the court.

律師提出了與該案件有關的證據。

evidence relative to [case/topic] — formal context

Benjamin could not see how the question was relative to the topic of the lecture.

Benjamin 看不出這個問題與講座主題有何關聯。

同義詞
  • relevant

    the everyday equivalent; 'relative' is more formal and less common

  • pertinent

    even more formal, suggesting essential or highly specific relevance

  • germane

    very formal, used in legal and academic writing

反義詞

文法句型

be relative to [topic/subject]

用法筆記

More formal than the everyday word 'relevant'. Common in legal, academic, and official documents. Always followed by 'to'. Distinguish from sense 4 — this sense is about topical connection, not proportional change.

常見錯誤

❌The documents are relative for the case.
✅The documents are relative to the case.
💡Use 'to', not 'for'.

relative — 名詞