respectable
/rɪˈspektəbl/ (bre, ipa) · /rɪˈspektəbl/ (ame, ipa) · /ri-ˈspek-tə-bəl/ (ame, mw)
respectable — 形容詞
- respectablepositive
- more respectablecomparative
- most respectablesuperlative
1. Behaving and dressing in ways that match what most people in a community conside
體面；正派
行為品德符合社會規範的
Behaving and dressing in ways that match what most people in a community consider proper and morally right — for example, being honest at work, polite to neighbours, and dressing neatly in public.
Hugo always wears a suit to job interviews because he wants to look respectable.
Hugo 去面試時總是穿西裝，因為他想讓自己看起來體面。
look + respectable (appearance-based impression)
The charity event attracted only the most respectable families in the town.
那場慈善活動只邀請了鎮上最正派的家庭參加。
Padma comes from a hardworking, respectable background and has never been in trouble.
Padma 出身於一個勤奮正派的家庭，從來沒惹過麻煩。
It is not considered respectable to shout at shop assistants in this country.
在這個國家，對著店員大吼大叫被認為是不體面的行為。
The neighbours kept their garden tidy so the street would look respectable.
鄰居們把花園整理得很整齊，這樣整條街看起來才體面。
- decent
slightly broader; can describe a person or action that meets basic moral standards without the same emphasis on social judgement
- honourable
stronger moral weight; suggests high ethical principles rather than just social acceptability
- upright
more formal and less common; stresses moral integrity and honesty
- reputable
focuses on the good reputation a person or organization holds in the community
- presentable
narrower — only about appearance being neat enough, not about overall character or behaviour
- disreputable
the direct opposite; describes someone with a bad reputation or morally questionable behaviour
- shameful
describes an action or behaviour that brings social disapproval, rather than a person's overall standing
文法句型
respectable + noun
be + respectable
seem/look/appear + respectable
用法筆記
Describes a person's behaviour, appearance, or reputation as meeting society's basic moral standards. Commonly used with verbs like 'seem', 'look', 'appear', and 'consider'. Not typically applied to objects or abstract concepts outside of character judgement.
常見錯誤
2. Of a quantity, size, or result: large enough or good enough to be seen as satisf
相當；可觀
數量或品質達到可接受標準的
Of a quantity, size, or result: large enough or good enough to be seen as satisfactory, even if not excellent — for example, a salary that covers your needs, a score that shows you tried hard, or a profit that keeps the business going.
Bao earned a respectable salary at the factory, enough to support his parents.
Bao 在工廠有一份相當不錯的薪水，足夠撫養父母。
collocation: respectable salary
The team finished the season with a respectable record of twelve wins and seven losses.
這支球隊以十二勝七敗的可觀戰績結束了球季。
Ramón scored a respectable number of points on the exam but did not win.
Ramón 考試拿到了相當不錯的分數，但沒有獲勝。
The small café made a respectable profit in its first year of business.
這家小咖啡廳開業第一年就賺到了可觀的利潤。
We had a respectable turnout at the community meeting — nearly half the residents came.
社區會議來了相當多人參加——將近一半的居民都到了。
- decent
very similar in meaning for quantity/quality; 'a decent salary' and 'a respectable salary' are nearly interchangeable
- reasonable
focuses on fairness rather than sufficiency; 'a reasonable price' is fair, while 'a respectable price' suggests an adequate amount
- adequate
more neutral; just enough to meet needs without the positive connotation of 'respectable'
- fair
often used for sizes and amounts to suggest they are acceptably large
文法句型
respectable + [amount/size/score/profit]
a + respectable + noun
用法筆記
Only used with nouns that express quantity, size, outcome, or achievement — NOT with generic concrete nouns like 'chair' or 'book'. A 'respectable meal' is possible (good enough quality), but 'a respectable table' is not. Always describes something that could be measured or evaluated against a standard.
常見錯誤
respectable — 名詞
1. A person who follows society's moral rules and is seen as having good character,
正派人
被社會視為品德良好的人
A person who follows society's moral rules and is seen as having good character, often used in a slightly ironic or questioning way when talking about who 'counts' as morally acceptable.
The club was once where the respectable of the city gathered for dinner.
這間俱樂部曾是城裡體面人士聚餐的地方。
Salma's grandparents were solid respectables who never missed a Sunday service.
Salma 的祖父母是那種從不缺席主日禮拜的標準正派人。
plural: respectables
The so-called respectables in town ignored the poor living conditions of workers.
鎮上那些所謂的正派人士，對工人惡劣的生活條件視而不見。
Folake was raised to be one of the respectables, always polite and neatly dressed.
Folake 從小就被教導要當個體面人，總是彬彬有禮、衣著整潔。
- pillar of the community
a set phrase used for a highly respected, active member of a local society
- the establishment
broader and more political; refers to the group in power rather than just morally upright people
文法句型
the respectable (as a class)
respectables (plural)
用法筆記
This noun usage is somewhat dated or formal in modern English. It most often appears in the plural form 'the respectable' (as a collective group) and can carry a mildly critical or ironic tone, implying the speaker questions that group's moral authority. More common in literary or historical writing than in everyday speech.