retain

IPA/rɪˈteɪn/
KK[rɪtˈen]IPA/rɪˈteɪn/

retain — 動詞

  • retainpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • retainshe / she / it
  • retainedpast simple
  • retaining-ing form

1. To continue to own, hold, or keep something that you already have, especially wh

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

保留；保有

繼續擁有某物，不失去

To continue to own, hold, or keep something that you already have, especially when there is a risk of losing it or a reason that might cause you to give it up.

例句

Lotte retained all her grandmother's handwritten letters even after three house moves.

Lotte 即使搬了三次家，仍然保留著祖母親筆寫的所有信件。

retain + personal possessions

The company retained its original name despite being bought by a larger firm.

那家公司被大企業收購後，仍保有原本的名稱。

常見搭配
  • retain ownership
  • retain control
  • retain the right
  • retain your job
  • retain your independence
  • retain your dignity
同義詞
  • keep

    less formal and more general; used in everyday situations

  • hold on to

    informal phrasal verb; emphasises preventing loss

  • maintain

    focuses on keeping something at the same level or condition

反義詞
  • lose

    to no longer have something you once possessed

  • give up

    to intentionally stop having something

文法句型

retain + noun phrase (possession/right/property)

用法筆記

Often used with nouns like 'right', 'ownership', 'control', 'dignity', 'independence', or 'reputation' — things that can be lost or taken away. More formal than 'keep'.

常見錯誤

I retained a new phone from the store.
I bought a new phone from the store.
'Retain' means to continue having something you already own, not to acquire something new.

2. Describes a material's ability to keep heat, liquid, or flavour inside itself wi

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

保持；留住

物質持續含有熱量或水分等

Describes a material's ability to keep heat, liquid, or flavour inside itself without letting it leak or disappear.

例句

A thick woollen jumper retains body heat far better than a thin cotton shirt.

一件厚羊毛毛衣比薄棉襯衫更能留住身體的熱量。

retain + heat (materials comparison)

Clay soil retains moisture much longer than sandy soil during a dry spell.

黏土在乾旱期間比沙土能保持更久的濕氣。

常見搭配
  • retain heat
  • retain moisture
  • retain water
  • retain warmth
  • retain flavour
  • retain its temperature
同義詞
  • hold

    simpler and more common; less specific to materials

  • keep in

    phrasal verb; emphasises preventing escape, e.g. 'keep in heat'

反義詞
  • release

    to let something escape, e.g. 'release heat'

  • lose

    commonly used with heat or moisture: 'lose heat'

文法句型

retain + heat / moisture / water / flavour

用法筆記

Subject is usually a type of material, fabric, container, or surface. Object is typically a physical property such as heat, moisture, water, aroma, or flavour.

常見錯誤

The paper towel retained all the water after I used it.
The paper towel absorbed all the water.
'Absorb' is for taking liquid in; 'retain' is for holding liquid that is already inside.

3. To pay a sum of money in advance to a lawyer, solicitor, or law firm so that the

3.動詞及物C1
釋義

預聘

預先付費聘用律師

To pay a sum of money in advance to a lawyer, solicitor, or law firm so that they are available to give legal advice or represent you when needed.

例句

The Hernandez family retained a lawyer to handle their immigration case.

Hernandez 一家人預聘了一位律師來處理他們的移民案件。

Before launching the lawsuit, Esteban retained a defamation specialist.

提起訴訟前，Esteban 預聘了一位誹謗官司的專家。

retain + legal expert

常見搭配
  • retain a lawyer
  • retain an attorney
  • retain legal counsel
  • retain a solicitor
  • retain a law firm
  • retain specialist advice
同義詞
  • engage

    formal synonym that works for lawyers and other professionals

  • hire

    more general; less formal; can be used for lawyers too but lacks the 'advance payment' nuance

反義詞
  • dismiss

    to stop using the services of a lawyer

  • fire

    informal; to end someone's employment or services

文法句型

retain + legal professional / law firm

用法筆記

Restricted to legal and professional contexts. The advance payment is called a 'retainer'. Do not use this sense for hiring other types of professionals — use 'hire' or 'engage' instead.

常見錯誤

I retained a plumber to fix the leak.
I hired a plumber to fix the leak.
This sense of 'retain' is specifically for lawyers and legal professionals, not for general tradespeople or service providers.

4. To keep information, facts, or memories in your mind for a period of time rather

4.動詞及物C1
釋義

記住；牢記

記得或牢記在心中

To keep information, facts, or memories in your mind for a period of time rather than forgetting them.

例句

Elderly patients sometimes struggle to retain new information after major surgery.

年長病患在大手術後有時難以記住新資訊。

retain + information

Tariro found it difficult to retain all the vocabulary for her Japanese exam.

Tariro 發現要記住日語考試的所有單字很困難。

常見搭配
  • retain information
  • retain knowledge
  • retain facts
  • retain details
  • retain what you learned
  • difficult to retain
  • easy to retain
同義詞
  • remember

    more common in everyday speech; less emphasis on holding over time

  • memorise

    suggests an active effort to commit something to memory

  • keep in mind

    less formal; suggests remembering to consider something

反義詞
  • forget

    to no longer have something in your memory

文法句型

retain + information / facts / details / knowledge

用法筆記

Used especially in educational or cognitive contexts. Stronger than 'remember' — it implies not just recalling but holding the information over time. Object is usually abstract: 'information', 'facts', 'details', 'knowledge', 'what someone learned'.

常見錯誤

I retained that today is Wednesday.
I remembered that today is Wednesday.
'Retain' is for sustained knowledge over time, not for recalling simple routine information.

5. To continue to have a particular position, job, title, or physical feature, espe

5.動詞及物C1
釋義

留住；維持

保持原有位置或特徵

To continue to have a particular position, job, title, or physical feature, especially when change or loss is expected.

例句

The old theatre retained its original Art Deco ceiling after the renovation.

翻修後，這間老戲院仍保留著原有的裝飾藝術天花板。

retain + architectural feature

Jude retained his position as team captain despite the poor season results.

儘管球隊戰績不佳，Jude 仍然留住球隊隊長的職位。

常見搭配
  • retain a position
  • retain a title
  • retain a feature
  • retain its character
  • retain its popularity
  • retain your post
  • retain your status
同義詞
  • keep

    simpler and more general; 'retain' is more formal

  • hold on to

    informal; emphasises effort against pressure to change

  • preserve

    used for features, qualities, or buildings; suggests active protection

反義詞
  • lose

    to no longer have a position or feature

  • give up

    to intentionally stop having or doing something

文法句型

retain + position / title / feature / character

用法筆記

Often used in passive constructions ('the building was retained as a museum') or with abstract qualities ('retain its charm, character, appeal'). The focus is on resisting change.

常見錯誤

The company retained a new marketing manager.
The company hired a new marketing manager.
'Retain' means to keep someone who is already in position, not to bring in someone new.