rival
/ˈraɪvl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈraɪvl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈrī-vəl/ (ame, mw) · /ˈraɪ.vəl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈraɪ.vəl/ (ame, ipa)
rival — 名詞
1. a person, company, sports team, or organisation that tries to beat others or do
競爭對手
與自己競爭的人或組織
a person, company, sports team, or organisation that tries to beat others or do better than them in a competition, business deal, or sporting event
Feng's company is the biggest rival of ours in the Asian market.
Feng 的公司是我們在亞洲市場最大的競爭對手。
rival of [someone] — showing the competitor relationship
The two rival gangs had been fighting for control of the neighbourhood for years.
這兩個對立的幫派多年來一直在爭奪對該社區的控制權。
rival as a modifier before a noun: rival gang / rival company
Ayana and Dario have been friendly rivals since they both trained for the Olympics.
Ayana 和 Dario 自從一起為奧運訓練以來，一直是友好的競爭對手。
Their main rival in the election is already ahead in the opinion polls.
他們在選舉中的主要競爭對手已經在民調中領先。
A new café opened across the street, so we have a rival now.
對面開了一家新的咖啡館，所以我們現在有競爭對手了。
- competitor
more neutral; common in business contexts without emotional overtones
- opponent
used for the person you face in a single game, debate, or election
- contender
suggests someone trying to win a title or prize, often in sports
文法句型
rival + noun (as modifier)
rival of/for [someone/something]
用法筆記
Often used before another noun (rival company, rival team, rival gang). Can be modified with adjectives such as bitter, fierce, old, or friendly to indicate the nature of the competition.
常見錯誤
❗ 'He is my rival in chess.' ✅ 'He is my rival at chess.' — use 'at' for games and sports, not 'in'.
rival — 動詞
1. to reach the same level of quality, skill, or beauty as another person or thing
比得上；匹敵
在品質或能力上達到相同水準
to reach the same level of quality, skill, or beauty as another person or thing — for instance, a new smartphone that works as fast as a laptop computer, or a young singer whose voice is just as powerful as an experienced performer’s
The new museum’s collection rivals that of the National Gallery in London.
這家新博物館的收藏品足以媲美倫敦的國家美術館。
pattern: [something] rivals that of [place/thing]
Quinn’s performance on the piano rivalled that of musicians twice her age.
Quinn 的鋼琴演奏水準堪比年紀比她大一倍的音樂家。
No other beach in the area can rival the beauty of Talia’s Cove.
這個區域沒有其他海灘能比得上 Talia 灣的美景。
The restaurant’s homemade pasta rivals the best Italian kitchens in the city.
這間餐廳的手工義大利麵不輸給城裡最好的義大利廚房。
文法句型
[noun] rivals [noun] in [quality]
no [noun] can rival [noun]
用法筆記
This sense describes a comparison of quality, not active competition. It is frequently used in the pattern 'no other [noun] can rival…' or 'X rivals Y in Z.' Unlike the second verb sense, it does not imply that the two parties are directly competing against each other.
常見錯誤
❗ 'She rivals her colleague for the promotion.' ✅ 'She is rivalling her colleague for the promotion.' — the first example sounds like she matches her colleague's quality (sense 1), while the second clearly means they are competing (sense 2).
2. to try to defeat or do better than another person, company, or group in a contes
與…競爭
努力在比賽或商場上擊敗對手
to try to defeat or do better than another person, company, or group in a contest or business situation
Both companies are rivalling each other for the same government contract.
兩家公司正在互相競爭同一份政府合約。
pattern: rival someone for something
Ramón and Cyrus have been rivalling each other in chess tournaments since middle school.
Ramón 和 Cyrus 從中學起就在西洋棋錦標賽中互相較勁。
Two French winemakers are rivalling for the title of best champagne producer.
兩位法國釀酒師正在角逐最佳香檳生產商的頭銜。
The streaming services are all rivalling for viewers’ attention and subscription money.
這些串流服務都在爭取觀眾的注意力和訂閱費用。
- compete with
more common in everyday speech; used for both people and organisations
- vie for
suggests a more intense struggle for the same goal; often used with 'position' or 'title'
- contest
more formal; usually takes a direct object like 'contest a seat / contest an election'
- cooperate with
to work together towards a shared goal instead of trying to beat each other
文法句型
rival [someone] for [something]
rival [someone] in [something]
用法筆記
More common in British English than American English. The typical structure is 'rival someone for something' (the prize or goal) or 'rival someone in something' (the field of competition). Distinguish from sense 1 (MATCH / EQUAL): this sense involves active, direct competition with a goal of defeating the other party.
rival — 形容詞
1. describing a person, group, or thing that is competing against another — for exa
競爭的
處於競爭或對立關係的
describing a person, group, or thing that is competing against another — for example, one sports team facing a different team in a final match, or two companies trying to win the same customers
The two rival teams met in the championship final last Saturday.
這兩支對立的球隊上週六在冠軍決賽中交手。
attributive use: rival team (only before a noun)
Rival companies often try to attract the same talented workers with higher salaries.
互相競爭的公司經常用更高的薪水來吸引同樣優秀的人才。
Rival political parties held three debates on national television before the election.
對立的政黨在選舉前舉行了三場全國電視辯論。
Security guards were posted between the rival fan groups during the match.
比賽期間，保全人員被安排在對立的球迷團體之間。
- allied
working together rather than against each other
- cooperating
acting jointly rather than in competition
文法句型
rival [noun]
rival [noun]s
用法筆記
Only used before a noun (attributive position). You can say 'the rival teams' but NOT 'the teams are rival.' Use 'the teams are rivals' (noun) or 'the teams are competing against each other' instead.
常見錯誤
❗ 'The two companies are rival.' ✅ 'The two companies are rivals.' (noun) OR ✅ 'The two rival companies are competing for customers.' (adjective before noun)