second-class
second-class — 形容詞
1. treated or thought of as less important or valuable than other people, often bec
次等的
被視為不如他人的
treated or thought of as less important or valuable than other people, often because of a person's gender, race, or job type
For years, women in that country were treated as second-class citizens and denied the vote.
多年來，該國的女性被當作次等公民對待，沒有選舉權。
collocation: second-class citizen (fixed phrase)
Part-time workers at the factory complained that they received second-class treatment compared to full-time staff.
工廠的兼職員工抱怨說，比起全職員工，他們受到次等對待。
Refugees arriving in the city were made to feel like second-class members of society.
抵達城市的難民感覺自己像社會的次等成員。
Salma refused a second-class role in a project she had helped to create.
Salma 拒絕接受她協助創造的專案中的次要角色。
- inferior
broader meaning; not limited to social status (e.g. inferior product)
- subordinate
implies a rank in a hierarchy rather than unjust treatment
- lesser
more informal, can refer to quality or status
- first-class
the highest status or quality
文法句型
second-class citizen
用法筆記
Almost always appears in the fixed phrase 'second-class citizen(s)' or similar expressions about social status.
常見錯誤
2. describing seats on a train, ship, or aircraft that cost less than first-class a
二等的
較便宜的旅行艙位
describing seats on a train, ship, or aircraft that cost less than first-class and offer basic rather than premium comforts
Tomás booked a second-class seat on the overnight train to Vienna.
Tomás 訂了一張前往維也納的夜間火車二等座車票。
collocation: second-class ticket
The airline upgraded Maeve from a second-class seat to business class at no extra charge.
航空公司將 Maeve 的座位從二等艙免費升級到商務艙。
Second-class cabins on the ferry have comfortable seating but no private bathroom.
渡輪上的二等艙有舒適的座位，但沒有私人衛浴。
Pedro found that second-class seats on the high-speed train were actually quite spacious.
Pedro 發現高鐵的二等座其實相當寬敞。
- standard class
modern UK rail term for what was formerly called second class
- economy class
the equivalent term in air travel
- first-class
more expensive and more comfortable travel class
- business class
premium travel class on aircraft
文法句型
second-class ticket / seat / cabin
用法筆記
In UK rail travel, 'second class' has largely been replaced by 'standard class'. The term is still common for international train and ship travel.
常見錯誤
3. describing a UK postal service that is cheaper than first-class mail and takes l
二類郵件的
英國郵政較慢較便宜的服務
describing a UK postal service that is cheaper than first-class mail and takes longer to arrive, usually two to five working days
Haruto used a second-class stamp for the birthday card to save on postage.
Haruto 用二類郵件寄出生日卡，以節省一些郵資。
collocation: second-class stamp
Second-class mail in the UK takes two or three working days to arrive.
英國的二類郵件通常需要兩到三個工作天才能送達。
Jisoo stuck a second-class stamp on the letter and dropped it in the post box.
Jisoo 貼上二類郵票，把信投入郵筒。
You can send larger parcels by second-class delivery for a significantly lower fee.
較大的包裹可以用二類郵件寄送，費用低很多。
- standard mail
US term for a similar service; less specific to delivery speed
- first-class
faster and more expensive UK postal service
文法句型
second-class post / stamp / mail
用法筆記
This sense is specific to the British postal system. In other countries, similar services may be called 'bulk mail', 'standard mail', or 'economy post'.
4. describing a good degree result from British-style universities, ranking below f
二等學位的
英國大學成績分級中第二高的
describing a good degree result from British-style universities, ranking below first-class honours and split into upper and lower divisions
Eli graduated with an upper second-class degree in history from the University of Bristol.
Eli 以歷史學二級甲等榮譽學位從布里斯托大學畢業。
collocation: upper second-class degree (2:1)
Many graduate jobs in the UK ask for at least a second-class honours degree.
英國許多畢業生工作機會至少要求二等榮譽學位。
Ravindra achieved a lower second-class degree and immediately began applying for entry-level roles.
Ravindra 拿到二級乙等學位後，立刻開始申請初階職位。
A second-class degree is often enough to get into master's programmes at British universities.
二等學位往往足以申請英國大學的碩士課程。
- 2:1 (upper second)
the higher subdivision of a second-class degree
- 2:2 (lower second)
the lower subdivision of a second-class degree
- first-class degree
the highest degree classification
文法句型
second-class degree
second-class honours
用法筆記
British undergraduate degrees are classified: first-class (1st), upper second-class (2:1), lower second-class (2:2), and third-class (3rd). 'Second-class' without a qualifier usually refers to the range including both 2:1 and 2:2.
常見錯誤
5. not as good as expected; of noticeably lower quality compared to what is normal
劣質；平庸
品質低下的
not as good as expected; of noticeably lower quality compared to what is normal or acceptable
The hotel charged top prices but offered second-class service and dirty rooms.
這家飯店收取高價，但提供的服務品質低劣，房間也很髒。
Indra complained that the materials used in the new kitchen were of second-class quality.
Indra 抱怨新廚房使用的材料品質低劣。
pattern: of second-class quality
Critics described the film as a second-class attempt at a thriller with a weak plot.
影評人稱這部電影企圖拍攝驚悚片，但成品平庸，劇情薄弱。
Baraka refused to sell second-class products in his store, even though they cost less.
Baraka 拒絕在他的店裡銷售劣質產品，即使進貨成本更低。
- mediocre
more formal; means neither very good nor very bad
- substandard
below the expected level; often implies failure to meet a standard
- inferior
broader meaning for lower quality or status
- first-class
of the highest quality
- premium
of superior quality, often used for products
文法句型
second-class + noun (product, service, attempt, etc.)
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (INFERIOR STATUS): sense 1 is about how people are treated; sense 5 is about the quality of objects, services, or creative work.
常見錯誤
❌ 'The restaurant had a second-class service and I felt like a second-class citizen.' — These use different meanings. 'Second-class service' (sense 5 = poor quality) vs 'second-class citizen' (sense 1 = treated as less important).
second-class — 副詞
1. travelling in the less expensive section or cabin of a train, ship, or aircraft,
乘坐二等艙
以低價艙位旅行
travelling in the less expensive section or cabin of a train, ship, or aircraft, with basic seating and fewer comforts than first class
Lucas travelled second-class from Paris to Barcelona to keep the trip affordable.
Lucas 從巴黎坐二等座火車到巴塞隆納，以維持旅費預算。
When Yuki first moved to Europe, she always went second-class on the trains between cities.
Yuki 剛搬到歐洲時，在城市之間總是乘坐二等座火車。
The students flew second-class to save money for their accommodation once they arrived.
學生們搭經濟艙以節省費用，把錢留給抵達後的住宿。
Eli travelled second-class and used the savings on the trip for sightseeing.
Eli 這次決定坐二等艙旅行，把省下的錢用於觀光。
- standard class
modern UK rail term
- economy
the equivalent term for air travel
- first-class
travelling in the most expensive and comfortable section
文法句型
travel/go/fly second-class
用法筆記
Used as an adverb after verbs of motion (travel, go, fly, sail). In UK rail, 'standard class' is now the preferred term.
2. sending a letter or parcel using the cheaper and slower UK postal option
以二類郵件
以較慢便宜的英國郵政方式
sending a letter or parcel using the cheaper and slower UK postal option
Salma sent the wedding invitations second-class because the date was still months away.
Salma 用二類郵件寄出婚禮邀請函，因為婚期還早。
You can post that book second-class and it will still arrive within a week.
你可以用二類郵件寄那本書，仍然會在一週內送達。
pattern: send/post something second-class
Jisoo always sends her bills second-class to reduce her monthly postal costs.
Jisoo 總是使用二類郵件寄帳單，以減少每月的郵資開銷。
The company posted the catalogues second-class to keep shipping expenses low.
公司用二類郵件寄出目錄，以降低運輸成本。
- first-class
sending mail by the faster and more expensive UK postal option
文法句型
send/post something second-class
用法筆記
This adverb is used only in British English. In American English, the equivalent concept is 'by standard mail' or 'by bulk mail'.
second-class — 名詞
1. the less expensive type of seating or accommodation on a train, ship, or aircraf
二等艙
較便宜的旅行座艙
the less expensive type of seating or accommodation on a train, ship, or aircraft, offering basic comforts at a lower price than first-class
Indra booked two seats in second-class on the Edinburgh sleeper train for the weekend trip.
Indra 訂了兩張前往愛丁堡的臥鋪火車二等座。
Passengers travelling in second-class can still order hot meals from the dining car.
乘坐二等艙的旅客仍然可以在餐車點熱食。
pattern: in second-class
The fare difference between first-class and second-class on this route is surprisingly small.
這條路線頭等艙和二等艙的票價差異小得驚人。
Tomás prefers to ride in second-class because the atmosphere is more relaxed and friendly.
Tomás 比較喜歡坐二等艙，因為氣氛比較輕鬆友善。
- standard class
modern UK rail term for second-class accommodation
- economy class
equivalent term for air travel
- first-class
the more expensive and comfortable travel option
文法句型
travel in second-class
book second-class
用法筆記
Uncountable: 'travel in second-class' (not 'a second-class'). In British rail, 'standard class' is now the official term, though 'second-class' is still widely understood.
常見錯誤
2. the slower and cheaper mail service in the UK, typically delivering letters with
二類郵件
英國較慢較便宜的郵政服務
the slower and cheaper mail service in the UK, typically delivering letters within two to five working days
Letters sent by second-class can take up to five days to arrive.
用二類郵件寄送的信件可能需要長達五個工作天才能送達。
pattern: by second-class
Baraka posted the documents by second-class to avoid paying the expensive express delivery fee.
Baraka 用二類郵件寄出文件，以避免支付昂貴的快遞費。
You can save money by sending your Christmas cards second-class.
如果你用二類郵件寄聖誕卡，可以省下不少錢。
Second-class in the UK postal system is still reliable, just a little slower than first-class.
英國郵政系統的二類郵件仍然可靠，只是比一類慢一點。
- first-class
faster UK postal service
文法句型
send something by second-class
用法筆記
Used after 'by': 'send it by second-class'. As a noun it is uncountable — you cannot say 'a second-class' meaning the postal service.
3. the second highest group or level in a system of classification, ranking below o
二等；次高
分級制度中第二高的級別
the second highest group or level in a system of classification, ranking below only the top tier
The exam results were divided into first-class, second-class, and pass categories.
考試成績分為優等、二等和及格三個等級。
Haruto's score placed him in the second-class of the national certification exam.
Haruto 的分數讓他名列國家認證考試的二級。
pattern: in the second-class of [system]
The competition awarded gold medals to the top group and silver to the second-class.
比賽頒發金牌給頂尖組別，銀牌給二等組別。
Second-class products are still good but lack premium features.
二等類別的產品仍然不錯，但缺乏頂級產品的一些高階功能。
- second tier
more common in modern business and tech contexts
- grade B
used in product quality ratings
- first-class
the top group or level in a classification system
文法句型
second-class in a classification
用法筆記
This is a general sense used across various classification systems (exams, competitions, product ratings). It is less common than the travel or mail senses.
4. a US and Canadian postal rate category for sending newspapers, magazines, and ot
二類期刊郵件
美加期刊優惠郵資類別
a US and Canadian postal rate category for sending newspapers, magazines, and other periodicals to regular subscribers at a reduced cost
In the United States, magazines are typically mailed using second-class postal rates.
在美國，雜誌通常使用二類期刊郵資寄送。
collocation: second-class postal rates
Newspapers sent by second-class periodicals delivery enjoy a special reduced postage rate.
以二類期刊郵件寄送的報紙享有特別的優惠郵資。
The university library subscribed to academic journals that arrived via second-class mail.
大學圖書館訂閱的學術期刊透過二類郵件寄達。
Yuki learned that American magazines counted as second-class postage material eligible for lower rates.
Yuki 了解到美國雜誌屬於二類郵件，可享有較低費率。
文法句型
by second-class mail
用法筆記
This sense is specific to the US and Canadian postal systems and is rarely used outside professional publishing contexts.