security
/sɪˈkjʊərəti/ (bre, ipa) · /sɪˈkjʊrəti/ (ame, ipa) · /si-ˈkyu̇r-ə-tē -ˈkyər-/ (ame, mw)
security — 名詞
1. ways of keeping people, buildings, or countries safe from crime, attacks, or oth
安全；保全
保護人或物免受犯罪威脅的措施
ways of keeping people, buildings, or countries safe from crime, attacks, or other threats.
The airport tightened security after a suspicious bag was left near the check-in desks.
機場在報到櫃檯附近發現可疑行李後，加強了安全措施。
tightened security — increased protective measures after an incident
Our apartment building has round-the-clock security with cameras in the lobby and hallways.
我們的大樓有全天候的保全系統，大廳和走廊都裝了監視器。
round-the-clock security — continuous protection
National security concerns led the government to increase passport checks at the border.
國家安全方面的考量促使政府在所有邊境增加護照檢查。
Simple home security measures like good locks and bright lights can stop burglars.
良好的門鎖和明亮的燈光這類簡單居家安全措施，可以防止竊賊入侵。
- safety
focuses on the state of being free from harm; security emphasises the measures taken to achieve that state
- protection
broader term covering any act of keeping someone safe; security often implies organised systems
- defence
implies active resistance against a threat, whereas security is more about prevention
文法句型
security + against/threats
national/personal/home/airport security
用法筆記
Commonly appears in compound nouns such as security guard, security camera, security system, and security check. Uncountable — do not use with an indefinite article.
常見錯誤
2. the people whose job is to guard a building, event, or area and make sure nobody
保全；警衛
負責保護建物或活動的工作人員
the people whose job is to guard a building, event, or area and make sure nobody enters without permission.
The security guards at the front desk asked Christopher to show his ID card.
前台的保全人員請克里斯多福出示他的證件。
security guard — common compound noun for a person in this role
Felix called building security when he noticed a stranger near the basement door.
費利克斯在地下室門邊發現一個陌生人，於是打電話給大樓保全。
Security at the concert venue checked every bag before letting people through the gates.
演唱會場地的保全人員在觀眾入場前檢查了每一個包包。
The museum hired extra security for the new exhibition of rare Japanese paintings.
博物館為了新的日本珍貴畫作展覽，加派了額外的保全人員。
- guards
more specific — refers to individual people rather than the team as a whole
- security personnel
more formal register, often used in official notices or reports
文法句型
security + singular verb
building/event/venue security
用法筆記
When referring to the people rather than the concept, this sense behaves as a collective noun and takes a singular verb. Example: 'Security is checking all bags.'
常見錯誤
3. the condition of having a steady income or job that is not at risk, so you can p
保障；穩定
工作或財務穩固、不易失去
the condition of having a steady income or job that is not at risk, so you can plan for the future without worry.
After ten years with the same company, Soraya finally felt some job security.
在同一家公司待了十年之後，索拉雅終於感受到一些工作保障。
collocation: job security
Many people choose jobs in public service because they offer greater financial security.
許多人選擇公共服務的工作，因為這類工作提供較好的財務保障。
collocation: financial security
The economic downturn made workers worry about the security of their pensions.
經濟衰退讓勞工擔心他們退休金的保障問題。
Owning your own home can give you a sense of security that renting does not.
擁有自己的房子可以給你一種租房沒有的踏實感。
- insecurity
the state of not being sure about keeping your job or income
- instability
a situation that is likely to change or fail
文法句型
job/employment/financial security
sense of security
security of + noun phrase
用法筆記
Commonly occurs in the fixed phrases 'job security' and 'financial security.' Uncountable — do not precede with 'a' or 'an.'
常見錯誤
4. property that a borrower leaves with a lender until a debt is fully paid, and wh
抵押品；擔保
借款時作為保證的財產
property that a borrower leaves with a lender until a debt is fully paid, and which the lender may keep if the borrower fails to pay.
The bank asked Nikhil to use his house as security for the business loan.
銀行要求尼基爾用他的房子作為商業貸款的抵押品。
pattern: use [asset] as security for [loan]
If you cannot repay the loan, the lender can take the security you offered.
如果你無法償還貸款，貸款機構可以沒收你提供的抵押品。
The jeweller kept the gold watch as security until the customer paid the full price.
珠寶商保管那隻金錶作為擔保，直到顧客付清全額。
Piotr used his motorcycle as security for a loan to start his food business.
彼得用自己的摩托車作為餐飲創業貸款的擔保品。
- collateral
the standard technical term in banking for property pledged against a loan
- guarantee
broader term that can also refer to a promise rather than physical property
文法句型
use [asset] as security for [loan]
provide/offer security
as security
用法筆記
Common in legal and banking contexts. The phrase 'as security for [a loan]' is a standard construction. The borrower is the one who 'provides' or 'offers' security.
常見錯誤
5. tradable financial assets, such as shares in companies or bonds issued by govern
證券
可在市場買賣的股票與債券
tradable financial assets, such as shares in companies or bonds issued by governments, that investors buy to earn income.
The investment firm advised clients to put their money into government securities.
那家投資公司建議客戶把資金投入政府證券。
common collocation: government securities
Apinya bought a mix of securities, including company shares and government bonds.
阿萍雅購買了多種證券，包括公司股票和政府債券。
These securities can be sold quickly on the stock market if the investor needs cash.
如果投資人需要現金，這些證券可以在股票市場上快速賣出。
The value of mortgage-backed securities fell sharply during the financial crisis of 2008.
房貸擔保證券的價值在 2008 年金融危機期間大幅下跌。
- stocks
refers specifically to shares in companies, not bonds or other instruments
- bonds
a specific type of security that represents debt rather than ownership
- financial instruments
a broader formal term that includes derivatives and other complex products
文法句型
government/corporate securities
trade in securities
securities market
用法筆記
In financial contexts, this sense almost always appears in the plural form 'securities.' Common types include government securities, corporate securities, and mortgage-backed securities.
常見錯誤
6. knowing that you are safe, accepted, and cared for by your family or the people
安全感
在關係或家庭中感到安心被接納
knowing that you are safe, accepted, and cared for by your family or the people close to you.
Children need emotional security to grow up feeling confident and happy.
孩子需要情感上的安全感，才能自信快樂地成長。
A loving home gives most people a sense of security they carry through life.
充滿愛的家庭讓大多數人擁有一種終身受用的安全感。
phrase: a sense of security
Karim found emotional security in his close friendships after moving to a new city.
卡里姆在搬到新城市後，從親密的友誼中找到了情感上的安全感。
The loving support of his grandparents gave Takeshi a deep sense of emotional security.
祖父母的關愛與支持，給了武志深厚的情感安全感。
- reassurance
the act of being made to feel less worried; security is a more stable, ongoing state
- comfort
a broader term for physical or emotional ease; security adds a sense of safety from harm
- insecurity
the feeling of not being good enough or not being loved or accepted
- anxiety
a feeling of worry or unease, often about relationships or acceptance
文法句型
emotional security
sense of security
security in [relationship/family]
用法筆記
Often occurs in the phrase 'sense of security' in psychological or relational contexts. Distinguished from sense 3 (financial) by its focus on relationships and emotional well-being rather than money or employment.