shadows
shadows — 動詞
- shadowspresent simple I / you / we / they
- shadowses3rd person singular
- shadowsing-ing form
- shadowsedpast simple
1. to move alongside or behind a person or group without their knowledge, watching
跟蹤
暗中觀察或監視某人的行動
to move alongside or behind a person or group without their knowledge, watching what they do and where they go
A private detective shadowed the suspect for three days before making a report.
一名私家偵探跟蹤了嫌疑人三天，才撰寫報告。
shadow + person + for + duration
Adina noticed a stranger shadowing her as she walked through the night market.
Adina 注意到一個陌生人在夜市裡跟蹤她。
The journalist shadowed the politician to every meeting, hoping to catch a secret deal.
那名記者跟蹤政治人物參加每一場會議，希望能抓到祕密交易。
Security cameras shadowed every visitor who entered the bank lobby that afternoon.
監視攝影機跟蹤著那天下午進入銀行大廳的每一位訪客。
inanimate subject (cameras) with shadow
Bao felt nervous when he realized a stranger had been shadowing him for several blocks.
Bao 發現有個陌生人已經跟蹤他好幾個街區時，感到很緊張。
- shadow a suspect
- shadow someone's movements
- secretly shadow
文法句型
shadow + person/group
用法筆記
The object of shadow in this sense is always a person or a group whose movements are being watched without their knowledge.
常見錯誤
2. to spend time beside a skilled worker, watching how they do their job so that yo
見習
跟隨有經驗者觀察學習工作內容
to spend time beside a skilled worker, watching how they do their job so that you can learn to do it yourself
Nikos shadowed a senior nurse at the city hospital for a week before his first shift.
Nikos 在市立醫院跟隨一位資深護理師見習了一週，才開始自己的第一次值班。
shadow + role + for + time period
The new designer shadowed Rafael every day to learn how the team created its spring collection.
新進設計師每天跟著 Rafael 見習，學習團隊如何打造春季系列作品。
Each summer, student chefs shadow the head chef at the hotel kitchen for two months.
每年夏天，實習廚師都會在飯店廚房跟隨主廚見習兩個月。
Devika shadowed the marketing director during the product launch to understand campaign planning.
Devika 在產品發表會期間跟隨行銷總監見習，了解如何規劃活動。
shadow + person + during + event
- shadow a colleague
- job shadow
- shadow a mentor
文法句型
shadow + person/role + (for + time period)
shadow + person + (during + event)
用法筆記
Common in workplace training and internship contexts. Often used in the phrase 'job shadowing' as a noun form.
常見錯誤
3. to cover a surface or area so that it becomes darker because light cannot reach
遮蔽
遮擋光線使物體變暗
to cover a surface or area so that it becomes darker because light cannot reach it fully
Tall buildings shadowed the narrow street, keeping it cool even on hot afternoons.
高大的建築物遮蔽了那條狹窄的街道，即使在炎熱的午後仍然保持涼爽。
The old oak tree shadowed half of the garden, so only ferns and moss grew there.
那棵老橡樹遮蔽了半個花園，因此只有蕨類和苔蘚長在那裡。
Clouds shadowed the beach where children were building sandcastles near the water.
烏雲遮蔽了沙灘，而孩子們正在水邊堆沙堡。
natural subject (clouds, trees) + shadow + place
A large umbrella shadowed the picnic table where Heather sat with her friends.
一把大傘遮蔽了 Heather 和朋友們坐著的野餐桌。
The mountain shadowed the valley below for most of the winter afternoon.
那座山遮蔽了下方的山谷，在冬日午後的大部分時間都是如此。
- trees shadow the garden
- buildings shadow the street
- light up
to make bright
- illuminate
formal, to shine light onto
文法句型
shadow + noun (place/thing)
用法筆記
The subject is usually something physical that blocks light, such as a building, tree, cloud, or mountain.
4. to make a situation less happy or a person feel troubled, as if a dark presence
使陰鬱
給某人的生活帶來陰影或不快樂
to make a situation less happy or a person feel troubled, as if a dark presence is hanging over them
The threat of losing his job shadowed Rafael's every waking moment for several months.
失業的威脅使 Rafael 好幾個月以來無時無刻不感到陰鬱。
Mira's mother grew seriously ill, and sadness shadowed the family's holiday celebrations.
Mira 的母親病重，悲傷為全家人的假期慶祝活動蒙上了陰影。
abstract subject (sadness) + shadow + noun phrase
Ziad felt that a sense of failure had shadowed his efforts since the very first attempt.
Ziad 覺得一種失敗感從第一次嘗試以來就一直籠罩著他的努力。
The memory of the accident shadowed Allison's life for many years after it happened.
那場意外帶來的記憶多年來一直使 Allison 的生活蒙上陰影。
A feeling of regret shadowed the victory celebration at the end of the season.
一種遺憾的感覺使季末的勝利慶祝活動蒙上了陰影。
- shadow someone's life
- shadow one's mood
- a problem shadows
- haunt
stronger, suggests something keeps returning to make someone unhappy
- trouble
more general; shadow implies a continuous, lingering effect
- overshadow
very close in meaning, perhaps slightly more common
文法句型
shadow + noun (person/life/efforts)
常見錯誤
shadows — 名詞
1. a dark shape that appears on a surface when an object blocks the light from reac
影子
物體遮光後投射在表面的黑色輪廓
a dark shape that appears on a surface when an object blocks the light from reaching that area
Mei saw her long shadow on the pavement as she walked home under the streetlights.
Mei 在路燈下走路回家時，看到自己長長的影子映在人行道上。
The tall maple tree cast a wide shadow on the grass where the children liked to play.
那棵高大的楓樹在草地上投下了一大片影子，孩子們很喜歡在那裡玩。
cast/throw + a + shadow
Kwame used his hands to make a rabbit-shaped shadow on the wall for his little sister.
Kwame 用手在牆上做出兔子形狀的影子，逗他妹妹開心。
shadow + of + noun (rabbit-shaped shadow)
Sven watched his shadow stretch across the grass as the sun began to set behind the hills.
Sven 看著自己的影子在草地上拉長，夕陽開始落在山丘後方。
Aoi held a book close to the lamp and saw its shadow on the kitchen wall.
Aoi 把書本靠近檯燈，看到書的影子落在廚房的牆上。
deliberately making a shadow: hold [object] close to light
- cast a shadow
- a long shadow
- a dark shadow
- shadow on the wall
- silhouette
a dark shape or outline seen against a lighter background, not necessarily caused by a light source
- outline
the line around a shape, without the darkness of a shadow
文法句型
shadow + of + noun
cast/throw + a + shadow
用法筆記
Countable noun — you can have one shadow or several shadows. The verb collocates strongly with cast and throw.
常見錯誤
2. a place where light does not fully reach, making it hard to see people or things
陰暗處
光線無法照射到的昏暗地方
a place where light does not fully reach, making it hard to see people or things clearly
Haruto hid in the shadows near the gate, waiting for his friend to arrive.
Haruto 躲在大門附近的陰暗處，等著朋友到來。
in/into + the + shadows (location phrase)
The cat sat quietly in the shadows of the old stone wall, watching the birds fly past.
那隻貓靜靜地坐在舊石牆的陰暗處，看著鳥兒飛過。
A thin figure moved in the shadows behind the night market stalls after closing time.
打烊後，一個瘦削的身影在夜市攤位後方的陰暗處移動。
Minh spotted a pair of bright eyes staring from the shadows beneath the wooden bridge.
Minh 看到一雙明亮的眼睛從木橋下方的陰暗處盯著他看。
location: from the shadows beneath [something]
Tariq shone his flashlight into the shadows of the basement and saw old boxes piled by the wall.
Tariq 把手電筒照向地下室的陰暗處，看到牆邊堆著舊箱子。
- in the shadows
- lurk in the shadows
- shadows of the trees
文法句型
in/into + the + shadows
shadows of + noun
用法筆記
Often used in the plural form shadows to mean a general area of darkness rather than a specific cast shape. Frequently follows in/into.
常見錯誤
3. a darker or slightly swollen patch below a person's eye, typically caused by bei
黑眼圈
眼睛下方因疲勞而出現的暗沉區域
a darker or slightly swollen patch below a person's eye, typically caused by being very tired or unwell
Ananya noticed dark shadows under her eyes after staying up late to study for her exams.
Ananya 熬夜準備考試後，發現自己眼睛下方出現了黑眼圈。
shadows under + possessive + eyes
The flight attendant had dark shadows under her eyes after the long overnight flight from Taipei.
那位空服員在從台北出發的長途夜航班機後，眼睛下方出現了黑眼圈。
Noa tried to hide the shadows under his eyes with a bit of cream before the job interview.
Noa 在面試前試圖用一點遮瑕膏蓋住眼睛下方的黑眼圈。
Mia's shadows under her eyes showed everyone that she had not slept well for days.
Mia 眼睛下方的黑眼圈讓大家都知道她好幾天沒睡好了。
possession: [person]'s shadows under her eyes
Kabir tried using cold tea bags to reduce the shadows under his eyes before the family photo.
Kabir 在拍全家福前試著用冷茶包來減輕眼睛下方的黑眼圈。
- dark shadows
- shadows under the eyes
- shadows from lack of sleep
- dark circles
the most common everyday expression; shadows is slightly more formal or descriptive
文法句型
shadows under + possessive + eyes
用法筆記
Almost always used in the plural (shadows) even though each eye may contribute one dark area. The phrase shadows under your eyes is a fixed expression.
常見錯誤
4. the area very near or beside a larger building, mountain, or other substantial o
鄰近；近旁
靠近較大物體的位置
the area very near or beside a larger building, mountain, or other substantial object
The small café sits in the shadow of the city's tallest skyscraper on the main square.
那間小咖啡館坐落在市中心最高摩天大樓的旁邊。
in/under + the + shadow + of + noun
Elena's house lies in the shadow of the old castle on the hill above the village.
Elena 的房子位於山丘上那座古老城堡的旁邊。
The temple stood in the shadow of the mountain, sheltered from the cold winter winds.
那座寺廟矗立在大山的近旁，不受冬天寒風的侵襲。
Rachid parked his delivery van in the shadow of the market and unloaded crates of fresh fruit.
Rachid 把他的貨車停在市場旁邊，卸下一箱箱新鮮水果。
The bus stop sits in the shadow of the library, so commuters stay dry when it rains.
公車站就在圖書館旁邊，乘客下雨時不會淋溼。
in the shadow of [building] for proximity
- in the shadow of
- under the shadow of
- live in the shadow of
文法句型
in/under + the + shadow + of + noun
用法筆記
Used in the fixed phrase 'in the shadow of' meaning very close to and often overshadowed by a larger structure. The literal blocking of light is not the main idea — proximity is.
常見錯誤
5. an unpleasant situation or feeling that spoils someone's happiness or causes wor
陰影
令人憂慮或不快樂的負面影響
an unpleasant situation or feeling that spoils someone's happiness or causes worry over a period of time
The shadow of war hung over the small town, making everyone feel anxious and afraid.
戰爭的陰影籠罩著那個小鎮，讓每個人都感到焦慮和恐懼。
the shadow + of + noun (abstract)
Amara's father died, and the loss cast a long shadow over her childhood and teenage years.
Amara 的父親過世了，這個失去為她的童年和青少年時期籠罩上了一層長長的陰影。
cast a shadow + over/on + noun (abstract)
Economic uncertainty is casting a shadow across the wedding planning industry this year.
經濟不穩定今年正為婚禮籌劃產業籠罩上一層陰影。
The shadow of debt hung over the Nakamura family for years after they lost their home.
債務的陰影籠罩中村家多年，在他們失去家園之後。
the shadow of + abstract noun (debt, illness, loss)
Lukas's illness cast a shadow over his final year at university, though he still managed to graduate.
Lukas 的病為他的大學最後一年蒙上陰影，不過他仍然順利畢業了。
- cast a shadow over
- the shadow of
- under the shadow of
- a long shadow
文法句型
the shadow + of + noun
cast a shadow + over/on + noun
用法筆記
Always used metaphorically — the subject is an abstract problem (illness, war, debt, grief) that hangs over a person, event, or period of time.
常見錯誤
6. an extremely small amount of something, so tiny that it is barely noticeable or
微量
極少到幾乎無法察覺的數量
an extremely small amount of something, so tiny that it is barely noticeable or almost not there at all
The police found not a shadow of evidence that the suspect had been inside the house.
警方找不到一絲一毫的證據，證明那名嫌疑人曾經進入屋內。
not a + shadow + of + noun (strong negation)
After the apology, there remained not a shadow of anger between the two old friends.
道歉之後，兩位老朋友之間連一絲怒氣都不剩了。
Diego could see a shadow of his old confidence return as he crossed the finish line first.
Diego 在率先衝過終點線時，感覺到一絲過去的自信回來了。
Ritu could see a shadow of doubt in her supervisor's eyes when she presented the new numbers.
Ritu 提交新的數字時，看到主管眼中閃過一絲疑慮。
a shadow of + abstract noun (doubt, hope)
After the audit, not a shadow of suspicion remained about how the charity spent its money.
審計過後，關於這家慈善機構如何使用資金，再也沒有留下半點質疑。
- not a shadow of doubt
- a shadow of a chance
- a shadow of evidence
文法句型
not a + shadow + of + noun
a shadow + of + noun (doubt, evidence, chance)
用法筆記
Commonly used in negative constructions ('not a shadow of doubt/evidence/hope') to emphasize that something is completely absent. In positive constructions, it means a very faint hint of something.
常見錯誤
7. the tiniest amount of uncertainty; the fixed expression that pairs the word 'sha
一絲；微量
極少量的懷疑或不確定
the tiniest amount of uncertainty; the fixed expression that pairs the word 'shadow' with 'doubt' is used to state that something is completely certain.
After seeing the DNA report, the jury knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that the man was guilty.
看到 DNA 報告後，陪審團毫無一絲懷疑地認定那個人有罪。
fixed phrase: beyond a shadow of a doubt
Mei proved without a shadow of a doubt that her engine could run on solar power alone.
Mei 毫無一絲懷疑地證明了她的引擎可以完全靠太陽能運轉。
fixed phrase: without a shadow of a doubt
There was not a shadow of a doubt in Andrew's mind when he chose to study medicine.
Andrew 選擇讀醫科時，心中沒有一絲疑慮。
The test results showed beyond a shadow of a doubt that the water was safe to drink.
檢測結果毫無一絲疑問地證明了那些水可以安全飲用。
- beyond a shadow of a doubt
- without a shadow of a doubt
- not a shadow of a doubt
文法句型
used in phrases 'beyond/without a shadow of a doubt'
用法筆記
Almost always appears in the fixed phrases 'beyond a shadow of a doubt', 'without a shadow of a doubt', or 'not a shadow of a doubt'. Outside these phrases, the simple meaning 'a tiny amount' (sense 6) is used instead.
常見錯誤
8. a person hired to track another person's movements, for instance a detective, sp
跟蹤者
祕密跟隨他人的人
a person hired to track another person's movements, for instance a detective, spy, or private investigator who keeps someone under watch.
The wealthy businessman hired a shadow to follow his son and report where the boy went each night.
那位富商雇用了一名跟蹤者跟在他兒子後面，彙報男孩每晚去處。
collocation: hire a shadow
Femi noticed a shadow tailing his car through three neighbourhoods before losing them at the highway.
Femi 注意到有一名跟蹤者尾隨他的車經過三個街區，直到在高速公路才甩掉對方。
collocation: a shadow tails someone
The police assigned a shadow to watch the suspect's apartment around the clock.
警方指派了一名跟蹤者全天候監視嫌疑犯的公寓。
Nellie felt someone was following her, but she never caught sight of her shadow.
Nellie 感覺有人跟蹤她，但始終沒看到跟蹤者的身影。
- hire a shadow
- a shadow follows/tails someone
- assign a shadow
用法筆記
Often used in crime, espionage, or detective contexts. Usually refers to a person hired to watch someone secretly. Compare with sense 9, which is about learning a job openly.
9. a person who accompanies an experienced worker during daily tasks so they can le
見習生
跟著資深員工學習工作的人
a person who accompanies an experienced worker during daily tasks so they can learn the duties of that worker's position by watching and asking questions.
Tamar spent a week as a shadow for a senior surgeon at the county hospital, watching every operation closely.
Tamar 在縣立醫院當了一星期資深外科醫師的見習生，仔細觀摩每場手術。
collocation: be a shadow for [someone]
Vikram asked his manager if he could work as a shadow for the marketing director during the product launch.
Vikram 問主管能否在新產品發表期間擔任行銷總監的見習生。
The new teacher worked as a shadow for three days before taking over her own classroom.
那位新老師當了三天見習生之後才接掌自己的班級。
Each engineering intern is assigned a shadow for the first month of the training programme.
每位工程實習生在訓練計畫的第一個月都會被指派一名見習對象。
passive: be assigned a shadow
- work as a shadow for
- be a shadow for
- act as a shadow
- assign a shadow
用法筆記
Common in training and education contexts. The activity is called 'job shadowing'. Unlike sense 8, the person being followed knows and has agreed to the arrangement.
10. a place or situation that offers protection from danger, harm, or being seen; of
庇護；掩護
提供保護或躲藏的地方
a place or situation that offers protection from danger, harm, or being seen; often expressed through the phrase "in the shadow of" something that gives safety.
The fishing boats stayed in the shadow of the cliff when the storm passed over the bay.
暴風雨掠過海灣時，漁船停在懸崖的掩護下。
phrase: in the shadow of [something] for protection
The hikers took shelter in the shadow of the cliff during the sudden thunderstorm.
突如其來的雷雨來襲時，登山客們在懸崖的遮蔽下尋求庇護。
The witness lived in the shadow of the police station until the trial was finished.
那名證人在審判結束前一直住在警局的保護下。
Rodrigo kept the injured bird in the shadow of a large bush until it could fly again.
Rodrigo 把那隻受傷的鳥放在大樹叢的遮蔽下，直到牠能再次飛翔。
- in the shadow of
- find shadow
- keep in shadow
文法句型
used in phrase: in the shadow of [something]
用法筆記
This sense is less common in everyday speech and may sound formal or literary. In modern English the idea of 'shadow' as shelter is usually expressed through the phrase 'in the shadow of (something)'.
11. a sight or figure that seems real but has no physical existence, such as a ghost
幻影；鬼魅
不真實的事物，如鬼魂或幻象
a sight or figure that seems real but has no physical existence, such as a ghost, spirit, or imagined shape seen in the dark.
Dario thought he saw a shadow move behind the curtain, but it was only his reflection.
Dario 以為看到窗簾後有個影子在移動，但那只是他的倒影。
An old legend tells of a shadow that roams the castle, the spirit of a knight who died in battle.
古老傳說講述一個鬼魅徘徊於城堡中，是數世紀前戰死的一名騎士的靈魂。
literary use: a shadow = a ghost or spirit
Patients recovering from illness sometimes report seeing shadows at the edge of their vision.
正在康復的病人有時會說在視線邊緣看到幻影。
Harper felt a cold shadow pass through the room, though no one else was there.
Harper 感覺到一股冰冷的鬼影穿過房間，儘管房間裡沒有其他人。
- a shadow appears
- a shadow roams/wanders
- a shadow from the past
- ghost
the common everyday word for a dead person's spirit
- phantom
similar level of formality; something seen or sensed but not real
- apparition
more formal; a visible ghost or supernatural figure
用法筆記
This sense is literary or poetic in modern English. In everyday conversation, 'ghost' or 'spirit' is preferred. Distinguish from sense 1 (literal dark shape) and sense 5 (bad influence on someone's life).
shadows — 形容詞
- shadowspositive
- more shadowscomparative
- most shadowssuperlative
1. describing senior politicians in a country's main opposition party who are each
影子內閣
反對黨中監督政府部門的
describing senior politicians in a country's main opposition party who are each responsible for monitoring and challenging a specific government minister's work, and who would take over that role if their party won the next election.
Diego served as shadow minister for transport for three years before the last election.
Diego 在上次大選前擔任了三年影子交通部長。
shadow minister for [department]
The shadow cabinet will discuss the government's new education plan on Monday.
影子內閣將在週一討論政府的新教育計畫。
shadow cabinet + discuss/meet
Adina became shadow minister for the environment after the party leader changed the team.
黨魁改組團隊後，Adina 成為影子環境部長。
became/appointed shadow minister
Christopher asked the shadow defence minister about new military spending in Parliament yesterday.
Christopher 昨天在國會向影子國防大臣詢問新的軍事支出。
- shadow cabinet
- shadow minister
- shadow chancellor
- shadow secretary of state
文法句型
shadow + [political title]
用法筆記
Always used before a noun (attributive position). Used mainly in British politics with titles such as minister, chancellor, and secretary of state.
常見錯誤
shadows — 慣用語
1. a position or state in which a person or activity is deliberately kept out of pu
避人耳目
刻意不引起公眾注意或遠離鎂光燈
a position or state in which a person or activity is deliberately kept out of public notice, avoiding attention, fame, or scrutiny.
After the scandal broke, the senator chose to stay in the shadows rather than face the press.
醜聞爆發後，那位參議員選擇隱匿起來，不願面對媒體。
stay in the shadows (avoiding public attention)
The wealthy collector had operated in the shadows for decades, buying art through anonymous agents.
那位富有的收藏家幾十年來都以匿名代理人購買藝術品，隱匿行事。
Yumi preferred to work in the shadows, helping her team succeed without claiming any credit.
Yumi 寧可隱身幕後，協助團隊成功而不居功。
A network of volunteers has been operating in the shadows to deliver food to families in need.
一個志工網絡一直在暗地裡運作，為有需要的家庭運送食物。
in the shadows = without public recognition
Kwame stayed in the shadows during the campaign, letting his partner take the spotlight.
Kwame 在競選期間刻意低調，讓搭檔站上鎂光燈焦點。
- stay in the shadows
- remain in the shadows
- operate in the shadows
- work in the shadows
- live in the shadows
- lurk in the shadows
- out of the spotlight
very similar meaning; suggests avoiding public attention specifically
- in obscurity
more formal; being unknown or forgotten
- behind the scenes
working without public recognition, often in a supportive role
- in the spotlight
receiving public attention
- in the limelight
at the centre of public interest
文法句型
in the shadows
stay/remain/live in the shadows
用法筆記
This is a fixed idiomatic expression, always using the plural 'shadows' and the definite article 'the'. The meaning is figurative — it is about obscurity or anonymity, not about actual darkness. The pattern is 'in the shadows' followed by a description of the avoided attention.
常見錯誤
同根字
- shadowy形容詞B2
- shadowing名詞B2
- overshadow動詞B2
- shadowless形容詞C1
- shadowbox動詞C1
- shadower名詞C1
- shadowgraph名詞C2
常見搭配
名詞搭配
- shadow cabinet
- shadow minister
- shadow chancellor
- eye shadows
- shadow government
- shadow economy
副詞搭配
- deeply shadowed
- heavily shadowed
- partially shadowed
常用片語
- cast a shadow
- throw a shadow
- in the shadows
- beyond a shadow of a doubt
- without a shadow of a doubt
- afraid of one's own shadow
- under the shadow of
- a shadow of one's former self
- shadow of a doubt
介系詞搭配
- in the shadow of
- into the shadows
- out of the shadows
- under the shadow of
- beyond a shadow of