shape
shape — 動詞
- shapepresent simple I / you / we / they
- shapes3rd person singular
- shaping-ing form
- shapedpast simple
1. to play a strong part in deciding how something abstract develops — for example,
形塑；影響
對想法、性格或發展走向產生形成性影響
to play a strong part in deciding how something abstract develops — for example, how a person's character grows, what a country's policies become, or which beliefs a group ends up holding.
Caleb says his grandmother's stories about the war shaped his views on peace.
Caleb 說奶奶講的戰爭故事形塑了他對和平的看法。
shape + noun (views / beliefs)
The two years Kemi spent teaching in rural Kenya shaped her sense of purpose.
Kemi 在肯亞鄉村教書的那兩年形塑了她的人生目標感。
subject is a formative experience or period
Public anger over the new tax has shaped the debate in parliament this month.
民眾對新稅的不滿這個月形塑了國會裡的辯論走向。
Diego believes a strict piano teacher in his childhood shaped the musician he is today.
Diego 認為小時候那位嚴格的鋼琴老師塑造了今天的他這位音樂家。
Climate concerns are shaping the way younger voters in Taiwan think about politics.
氣候議題正在形塑台灣年輕選民看待政治的方式。
文法句型
shape + noun (belief / opinion / future / character)
用法筆記
Subject is usually an experience, event, force, or person with influence; object is usually abstract — a belief, opinion, future, debate, character, or career. Often appears in the perfect tense ('has shaped', 'have been shaped by') when reflecting on causes after the fact.
常見錯誤
2. to push, press, or cut a flexible material so that it ends up with a particular
塑形；整型
把現有材料調整成特定外型或輪廓
to push, press, or cut a flexible material so that it ends up with a particular outline — for example, bending a wire ring around a finger or pressing a hat brim until it curves the right way.
Yan shaped the warm copper wire into a small ring for his sister.
Yan 把溫熱的銅線彎成一只小戒指送給妹妹。
shape + material + into + result object
The hatmaker carefully shaped the felt brim around a wooden block.
製帽師傅小心地把毛氈帽簷在木製模型上塑出弧度。
shape + flexible material + around + mould
Ilan shaped his beard into a neat point before the wedding photos.
婚禮拍照前，Ilan 把鬍子修整成一個俐落的尖端。
The new running shoes are shaped to fit the curve of your foot.
這雙新跑鞋的形狀貼合腳掌的弧度。
Élise shaped the soft leather collar to sit flat against her dog's neck.
Élise 把柔軟的皮項圈調整成能服貼她家狗脖子的形狀。
文法句型
shape + noun + into + noun
shape + noun + to fit + noun
用法筆記
Object is usually a flexible material that already exists (wire, felt, leather, hair). Distinguish from sense 3, where 'shape' creates a new object out of raw substance — sense 2 only adjusts the outline of something already there.
常見錯誤
3. to take a soft or workable substance such as clay, dough, or stone and turn it i
塑造；捏製
用黏土、麵團等材料親手做出物件
to take a soft or workable substance such as clay, dough, or stone and turn it into a finished object by hand or with simple tools — for example, making a bowl out of wet clay or a small statue from a block of wood.
Kian shaped a small clay bowl on the wheel during his pottery class.
Kian 在陶藝課上用拉坯機做出一個小陶碗。
shape + finished object (from raw material context)
Saira shaped the bread dough into round loaves and left them to rise.
Saira 把麵團捏成一個個圓形麵包後放著發酵。
shape + raw material + into + result objects
The carver shaped a small horse from a single block of cherry wood.
雕刻師用一整塊櫻桃木刻出一匹小馬。
Children at the museum shaped tiny pots out of grey river clay.
博物館裡的小朋友用灰色河泥捏出一個個小陶罐。
Sirin shaped the snow into a fat snowman with a long carrot nose.
Sirin 把雪堆成一個胖胖的雪人，還插了一根長長的紅蘿蔔當鼻子。
文法句型
shape + noun (the object made)
shape + noun + from / out of + raw material
用法筆記
Object is the finished thing being made (a bowl, a loaf, a statue), and the raw substance is named with 'from' or 'out of'. Compare with sense 2: in sense 3 the substance is essentially formless (clay, dough, snow) until shaping creates a new object; in sense 2 the material already has a form and only its outline is adjusted.
常見錯誤
shape — 名詞
- shapesingular
- shapesplural
1. what something looks like in terms of its outline — for example, whether it is r
形狀；外形
物體外輪廓的樣子（圓、方等）
what something looks like in terms of its outline — for example, whether it is round, square, long, or curved.
Christopher drew a cloud in the shape of a rabbit on the window.
Christopher 在窗戶上畫了一朵兔子形狀的雲。
in the shape of [noun]
The cookies came out of the oven in funny twisted shapes.
餅乾從烤箱裡拿出來時，形狀都歪歪扭扭、很有趣。
Bao noticed that every leaf on the maple tree had a slightly different shape.
Bao 注意到楓樹上每片葉子的形狀都略有不同。
The vase had an elegant shape, narrow at the bottom and wide at the top.
這個花瓶外形優雅，下窄上寬。
- form
more abstract; can refer to internal structure too
- appearance
broader — covers colour and texture as well as outline
- outline
focuses only on the outer edge or silhouette
文法句型
the shape of [noun]
用法筆記
Subject is usually a physical object whose outline can be described. Distinguish from sense 2, which names a specific geometric figure (circle, square) rather than the appearance of one particular thing.
常見錯誤
2. a flat or solid figure such as a circle, square, triangle, or cube, defined by t
圖形
圓形、方形等具名的幾何圖形
a flat or solid figure such as a circle, square, triangle, or cube, defined by the lines or edges that surround it.
Shirin's two-year-old daughter is learning to name basic shapes like circles and triangles.
Shirin 兩歲的女兒正在學認圓形、三角形等基本圖形。
On the worksheet, students had to match each shape with its correct name.
在學習單上，學生要把每個圖形和正確的名稱配對。
Mateus traced the hexagon shapes on the bathroom floor tiles with his finger.
Mateus 用手指描摹浴室地板瓷磚上的六邊形圖形。
Eshe cut the paper into different shapes for the art project.
Eshe 把紙剪成不同的圖形來做美勞作品。
用法筆記
Always countable in this sense — you say 'a shape' or 'shapes'. Typically refers to named geometric figures, often introduced to children or in maths class.
3. the outline of a person's body, especially how slim, curved, or muscular it look
身材；體形
人身體的外形輪廓
the outline of a person's body, especially how slim, curved, or muscular it looks.
Caio's swimming routine has really changed the shape of his shoulders.
Caio 的游泳訓練讓他肩膀的線條改變很多。
the shape of [body part]
The dress was tailored to fit Diya's shape perfectly.
這件洋裝是依 Diya 的身材剪裁的，非常合身。
possessive + shape (body outline)
After six months at the gym, Gabriel was happy with his new shape.
在健身房練了半年後，Gabriel 對自己的新身材很滿意。
The coat hides her shape under thick layers of wool.
厚厚的羊毛大衣把她的身材完全藏了起來。
用法筆記
Refers to body outline rather than the face. Often appears with possessives ('her shape', 'his shape'). Distinguish from sense 6/7, which talk about physical fitness rather than visual outline.
4. someone or something visible only as a vague outline because the light is dim or
模糊身影
因光線或距離而看不清楚的人或物
someone or something visible only as a vague outline because the light is dim or the distance is too great — for example, a figure moving in fog.
Through the morning mist, Rin saw a tall shape walking towards the lighthouse.
在晨霧中，Rin 看見一個高高的身影朝燈塔走來。
Astrid noticed dark shapes circling high above the cliffs — probably eagles.
Astrid 看到懸崖上空有黑色身影盤旋——應該是老鷹。
A small shape moved behind the curtain, and the children held their breath.
一個小小的身影在窗簾後面動了一下，孩子們屏住了呼吸。
From the boat, the island was just a grey shape on the horizon.
從船上看，那座島只是地平線上一個灰色的影子。
- figure
interchangeable here; slightly more often used for human outlines
- silhouette
specifically a dark outline against a bright background
- form
literary; suggests an even less defined outline
用法筆記
Often appears with adjectives like 'dark', 'shadowy', 'vague', or 'tall' that hint at what the speaker can or cannot see. The speaker's inability to see clearly is the key feature.
5. the way that something is arranged, run, or set up — its overall character rathe
性質；樣貌
事物整體的安排、走向或本質
the way that something is arranged, run, or set up — its overall character rather than its outline.
Asher worried about the shape of the new economy after the factory closed.
工廠關閉後，Asher 開始擔心新經濟的整體樣貌。
the shape of + abstract noun
The minister promised to announce the shape of next year's school reforms on Friday.
部長承諾週五會公布明年學校改革的大致樣貌。
the shape of + plan / policy
Two months in Kyoto changed the shape of Salma's daily routine.
在京都待了兩個月，改變了 Salma 日常生活的樣貌。
Nobody at the meeting could agree on the shape of the company's future.
會議上沒有人能對公司未來的樣貌取得共識。
Owen sketched out the rough shape of the wedding ceremony for his parents.
Owen 為父母大致勾勒出婚禮的進行樣貌。
文法句型
the shape of + noun
用法筆記
Object is almost always abstract (a plan, policy, deal, economy, debate, agreement). Distinguish from noun/1 and noun/3, which describe physical form.
常見錯誤
6. how fit, healthy, or well-functioning a person or thing is right now — usually q
狀態；狀況
人或事物當下的健康或運作情況
how fit, healthy, or well-functioning a person or thing is right now — usually qualified by a word like 'good', 'bad', 'poor', or 'terrible'.
After the marathon, Tara was in surprisingly good shape and went straight to dinner.
跑完馬拉松，Tara 的狀態出奇地好，直接去吃晚餐了。
in + good / bad + shape
The old wooden bridge by the lake is in poor shape and unsafe.
湖邊那座老木橋狀況很差，已經不安全了。
applied to objects, not just people
Élise's grandmother is in remarkable shape for someone aged eighty-seven.
以八十七歲的年紀來說，Élise 的奶奶狀態好得驚人。
The accountant warned that the company's finances were in terrible shape.
會計師警告，公司的財務狀況非常糟糕。
Jiwoo woke up in bad shape after only three hours of sleep.
只睡了三小時，Jiwoo 起床時狀態很差。
文法句型
in + adjective + shape
in shape
out of shape
用法筆記
Almost always preceded by 'in' plus an adjective (good, bad, poor, terrible, great). Distinguish from noun/7, which means specifically GOOD condition without needing an adjective.
常見錯誤
7. good physical fitness, especially the level you reach by exercising regularly; t
體能良好
身體健壯、有運動習慣的狀態
good physical fitness, especially the level you reach by exercising regularly; the opposite is 'out of shape'.
Lucía cycles to the bakery every morning to stay in shape.
Lucía 每天早上騎腳踏車去麵包店，藉此保持體能。
stay / keep in shape (no adjective)
Two months on the sofa left Christopher badly out of shape.
在沙發上躺了兩個月，Christopher 的體能嚴重退步。
out of shape — opposite
The coach told Kian he had six weeks to get in shape before tryouts.
教練告訴 Kian，他有六週時間把體能練回來，準備選拔。
Zuri runs three times a week and is in much better shape than her brother.
Zuri 一週跑步三次，體能比她哥哥好得多。
Climbing stairs in Lisbon is a cheap way to get back in shape after winter.
在里斯本爬樓梯，是冬天過後便宜又能練回體能的方式。
- out of shape
direct opposite phrase
文法句型
in shape
out of shape
get / stay / keep in shape
用法筆記
Used without an adjective, 'in shape' on its own already means fit; 'out of shape' means unfit. Distinguish from noun/6, where 'shape' is neutral and needs an adjective like 'bad' or 'good' to give it meaning.
常見錯誤
8. used in the fixed phrase 'all shapes and sizes' to mean a wide variety of types,
種類；樣式
用於片語表示各式各樣
used in the fixed phrase 'all shapes and sizes' to mean a wide variety of types, kinds, or examples of something.
The shelter takes in dogs of all shapes and sizes, from tiny puppies to old greyhounds.
這家收容所收留各種大小品種的狗，從小幼犬到老灰狗都有。
fixed phrase: of all shapes and sizes
Reuben's pottery class attracts students of all shapes and sizes.
Reuben 的陶藝課吸引了形形色色的學生。
Kindness comes in all shapes and sizes — even a small smile counts.
善意有各式各樣的形式——一個微笑也算。
The market sold tomatoes in all shapes and sizes, some no bigger than a coin.
市場上賣的番茄各式各樣，有些只比硬幣大一點。
文法句型
[noun] of all shapes and sizes
in all shapes and sizes
用法筆記
Almost always appears in the fixed phrase 'of all shapes and sizes' or 'in all shapes and sizes'. Outside this phrase, the 'many types' meaning is rare and sounds unnatural.
常見錯誤
9. used in the emphatic phrase 'in any shape or form' to stress that something is n
任何形式
用於否定片語強調毫無例外
used in the emphatic phrase 'in any shape or form' to stress that something is not allowed or not present in any version at all.
Élise refuses to accept gifts from suppliers in any shape or form.
Élise 拒絕收受供應商任何形式的禮物。
emphatic 'in any shape or form'
The school does not tolerate bullying in any shape or form.
學校不容許任何形式的霸凌。
Tamás said he would not support the proposal in any way, shape, or form.
Tamás 表示他絕不會以任何形式支持這項提案。
The contract bans gambling in any shape or form on company premises.
合約禁止在公司場所內進行任何形式的賭博。
文法句型
in any shape or form
in any way, shape, or form
用法筆記
Almost exclusively in the negative emphatic phrase 'in any shape or form'. Outside this phrase, this 'any type' meaning is not used. Common in formal statements, codes of conduct, and refusals.