stable
/ˈsteɪbl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsteɪbl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈstā-bəl/ (ame, mw) · /ˈsteɪ.bəl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsteɪ.bəl/ (ame, ipa)
stable — 形容詞
- stablepositive
- stablercomparative
- stablestsuperlative
1. Firmly placed or supported so that something does not move, shake, or change une
穩定；穩固
不易移動或改變的狀態
Firmly placed or supported so that something does not move, shake, or change unexpectedly; not likely to break, fail, or undergo sudden shifts.
Make sure the ladder is stable before you climb up to fix the roof.
爬上去修屋頂之前，先確認梯子是否穩固。
collocation: stable ladder / stable structure
After a week of ups and downs, the patient's condition is now stable.
經過一週的起伏之後，病人的情況現在穩定了。
The old wooden table is still stable even after years of daily use.
那張舊木桌用了好幾年依然很穩固。
Shanti decided to look for a stable job with a regular monthly salary.
Shanti 決定找一份有固定月薪的穩定工作。
The local economy has enjoyed stable growth for almost five years.
當地經濟近五年來一直保持穩定增長。
- steady
Focuses on even, continuous movement or balance; 'steady' can describe a hand that does not shake, while 'stable' emphasizes structural fixity.
- balanced
More about equal distribution of weight or forces; a 'balanced' diet is not the same as a 'stable' diet.
- secure
Adds a feeling of safety or protection; a 'secure' job may imply a contract, while a 'stable' job focuses on low risk of loss.
- constant
Describes something that never varies; 'constant' pain is not the same as a 'stable' condition.
用法筆記
Frequently used to describe physical objects (furniture, structures), economic indicators (prices, growth), and medical conditions (vital signs, state of health).
常見錯誤
2. Describes a person who has a healthy state of mind, deals with emotions in a cal
心智穩定的
情緒或心理狀態健康
Describes a person who has a healthy state of mind, deals with emotions in a calm way, and does not become upset or irrational easily.
Christopher feels much more stable now that he attends therapy every week.
Christopher 每週接受心理治療後，感覺情緒穩定多了。
Children who grow up in a stable home environment tend to do better at school.
在穩定家庭環境中長大的孩子在學校表現通常比較好。
collocation: stable home / stable environment
A stable person can listen to criticism without losing their temper.
一個心智穩定的人能夠聽取批評而不發脾氣。
The school counsellor provides stable emotional support for students in crisis.
學校輔導員為處於危機中的學生提供穩定的情緒支持。
- well-adjusted
More specific to social functioning; a well-adjusted child gets along with others and follows rules.
- balanced
Suggests moderation in emotions; 'balanced' is broader — a 'balanced' person eats well, sleeps well, and stays calm.
- rational
Focuses on logical thinking rather than emotional steadiness.
用法筆記
Subject is always a person, a person's character, or a social environment (home, family) that influences mental health. Distinguish from sense 1 in that this sense applies only to mental or emotional stability, not to physical objects or economic systems.
常見錯誤
3. Describes a chemical substance or element that does not easily react with other
化學穩定的
不易與其他物質發生化學反應
Describes a chemical substance or element that does not easily react with other substances or change its atomic or molecular structure under normal conditions.
Gold is a stable metal that does not rust or react with water.
黃金是一種化學性質穩定的金屬，不會生鏽也不會與水反應。
collocation: stable metal / stable compound
The chemist stored the stable compound in a glass container at room temperature.
化學家將穩定的化合物存放在室溫下的玻璃容器中。
Scientists search for stable isotopes that do not break down into other elements.
科學家尋找不會分解成其他元素的穩定同位素。
Helium is chemically stable and does not form bonds with other atoms.
氦氣化學性質穩定，不會與其他原子形成化學鍵。
- inert
Stronger than 'stable'; an inert substance does not react under almost any conditions.
- non-reactive
Direct description of the same property; less technical.
用法筆記
Primarily used in science and chemistry contexts. The opposite is 'reactive' or 'unstable'. A 'stable' substance can still be dangerous; stability here refers only to chemical reactivity, not physical safety.
常見錯誤
stable — 名詞
- stablesingular
- stablesplural
1. A building or a group of buildings where horses, ponies, or other farm animals a
馬廄；馬房
飼養馬匹或牲畜的建築物
A building or a group of buildings where horses, ponies, or other farm animals are kept and cared for.
Every morning at six, Yumi cleans the stables and gives fresh hay to the horses.
Yumi 每天早上六點清理馬廄，並給馬匹添加新鮮乾草。
The horses were led back to the stable when the thunderstorm began.
雷雨開始時，馬匹被帶回了馬廄。
The old stable behind the farmhouse has been converted into a pottery workshop.
農舍後面那座舊馬房已被改造成一間陶藝工作室。
Gabriela keeps three rescue ponies in a small stable near the river.
Gabriela 在河邊的一個小馬廄裡養著三匹救援小馬。
- barn
A larger building for storing hay and housing animals; a barn may hold cows and equipment, while a stable is specifically for horses.
- horse shelter
A more general term; a shelter may be a simple roof with no walls.
用法筆記
Often used in the plural form ('stables') even when referring to a single building or facility. The compound 'stable boy' / 'stable hand' refers to a person who works in a stable.
常見錯誤
2. All of the racehorses, racing cars, or other sports assets that one owner or tra
馬隊；車隊
同一個人擁有或訓練的賽馬或賽車
All of the racehorses, racing cars, or other sports assets that one owner or trainer looks after and manages.
The Vega stable won three races at the weekend event in Dublin.
Vega 馬房在都柏林週末賽事中贏得了三場比賽。
stable + won (collocation: winning stable)
Kwame manages a stable of racing cars that compete across five European countries.
Kwame 管理一支橫跨五個歐洲國家參賽的賽車車隊。
Omar bought two thoroughbreds last spring to add to his growing stable of racehorses.
Omar 去年春天買了兩匹純種馬，壯大自己的賽馬團隊。
The new stable has already produced three champion horses in just two years.
這個新馬房在短短兩年內就培育出三匹冠軍馬。
用法筆記
Often modified by the owner's name ('the Aga Khan's stable') or a location ('the Newmarket stable'). Extends by analogy to racing cars or yachts owned by one person.
常見錯誤
3. The collection of writers, athletes, performers, or other professionals all unde
團隊；人才庫
由同一人或組織管理的專業人士
The collection of writers, athletes, performers, or other professionals all under the management or employment of a single person, agency, or company.
The newspaper employs a stable of freelance journalists based in different countries.
這家報社雇用了分佈在不同國家的自由記者團隊。
stable of journalists / stable of writers
Lakan represents a stable of young athletes training for the Olympic qualifying events.
Lakan 代表一批正在為奧運資格賽訓練的年輕運動員。
The modelling agency has built a stable of social media influencers with large followings.
這家經紀公司已建立起一批擁有大量粉絲的網紅團隊。
Élise joined a stable of scriptwriters working on the new television series.
Élise 加入了一個為新電視劇工作的編劇團隊。
用法筆記
Typically followed by 'of + plural noun' describing the profession (stable of writers, stable of artists, stable of lawyers). Extends the horse-racing metaphor to any talent pool under one manager.
常見錯誤
stable — 動詞
- stablepresent simple I / you / we / they
- stables3rd person singular
- stabling-ing form
- stabledpast simple
1. To house a horse or other large animal inside a stable building where it is safe
關入馬廄
將馬匹安置在馬廄中
To house a horse or other large animal inside a stable building where it is safe, sheltered, and properly looked after.
Esme stables her pony at a riding school near the edge of town.
Esme 把她的小馬寄養在城鎮邊緣的一所馬術學校。
stable + at + location
During the heavy winter storms, Mert stables all his animals inside the barn.
冬季暴風雪期間，Mert 把所有牲畜都關進穀倉裡。
The riding club can stable up to twenty horses for visitors who bring their own.
這家騎馬俱樂部可以為自備馬匹的訪客寄養多達二十匹馬。
The racehorse is stabled at a professional training facility in Kentucky.
這匹賽馬被寄養在肯塔基州的一座專業訓練中心。
文法句型
stable + animal + at/in location
用法筆記
Often used in the passive voice ('be stabled at/in'). The object is always a domestic animal, most commonly a horse. Distinguish from 'keep' — 'stable' specifically means housed in a stable building, not just cared for anywhere.