strain
/streɪn/ (bre, ipa) · /streɪn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈstrān/ (ame, mw)
strain — 名詞
- strainsingular
- strainsplural
1. a force that pushes, pulls, or stretches an object, sometimes reaching a point w
壓力；張力
物體承受的拉力、推力或壓力
a force that pushes, pulls, or stretches an object, sometimes reaching a point where the object is at risk of damage or breaking
The old bridge was not designed to handle the strain of modern heavy trucks.
這座舊橋的設計無法負荷現代重型卡車所帶來的壓力。
strain of + noun phrase showing source of pressure
Min checked every knot for signs of strain before beginning the climb.
Min 在開始攀爬前仔細檢查了每一條繩子是否有受壓的跡象。
signs of strain — visible evidence of pressure
The constant strain of the wind against the sail tore a small hole in the fabric.
風持續拉扯船帆，終於在布料上撕開了一個小洞。
Sivan applied too much strain to the cable and it snapped with a loud noise.
Sivan 對鋼纜施加了太大的拉力，纜繩啪的一聲斷了。
Engineers measured the strain on each steel beam after the earthquake simulation.
工程師在地震模擬結束後測量了每一根鋼樑的應變程度。
- relaxation
release of tension or strain
- release
letting go of built-up force
用法筆記
Often used with 'put/place (a) strain on [something]' to describe what is being stressed. Common in engineering and construction contexts, but also used for everyday physical tension (e.g., the strain on a rope).
常見錯誤
2. a sore, swollen condition in muscle tissue caused by overstretching or overworki
肌肉拉傷
肌肉或肌腱因過度伸展而受傷
a sore, swollen condition in muscle tissue caused by overstretching or overworking it beyond what it can handle
Shirin pulled a muscle in her leg and the doctor diagnosed a mild strain.
Shirin 拉傷了她的腿部肌肉，醫生診斷為輕度拉傷。
mild strain — severity gradation
Runners often get a hamstring strain if they skip their warm-up exercises before a race.
跑者如果在賽前忽略熱身運動，常常會出現腿後肌拉傷。
hamstring strain — specific body part collocation
Dahlia's back strain improved after three days of rest and gentle stretching.
Dahlia 的背部拉傷在休息三天並做溫和伸展後有所改善。
Caleb suffered a groin strain during the football match and had to leave the field.
Caleb 在足球比賽中腹股溝拉傷，不得不離場。
Min's wrist strain got worse because he kept typing without taking any breaks.
Min 的手腕拉傷因為他持續打字不休息而變得更嚴重了。
用法筆記
Distinguish from sprain: a strain affects muscles or tendons, while a sprain affects ligaments (tissue connecting bones at a joint). Commonly modified by the body part: 'hamstring strain', 'back strain', 'groin strain'.
常見錯誤
3. a feeling of worry, anxiety, or nervousness caused by having too many demands or
壓力；負擔
令人擔憂或焦慮的沉重壓力
a feeling of worry, anxiety, or nervousness caused by having too many demands or problems to deal with, or a situation that produces this feeling
The strain of caring for two sick parents was beginning to show on Vivek's face.
照顧兩位生病父母的壓力開始在 Vivek 的臉上顯現出來。
the strain of + gerund — source of pressure
Financial strain often puts pressure on a marriage and can lead to arguments about money.
經濟壓力常對婚姻造成負擔，可能導致夫妻因金錢問題而爭吵。
financial strain — common noun modifier
Lucía felt the strain of her final exams building as the date of the test came closer.
Lucía 感受到期末考的壓力隨著考試日期逼近而愈來愈大。
Working twelve-hour shifts without a day off put a huge strain on the hospital nursing staff.
連續工作十二小時沒有休假，對醫院的護理人員造成了極大的壓力。
The constant strain of meeting impossible deadlines made Christopher consider looking for a different job.
不斷要在不可能的期限內完成任務，讓 Christopher 開始考慮換工作。
用法筆記
Commonly appears in the pattern 'put/place (a) strain on [someone/something]' (the source of pressure) or 'under (a lot of) strain' (experiencing pressure). The container is typically not the same as 'stress' — 'strain' emphasises the burden being carried, while 'stress' focuses on the physiological/psychological response.
常見錯誤
4. a particular quality or tendency in a person's character or in the atmosphere of
氣質；傾向
性格中潛在的特質或傾向
a particular quality or tendency in a person's character or in the atmosphere of something, often one that is inherited or runs deep
There is a strain of stubbornness in Sade that she clearly inherited from her grandmother.
Sade 性格中有一種固執傾向，顯然是從祖母那裡遺傳來的。
a strain of + [abstract quality]
The comedian's humour has a dark strain that not everyone finds amusing at a family show.
那位喜劇演員的笑話帶有黑暗色彩，並非每個人在闔家觀賞的場合都會覺得好笑。
Sivan noticed a competitive strain in her new colleague that came out during every team meeting.
Sivan 注意到新同事身上有一種好勝的傾向，每次團隊會議都會表現出來。
A rebellious strain runs through most of the poetry written during that period of history.
那個歷史時期創作的詩歌中，大多帶有反抗的色彩。
Despite his friendly manner, there was a strain of arrogance in the way Minh talked about his achievements.
儘管 Minh 態度友善，他在談論自己的成就時還是流露出了一絲傲慢。
文法句型
a strain of + noun
用法筆記
Always singular in this sense. Typically followed by 'of' and an abstract noun (e.g., 'a strain of cruelty/melancholy/humour/idealism'). Describes a persistent, often underlying quality — not a temporary mood.
常見錯誤
5. a subgroup within a species of animals, plants, or disease-causing organisms tha
品系；株
動植物或病菌的特定類型
a subgroup within a species of animals, plants, or disease-causing organisms that has its own distinct inherited features
Scientists have identified a new strain of the virus that spreads much faster than the original.
科學家發現了一種新的病毒株，傳播速度比原始病毒快得多。
new strain of a virus — common in health news
This strain of wheat grows well in dry conditions and needs very little water compared to others.
這種品系的小麥適合在乾燥的環境中生長，需水量比其他品種少很多。
strain of + [plant]
The farm raises a rare strain of sheep known for its unusually soft and warm wool.
這個農場飼養了一種稀有的綿羊品系，以羊毛異常柔軟保暖而聞名。
A drug-resistant strain of tuberculosis has become a serious concern for public health officials.
一種抗藥性的結核菌株已成為公共衛生官員嚴重關切的問題。
Minho's family has been growing this strain of rice on their land for more than fifty years.
Minho 的家族在他們的土地上種植這種稻米品系已經超過五十年了。
用法筆記
Very common in medical and agricultural contexts. For diseases, 'strain' refers to a variant of a virus or bacteria. For plants/animals, it refers to a subtype developed through breeding or natural selection. Not used for individual animals — the term refers to the type, not a single creature.
常見錯誤
6. a melody or piece of music that reaches the ear, particularly one heard from som
樂聲；旋律
從遠處傳來的音樂或歌聲
a melody or piece of music that reaches the ear, particularly one heard from some distance away
The sweet strain of a violin drifted through the open windows of the old concert hall.
小提琴悠揚的樂聲從舊音樂廳敞開的窗戶飄了出來。
strain of + [instrument] — literary use
Minh could hear the familiar strain of a folk song coming from a small café across the street.
Minh 聽到對街小咖啡館傳來一首熟悉的民謠旋律。
As the band played, the slow strain of the waltz filled the ballroom with a sense of nostalgia.
樂隊演奏之際，華爾滋緩慢的旋律讓舞廳充滿了懷舊的氣氛。
The distant strain of church bells reached the hikers as they walked through the valley below.
遠處教堂鐘聲傳到了在山谷中健行的登山者耳中。
A cheerful strain of piano music came from the living room, where Élise was practising her favourite piece.
一陣輕快的鋼琴聲從客廳傳來——Élise 正在那裡練習她最喜歡的曲子。
用法筆記
This sense is literary and somewhat old-fashioned. In modern everyday English, 'strain' is rarely used this way — 'tune', 'melody', or 'sound' are far more common. It often appears in descriptive or poetic writing, and frequently in the plural form ('strains of music').
strain — 動詞
- strainpresent simple I / you / we / they
- strains3rd person singular
- straining-ing form
- strainedpast simple
1. to run a mixture of liquid and solid food across a mesh utensil so that the liqu
過濾；瀝乾
用濾網將液體與固體食物分離
to run a mixture of liquid and solid food across a mesh utensil so that the liquid drips into a container below while the solids stay in the utensil
After cooking the spaghetti, Élise strained it and mixed it with tomato sauce.
Élise 把煮好的義大利麵瀝乾，然後拌上番茄醬。
strain + cooked pasta — common cooking use
Min carefully strained the tea leaves from the hot water before pouring himself a cup.
Min 在倒茶之前小心地用濾網將茶葉從熱水中濾出來。
strain + object + from + noun — separating
You should strain the broth through a fine sieve to remove all the small herb pieces.
你應該用細篩網過濾高湯，把小塊香草都撈出來。
Christopher strained the seeds from the boiled fruit pulp to make smooth jelly.
Christopher 將煮過的水果果肉中的籽濾掉，以便做出順滑的果醬。
The cook strained the rice and added a knob of butter before serving it with the curry.
廚師將米飯瀝乾，加入一小塊奶油，然後和咖哩一起上桌。
文法句型
strain + object
strain + object + through + noun
strain + object + out
用法筆記
Primarily used in cooking and food preparation. The object can be the liquid being separated, the food being drained, or the ingredient being removed (e.g., 'strain the vegetables', 'strain the water', 'strain out the seeds'). 'To strain through' specifies the tool used.
常見錯誤
2. to stretch something tightly, push a part of your body or a system beyond its no
拉伸；用力
過度伸展、用力導致受傷或緊繃
to stretch something tightly, push a part of your body or a system beyond its normal limits, or injure a muscle by overstretching it
Vivek strained his lower back when he lifted the heavy suitcase without bending his knees.
Vivek 在沒有彎膝的情況下提起沉重的行李箱，導致下背部拉傷。
strain + body part — injure by overuse
The dog strained at the leash, barking and pulling toward the other dog across the park.
那隻狗用力拉扯狗繩，對著公園對面的另一隻狗叫個不停。
strain at — pull against resistance
Dahlia strained her eyes trying to read the tiny letters on the medicine bottle label.
Dahlia 瞇著眼睛努力辨認藥瓶標籤上極小的文字。
The heavy snow strained the old barn roof until the wooden beams began to crack.
厚重的積雪對舊穀倉的屋頂施加了極大壓力，木樑開始出現裂縫。
Minho strained to hear what his grandparents were saying in the quiet conversation across the room.
Minho 豎起耳朵努力想聽清楚祖父母在房間另一頭的悄悄話。
- relax
to release tension in muscles or effort
文法句型
strain + body part
strain + oneself
strain + to + infinitive
strain + at/against + noun
用法筆記
Very versatile sense. As a transitive verb the object is often a body part (strain one's back/neck/eyes/voice) or a system/object under tension. As an intransitive verb (strain to do something / strain at something) it describes effort. 'Strain oneself' means to try too hard physically.
常見錯誤
3. to use so much of something — especially money, time, or materials — that it bec
過度消耗
過度使用金錢或資源以致難以負擔
to use so much of something — especially money, time, or materials — that it becomes difficult to continue managing or providing it
The cost of building the new school strained the town's budget far beyond what was planned.
興建新學校的費用遠遠超出了鎮上預算所能負擔的範圍。
strain + budget — financial resource
Sade's unexpected hospital bills strained her savings to the point where she had to borrow money.
Sade 突如其來的醫療帳單讓她的積蓄幾乎見底，不得不向人借錢。
strain + savings + to the point where
The sudden increase in students has strained the school's classroom space and teaching resources.
學生人數突然增加，導致學校的教室空間和教學資源變得不足。
Three years of drought severely strained the region's water supply during the hottest months.
連續三年的乾旱嚴重耗盡了該地區在炎熱月份的供水。
The disagreement over money began to strain Christopher's relationship with his business partner.
金錢上的分歧開始讓 Christopher 與合夥人的關係變得緊張。
- overstretch
specifically about exceeding capacity; common with budgets and schedules
- overtax
formal; suggests burdening beyond reasonable limits
- overload
more about volume or amount than capacity
文法句型
strain + resource
strain + something + to the limit
用法筆記
The object is always the resource being overused (budget, savings, supplies, relationship, patience, etc.), not the thing causing the problem. Frequently used in financial and organisational contexts. Can also describe interpersonal relationships that are placed under difficult pressure.