strait
/streɪt/ (bre, ipa) · [strˈet] /streɪt/ (ame, ipa)
strait — 名詞
- straitsingular
- straitsplural
1. a long, narrow strip of sea that lies between larger waters and joins them
海峽
連接兩大片水域的狹長水道
a long, narrow strip of sea that lies between larger waters and joins them
The ferry crossed the strait between the island and the mainland before dark.
渡輪在天黑前穿過了那道位於島嶼與大陸之間的海峽。
cross the strait between two land areas
Fishing boats waited for the fog to lift before entering the strait.
漁船等霧散去後，才準備駛入那道海峽。
A strong current rushed through the strait after the tide turned.
潮水轉向後，湍急的水流穿過那道海峽。
Mayumi traced the narrow strait on the classroom map with her finger.
Mayumi 用手指沿著教室地圖上的狹窄海峽畫過去。
用法筆記
Used for a geographical water route, not for a river or a canal. The word usually appears in maps, travel reports, and discussions of shipping routes.
常見錯誤
2. a hard situation that puts someone under severe pressure, often because money is
困境
常指缺錢時的艱難處境
a hard situation that puts someone under severe pressure, often because money is short
After the restaurant closed, Rodrigo found himself in serious financial straits.
餐廳歇業後，Rodrigo 發現自己陷入了嚴重的財務困境。
financial straits as the most common phrase
The hospital was in such straits that it delayed repairs to the roof.
那家醫院陷入困境，甚至延後了屋頂的修繕。
Years of drought left many farming families in desperate straits.
多年乾旱讓許多務農家庭陷入絕境。
Bao asked his sister for help when he was in straits after the flood.
Bao 在洪水後陷入困境時，向姊姊開口求助。
- difficulty
simpler and more general, without the same dramatic force
- hardship
often stresses suffering over a longer period
- crisis
stronger and more sudden than straits
- security
a stable condition without the same financial or practical pressure
用法筆記
Most often appears in the plural, especially in phrases like 'in dire straits' or 'financial straits'. It describes an outward situation, not an inner feeling.
常見錯誤
strait — 形容詞
- straitpositive
- straitercomparative
- straitestsuperlative
1. so narrow or tight that only a very small amount of room is left
狹窄的
空間逼窄、幾乎沒有活動餘地的
so narrow or tight that only a very small amount of room is left
The tunnel was so strait that the workers had to crawl.
那條隧道非常狹窄，工人們只好用爬的前進。
strait describing a cramped physical space
Wren ducked through a strait doorway cut into the stone wall.
Wren 低頭穿過石牆上鑿出的狹窄門口。
The valley became strait where the river pressed against the cliff.
那座山谷在河流逼近懸崖的地方變得狹窄。
The guide warned that the cave grew strait near the final turn.
導遊警告說，洞穴在最後一個彎口附近會變得很狹窄。
用法筆記
This adjective is rare and sounds old-fashioned in modern everyday English. Most learners will normally use narrow or tight instead unless they are reading literary or historical writing.
常見錯誤
strait — 副詞
1. in a way that keeps something held, shut, or pulled close without looseness
緊緊地
緊密拉住或關住而不鬆動地
in a way that keeps something held, shut, or pulled close without looseness
Sahil tied the bandage strait around his ankle before the walk home.
Sahil 在走回家前，把繃帶緊緊地綁在腳踝上。
tie + strait for a firm, close fastening
The sailor pulled the rope strait against the mast as the wind rose.
風勢轉強時，水手把繩子緊緊地拉向桅杆。
Rohan shut the crate strait so the jars would not rattle inside.
Rohan 把箱子關得緊緊的，好讓裡面的玻璃罐不會晃動。
Christopher held the torn paper strait while Adina taped the edge.
Christopher 緊緊按住那張破紙，讓 Adina 把邊緣貼好。
- loosely
without a close or firm hold
文法句型
verb + strait
用法筆記
This adverb is rare and old-fashioned. In present-day English, tightly is usually the safer and more natural choice.