subdued
/səbˈdjuːd/ (bre, ipa) · [səbdˈud] /səbˈduːd/ (ame, ipa) · [səbdˈud] /səb-ˈdüd How to pronounce subdued (audio) -ˈdyüd/ (ame, mw)
subdued — 形容詞
- subduedpositive
- more subduedcomparative
- most subduedsuperlative
1. showing soft colour or low light instead of a strong, bright effect
柔和的
顏色或光線不刺眼
showing soft colour or low light instead of a strong, bright effect
Soft lamps gave the cafe a subdued golden glow at dinner.
柔和的燈光讓那家咖啡館晚餐時帶著金色光暈。
collocation: subdued glow / lighting
The designer chose subdued green walls for the small waiting room.
設計師替小小的等候室選了柔和的綠色牆面。
collocation: subdued colours in design
Under the clouds, the beach looked subdued and almost silver.
在雲層下，那片海灘看起來柔和，幾乎帶著銀色。
Museum staff kept the gallery light subdued near the old paper maps.
館方在老紙地圖旁把展廳燈光調得柔和。
用法筆記
Often used before nouns such as light, colours, or tones when the effect is gentle rather than striking.
2. heard at a low level and without sharp force or volume
輕柔的
聲音不大，聽來收斂
heard at a low level and without sharp force or volume
The nurse spoke in a subdued voice outside the sleeping baby's room.
護理師在熟睡嬰兒房外用輕柔的聲音說話。
collocation: subdued voice
Subdued music drifted through the hotel lobby after midnight.
午夜過後，輕柔的音樂飄過飯店大廳。
collocation: subdued music
From the back row, we heard only subdued laughter during the film.
從後排看去，我們只聽見電影播放時輕柔的笑聲。
After the alarm test, the office returned to a subdued hum.
警報測試後，辦公室又回到輕柔的嗡嗡聲。
用法筆記
Most often describes voices, music, or background sounds that are kept low by circumstance or choice.
3. quieter and less lively than usual, often because something has affected the per
沉靜的
人比平常安靜低落
quieter and less lively than usual, often because something has affected the person's mood
James seemed subdued after the team announced the office closure.
團隊宣布辦公室要關閉後，James 顯得很沉靜。
pattern: seem subdued after news
Hoa was unusually subdued after her piano exam ended.
Hoa 的鋼琴考試結束後，她比平常沉靜得多。
Usually chatty, Tunde stayed subdued during the long bus ride home.
平常很健談的 Tunde 在漫長的返家巴士上一直很沉靜。
Even the children grew subdued when the doctor entered the room.
醫生走進房間時，連孩子們都變得沉靜。
用法筆記
Usually describes a temporary change in someone's behaviour after difficult news, strain, or a serious moment.
4. controlled so that it feels restrained rather than strong, dramatic, or extreme
內斂的
風格或情緒不張揚
controlled so that it feels restrained rather than strong, dramatic, or extreme
The director gave the final scene a subdued, graceful ending.
導演讓最後一幕以內斂而優雅的方式收尾。
style: restrained artistic effect
Elena's wedding dress was elegant in a subdued, simple way.
Elena 的婚紗走的是內斂而簡潔的路線。
The campaign poster used subdued language instead of angry slogans.
那張競選海報用詞內斂，沒有憤怒的口號。
Our celebration was warm but subdued after the storm damage.
暴風雨造成損失後，我們的慶祝氣氛溫暖但偏內斂。
- restrained
emphasizes self-control or deliberate limitation
- understated
especially common for style and design
- muted
often suggests the effect has been toned down
用法筆記
Often used for style, language, emotion, or celebration when the effect is deliberately controlled and not showy.