sugar

/ˈʃʊɡə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈʃʊɡər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈshu̇-gər/ (ame, mw) · /ˈʃʊɡ.ər/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈʃʊɡ.ɚ/ (ame, ipa)

sugar — 名詞

  • sugarsingular
  • sugarsplural

1. a sweet-tasting ingredient that comes in small grains or powder and is produced

1.名詞A1
釋義

糖;食糖

從植物中提取的甜味物質,用於烹飪

a sweet-tasting ingredient that comes in small grains or powder and is produced from specific crops to add sweetness to meals and beverages

例句

Do you take sugar in your coffee every morning?

你的咖啡要加糖嗎?

uncountable: 'sugar' as a mass noun in drinks

Élise stirred a spoonful of brown sugar into her oatmeal.

Élise 舀了一匙紅糖攪進她的燕麥粥裡。

brown sugar as a common type

同義詞
  • sweetener

    any substance that makes food or drink taste sweet, including artificial ones; broader than 'sugar'

  • sucrose

    the chemical name for the specific type of sugar found in sugarcane and sugar beet; used in scientific contexts

反義詞
  • salt

    a salty seasoning rather than a sweet one; opposite taste category

用法筆記

Sugar is an uncountable noun when referring to the substance as a whole. Do not say 'a sugar' for the general substance — that is only used in sense 4 (a unit of sugar).

常見錯誤

Can I have a sugar in my tea?' (when meaning the substance).
Can I have some sugar in my tea?
💡use 'some' or a quantity word for the uncountable substance sense.

2. one of several kinds of sweet-tasting chemical found in living things, used by t

2.名詞B2
釋義

糖類

植物和水果中的天然甜味物質

one of several kinds of sweet-tasting chemical found in living things, used by the body to produce energy

例句

Fruit contains natural sugars that give you energy without the crash.

水果含有天然糖分,能提供能量又不會造成血糖急遽升降。

natural vs. refined sugar distinction

Tomás learned about glucose and fructose in his biology class.

Tomás 在生物課上學到了葡萄糖和果糖。

同義詞
  • carbohydrate

    a broader category that includes sugars, starches, and fiber; 'sugar' is one type of carbohydrate

  • glucose

    a specific simple sugar that is the main energy source for cells; more technical

  • fructose

    a specific simple sugar found naturally in fruit; more technical

用法筆記

In this sense, 'sugar' can be countable ('simple sugars' refers to different types) or uncountable ('sugar occurs naturally in fruit'). 'Blood sugar' is a fixed health collocation — it is uncountable and always singular.

常見錯誤

Fruit has a lot of sugars.' (when referring to fruit as a whole).
Fruit contains natural sugars.
💡when speaking generally about types, use the plural; when referring to the general component, use uncountable 'sugar'.

3. a word used when speaking in a warm, friendly way to somebody you feel close to,

3.名詞B2
釋義

親愛的;甜心

對喜歡的人友善的稱呼方式

a word used when speaking in a warm, friendly way to somebody you feel close to, like 'dear' or 'sweetheart'

例句

Don't worry, sugar, everything is going to be just fine.

別擔心,親愛的,一切都會沒事的。

informal affectionate address

Naoko smiled warmly and said, "Thanks for carrying my bags, sugar!"

Naoko 笑容滿面地說:「謝謝你幫我拿袋子,甜心!」

同義詞
  • sweetheart

    more widely used as a term of endearment across regions; similar in meaning

  • dear

    common in British English; less regional than 'sugar'

  • honey

    similar register and usage; popular in American English

文法句型

used as a form of address

用法筆記

Used mainly in informal American and Southern U.S. speech. It can sound friendly or patronising depending on the context and relationship. Not common in British English — British speakers are more likely to use 'love' or 'dear'.

常見錯誤

Using 'sugar' to address a stranger in a formal setting (e.g., a business meeting).
Reserve this for people you have a close or friendly relationship with, or in very casual service encounters (e.g., a diner).

4. a single serving of sugar, for example one spoonful or one cube, put into a hot

4.名詞A2
釋義

一匙糖;方糖

加入飲料中的糖,以匙或塊為計量單位

a single serving of sugar, for example one spoonful or one cube, put into a hot drink

例句

How many sugars do you take in your tea?

你的茶要加幾匙糖?

countable: 'how many sugars' in drinks

Adina takes two sugars in her coffee every morning.

Adina 每天早上都在咖啡裡加兩匙糖。

用法筆記

In this sense 'sugar' is a countable noun and can be used with numbers: 'one sugar', 'two sugars', etc. This is the only sense where 'a sugar' is correct and natural. The unit is usually a teaspoonful, a cube, or a small packet — the exact amount depends on context.

常見錯誤

I need three sugars for my cooking.' (when referring to cups of sugar).
I need three cups of sugar for the baking.
💡'sugars' as a countable unit is only used for individual servings in hot drinks, not for bulk cooking.

sugar — 感嘆詞

sugar — 動詞