superstructure

/ˈsuːpəstrʌktʃə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · [sˈupɚstrˌʌktʃɚ] /ˈsuːpərstrʌktʃər/ (ame, ipa) · [sˈupɚstrˌʌktʃɚ] /ˈsü-pər-ˌstrək-chər How to pronounce superstructure (audio)/ (ame, mw)

superstructure — 名詞

  • superstructuresingular
  • superstructuresplural

1. the upper portion of a building that is constructed above ground level, includin

1.名詞B2
釋義

上部結構

建築物地面以上的部分

the upper portion of a building that is constructed above ground level, including its walls, roof, and upper floors

例句

The earthquake damaged the superstructure of the old temple, but the stone foundation remained intact.

地震損壞了那座古老寺廟的上部結構，但石造地基完好無缺。

superstructure vs foundation — contrasting building parts

Engineers reinforced the building's superstructure with steel beams after the typhoon season.

颱風季過後，工程師用鋼樑加固了這棟建築的上部結構。

collocation: reinforce the superstructure

同義詞
  • upper structure

    a looser, less technical term for the parts of a building above ground

  • upper works

    chiefly British, used in engineering and naval contexts

反義詞
  • foundation

    the supporting base below ground that the superstructure rests upon

  • substructure

    the underlying support system, opposite of what is built above it

文法句型

the superstructure of [something]

用法筆記

Frequently contrasted with 'foundation' or 'base'; the superstructure is everything above ground level that rests on the foundation.

常見錯誤

❌The superstructure of the house collapsed.
✅The superstructure of the house withstood the landslide while the basement flooded.
💡Superstructure refers only to the part above ground, not the entire building, so the contrast with the basement or foundation should be clear.

2. a section of a vessel that sits on its uppermost continuous deck, containing the

2.名詞B2
釋義

上層構造

船隻主甲板以上的結構

a section of a vessel that sits on its uppermost continuous deck, containing the bridge, navigation instruments, and crew living spaces

例句

The ship's superstructure protected the crew from the waves crashing onto the deck.

船隻的上層構造保護了船員們，使他們不被打上甲板的浪花濺到。

superstructure of a ship — providing shelter above deck

The ferry's superstructure contains the captain's bridge, passenger cabins, and an observation lounge.

這艘渡輪的上層構造包含船長駕駛室、乘客艙房和一個觀景廳。

what a ship's superstructure contains

同義詞
  • deckhouse

    a smaller structure on deck, whereas superstructure covers the entire area above the main deck

反義詞
  • hull

    the main body of the ship below the waterline

文法句型

the superstructure of [a ship/vessel]

[ship/vessel]'s superstructure

用法筆記

Distinguish from 'hull' — the hull is the main body of the ship below the waterline, whereas the superstructure sits above the main deck.

3. in social and political theory, the cultural institutions, belief systems, and l

3.名詞C1
釋義

上層建築

由經濟基礎衍生出的社會制度與觀念

in social and political theory, the cultural institutions, belief systems, and legal frameworks that arise from and reflect a society's underlying economic structure

例句

Marx viewed laws and government as part of a superstructure resting on the economic base.

馬克思將法律與政府視為建立在經濟基礎之上的上層建築的一部分。

superstructure + economic base — Marxist terminology

The government's education policies reflect the superstructure of a society shaped by industrial capitalism.

政府的教育政策反映了一個由工業資本主義所塑造的社會的上層建築。

abstract sense: superstructure of a society

同義詞
反義詞
  • base

    in Marxist theory, the economic foundation of a society that shapes the superstructure

  • infrastructure

    in modern usage, the basic physical systems needed for society to function, distinct from the institutional superstructure

文法句型

the superstructure of [a society]

用法筆記

This sense is grounded in Marxist theory, where the superstructure (law, politics, religion, culture) is seen as determined by the economic base (the mode of production and class relations).

常見錯誤

❌The city needs a better superstructure of roads and bridges.
✅The city needs better infrastructure such as roads and bridges.
💡The social-theory sense refers to institutions and ideas, not physical facilities; for physical systems, use 'infrastructure'.