symbol
symbol — 名詞
- symbolsingular
- symbolsplural
1. A written mark, printed character, or small picture that stands for a particular
符號
用來代表其他事物的圖形或記號
A written mark, printed character, or small picture that stands for a particular thing, idea, or operation.
The @ symbol appears in every email address that you write.
@ 符號出現在你寫的每一個電子郵件地址裡。
preposition 'in' with symbol
In mathematics, the + symbol stands for addition between numbers.
在數學中，+ 符號代表數字之間的加法運算。
Yumi learned that the heart symbol is often used to mean love in texts.
Yumi 學到心形符號在簡訊中常用來代表愛。
symbol + 'for' / 'to mean'
The symbol $ is used to mean dollars in many countries around the world.
$ 符號在世界上許多國家用來代表錢。
A question mark is the symbol that writers put at the end of a question.
問號是作者放在句子結尾的符號。
copula: 'is the symbol that...'
- symbol for numbers
- symbol stands for
- symbol means
- written symbol
- printed symbol
- sign
more general — 'sign' can also mean an indicator or notice board; 'symbol' is more specific to conventional representation
- mark
simpler and broader — a mark can be a scratch or stain without conventional meaning
- character
refers specifically to written or printed letters and signs, often in a writing system
文法句型
symbol for [something]
用法筆記
Often followed by 'for' to name what the mark represents. Subject is usually the symbol name itself.
常見錯誤
2. A thing — such as an object, picture, or animal — that people understand to stan
象徵
代表某種特質或概念的具體事物
A thing — such as an object, picture, or animal — that people understand to stand for a general quality, feeling, or concept.
A dove is often used as a symbol of peace around the world.
鴿子在世界各地常被用作和平的象徵。
as a symbol of [quality]
In many cultures, the colour white is a symbol of purity at weddings.
在許多文化中，白色在婚禮上是純潔的象徵。
The Olympic rings are a powerful symbol of unity among different nations.
奧運五環是不同國家之間團結的有力象徵。
Rania gave her friend a heart-shaped necklace as a symbol of their friendship.
Rania 送給朋友一條心形項鍊，作為她們友誼的象徵。
as a symbol of [relationship]
For Kabir, the old family house was a symbol of his childhood memories.
對 Kabir 來說，那棟老房子是他童年回憶的象徵。
- symbol of peace
- symbol of hope
- symbol of unity
- powerful symbol
- become a symbol of
文法句型
symbol of [quality/idea]
as a symbol of [something]
用法筆記
The preposition is almost always 'of' — 'a symbol of peace', 'a symbol of hope'. Distinguish from sense 1 (WRITTEN SIGN), where the symbol is a conventional mark; here it is an object or image that carries abstract meaning.
常見錯誤
3. A mark or character whose interpretation is precisely defined within a specialis
記號；代號
數學、音樂、科學等領域的標準記號
A mark or character whose interpretation is precisely defined within a specialised field — for instance, in chemistry, musical notation, or mathematics.
On sheet music, the symbol called a treble clef tells you which notes to play.
在樂譜上，一種叫做高音譜號的記號告訴你要彈哪些音符。
In chemistry, H₂O is the written symbol for the molecule called water.
在化學中，H₂O 是水分子的書寫記號。
symbol for [element/molecule]
The symbol π represents the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter.
圓周率符號 π 代表圓的周長與直徑的比率。
Daichi used the @ symbol in his code to mark email addresses in the database.
Daichi 在他的程式碼中使用 @ 記號來標記資料庫中的電子郵件地址。
Every element on the periodic table has a one-letter or two-letter symbol such as Fe.
週期表上的每一種元素都有一個一或兩個字母組成的代號，例如 Fe。
one-letter / two-letter symbol
- chemical symbol
- musical symbol
- mathematical symbol
- symbol represents
- symbol for water
- notation
a system of symbols rather than one single character
- abbreviation
a shortened form of a word, not always a visual character
- sign
broader; a sign does not have to be standardised across a field
文法句型
chemical symbol for [element]
musical symbol
用法筆記
Unlike sense 1 (WRITTEN SIGN), these symbols belong to a specific technical field and carry a precise, unambiguous meaning within that field. The field is usually named nearby in the sentence.
常見錯誤
4. A physical thing that people think of as representing something larger or deeper
象徵物
因文化聯想而具有深層意涵的物體
A physical thing that people think of as representing something larger or deeper, usually because of shared cultural or historical associations.
The Statue of Liberty became a powerful symbol of hope for new immigrants.
自由女神像成了新移民心中希望的強大象徵物。
became a symbol of [concept]
For many Japanese people, Mount Fuji is a sacred symbol of their country.
對許多日本人來說，富士山是國家神聖的象徵物。
For Harper, the old brass key was a symbol of the home she left behind.
對 Harper 來說，那把舊銅鑰匙是她所離開家鄉的象徵物。
In the ceremony, the burning candle served as a symbol of life continuing after death.
在典禮中，燃燒的蠟燭作為生命在死後延續的象徵物。
serve as a symbol of
The wedding ring that Asher wears every day is a personal symbol of his marriage.
Asher 每天戴著的結婚戒指是他婚姻的個人象徵物。
- became a symbol of
- serve as a symbol
- sacred symbol
- cultural symbol
- symbol of freedom
- emblem
more formal, often officially adopted by a country or group
- representation
broader and more abstract; can refer to art or language as well
- reminder
personal and emotional; a reminder prompts memory, while a symbol carries wider meaning
文法句型
symbol of [abstract concept]
become a symbol of [something]
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2 (REPRESENTATIVE): sense 2 uses conventional symbols (dove for peace) that are widely agreed upon; sense 4 describes a real object that takes on symbolic weight through shared cultural or personal history.
常見錯誤
symbol — 動詞
- symbolpresent simple I / you / we / they
- symbols3rd person singular
- symboling-ing form
- symboledpast simple
1. To act as a symbol of something, standing for an idea, quality, or situation thr
象徵；代表
作為某事物的象徵
To act as a symbol of something, standing for an idea, quality, or situation through convention or cultural association.
The white dove symbolises peace in many cultures around the world.
白鴿在世界許多文化中象徵和平。
[thing] symbolises [abstract quality]
For Aylin, the small tree they planted together symbolised a new beginning after the move.
對 Aylin 來說，他們一起種的那棵小樹象徵著搬家後的新開始。
In the novel, the recurring storm symbolises the main character's inner struggles.
在這部小說中，反覆出現的暴風雨象徵主角內心的掙扎。
passive: be symbolised by
The flag that flies over the building symbolises the country's unity after the war.
建築物上方飄揚的旗幟象徵國家戰後的團結。
To Ravindra, the empty chair at the table symbolised his father's long absence.
對 Ravindra 來說，桌邊那張空椅子象徵父親長期的缺席。
[person's perspective] + symbolises
- symbolises peace
- symbolises hope
- symbolised by
- symbolises the idea
文法句型
[subject] symbolises [object]
[subject] + be + symbolised + by + [object]
用法筆記
Frequently used in literary and descriptive writing. Rarely used in progressive forms ('is symbolising'). The American spelling is 'symbolize'.