heavens
heavens — 名詞
1. the wide area of space high above the ground, including the stars and clouds, es
天空；蒼穹
文學性地指地面上方的廣大空域
the wide area of space high above the ground, including the stars and clouds, especially when described in poetic or formal language
Astrid lay on the cold sand and watched the bright stars fill the heavens above the lake.
Astrid 躺在冰冷的沙灘上，望著明亮的星星布滿湖面上方的蒼穹。
literary register: 'the heavens' for the night sky
Heavy storm clouds rolled across the heavens just before the wedding ceremony began outside.
婚禮即將在戶外舉行前，厚重的烏雲正掠過天空。
collocation: clouds across the heavens
Old sailors once used the position of stars in the heavens to find their way across the ocean.
從前的水手會利用星辰在天空中的位置，在大海上找到方向。
From the mountain peak, Maeve could see the sun rising slowly into the heavens above the valley.
從山頂上，Maeve 看見太陽緩緩升上山谷上方的天空。
The ancient temple was built so that priests could study the movement of planets across the heavens.
這座古廟的設計，是為了讓祭司觀察行星在天空中的移動。
- earth
the ground below, as opposed to the sky overhead
文法句型
the heavens
用法筆記
Almost always used in the plural with 'the'. Common in poetry, religious texts, and weather or astronomy contexts; in everyday speech, learners usually pick 'the sky' instead.
常見錯誤
2. in some religions, the place high above where God lives and where good people ar
天堂
宗教中神所居住的地方
in some religions, the place high above where God lives and where good people are believed to go after they die
The old priest taught the children that the souls of the kind rise to the heavens after death.
老神父教導孩子們，善良之人死後靈魂會升上天堂。
collocation: rise to the heavens
Many ancient paintings show angels with white wings looking down from the heavens onto the city.
許多古畫描繪天使展開白色翅膀，從天堂俯瞰整座城市。
preposition: from / down from the heavens
Hamza's grandmother believed her late husband was watching over the family from the heavens.
Hamza 的祖母相信，過世的丈夫正從天堂守護著家人。
The hymn described how the souls of the faithful would one day enter the heavens together.
這首聖歌描述虔誠者的靈魂終有一天會一同進入天堂。
- paradise
describes a place of perfect happiness, often with the same religious meaning
- hell
the place of punishment after death in some religions
文法句型
the heavens
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (the physical sky): this sense names a spiritual realm and almost always appears in religious or literary contexts. Singular 'heaven' is more typical in modern Christian English.
3. the lasting spiritual condition of living in the presence of God, described in s
永恆天國
與神永遠相伴的靈性狀態
the lasting spiritual condition of living in the presence of God, described in some Christian writing as a peaceful joy that has no end — for example, the calm a believer is said to feel during deep prayer
The monk wrote that quiet prayer each morning brought his heart closer to the heavens.
這位修士寫道，每天清晨的安靜祈禱讓他的心更接近永恆天國。
collocation: closer to the heavens
Sister Ari knelt by the candles each evening, hoping that her quiet songs lifted her soul toward the heavens.
Ari 修女每晚在燭光旁跪下，希望自己的低聲歌詠能將靈魂引向永恆天國。
collocation: lift the soul toward the heavens
Yael's pastor said that acts of kindness on earth prepared the believer for the heavens above.
Yael 的牧師說，地上的善行能讓信徒為永恆天國做好準備。
After his wife's funeral, Samir said his hours of prayer in the small chapel let him already taste the heavens.
妻子的葬禮過後，Samir 說他在小教堂裡長時間祈禱，讓他彷彿已預先體會到永恆天國。
- salvation
names the act of being saved spiritually; 'the heavens' here names the ongoing state
文法句型
the heavens
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2 (the place): this sense names an inner spiritual condition rather than a location. Mostly found in older religious writing; modern speakers usually say 'heaven' or 'union with God' instead.
4. a respectful or old-fashioned way of saying 'God', used to avoid naming the deit
上天；蒼天
對神的敬稱，常見於誓言與祈禱
a respectful or old-fashioned way of saying 'God', used to avoid naming the deity directly, especially in oaths and prayers
The old soldier raised his sword and swore by the heavens that he would protect the village.
老兵舉起劍，向上天發誓會保護這座村莊。
fixed expression: swear by the heavens
In the play, the king cries out for the heavens to forgive his cruel decision.
劇中，國王呼喊蒼天，請求原諒自己殘酷的決定。
collocation: pray / cry to the heavens
Gita whispered a quiet thanks to the heavens when her son arrived safely home from the long journey.
兒子平安從遠途歸來時，Gita 輕聲向上天道謝。
The poet asked the heavens why such suffering had fallen upon his peaceful village.
這位詩人質問蒼天，為何如此的苦難會降臨在他寧靜的村莊。
- providence
another respectful word for God, suggesting divine care or guidance
文法句型
the heavens
用法筆記
Frequently appears in fixed phrases like 'swear by the heavens' and 'thank the heavens'. Used as a polite substitute for 'God' in many older texts, plays, and poems; rare in modern conversation outside set expressions.
5. a feeling or moment of very strong happiness, used informally to describe someth
極樂；幸福
口語中形容極為美好的感受
a feeling or moment of very strong happiness, used informally to describe something that brings deep delight
Christopher said the warm bowl of homemade soup after the cold hike was pure heavens.
Christopher 說，寒冷健行後喝到的那碗自製熱湯，簡直是極樂享受。
collocation: pure heavens
After her long shift at the hospital, sinking into a hot bath felt like the heavens to Nala.
在醫院長班過後，泡進熱水澡的感覺，對 Nala 來說就像幸福本身。
construction: feel like the heavens
The quiet beach at sunrise, with no tourists in sight, was sheer heavens for the photographer.
日出時分、沒有遊客的安靜海灘，對這位攝影師而言是純粹的幸福。
Tomás laughed and said the small village bakery, with its fresh bread, was simply heavens on earth.
Tomás 笑著說，這間擁有新鮮麵包的小村莊烘焙坊，就是人間幸福。
- misery
very strong unhappiness; the direct opposite of this informal sense
文法句型
be in (the) heavens
用法筆記
Typically follows linking verbs like 'be' or 'feel like', and is often modified by intensifiers such as 'pure', 'sheer', or 'simply'. The singular 'heaven' is more common in this sense; 'heavens' here is a casual plural variant.