things
/θɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · [θˈɪŋz] /θɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · [θˈɪŋz] /ˈthiŋ How to pronounce thing (audio)/ (ame, mw)
things — 名詞
1. a word for an object when you do not know its name, cannot remember it, or do no
東西
叫不出名稱的物件
a word for an object when you do not know its name, cannot remember it, or do not want to say it exactly
Pass me the small blue thing beside the toaster, please.
請把烤麵包機旁邊那個藍色小東西遞給我。
that thing + location for an unnamed object
What is that metal thing hanging under the bicycle seat?
掛在腳踏車座墊下面的那個金屬東西是什麼？
A round plastic thing fell out of the toolbox this morning.
今天早上有個圓圓的塑膠東西從工具箱裡掉了出來。
I need the thing that opens paint cans in the garage.
我需要車庫裡那個用來開油漆罐的東西。
文法句型
that thing
the thing that + clause
用法筆記
Usually points to a physical object. For a topic, plan, or problem, use sense 4 instead.
2. the items a person owns, carries, or uses for a particular activity
隨身物品
自己的東西或用品
the items a person owns, carries, or uses for a particular activity
Gather your things before the taxi gets here.
計程車到之前，把你的隨身物品收好。
possessive + things for belongings
Her wet things were hanging over the bathroom rail.
她濕掉的東西正掛在浴室的桿子上。
The nurse put his things in a clear plastic bag.
護理師把他的隨身物品放進透明塑膠袋裡。
Bring your swimming things if the hotel pool is open.
如果飯店泳池有開，記得帶你的游泳用品。
- belongings
more formal; the usual word in notices or travel situations
文法句型
your things
swimming things
用法筆記
Common with your, my, his, and other possessives. It can mean all your belongings or the items for one activity, such as swimming things or school things.
3. the cups, tools, or other items that belong together for one purpose or event
用具
某用途的一整套器具
the cups, tools, or other items that belong together for one purpose or event
I washed the tea things after everyone left the table.
大家離桌後，我把那套餐具洗好了。
noun + things for a set used together
Maeve packed the sewing things into one wooden box.
Maeve 把那套縫紉用具收進一個木盒裡。
The camping things stayed in the shed all winter.
那套露營用具整個冬天都放在小棚子裡。
Please move the art things so the children can eat.
請把那些美術用具移開，孩子們才可以吃飯。
文法句型
tea things
art things
用法筆記
This sense refers to a grouped set of items, often named by a modifier before things, such as tea things, sewing things, or baking things.
4. a broad word for a matter, plan, event, or problem when you are speaking loosely
事情
籠統指某件事或問題
a broad word for a matter, plan, event, or problem when you are speaking loosely rather than naming it exactly
We should talk about the budget thing before lunch.
我們午餐前應該先談談預算那件事。
topic noun + thing for a loosely named matter
The visa thing kept Mateo awake for half the night.
簽證那件事讓 Mateo 半夜都睡不著。
I handled the printer thing while you met the clients.
你去見客戶時，我把印表機那件事處理好了。
Noa knows the family thing that everyone avoids mentioning.
Noa 知道大家都避而不談的那件家庭事情。
文法句型
the budget thing
the family thing
用法筆記
Use this for a topic, problem, or event, not for a physical object. Compare sense 1 when you are pointing to a real object.
5. the particular item, fact, or point that fits exactly what is needed or meant
正是那個
心中確切指到的那個
the particular item, fact, or point that fits exactly what is needed or meant
This tiny screw is the thing we lost yesterday.
這顆小螺絲正是我們昨天弄丟的那個。
the thing for the exact missing item
Cold soup was exactly the thing I needed after work.
下班後，一碗冷湯正是我最需要的。
Her map was the very thing that solved our problem.
她的地圖正是解開我們問題的那個關鍵。
Quiet music was the thing that calmed the baby.
安靜的音樂正是讓寶寶平靜下來的那個關鍵。
文法句型
the thing
exactly the thing
用法筆記
Often appears with the, the very, or exactly the. It points to the precise answer, item, or detail that fits the need.
6. the genuine version of something, not a fake copy or practice version
真品；實況
不是仿品，也可指實際情況
the genuine version of something, not a fake copy or practice version
The market sells copies, but this watch is the real thing.
市場上賣的是仿品，但這支手錶才是真品。
fixed phrase: the real thing
The training drill felt different when the flood became the real thing.
當洪水真的來時，演練和面對實況的感覺完全不同。
That bag looks similar, but the leather one is the real thing.
那個包看起來很像，但皮革那個才是真品。
We practised with paper passports before handling the real thing.
我們先用紙護照練習，之後才處理真正的實物。
- the genuine article
more formal and often used for authenticity
- fake
something made to look real but not genuine
文法句型
the real thing
用法筆記
A fixed phrase. It can describe an authentic object or the actual event after practice, warning, or imitation.
7. exactly the same in meaning or effect, not a different kind of case
同一回事
本質或效果上沒有差別
exactly the same in meaning or effect, not a different kind of case
Saving money is not the same thing as earning more.
省錢和多賺錢不是同一回事。
fixed phrase: the same thing as
Being quiet is not the same thing as agreeing.
安靜不表示和同意是同一回事。
A fever is not the same thing as the flu.
發燒和流感不是同一回事。
Online friendship is not the same thing as daily support.
網路上的友誼和日常支持不是同一回事。
文法句型
the same thing as
用法筆記
Common in contrasts with as. Use it when two ideas may seem related but should not be treated as equal.
8. the entire matter, including all the plans, discussion, or unpleasant details ar
整件事
整個計畫或全部經過
the entire matter, including all the plans, discussion, or unpleasant details around it
After the argument, they decided to cancel the whole thing.
吵完架後，他們決定把整件事取消。
fixed phrase: the whole thing
I want to forget the whole thing and start again tomorrow.
我想把整件事忘掉，明天重新開始。
The storm ruined the stage, so the whole thing ended early.
暴風雨把舞台弄壞了，所以整件事提早結束。
We laughed about the whole thing once the guests had gone.
客人走後，我們才笑著談起整件事。
文法句型
the whole thing
用法筆記
Often follows verbs like cancel, forget, explain, or laugh about. It refers to the matter as one complete unit.
9. more than any other goal, value, or desire
最重要
比其他一切都更重要
more than any other goal, value, or desire
Above all things, Talia values honesty in her closest friends.
在一切之中，Talia 最重要的是朋友是否誠實。
fixed phrase: above all things
He wanted peace above all things after the long trial.
漫長的審判之後，他最重要的願望就是平靜。
Above all things, the coach wanted the team to trust each other.
對教練來說，最重要的是球隊彼此信任。
She protected her daughter's safety above all things.
她把女兒的安全看得最重要。
文法句型
above all things
用法筆記
This is a formal or strongly emphatic phrase. It ranks one value higher than every other consideration.
10. in every area or situation, without exception
凡事
在每種情況或每個方面
in every area or situation, without exception
In all things, Walid tried to act with patience.
Walid 凡事都盡量耐心行事。
fixed phrase: in all things
The judge asked both sides to be fair in all things.
法官要求雙方凡事都要公平。
In all things, the school follows the same safety rules.
這所學校凡事都遵守同一套安全規定。
She stayed calm in all things, even during the blackout.
她凡事都很冷靜，就連停電時也是。
文法句型
in all things
用法筆記
A formal phrase meaning 'in every respect'. It is broader than a single action and refers to conduct across situations.
11. used to introduce the single point you most want to know, find out, or ask about
最想知道
先點出最在意的問題
used to introduce the single point you most want to know, find out, or ask about
If there's one thing I want to know, it's who unlocked the lab.
如果有一件事是我最想知道的，那就是誰打開了實驗室。
fixed opener for the main question
If there's one thing we must find out, it's why the bridge shook.
如果有一件事是我們最想查明的，那就是橋為什麼會晃。
If there's one thing Talia needs to hear, it's that the test is over.
如果有一件事是 Talia 最想知道的，那就是考試已經結束了。
If there's one thing I want to ask, it's when the train returns.
如果有一件事是我最想問的，那就是火車何時回來。
文法句型
if there's one thing I want to know
用法筆記
This set phrase lets the speaker point to the most important question before stating it directly.
12. the situation in general, especially how life or work is going at a particular t
情況
整體局勢或目前狀況
the situation in general, especially how life or work is going at a particular time
Things have been calmer since the children returned to school.
孩子們回學校後，情況平靜多了。
things for the general situation
Things are difficult at the shop, but we are still open.
店裡的情況很辛苦，但我們還是有營業。
Things looked better after the doctor changed my medicine.
醫生替我換藥後，情況看起來好多了。
I hope things improve before the rent is due again.
我希望在房租下次到期前，情況會改善。
- situation
more formal and explicit
文法句型
things are
things have been
用法筆記
Use this plural sense for the general state of life, work, health, or events. Compare sense 14 when you are judging what is possible right now.
13. used to say that an event was fortunate and prevented a worse result
幸好
表示事情發生得及時又走運
used to say that an event was fortunate and prevented a worse result
It's a good thing we brought cash because the card machine failed.
幸好我們有帶現金，因為刷卡機壞了。
fixed clause for lucky timing
It's a good thing Aoi called early, or we would have missed the bus.
幸好 Aoi 早點打來，不然我們就會錯過公車。
It was a good thing the nurse checked the bottle twice.
幸好護理師把瓶子檢查了兩次。
It's a good thing the dog barked before the fire spread.
幸好狗先叫了，不然火勢就擴大了。
文法句型
it's a good thing (that)
用法筆記
The phrase comments on a lucky fact after or before the result is stated. It often implies that a worse outcome was very near.
14. judging by the present situation as it is now
照現況
就目前情勢來看
judging by the present situation as it is now
As things are, we cannot hire anyone before July.
照現況來看，我們七月前不能聘任何人。
as things are for the current situation
The way things are, dinner will be late tonight.
照現況來看，今晚晚餐會比較晚。
As things stand, the village still has only one doctor.
就現況而言，這個村子還是只有一位醫生。
The way things are, I need to finish this alone.
照現況來看，我得自己把這件事做完。
文法句型
as things are
the way things are
as things stand
用法筆記
Unlike sense 12, this phrase is evaluative: it uses the present situation to judge what is possible, likely, or necessary now.
15. used instead of 'anything' to add emphasis, especially in negatives and similar
什麼都
加強語氣，表示任何事物
used instead of 'anything' to add emphasis, especially in negatives and similar statements
Do not worry about a thing while I lock up.
我鎖門時，你什麼都不用擔心。
a thing for emphatic anything
I could not see a thing through the steamed bus window.
隔著起霧的公車窗，我什麼都看不見。
She did not say a thing during the entire meeting.
整場會議裡，她什麼都沒說。
Kai did not feel a thing when the dentist numbed his gum.
牙醫把 Kai 的牙齦麻醉時，他什麼感覺都沒有。
- anything
neutral; the base form without extra emphasis
文法句型
a thing
not ... a thing
用法筆記
Most common in negatives, with verbs of seeing, feeling, saying, or worrying. It adds force compared with plain anything.
16. not anything at all
完全沒有
一樣東西或一件事都不存在
not anything at all
There was not a thing left in the biscuit tin.
餅乾罐裡什麼都沒剩下。
not a thing for complete absence
After the move, we could find not a thing in order.
搬家後，沒有一樣東西放在原來的位置。
The lake looked empty; not a thing broke the surface.
湖面看起來空蕩蕩的，完全沒有任何東西劃破水面。
He opened the drawer and found not a single thing inside.
他打開抽屜，發現裡面什麼都沒有。
- something
at least one item or fact is present
文法句型
not a thing
not a single thing
用法筆記
This phrase means a complete absence. It often follows there was, find, leave, or similar verbs.
17. to feel that none of your clothes are suitable enough for the event you are goin
沒衣服穿
沒有適合某場合穿的衣服
to feel that none of your clothes are suitable enough for the event you are going to
Rina had not a thing to wear for the awards dinner.
Rina 去頒獎晚宴時，竟然覺得自己沒衣服穿。
fixed phrase: not a thing to wear
After the suitcase vanished, he had not a thing to wear at the conference.
行李箱不見後，他去研討會時根本沒衣服穿。
I thought my black dress was clean, but I had not a thing to wear.
我原以為黑洋裝是乾淨的，結果還是覺得自己沒衣服穿。
That cold morning, we had not a thing to wear that was dry.
旅行中最冷的那個早晨，我們連一件乾的衣服都沒有，真是沒衣服穿。
文法句型
not have a thing to wear
用法筆記
Usually said in complaint or humour. It means 'nothing suitable to wear', not literally zero clothes in every case.
18. used to say that no action is possible in the situation
無能為力
完全沒有辦法處理或改變
used to say that no action is possible in the situation
There is not a thing we can do until the road reopens.
在道路重新開放前，我們無能為力。
fixed clause for helplessness
The file was deleted, and there was not a thing I could fix.
檔案被刪掉了，我當時真的無能為力。
Once the ferry had left, there was not a thing they could do.
渡輪一開走，他們就完全無能為力了。
If the pipes are under the street, we can change nothing tonight.
如果水管在馬路底下，今晚我們就無能為力。
文法句型
there is not a thing ... can do
用法筆記
This is stronger than 'cannot help much'. It says that no effective action is available at all.
19. a particular action, condition, or point being mentioned
某件事
特指被提出的一項行動或條件
a particular action, condition, or point being mentioned
One thing I cannot promise is staying after midnight.
有一件事我不能答應，那就是待到半夜以後。
one thing + clause for a specific point
Missing breakfast was a foolish thing to do before the exam.
考前不吃早餐，是件很笨的事。
One thing the contract forbids is sharing customer data.
合約禁止的一件事，就是分享客戶資料。
Taking the shortcut was the wrong thing to do in the fog.
在濃霧中走捷徑，是件錯誤的事。
文法句型
one thing is ...
a thing to do
用法筆記
This sense points to one named action, promise, term, or point. Compare sense 20, which is a grammatical pattern after adjectives like first or best.
20. used after words like first, best, only, or last to turn them into a noun phrase
某種表達
和序數或形容詞連用成片語
used after words like first, best, only, or last to turn them into a noun phrase
The first thing to do is switch off the main power.
第一件要做的事，就是先關掉總電源。
the + adjective/sequence word + thing
The last thing I need tonight is another broken tap.
今晚我最不需要的事，就是又多一個壞掉的水龍頭。
The best thing about winter here is the clear night sky.
這裡冬天最棒的事，就是夜空特別清澈。
The only thing left on the list is booking the driver.
清單上唯一剩下的事，就是替司機訂位。
文法句型
the first thing
the best thing
the only thing
用法筆記
This is a pattern use rather than a lexical meaning of its own. It helps adjectives, sequence words, and similar modifiers form a noun phrase.
21. used to introduce one reason among several
其中一因
先提出眾多理由中的一個
used to introduce one reason among several
For one thing, the rent is higher in the city.
其中一個原因是，城裡的房租比較高。
fixed opener for one reason
I will not buy it; for one thing, the screen keeps freezing.
我不會買它；其中一個原因是螢幕一直當掉。
For one thing, we already have three chairs at home.
其中一個原因是，我們家裡已經有三張椅子了。
She hesitated because, for one thing, nobody had checked the lock.
她會猶豫，其中一個原因是還沒有人檢查那把鎖。
文法句型
for one thing
用法筆記
A discourse phrase used to begin a list of reasons. It often pairs with for another when the speaker adds a second reason.
22. said after an adjective as a warm or pitying way to speak about someone or an an
小傢伙
帶疼惜地指人或動物
said after an adjective as a warm or pitying way to speak about someone or an animal
The poor things were shivering in the rain outside the shelter.
那些小傢伙在收容所外的雨裡冷得直發抖。
adjective + things for sympathy
You brave thing, you finished the race with a sprained ankle.
你這個勇敢的小傢伙，扭傷腳踝還跑完了比賽。
The hungry things crowded around the farmer's boots at dawn.
那些餓壞的小傢伙一大早就擠到農夫的靴子旁。
You lucky thing, you found the last seat by the window.
你這個幸運的小傢伙，居然找到最後一個靠窗座位。
文法句型
you lucky thing
the poor things
用法筆記
This use adds warmth, pity, or affectionate surprise. It is common in speech and often appears as a direct address.