thoughtfulness
[θˈɔtfəlnɪs] /ˈthȯt-fəl How to pronounce thoughtful (audio)/ (ame, mw) · /ˈθɔːtflnəs/ (bre, ipa) · [θˈɔtfəlnɪs] /ˈθɔːtflnəs/ (ame, ipa)
thoughtfulness — 形容詞
- thoughtfulnesspositive
- more thoughtfulnesscomparative
- most thoughtfulnesssuperlative
1. showing that you care about other people's feelings, needs, or comfort by doing
體貼的
預先考慮他人需求並表達關懷
showing that you care about other people's feelings, needs, or comfort by doing something kind or anticipating what they would like.
It was thoughtful of Darius to bring hot soup when he heard Ayana was sick in bed.
Darius 聽說 Ayana 生病臥床就帶了熱湯來，真的很體貼。
pattern: It was thoughtful of [person] to [verb]
Constanza sent a thoughtful thank-you note after the job interview, which impressed the manager.
Constanza 在面試後寄了一張體貼的感謝卡，給主管留下了好印象。
thoughtful + note / gift / gesture
Leaving a towel and a snack in the guest room was a thoughtful gesture that made Hari feel welcome.
在客房裡留一條毛巾和小點心，這個體貼的舉動讓 Hari 感到很受歡迎。
The thoughtful gift of a cookbook showed that Sven had remembered her love of Japanese cuisine.
送一本食譜作為禮物，顯示 Sven 體貼地記得她喜愛日本料理。
Mira's thoughtful words on the phone helped Caleb feel less nervous about the surgery.
Mira 在電話中說了幾句體貼的話，幫助 Caleb 對手術不再那麼緊張。
- considerate
very close in meaning; 'considerate' slightly stronger on avoiding causing trouble
- caring
broader; describes a general personality trait rather than a specific action
- attentive
focuses on noticing what others need, sometimes in a service context
- inconsiderate
direct opposite; failing to think of others' feelings
- thoughtless
acting without considering others
文法句型
it + be + thoughtful + of + person + to-infinitive
thoughtful + noun (gesture, gift, word)
用法筆記
By far the most frequent sense of 'thoughtful' in everyday conversation. The 'it is thoughtful of you to…' pattern is a standard polite compliment. Distinguished from sense 2 by the focus on kindness rather than intellectual quality.
常見錯誤
2. showing that a lot of careful and logical thinking has gone into something, such
深思熟慮的
經過仔細且合邏輯思考的
showing that a lot of careful and logical thinking has gone into something, such as a decision, piece of writing, or plan.
The committee arrived at a thoughtful decision after weeks of research and debate.
委員會經過數週的研究與辯論後，做出了一項深思熟慮的決定。
thoughtful + decision
Amelia's thoughtful analysis of the budget helped the team find areas where they could save money.
Amelia 對預算所做的深思熟慮分析，幫助團隊找到了可以省錢的地方。
Mathieu published a thoughtful essay on how cities can prepare for rising sea levels.
Mathieu 發表了一篇深思熟慮的文章，探討城市如何為海平面上升做好準備。
The judge praised the lawyer for her thoughtful argument, which addressed every point of the case.
法官讚揚律師提出的深思熟慮論證，這份論證涵蓋了案件的每一個要點。
- reasoned
emphasises logic over thoroughness
- considered
suggests something was weighed before reaching a conclusion
- deliberate
highlights slowness and intentionality
文法句型
thoughtful + noun (analysis, decision, essay, response)
用法筆記
Applied to the result of thinking (an essay, a plan, a judgment), not to the person while thinking. Compare with sense 3, which describes the thinker's visible state.
3. quiet because you are thinking deeply about something, often appearing distant o
沉思的
陷入思考而顯得安靜的狀態
quiet because you are thinking deeply about something, often appearing distant or unaware of your surroundings.
Esme wore a thoughtful expression as she stared out the train window at the fields.
Esme 望著車窗外飛逝的田野，臉上帶著沉思的表情。
thoughtful + expression / look
Kenji grew quiet and thoughtful during the long drive home, barely responding to questions.
Kenji 在漫長的返家車程中變得安靜而沉思，幾乎不回答問題。
The old photograph showed a thoughtful young man sitting alone on a park bench in fall.
那張老照片中，一個沉思的年輕人獨自坐在秋天的公園長椅上。
A thoughtful silence fell over the room after the professor asked her difficult question.
教授提出那個困難的問題後，教室裡陷入了一片沉思的寂靜。
- pensive
more literary, emphasises melancholy or dreamy reflection
- meditative
suggests intentional, calm mental focus, often spiritual
- distracted
not paying attention rather than being absorbed in thought
文法句型
thoughtful + noun (expression, look, silence)
用法筆記
Commonly describes facial expressions, poses, or silences that reveal inner concentration. Not typically used for active problem-solving — that sense belongs to sense 2.
4. aware of or concerned about a particular fact, risk, or need — most often used i
在意的
對某事有所注意或顧慮（常用否定）
aware of or concerned about a particular fact, risk, or need — most often used in the negative to mean 'not paying proper attention to'.
Karim was not thoughtful of the risks when he put all his savings in a single company.
Karim 把全部積蓄投入一家公司時，並沒有在意其中的風險。
negative: not thoughtful of [risk/danger]
Chidi was not thoughtful of his roommate's need for sleep when he practiced the trumpet every night.
Chidi 每晚練習小號時，並沒有考慮到室友需要睡覺休息。
negative: not thoughtful of + [someone's need]
Tanvi wished her flatmate were more thoughtful of other people's schedules before playing loud music.
Tanvi 希望她的室友在放音樂前，能多在意一下別人的作息時間。
Sahil was not thoughtful of the hidden costs when he signed the rental agreement for the flat.
Sahil 在簽下那間公寓的租約時，並沒有在意其中的隱藏費用。
- unmindful
formal; opposite of 'mindful'
文法句型
be + not + thoughtful + of + noun
用法筆記
This sense is much less common than sense 1 and sounds somewhat formal. In everyday English, 'mindful of' or 'aware of' is more natural for positive statements; 'not thoughtful of' is the main survival pattern.
thoughtfulness — 名詞
1. a tendency to think about other people's feelings and comfort, shown by doing th
體貼；關懷
為他人著想的善意品質
a tendency to think about other people's feelings and comfort, shown by doing things that help them or make them happy.
Eli showed great thoughtfulness by remembering everyone's birthday with a small card or gift.
Eli 記得每個人的生日並送上小卡片或禮物，展現了極大的體貼。
show + thoughtfulness
Tendai thanked his neighbours for their thoughtfulness during his recovery after the accident.
Tendai 感謝鄰居在他車禍康復期間的體貼照顧。
someone's + thoughtfulness
Putri appreciated the thoughtfulness of her coworkers, who had prepared meals for her family.
Putri 很感激同事們的體貼——他們為她的家人準備了餐點。
The nurse's gentle thoughtfulness made the children feel safe during their stay in the hospital.
那位護士溫柔的關懷讓孩子們在住院期間感到安心。
- consideration
slightly more formal; 'show consideration for others'
- kindness
broader; not limited to anticipating needs
- caring
emphasises emotional warmth rather than practical actions
- thoughtlessness
acting without regard for others' feelings
- inconsideration
failure to think of others' convenience
文法句型
thoughtfulness + towards + noun
show/appreciate/demonstrate + thoughtfulness
用法筆記
By far the most frequent sense of 'thoughtfulness' in everyday English. Often appears in contexts of gratitude and appreciation — 'thank you for your thoughtfulness' is a common formula.
2. the state or activity of thinking carefully and seriously about something, often
深思；慎思
對某事仔細思考的狀態
the state or activity of thinking carefully and seriously about something, often for a long period of time.
The philosopher's quiet thoughtfulness impressed everyone at the conference.
那位哲學家安靜深思的模樣讓會議上的所有人印象深刻。
Quan stared at the map in deep thoughtfulness, tracing possible routes with his finger.
Quan 凝視著地圖陷入深思，用手指描摹著可能的路線。
collocation: deep thoughtfulness / in thoughtfulness
Minho's thoughtfulness during the meeting meant he asked several important questions that others had missed.
Minho 在會議中深思熟慮的態度，讓他提出了好幾個別人都沒注意到的關鍵問題。
With visible thoughtfulness, the old woman examined each photograph before placing it in the album.
老太太帶著明顯的深思，仔細檢查每一張照片才放進相簿裡。
- contemplation
more formal; suggests patient, sustained reflection
- rumination
implies repeated or prolonged thinking, often about a single topic
文法句型
with + thoughtfulness
in thoughtfulness
用法筆記
Unlike 'deep thought', which can be purely internal, 'thoughtfulness' in this sense often implies a visible, reflective quality that others can observe. Can describe both a temporary state and a habitual tendency.
3. the quality of planning or doing something in a thorough, careful way so that it
周詳；用心
仔細規劃以求有效
the quality of planning or doing something in a thorough, careful way so that it works well and nothing important is forgotten.
The success of the festival was mainly due to Esteban's thoughtfulness in planning every detail.
慶典的成功主要歸功於 Esteban 在每個細節上的周詳規劃。
thoughtfulness in + [gerund]
Daichi's thoughtfulness in designing the experiment meant the team avoided months of extra work.
Daichi 在實驗設計上的用心，讓團隊省去了數月的額外工作。
The report showed a level of thoughtfulness that the manager had not expected from a new hire.
那份報告展現出的周詳程度，是主管沒有預料到會出現在新進員工身上的。
Each dish was prepared with great thoughtfulness, balancing flavours and textures with care.
每一道菜都經過用心準備，仔細平衡了風味與口感。
- thoroughness
emphasises completeness more than smart design
- care
broader; can refer to caution rather than intelligent planning
- attentiveness
focuses on noticing small but important details
- carelessness
failing to give enough attention to details
- sloppiness
doing things in a hurried, incomplete way
文法句型
with + thoughtfulness
thoughtfulness + in + noun/gerund
用法筆記
This sense overlaps with 'care' and 'thoroughness' but adds the idea of intelligent design — the thoughtfulness produces an outcome that is not just complete but well-conceived. Common in professional and creative contexts.