tonic
/ˈtɒnɪk/ (bre, ipa) · [tˈɑnɪk] /ˈtɑːnɪk/ (ame, ipa) · [tˈɑnɪk] /ˈtä-nik How to pronounce tonic (audio)/ (ame, mw) · /ˈtɒn.ɪk/ (bre, ipa) · [tˈɑnɪk] /ˈtɑː.nɪk/ (ame, ipa)
tonic — 名詞
- tonicsingular
- tonicsplural
1. A bubbly beverage with a mildly bitter taste, commonly mixed with spirits like g
通寧水
帶苦味的氣泡飲料
A bubbly beverage with a mildly bitter taste, commonly mixed with spirits like gin or vodka, or enjoyed on its own.
Shirin ordered a gin and tonic with a slice of lime at the bar.
Shirin 在酒吧點了一杯琴通寧，加了一片檸檬。
common phrase: gin and tonic
The bartender filled the glass halfway with tonic before adding the vodka.
酒保先在杯中倒了一半通寧水，再加入伏特加。
Lotte poured herself a tonic water over ice with a twist of lemon.
Lotte 給自己倒了一杯加冰塊的通寧水，並放上一片檸檬。
This brand of tonic has a strong quinine taste that goes well with citrus.
這個品牌的通寧水有強烈的奎寧風味，與柑橘類水果很搭配。
Chidi bought several bottles of tonic and some lemons for the party tonight.
Chidi 為今晚的派對買了好幾瓶通寧水和一些檸檬。
- tonic water
the full name; more formal or specific
用法筆記
Usually refers to 'tonic water' in bar and supermarket contexts. When ordering, 'a tonic' by itself may be understood as a non-alcoholic drink, though paired with spirits it is more common.
常見錯誤
2. A liquid preparation that some people drink regularly to improve their general h
補藥；補品
增進體力與健康的藥液
A liquid preparation that some people drink regularly to improve their general health and energy, rather than to cure a specific disease.
After her long illness, Mrs Okonkwo drank a spoonful of tonic every morning.
久病之後，Okonkwo 太太每天早上喝一匙補藥。
countable: a tonic; uncountable: a spoonful of tonic
Yuna bought a bottle of iron-rich tonic at the pharmacy to help with her tiredness.
Yuna 在藥局買了一瓶含鐵補藥來改善疲勞。
collocation: iron-rich tonic
The nurse told Nikhil that tonic can be helpful during the winter months.
護理師告訴 Nikhil，冬季喝補藥對身體有幫助。
Some herbal tonics contain ginseng and other plant extracts believed to boost energy.
一些草藥補品含有人參及其他據稱能增強體力的植物萃取物。
- elixir
more poetic; suggests a magical or perfect remedy
- restorative
more formal; emphasises returning strength after illness
- poison
something harmful rather than beneficial
用法筆記
Unlike a medicine for a specific condition, a tonic is taken for overall well-being. Commonly sold as liquid in small bottles.
常見錯誤
3. An event, activity, or change of scene that gives you renewed energy and a more
振奮劑
使人恢復精神的事物
An event, activity, or change of scene that gives you renewed energy and a more positive state of mind.
A weekend by the beach was just the tonic Indra needed after months of work.
在辦公室待了幾個月之後，海邊的週末正是 Indra 最需要的一劑振奮劑。
just the tonic — common fixed expression
The children's laughter proved a real tonic for their grandfather in hospital.
孩子們的笑聲對住院的祖父來說，是一帖真正的良藥。
Walking through the old quarter was a real tonic for Tyler after a hard week.
在舊城區散步對 Tyler 來說，是忙碌一週後一劑真正的振奮劑。
Learning to play the piano was a wonderful tonic for João's anxiety.
學鋼琴對於 João 的焦慮感是一劑絕佳的良藥。
- boost
less dramatic; simply an improvement rather than a complete refresh
- lift
informal; focuses on mood improvement
- pick-me-up
informal; can refer to a drink or a short break
- drain
something that uses up your energy
用法筆記
Almost always singular and used with the indefinite article or a determiner: 'a tonic', 'a real tonic', 'just the tonic'. Frequently modified by 'real', 'wonderful', 'perfect'.
4. The foundational tone that identifies the key used in a musical work and acts as
主音
音階中的第一個音
The foundational tone that identifies the key used in a musical work and acts as its harmonic centre.
In the key of C major, the tonic is the note C.
在 C 大調中，主音就是 C 這個音。
João practised moving from the tonic up to the fifth note on his guitar.
João 在吉他上練習從主音往上彈到第五音。
pattern: from the tonic to the [number] note
The music teacher explained that the tonic gives the whole piece a feeling of home.
音樂老師解釋說，主音賦予整首曲子一種歸屬感。
Talia could hear the tonic clearly when the pianist played the opening chord.
Talia 在鋼琴家彈奏開場和弦時，清楚聽到了主音。
- keynote
fully interchangeable; slightly less common
用法筆記
A technical music term. The tonic is the note that the rest of the piece feels anchored to — it often appears at the start and end of a composition. Often used with the definite article: 'the tonic'.
5. A liquid product applied to the hair or face to improve its condition, clean it
調理水
塗抹於肌膚或頭髮的護理液
A liquid product applied to the hair or face to improve its condition, clean it gently, or restore a healthy appearance.
Ada applied a rose-scented facial tonic to her skin after washing her face.
Ada 洗完臉後，在肌膚上塗抹玫瑰香味的臉部調理水。
collocation: facial tonic
The hairdresser recommended a scalp tonic to reduce Madison's dandruff.
理髮師推薦了一款頭皮調理水來改善 Madison 的頭皮屑問題。
collocation: scalp tonic
This alcohol-free facial tonic is gentle enough for sensitive skin types.
這款無酒精的臉部調理水溫和到連敏感肌都能使用。
Iker used a small amount of hair tonic each morning to control frizz.
Iker 每天早上使用少量護髮水來控制毛躁。
用法筆記
Similar to 'toner' for the face, but 'tonic' often suggests a more intensive treatment. For hair, 'hair tonic' is an older term for a grooming lotion applied to the scalp.
tonic — 形容詞
- tonicpositive
- more toniccomparative
- most tonicsuperlative
1. Describing the note that serves as the foundation of a musical key, or based upo
主音的
與音階第一個音相關的
Describing the note that serves as the foundation of a musical key, or based upon that note.
The piece ends with a strong tonic chord that gives a sense of resolution.
樂曲以強烈的主音和弦結束，帶來一種解決感。
collocation: tonic chord
Students practised identifying the tonic note in each of the twelve major keys.
學生練習辨認十二個大調中的主音。
Chidi's composition keeps returning to the tonic harmony before exploring new areas.
Chidi 的作曲在探索新領域之前不斷回到主音和聲。
The music theory exam asked them to name the tonic key of each short passage.
樂理測驗要求他們說出每個短段落的主調。
- keynote
used as a noun rather than adjective
用法筆記
This adjective is almost always used as a technical term in music theory or instruction. The noun sense (sense 4) is far more common in everyday musical contexts.
2. Having a refreshing effect that restores energy or improves a person's state of
恢復活力的
使人精力恢復的
Having a refreshing effect that restores energy or improves a person's state of mind.
A cold shower on a hot day has a tonic effect on the whole body.
在炎熱的日子裡沖個冷水澡，對全身都有恢復活力的效果。
collocation: tonic effect
Shirin found the mountain air to be deeply tonic after weeks in the city.
Shirin 發現山區的空氣對在都市待了好幾週的她來說非常提神。
A walk by the river had a tonic effect on Zuri after a long day.
Zuri 在漫長的一天之後去河邊走一走，感覺精力完全恢復了。
Lotte believed that the herbal tea had a tonic quality that lifted her spirits.
Lotte 相信這種花草茶具有提振精神的功效。
- invigorating
stronger emphasis on physical energy
- restorative
more formal; suggests returning something to a healthy state
- refreshing
more common in everyday language; lighter effect
- draining
reducing energy rather than restoring it
用法筆記
Used before nouns like 'effect', 'quality', or 'properties'. Less common than the noun senses; often found in health, wellness, or descriptive writing.