transcendental

/ˌtrænsenˈdentl/ (bre, ipa) · [trˌænsəndˈɛntəl] /ˌtrænsenˈdentl/ (ame, ipa) · [trˌænsəndˈɛntəl] /ˌtran(t)-ˌsen-ˈden-tᵊl How to pronounce transcendental (audio) -sən-/ (ame, mw)

transcendental — 形容詞

  • transcendentalpositive
  • more transcendentalcomparative
  • most transcendentalsuperlative

1. describing an experience or moment that feels deeply significant in a way that g

1.形容詞B2
釋義

超凡的

超越一般經驗或理解的

describing an experience or moment that feels deeply significant in a way that goes beyond what people can normally understand or explain — often connected to spiritual or religious feelings

例句

Kenji described his meditation experience as transcendental, saying he felt connected to everything around him.

Kenji 說他的冥想經驗是超凡的，他感覺自己和周圍的一切都連結在一起。

describe something as + transcendental

The old church had a transcendental beauty that made visitors stop and stare in silence.

那座古老教堂散發出一種超凡的美，讓訪客們靜默駐足。

同義詞
  • transcendent

    Broader; can describe any achievement or quality that rises above normal limits, not only spiritual moments

  • sublime

    Emphasizes overwhelming beauty or awe, often connected to art or nature

  • extraordinary

    Much more common and less intense; simply means very unusual, without spiritual overtones

反義詞
  • ordinary

    Everyday, not special or remarkable

  • mundane

    Relating to ordinary daily life, lacking spiritual depth

用法筆記

Typically describes experiences, moments, or feelings rather than people or objects. Common in spiritual or deeply personal contexts.

常見錯誤

❌I had a transcendental sandwich at lunch.
✅I had a transcendental experience during the concert.
💡The word describes extraordinary, profound moments, not everyday things.

2. belonging to a world or reality beyond the natural one that science studies — no

2.形容詞C1
釋義

超自然的

存在於自然界之外的

belonging to a world or reality beyond the natural one that science studies — not explainable by the ordinary laws of nature

例句

Tamás's grandmother told stories about transcendental beings who watched over the forest.

Tamás 的祖母曾講述關於守護森林的超自然生物的故事。

transcendental + being(s) — supernatural entity

Erik believes a transcendental force guides the movement of stars and planets.

Erik 相信有一種超自然的力量在引導星辰和行星的運行。

同義詞
  • supernatural

    The everyday word; preferred in ordinary speech for events outside natural law

  • otherworldly

    Suggests a sense of being from a different realm or dimension

  • preternatural

    More formal; describes abilities or qualities that are beyond what is normal but not necessarily outside nature

反義詞
  • natural

    Of or in accordance with the physical world

用法筆記

More formal and philosophical than 'supernatural,' which is the ordinary word for this idea. Prefer 'supernatural' in everyday conversation.

常見錯誤

❌The wizard cast a transcendental spell.
✅The hermit spoke of transcendental forces in nature.
💡Used in philosophical or spiritual contexts, not fantasy fiction.

3. connected with the philosophical idea that knowledge comes partly from the human

3.形容詞C1
釋義

先驗的

關於先驗哲學或超驗論的

connected with the philosophical idea that knowledge comes partly from the human mind's own structure, not only from what we observe — especially in the systems of Kant or the American transcendentalists

例句

Asher wrote a long paper on Kant's transcendental philosophy for his final exam.

Asher 為了期末考寫了一篇關於康德先驗哲學的長篇報告。

transcendental philosophy — Kantian technical term

The transcendental tradition in America was shaped by writers like Emerson and Thoreau.

美國的先驗哲學傳統是由愛默生和梭羅等作家所奠定。

同義詞
  • a priori

    A related Kantian term meaning knowledge that comes from reasoning alone, not from experience

  • metaphysical

    Broader category dealing with the fundamental nature of reality; not limited to Kant's system

  • idealist

    Related but not identical; idealism argues that reality is shaped by the mind

反義詞
  • empirical

    Based on observation and experience rather than on the structure of the mind

用法筆記

This is a technical term in philosophy. In Kantian thought, 'transcendental' refers to the conditions that make experience possible, not to anything that exists beyond experience itself. Distinguish from 'transcendent,' which means going beyond all possible experience.

常見錯誤

❌That movie was so transcendental!' (used as vague praise).
✅Kant's transcendental philosophy examines how the mind shapes our understanding of the world.
💡In academic use, it has a precise technical meaning.