tube
/tjuːb/ (bre, ipa) · /tuːb/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈtüb ˈtyüb/ (ame, mw)
tube — 名詞
- tubesingular
- tubesplural
1. A long hollow shape, typically made from materials such as metal, plastic, rubbe
管子
用於輸送液體或氣體的長管
A long hollow shape, typically made from materials such as metal, plastic, rubber, or glass, used to carry or hold liquids and gases as they travel between locations.
The plumber replaced the old metal tube under the kitchen sink.
水電工更換了廚房水槽下方的舊金屬管子。
tube as a physical pipe used in plumbing
Water flows through a narrow rubber tube connected to the washing machine.
水經由一條連接洗衣機的窄橡膠管流出來。
Cyrus used a plastic tube to siphon petrol from the lawnmower.
Cyrus 用一根塑膠管從割草機裡吸出汽油。
The laboratory assistant inserted a glass tube into the flask for the experiment.
實驗室助理將一根玻璃管插入燒瓶中以進行實驗。
用法筆記
Often used interchangeably with 'pipe' for flexible or smaller conduits. 'Pipe' is more common for rigid metal plumbing fixtures.
常見錯誤
2. In medicine and biology, a narrow channel inside a living organism that transpor
管狀器官
體內輸送空氣或液體的通道
In medicine and biology, a narrow channel inside a living organism that transports fluids such as blood, air, or digestive substances from one part of the body to another.
Food moves from the mouth to the stomach through a muscular tube called the oesophagus.
食物從口腔經由一條稱為食道的肌肉管進入胃部。
biological tube in the digestive system
Élise visited a doctor because one of her fallopian tubes was blocked.
Élise 去看醫生，因為她的一條輸卵管堵塞了。
The bronchial tubes carry air between the windpipe and the lungs.
支氣管負責在氣管與肺部之間輸送空氣。
Sirin learned in biology class that the Eustachian tube connects the ear to the throat.
Sirin 在生物課上學到，耳咽管連接耳朵和喉嚨。
用法筆記
Frequently appears in compound medical terms: 'fallopian tube', 'bronchial tube', 'Eustachian tube'. The plural form 'tubes' is common when referring to paired structures.
3. A soft, narrow container sealed at one end with a small opening at the other, ma
軟管
裝膏狀物的擠壓式容器
A soft, narrow container sealed at one end with a small opening at the other, made of metal or plastic, designed to hold a thick liquid or paste that you push out by squeezing.
Yumi squeezed out the last of the toothpaste before buying a new tube.
Yumi 把最後一點牙膏擠出來，然後買了一條新的牙膏管。
squeeze + out of the tube — indicating extracting contents
The artist bought a tube of red oil paint from the art supply shop.
那位藝術家在美術用品店買了一管紅色油畫顏料。
Camila handed her son a fresh tube of sunscreen before they went to the beach.
Camila 在去海灘之前遞給兒子一條新的防曬乳。
Theo rolled up the toothpaste tube from the bottom to use every last bit.
Theo 從牙膏管底部往上捲，以便用盡最後一點牙膏。
- container
more general; does not specify the squeezable design
- tube packaging
descriptive term for the packaging format
用法筆記
Nearly always followed by 'of' + substance: 'a tube of toothpaste / paint / hand cream / sunscreen'. The lid is screwed back on after each use to prevent the contents from drying out.
4. An informal British term for a metal can or glass bottle containing beer, typica
罐裝啤酒
口語指一罐啤酒
An informal British term for a metal can or glass bottle containing beer, typically served cold.
Imran opened a cold tube of beer while watching the football match.
Imran 邊看足球賽邊打開了一罐冰啤酒。
informal: tube of beer = can or bottle of beer
After work, Matthew grabbed a couple of tubes from the fridge.
下班後，Matthew 從冰箱裡拿了幾罐啤酒。
Gabriel handed his friend a cold tube of beer at the barbecue.
Gabriel 在烤肉聚會上遞給朋友一罐冰啤酒。
Theo brought two tubes of lager to the party last night.
Theo 昨晚帶了兩罐拉格啤酒去派對。
用法筆記
Chiefly British slang. Used in casual conversation, especially in pubs or among friends. 'A tube' means one can; 'a couple of tubes' is a common plural.
常見錯誤
5. An electric train network that runs mostly in tunnels beneath the streets of Lon
倫敦地鐵
倫敦的地下鐵路系統
An electric train network that runs mostly in tunnels beneath the streets of London, commonly referred to by locals as the Tube.
Shanti took the Tube from King's Cross to Oxford Circus this morning.
Shanti 今天早上搭倫敦地鐵從 King's Cross 到 Oxford Circus。
the Tube + from [station] to [station] — typical route expression
Christopher has lived in London for five years but still gets lost on the Tube.
Christopher 在倫敦住了五年，但搭地鐵還是會迷路。
The Tube runs from around five in the morning until midnight every day.
倫敦地鐵每天從凌晨五點左右運行到午夜。
Kofi checked the Tube map on his phone to find the route to Camden Town.
Kofi 看了一下手機上的地鐵圖，找出前往 Camden Town 的路線。
- the London Underground
the official name; more formal
- the subway
used in American English; not used for London's system
用法筆記
Always capitalised as 'the Tube' when referring to the London Underground. Use 'take the Tube' / 'go by Tube' / 'on the Tube'. The official name is 'the London Underground', but locals almost always call it 'the Tube' — the nickname comes from the shape of the deep-level tunnels, which are cylindrical tubes.
常見錯誤
6. The television, considered as a device for watching programmes or as a broadcast
電視
口語指電視或電視節目
The television, considered as a device for watching programmes or as a broadcast medium; used informally in phrases such as 'watch the tube' or 'on the tube'.
After dinner, the whole family sat around watching the tube.
晚餐後，全家人圍坐在一起看電視。
informal: watching the tube = watching TV
My grandfather still calls the television 'the tube' even though it is a flat screen.
我爺爺到現在還是把電視叫作「the tube」，儘管那已經是平面螢幕了。
There is nothing good on the tube tonight, so I will read a book instead.
今晚電視上沒什麼好節目，所以我打算看書。
Sirin turned on the tube to watch the evening news before dinner.
Sirin 打開電視看晚餐前的晚間新聞。
- TV
neutral, more common in modern usage
- television
formal, the full word
- the box
British informal synonym, also old-fashioned
用法筆記
Informal and somewhat old-fashioned in American English, but still widely understood. Originates from the cathode-ray tube (CRT) used in older television sets. The definite article 'the' is required: 'on the tube', not 'on tube'.