unfaithful
/ʌnˈfeɪθfl/ (bre, ipa) · [ənfˈeθfəl] /ʌnˈfeɪθfl/ (ame, ipa) · [ənfˈeθfəl] /ˌən-ˈfāth-fəl How to pronounce unfaithful (audio)/ (ame, mw)
unfaithful — 形容詞
- unfaithfulpositive
- more unfaithfulcomparative
- most unfaithfulsuperlative
1. describes a married person or someone in a committed relationship who chooses to
出軌；不忠
與伴侶以外的人發生性關係
describes a married person or someone in a committed relationship who chooses to have sex with another person, thereby breaking the promise to be faithful
Roya found a hotel receipt in her husband's pocket and realized he had been unfaithful.
Roya 在丈夫的口袋裡找到一張飯店收據，才發現他對她不忠。
pattern: discover + that + [person] + had been unfaithful
The therapist helped the couple talk honestly about why one partner had been unfaithful.
治療師幫助這對伴侶坦誠地討論為何其中一方會出軌。
Chiara ended the relationship after learning her boyfriend was unfaithful during their first year together.
Chiara 得知男友在交往第一年就對她不忠之後，便結束了這段關係。
Lakan's friends were shocked when they heard that his wife had been unfaithful.
Lakan 的朋友們聽到他的妻子對他不忠時，都感到非常震驚。
In the novel, a married woman is unfaithful to her husband during a long voyage.
在那本小說中，一位已婚婦女在漫長的航海旅程中對丈夫不忠。
- cheating
less formal; far more common in everyday speech
- adulterous
more formal and legal; specifically refers to married people
- two-timing
informal; implies active deception of two partners at once
- faithful
keeps promises of romantic commitment
文法句型
unfaithful + to + person
discover + that + person + had been + unfaithful
用法筆記
Often used with 'to' followed by the betrayed partner. In everyday conversation, 'cheat on' is more common than 'unfaithful'.
常見錯誤
2. describes someone who does not keep promises or act according to the duties expe
背信；不忠誠
未能履行義務或承諾
describes someone who does not keep promises or act according to the duties expected of them, such as a soldier who turns against their own country or a friend who reveals secrets
The general was accused of being unfaithful to his country when he sold military secrets.
那位將軍因出售軍事機密而被指控對國家不忠。
accused of + being unfaithful to + [country/duty]
A guard who is unfaithful to his duties might let dangerous prisoners escape.
一個對職責不忠誠的警衛可能會讓危險的囚犯逃脫。
Heather could not forgive her business partner for being unfaithful to their written agreement.
Heather 無法原諒她的商業夥伴背棄了他們簽署的協議。
The biography describes the politician as unfaithful to his early promises.
這本傳記將那位政治人物描述為背棄了早期的承諾。
- disloyal
very similar; equally formal
- treacherous
stronger; implies active betrayal with harmful intent
- faithless
more literary or poetic; less common in everyday use
文法句型
unfaithful + to + duty/country/promise
用法筆記
Typically describes failure of serious obligations such as loyalty to one's country, employer, or sworn oath. Usually followed by 'to'.
常見錯誤
3. describes a copy, translation, record, or description that contains mistakes or
不實；不準確
未能正確呈現原作
describes a copy, translation, record, or description that contains mistakes or does not correctly represent the original thing it is based on
This translation is unfaithful to the original poem because it changes the rhythm completely.
這份譯文未能忠於原詩，因為它完全改變了節奏。
unfaithful + to + [original]
Historians rejected the document as an unfaithful copy of the original treaty.
歷史學家拒絕了那份文件，認為它只是原始條約的不實副本。
unfaithful + [copy/translation/account]
The witness gave an unfaithful account of the accident, mixing up the order of events.
目擊者對事故的描述不準確，把事件的順序搞混了。
Any photograph can be an unfaithful representation of reality if it has been edited.
任何照片經過編輯後，都可能成為對現實不實的呈現。
- inaccurate
more common; broader meaning
- unreliable
broader; can apply to people and objects
- untrustworthy
usually for people, not for copies or records
文法句型
unfaithful + noun
unfaithful + to + original
用法筆記
Cannot be used for mechanical failure or simple mistakes. Used before nouns such as 'copy', 'translation', 'account', or 'representation'.