unto

IPA/ˈʌntə/
KK[ˈʌntu]IPA/ˈʌntə/

unto — 介系詞

1. an old or formal word meaning 'to' or 'toward' — used to indicate direction, the

1.介系詞C1
釋義

向；對；朝

古老文學用語，表示方向或對象

an old or formal word meaning 'to' or 'toward' — used to indicate direction, the person being addressed, or the object of a relationship

例句

Lucas carried the wounded soldier unto the physician's tent before the battle resumed.

Lucas 在戰鬥重新開始前，把受傷的士兵帶到了軍醫的帳篷。

directional: movement toward a place

The old letter read: 'Speak this message unto my daughter and no other.'

那封舊信上寫著：「請把這個訊息傳達給我的女兒，別告訴任何人。」

addressing pattern: speak/say + unto + person

常見搭配
  • unto death
  • unto the end
  • be a law unto oneself
  • a world unto itself
  • do unto others
  • kind unto
  • faithful unto
同義詞
  • to

    the modern default preposition for direction and receiving; neutral register

  • toward / towards

    emphasises direction or orientation rather than arrival; slightly more formal than 'to'

  • for

    can indicate the recipient or purpose, but not directly directional like 'unto'

反義詞
  • from

    indicates origin or separation — the opposite direction

文法句型

unto + noun phrase (person or place)

unto + reflexive pronoun (oneself)

用法筆記

Primarily found in religious texts (the King James Bible), historical literature, proverbs, and formal set phrases. Avoid in modern everyday speech — use 'to' or 'toward(s)' instead. The phrase 'a law unto oneself' (meaning someone who ignores rules) is a common fixed expression still heard today.

常見錯誤

I walked unto the store this morning.
I walked to the store this morning.
'unto' is not used for ordinary modern-direction sentences; use 'to'.
She gave the flowers unto her mother.
She gave the flowers to her mother.
'unto' sounds unnatural in modern everyday giving; use 'to'.
慣用語

a law unto oneself

idiom

a person who does what they want, ignoring rules or others' expectations

我行我素；自訂規則

The new manager is a law unto herself and never follows company procedures.

In that remote mountain village, the old landlord was a law unto himself for decades.

do unto others

idiom

a saying that you should treat other people the way you would like them to treat you

己所不欲，勿施於人

Grandmother always said, 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.'

The school taught children the golden rule: do unto others with kindness and fairness.

faithful unto death

idiom

remaining loyal or dedicated all the way until the end of one's life

至死不渝

The old dog stayed faithful unto death, never leaving his master's side.

The knight swore to be faithful unto death in the service of the queen.

同根字

常見搭配

常用片語

  • unto death
  • unto the end
  • unto itself
  • unto oneself