unwary
/ʌnˈweəri/ (bre, ipa) · [ənwˈɛri] /ʌnˈweri/ (ame, ipa) · [ənwˈɛri] /ˌən-ˈwer-ē How to pronounce unwary (audio)/ (ame, mw)
unwary — 形容詞
- unwarypositive
- more unwarycomparative
- most unwarysuperlative
1. not paying enough attention to danger or trickery, so you are easy to surprise,
大意的
沒注意危險或騙局的
not paying enough attention to danger or trickery, so you are easy to surprise, harm, or fool
On the foggy path, the <hl>unwary</hl> hikers stepped onto thin ice.
在起霧的小路上,那群大意的健行者踩上了薄冰。
common attributive pattern: unwary + plural noun
Beatriz was <hl>unwary</hl> and read her card number to a caller.
Beatriz 太大意,把卡號念給來電的人聽。
predicative use in a scam context
When traffic slowed, an <hl>unwary</hl> driver opened the door into a bike lane.
車流變慢時,一名無防備的駕駛把車門開向自行車道。
Adaeze remained <hl>unwary</hl> while the fake repairman walked through the house.
Adaeze 讓假維修工在屋裡走動時,仍然毫無防備。
During lunch, <hl>unwary</hl> children touched the hot tray before staff stopped them.
午餐時,一群大意的孩子伸手去碰熱托盤,還好被工作人員攔住。
- careless
broader everyday word for not giving enough attention; it does not always involve danger or deceit
- unsuspecting
focuses on not expecting harm, often describing a victim in one situation
- gullible
narrower and stronger; emphasises believing false stories too easily
文法句型
unwary + noun
be + unwary
remain + unwary
用法筆記
Often used in warnings about people who do not notice danger until it is too late. It is especially common before a noun, and it usually describes a risky moment rather than someone's permanent personality.