within
[wɪðˈɪn] /wi-ˈt͟hin -ˈthin/ (ame, mw) · /wɪˈðɪn/ (bre, ipa) · [wɪðˈɪn] /wɪˈðɪn/ (ame, ipa)
within — 副詞
1. in the inner part of a space, object, or area, rather than on its outer surface
在內部
在物體或空間的裡面
in the inner part of a space, object, or area, rather than on its outer surface or outside it
The old house looked plain outside, but within the walls were covered with colourful paintings.
那棟老房子從外面看起來很普通，但內部的牆壁上卻布滿了色彩鮮豔的畫作。
adverb position at the start of a clause
Élise opened the wooden chest and discovered a silk scarf hidden within.
Élise 打開木箱，發現裡面藏著一條絲質圍巾。
The envelope was sealed with wax, and within lay a single handwritten letter.
信封用蠟封住，裡面放著一封手寫的信。
Renata cracked the nut and found the seed within still fresh and edible.
Renata 敲開堅果，發現裡面的種子仍然新鮮可食。
- inside
more common in everyday speech; 'within' sounds more formal or literary
- internally
more technical and often used for systems or the body
- outside
on the exterior rather than in the inner part
用法筆記
As an adverb, 'within' usually follows the main verb or appears at the beginning of a clause. It is more formal and less common than 'inside' for describing physical position.
2. in a person's private thoughts, feelings, or character, even if this is not show
在內心
在心裡而未表露
in a person's private thoughts, feelings, or character, even if this is not shown outwardly
Saira smiled during the meeting, but within she was deeply worried.
Saira 在會議中面帶笑容，但內心其實非常擔心。
contrast between outward appearance and inner feeling
Pedro remained calm for the children, though within he felt close to panic.
Pedro 為了孩子們保持鎮定，但內心已接近恐慌。
The audience saw a confident speaker, yet within Caleb still doubted himself.
觀眾看到的是一位自信的講者，但 Caleb 內心仍然懷疑自己。
Isabela thanked everyone politely, while within she carried a quiet anger.
Isabela 禮貌地向大家道謝，但內心一直壓著一股怒氣。
- outwardly
showing something in visible behaviour rather than only in private feeling
用法筆記
This literary sense contrasts hidden feelings with what other people can see. Distinguish it from adverb sense 1, which refers to physical interior space.
within — 介系詞
1. before a given time limit ends, or no farther away than a stated distance from a
在…之內
在某段時間或某個距離之內
before a given time limit ends, or no farther away than a stated distance from a location
The package should arrive within three working days, according to the tracking information.
根據追蹤資訊，包裹應該在三個工作日內送達。
within + time period for deadline
Diya lives within walking distance of the main train station in Taipei.
Diya 住在步行可到台北火車站的距離內。
within + distance for accessibility
Kwame completed the marathon within four hours despite the hot weather.
儘管天氣炎熱，Kwame 仍在四個小時內完成了馬拉松。
Xiu promised to finish the report within a week and delivered it two days early.
Xiu 答應在一週內完成報告，並且提前兩天交件。
It is rare to see snow within a hundred kilometres of the equator.
在赤道方圓一百公里內看到雪是很罕見的。
文法句型
within + [time period]
within + [distance] of + [place]
用法筆記
For time, 'within' focuses on the endpoint (not later than) rather than during the whole period. Compare: 'I will finish it within an hour' (before one hour passes) vs 'I will finish it in an hour' (after one hour).
常見錯誤
2. not exceeding what is permitted by laws, rules, budgets, or other controlling st
在…範圍內
在法規或限制的範圍之內
not exceeding what is permitted by laws, rules, budgets, or other controlling standards
The company must operate within the environmental regulations set by the government.
公司必須在政府制定的環保法規範圍內營運。
within + regulations for legal compliance
Quinn ensured that every expense stayed within the budget approved by the board.
Quinn 確保每一筆支出都不超出董事會批准的預算。
Staying within the speed limit is required by law in every country.
每個國家都規定駕駛不得超過速限。
The judge ruled that the protest was within the rights protected by the constitution.
法官裁定，那場抗議行動仍在憲法保障的權利範圍內。
Constanza kept the project costs completely within the agreed financial limits.
Constanza 將專案成本完全控制在雙方同意的財務限制內。
- inside
more general and less formal; 'within' is preferred in official or rule-based contexts
- in accordance with
more formal and refers specifically to rules or procedures
- under
common in legal language: 'under the law', 'under the terms of the agreement'
- outside
beyond the permitted limits
- beyond
exceeding the allowed range or boundary
- contrary to
in violation of rules or standards
文法句型
within + [limit/rule/budget/law]
用法筆記
Frequently followed by nouns of control such as 'budget', 'law', 'regulations', 'guidelines', 'rules', 'limits', or 'bounds'. This sense often appears in formal or professional contexts.
常見錯誤
3. contained in the inner area or boundaries of a particular place, object, or body
在…裡面
在物體或空間的內部
contained in the inner area or boundaries of a particular place, object, or body part
The Watanabe family kept their emergency supplies within the basement at all times.
Watanabe 一家把緊急物資一直存放在地下室裡。
Dr. Okafor found a small tumour within the patient's right lung.
Okafor 醫生在病人的右肺內部發現了一顆小腫瘤。
within + body part in medical context
There is a hidden compartment within the old wooden desk that Grandpa built.
爺爺做的那張舊書桌裡有一個隱藏式暗格。
Birds had built a nest within the hollow trunk of the oak tree.
鳥兒在那棵橡樹中空的樹幹裡築了一個巢。
The architect designed a small garden within the central courtyard of the building.
建築師在大樓的中央庭院內設計了一座小花園。
- inside
the everyday alternative; far more frequent in spoken English
- in
shorter and more casual; used for simple location
- enclosed within
emphasises that something is fully surrounded, often used in formal descriptions
文法句型
within + [place/object/area]
用法筆記
For physical locations, 'inside' is far more common in everyday conversation. 'Within' in this sense sounds more formal or technical and is typical in medical, architectural, or geographical writing.
常見錯誤
within — 名詞
1. the inside part or inner area of something, especially when compared with its ou
內部
物體或地方的內側部分
the inside part or inner area of something, especially when compared with its outside
The cabin looked rough from the road, but the within was warm and clean.
那間小木屋從路上看很粗陋，但內部溫暖又整潔。
the within used as a literary noun
The shell was cracked, yet the within still protected the seed.
外殼雖然裂開了，但內部仍保護著那顆種子。
Sunlight passed through the stained glass and brightened the church's within.
陽光穿過彩繪玻璃，使整座教堂的內部明亮起來。
The jar seemed plain outside, but the within shone with gold leaf.
那只罐子外表看來樸素，但內部閃著金箔的光澤。
- outside
the outer part rather than the inner area
文法句型
the within of + [object/place]
用法筆記
This noun is uncommon and literary. It is usually preceded by "the" and often appears when a writer contrasts an outside view with what is inside.
within — 形容詞
- withinpositive
- more withincomparative
- most withinsuperlative
1. located on the inside or enclosed by something around it
內部的
位於裡面的；被包住的
located on the inside or enclosed by something around it
The guards waited in the within court until the gates opened at dawn.
守衛們在內院等候，直到天亮時大門打開。
within used before a noun in a literary style
A lamp burned beside the within wall of the narrow cave.
一盞燈在狹窄洞穴的內側牆邊燃著。
The queen was escorted to the within chamber of the palace for safety.
王后被護送到宮殿的內部廳室，以確保安全。
Ivy spread across the within face of the stone arch.
常春藤蔓延在石拱門的內側表面上。
- outer
on the outside rather than enclosed within
文法句型
within + [noun]
用法筆記
This adjective is rare and literary. Modern everyday English usually prefers "inner" or "inside" instead.