works
[wˈɚks] /ˈwərk How to pronounce work (audio)/ (ame, mw)
works — 名詞
1. creative pieces such as books, paintings, plays, or musical compositions produce
作品
藝術家或作家的創作成果
creative pieces such as books, paintings, plays, or musical compositions produced by an artist or writer.
Van Gogh's later works attract long lines at the museum.
Van Gogh 晚年的作品在博物館總是吸引大批人潮。
plural noun: works by an artist
The gallery displays early works by a painter from Sao Paulo.
這間畫廊展出一位來自 Sao Paulo 的畫家的早期作品。
Scholars still debate which works were really written by Shakespeare.
學者們至今仍在爭論哪些作品確實是 Shakespeare 寫的。
The publisher released the poet's collected works in two thick volumes.
出版社把這位詩人的文集以兩大冊的形式推出。
用法筆記
This sense is usually plural when talking about the output of one creator or a set of creative pieces. Common patterns include 'collected works', 'early works', and 'works by + creator'.
常見錯誤
2. all the extra features, toppings, or services that are available for something.
全套
所有額外配料或服務都包含在內
all the extra features, toppings, or services that are available for something.
The wedding dinner comes with the works: wine, music, and five courses.
那場婚宴晚餐附上全套內容：酒、音樂，還有五道菜。
phrase: with the works = everything included
Zayd orders the works whenever he buys a new computer.
Zayd 每次買新電腦時都會訂全套配備。
The spa package offers the works: massage, facial, and a hot stone bath.
這個水療方案提供全套服務：按摩、臉部護理和熱石浴。
Gabriela wants a pizza with the works and extra cheese.
Gabriela 想點一份加滿全配料又多放起司的披薩。
- everything
the plain literal meaning, but less idiomatic in this food or service pattern.
- the full package
similar meaning, often used for services or deals.
用法筆記
Almost always appears in the fixed phrase 'the works'. It is common after verbs such as 'order', 'get', 'want', and 'come with'.
3. a factory or industrial site where materials are processed or goods are made.
工廠
進行工業生產或加工的場所
a factory or industrial site where materials are processed or goods are made.
The steel works employs three hundred people from nearby villages.
那座鋼鐵廠雇用了附近村莊的三百名居民。
common compound: steel works
Lakan gets a job at the brick works after school.
Lakan 放學後就在磚廠找到一份工作。
The old gas works is now a modern art gallery.
那座舊煤氣廠現在成了一間現代美術館。
Dust from the cement works drifts across the road on dry days.
乾燥的日子裡，水泥廠的灰塵會飄過馬路。
用法筆記
In this meaning, 'works' often behaves like a singular noun even though it ends in -s: 'The steel works is closing.' It is especially common in British English and in compounds such as 'gas works' or 'cement works'.
常見錯誤
4. the moving parts inside a machine, clock, or similar device.
機件
機器內部會動的零件
the moving parts inside a machine, clock, or similar device.
The clockmaker oils the works of the antique grandfather clock.
那位鐘錶匠替古董老爺鐘的機件上油。
the works of [machine]
Dust inside the works of the sewing machine slows it down.
縫紉機機件裡的灰塵讓它運轉變慢了。
The mechanic checks the works of the engine before the race.
技師在比賽前檢查引擎的機件。
When the works of the pump jam, the water system stops.
抽水機的機件一旦卡住，整個供水系統就會停止。
用法筆記
This sense usually appears with 'the' and an 'of' phrase naming the device, as in 'the works of the clock'. It refers to the internal mechanism rather than the outside case.
常見錯誤
5. actions done to help other people or to show moral or religious goodness.
善行
幫助他人或展現德行的行為
actions done to help other people or to show moral or religious goodness.
The church praises good works that help poor families through winter.
教會稱讚那些幫助窮苦家庭過冬的善行。
fixed phrase: good works
People in the village still remember her good works today.
村裡的人到今天仍記得她做過的善行。
The old book says faith should lead to good works.
那本古書說，信仰應該帶出善行。
The charity honors volunteers whose good works changed many lives.
慈善機構表揚那些善行改變許多人生命的志工。
- good deeds
the usual modern everyday term.
- acts of kindness
warmer and less religious in tone.
- charity
broader; can describe help or generosity in general.
- wrongdoing
formal opposite for harmful or immoral actions.
用法筆記
Usually appears in formal, religious, or old-fashioned writing, often in the fixed phrase 'good works'. In everyday speech, people more often say 'good deeds' or 'acts of kindness'.
works — 動詞
- workspresent simple I / you / we / they
- workses3rd person singular
- worksing-ing form
- worksedpast simple
1. to do a regular job or task, usually in order to earn money.
上班；任職
從事固定工作以賺取收入
to do a regular job or task, usually in order to earn money.
Eleni works as a nurse at the city hospital.
Eleni 在市立醫院擔任護士。
works as + job title
My father works for a small software company in Taipei.
我爸爸在臺北一家小型軟體公司任職。
works for + company
Haruto works very hard and often stays at the office late.
Haruto 工作非常認真，常常在辦公室待到很晚。
Nadia works in the fishing industry during the summer season.
Nadia 在夏季期間從事漁業工作。
- is employed
more formal and often used in official writing.
- has a job
broader and more conversational.
- is unemployed
describes not having paid work.
文法句型
works as + job
works for/in/at + place
works + adverb
用法筆記
This sense does not take a direct object. To say someone's profession, use 'works as + job title'; to say the employer or place, use 'works for', 'works in', or 'works at'.
常見錯誤
2. if a machine works, it runs properly; if someone works it, they make it run.
運作；操作
機器正常運轉或人來操控它
if a machine works, it runs properly; if someone works it, they make it run.
The elevator works again after the technician replaces a loose wire.
技師換掉鬆掉的電線後，電梯又恢復運作了。
machine works = functions properly
Iris works the coffee machine while greeting customers at the counter.
Iris 一邊招呼櫃檯前的客人，一邊操作咖啡機。
transitive: works the machine
The furnace works by burning wood pellets through the night.
這座暖爐整夜都靠燃燒木屑顆粒來運作。
This old projector still works properly in the dark classroom.
這臺老舊的放映機在昏暗的教室裡仍能正常運作。
- breaks down
the machine stops working.
文法句型
[machine] works
works + [machine/device]
用法筆記
Both transitive and intransitive uses are common. 'The machine works' describes the machine's condition, while 'works the machine' describes a person's control of it.
常見錯誤
3. if a plan, method, or treatment works, it gives the result people want.
奏效；見效
方法或治療產生想要的結果
if a plan, method, or treatment works, it gives the result people want.
The new sales strategy works well and the company reaches its target.
新的銷售策略很奏效，公司也達成了目標。
collocation: works well
This cough medicine works better if you take it after food.
這種止咳藥如果飯後吃會更見效。
works better if + clause
Gabriel's idea works because the whole team supports it.
Gabriel 的點子之所以奏效，是因為整個團隊都支持它。
Dr. Patel says the allergy treatment works best when Aisha takes it every morning.
Patel 醫師說，Aisha 每天早上服藥時，這個過敏治療最見效。
- fails
does not bring the wanted result.
文法句型
works well
works better/best
works when + clause
用法筆記
Use this sense for methods, plans, ideas, and treatments that produce a good result. It is different from the machine sense, where something physically operates.
常見錯誤
4. to slowly move into a different position or state through small movements or ste
逐漸變成
慢慢移入某位置或狀態
to slowly move into a different position or state through small movements or steady effort.
The screw works loose whenever the washing machine shakes too hard.
每當洗衣機晃得太厲害，那顆螺絲就會慢慢鬆脫。
works + adjective: works loose
Cyrus works his way up by taking every training course.
Cyrus 靠著參加每一門訓練課，一步步往上升。
works his way up
The rope works itself free from the metal hook in storms.
暴風雨來時，那條繩子會慢慢從金屬鉤上鬆開。
The stone in her shoe works its way down to her heel.
她鞋子裡的小石頭一路往下滑到腳跟的位置。
- shifts
more neutral and mainly physical.
- progresses
more abstract, especially for career or social movement.
文法句型
works loose/free
works its way + adverb/preposition
works into + state
用法筆記
This sense always suggests gradual change, not a sudden jump. Common patterns are 'works loose', 'works free', and 'works its way + place or position'.
5. to make something happen through clever or unofficial influence rather than the
設法；擺平
靠巧妙或非正式手段促成結果
to make something happen through clever or unofficial influence rather than the normal system.
Daichi works it so that he can leave early on Fridays.
Daichi 設法安排，讓自己能在星期五提早離開。
works it so that + clause
Rosa works her contacts at city hall to speed up the permit.
Rosa 動用她在市政府的人脈，加快了許可證流程。
works contacts for influence
Imran works the room at every charity dinner he attends.
Imran 每次參加慈善晚宴都會滿場交際。
Antonia works on the editor until her report gets printed.
Antonia 一直說服編輯，直到她的報導得以刊出。
- arranges
more neutral and less suggestive of behind-the-scenes influence.
- manipulates
more negative and more obviously dishonest.
- fixes
informal; often suggests making sure a desired result happens.
文法句型
works it so that + clause
works contacts/connections
works on + person
用法筆記
This sense is informal and often suggests tact, pressure, or clever social skill. It commonly appears in patterns like 'works it so that...' or 'works on someone'.
常見錯誤
6. to press, cut, or stretch a material until it takes the shape you want.
塑形；揉製
按壓或拉整材料使其成形
to press, cut, or stretch a material until it takes the shape you want.
Kemi works the clay into a smooth bowl on the wheel.
Kemi 在陶輪上把黏土塑成一只光滑的碗。
works + material + into + shape
Elise works the dough until it feels soft and elastic.
Elise 揉著麵團，直到它變得柔軟有彈性。
works the dough
The farmer works the soil before planting the tomato seeds.
農夫在種番茄種子前先整好土壤。
Stefan works the metal into a thin curved blade.
Stefan 把金屬打造成一片薄而彎曲的刀身。
文法句型
works + material + into + form
用法筆記
The object is usually a solid or soft material such as clay, dough, metal, or soil. The result often follows 'into', as in 'works the clay into a bowl'.