EN: This sentence uses an 'It-cleft' sentence structure (It is/was + [emphasized element] + that/who...). This structure is used to bring focus or emphasis to a specific part of the sentence (in this case, 'kindness').
中文: 本句使用了「It-cleft」(It 引導的分裂句)結構(It is/was + [強調部分] + that/who...)。這種結構用於強調句子中的特定部分(在此處為「kindness」)。
It is honesty that builds lasting trust.
建立持久信任的是誠實。
EN: The word 'most' is used here as an adverb meaning 'to the greatest extent or degree', modifying the verb 'remember'.
中文: 「most」在此處用作副詞,意思是「最大程度地」或「最」,修飾動詞「remember」(記住)。
What we value most is shown by how we live.
我們最珍視的東西會透過我們的生活方式展現出來。
EN: In English-speaking cultures, expressing appreciation for 'kindness' over material wealth is a common philosophical theme, often emphasized in moral education and personal reflections on what constitutes a meaningful life.
中文: 在英語系國家中,強調「善良」重於物質財富是一種常見的哲學主題,這經常出現在道德教育以及關於何謂有意義人生的個人反思中。
EN: A nominal relative clause (or free relative clause) introduced by 'what' functions as a noun phrase. In this sentence, 'What we value' acts as the subject of the entire sentence, meaning 'the things that we value'.
中文: 由「what」引導的名詞關係子句(或稱自由關係子句)在句中相當於名詞片語。在此句中,「What we value」作為整個句子的主詞,意思是「我們所珍視的事物」。
What you say is very important to us.
你所說的話對我們來說非常重要。
EN: The passive voice ('is shown by') is used to shift the focus from the doer of the action to the receiver. Here, the subject 'What we value' receives the action of being shown, and the agent is introduced by the preposition 'by'.
中文: 被動語態(is shown by)用於將焦點從動作的執行者轉移到接受者。在這裡,主詞「What we value」(我們所珍視的價值)接受「被呈現」的動作,並由介系詞「by」引導出執行動作的媒介。
The truth was revealed by the journalist.
真相是由該名記者揭露的。
EN: This sentence reflects a common philosophical value in English-speaking cultures, emphasizing integrity and the idea that actions speak louder than words. It suggests that true personal values are demonstrated through daily behavior rather than mere declarations.
中文: 這句話反映了英語系國家常見的哲學價值觀,強調「言行一致」以及「行動勝於言語」的概念。它表明一個人真正的價值觀是透過日常行為展現出來的,而非僅憑口頭宣示。
EN: The auxiliary verb 'do' is used before a base verb ('believe') to add emphasis, showing strong conviction or agreement with a statement.
中文: 助動詞「do」置於原形動詞(如 believe)之前,用於加強語氣,表達說話者強烈的信念或對某事的肯定。
I do hope you can come to my party.
我確實希望你能來參加我的派對。
EN: The modal verb 'can' is used here to express possibility, indicating that small acts have the potential or ability to cause a change.
中文: 情態助動詞「can」在此處用於表示可能性,指出微小的行為具有帶來改變的潛力或能力。
Regular exercise can improve your health.
規律運動能改善你的健康。
EN: In English-speaking cultures, there is a strong emphasis on 'paying it forward' and the idea that individual, everyday actions (like holding a door or smiling) have a ripple effect that can positively impact society.
中文: 在英語系國家中,非常強調「將愛傳下去」(paying it forward)的觀念,人們深信個人的日常微小善行(例如幫忙開門或微笑)能產生漣漪效應,進而對社會產生積極的影響。
EN: This sentence uses the 'It is/was... that/who...' cleft sentence structure. This grammar pattern is used to emphasize a specific part of the sentence (in this case, the subject 'a teacher'). By placing the emphasized element between 'It was' and 'who/that', the speaker highlights who performed the action.
中文: 本句使用了「It is/was... that/who...」的分裂句(強調句)結構。這種文法句型用於強調句子中的特定部分(在此處為主詞「a teacher」)。藉由將被強調的元素放在「It was」與「who/that」之間,說話者得以凸顯是誰執行了該動作。
It was my mother who inspired me to pursue music.
是我母親啟發了我去追求音樂之路。
EN: The verb 'teach' can be followed by an object and a to-infinitive ('teach someone to do something'). This structure indicates that the subject imparts knowledge or values to the object, enabling them to perform the action.
中文: 動詞「teach」(教導)後面可以接賓語(受詞)與不定詞(teach someone to do something,教導某人做某事)。此結構表示主詞將知識或價值觀傳授給受詞,使其能夠執行該動作。
She taught her children to respect others.
她教導她的孩子們要尊重他人。
EN: In Western culture, teachers are often highly valued not just for academic instruction, but for their role in character building and emotional development. The phrase 'to care' implies developing empathy and social responsibility, reflecting a holistic approach to education.
中文: 在西方文化中,教師的角色不僅僅是傳授學術知識,更被視為人格塑造與情感發展的重要引導者。句中的「to care」(去關懷、去在乎)意味著培養同理心與社會責任感,這反映了全人教育的理念。
EN: The 'What' clause (nominal relative clause) acts as the subject of the sentence. It means 'the thing(s) that' and is used to emphasize a specific point or focus the listener's attention.
中文: 由 'What' 引導的名詞關係子句在句中擔任主詞,相當於 'the thing that'(……的事情/東西),常用於強調特定焦點或吸引聽眾的注意力。
What matters most to me is your happiness.
對我來說最重要的是你的快樂。
EN: The correlative conjunction 'not... but...' is used to join two parallel elements, negating the first element and emphasizing the second.
中文: 對等關聯連結詞 'not... but...'(不是……而是……)用於連接兩個平行對等的成分,否定前者並強調後者。
Success is not a matter of luck but of hard work.
成功不是靠運氣,而是靠努力。
EN: This sentence reflects a common philosophical theme in English-speaking cultures, particularly in discussions about work-life balance and personal fulfillment, emphasizing intrinsic values (meaning, purpose) over extrinsic rewards (wealth, status).
中文: 這句話反映了英語系國家文化中常見的哲學主題,特別是在探討工作與生活平衡以及個人成就感時,強調內在價值(意義、目標)重於外在回報(財富、地位)。
EN: This sentence uses an 'It is... that...' cleft sentence structure (分裂句). This structure is used to emphasize a specific part of the sentence (in this case, the subject 'honesty'). By placing the emphasized element between 'It is' and 'that', the speaker draws the listener's attention directly to it.
中文: 本句使用了「It is... that...」的分裂句結構(強調句)。此結構用於強調句子中的特定部分(在此處為主詞「honesty」)。藉由將要強調的元素放在「It is」與「that」之間,說話者能將聽眾的注意力直接吸引到該元素上。
It is love that keeps us together.
正是愛讓我們凝聚在一起。
EN: The word 'lasting' is a present participle (V-ing) functioning as an adjective (現在分詞作形容詞). It modifies the noun 'trust' to describe a state of continuing or enduring for a long time.
中文: 「lasting」一字是現在分詞(V-ing)轉作形容詞使用。它修飾名詞「trust」,用以描述一種持續或持久的狀態。
They made a lasting impression on the audience.
他們給觀眾留下了深刻且持久的印象。
EN: In English-speaking cultures, particularly in professional and personal relationships, 'honesty' and 'trust' are highly valued as the foundation of any long-term bond. Using a cleft sentence to emphasize 'honesty' reflects a strong philosophical stance on moral integrity.
中文: 在英語系國家中,無論是職場或個人人際關係,「誠實」與「信任」都被視為任何長期關係的基石。使用分裂句來強調「誠實」,反映出說話者對道德誠信的堅定立場。
EN: Ellipsis (omitting words) is used in parallel structures to avoid repetition. In the second clause 'others quiet peace', the verb 'chase' (or 'seek') is omitted because it is clearly understood from the first clause 'Some chase fame'.
中文: 省略(Ellipsis)常用於平行結構中以避免重複。在第二個子句「others quiet peace」中,動詞「chase」(或「seek」)被省略了,因為從第一個子句「Some chase fame」中可以清楚理解其含意。
Some prefer tea, others coffee.
有些人偏好茶,有些人則偏好咖啡。
EN: The correlation 'Some..., others...' is a standard structure used to contrast different groups of people or things within a larger population.
中文: 「Some..., others...」(有些人……,其他人則……)是一個標準的對比結構,用於呈現群體中不同人或事物的對比與差異。
Some love hot weather, others prefer the cold.
有些人熱愛炎熱的天氣,有些人則偏好寒冷。
EN: This sentence reflects a classic philosophical contrast in Western thought between active, worldly ambition (chasing fame/wealth) and contemplative, inner tranquility (quiet peace). It echoes themes from Stoicism and transcendentalist literature.
中文: 這句話反映了西方思想中經典的哲學對比:一種是積極、世俗的抱負(追求名聲與財富),另一種則是內省、內心的寧靜(平靜的安寧)。這與斯多葛學派及超驗主義文學的主題相互呼應。
EN: A nominal relative clause (or free relative clause) introduced by 'What' acts as the subject of the sentence. It means 'the thing that' or 'that which' and is used to place special emphasis on the information that follows.
中文: 由「What」引導的名詞關係子句(或稱自由關係子句)在此擔任整句話的主詞。其意思相當於「the thing that」(……的事情),常用於將焦點與讀者的注意力引導至後續的內容。
What I need is a cup of hot coffee.
我所需要的是一杯熱咖啡。
EN: The noun clause 'how little we truly need' acts as the subject complement after the linking verb 'was'. It is introduced by the interrogative adverb 'how' modifying the adjective 'little', followed by subject + verb word order.
中文: 名詞子句「how little we truly need」在連繫動詞「was」後面擔任主詞補語。此子句由疑問副詞「how」修飾形容詞「little」開頭,後面接「主詞 + 動詞」的陳述句語序。
EN: This sentence reflects a growing cultural shift in the English-speaking world towards minimalism and voluntary simplicity. It expresses the realization that happiness and contentment do not rely on material abundance, but rather on appreciating the essentials of life.
中文: 這句話反映了英語系國家近年來逐漸興起的「極簡主義」(minimalism)與「簡單生活」文化思潮。它表達了一種深刻的省思:真正的幸福與滿足感並不取決於物質的豐裕,而是在於懂得珍惜生命中最基本、最核心的事物。
EN: The 'It is/was... that...' structure is a cleft sentence used for emphasis. By placing 'family and friends' between 'It is' and 'that', the speaker highlights this specific subject as the source of real joy, rather than other factors like money or fame.
中文: 「It is/was... that...」分裂句結構用於表示強調。藉由將「family and friends」(家人與朋友)放在「It is」與「that」之間,說話者強調了這個特定的主體才是帶來真正快樂的源頭,而非金錢或名聲等其他因素。
It is your support that keeps me going.
正是你的支持讓我堅持下去。
EN: Subject-verb agreement with compound subjects joined by 'and'. When two nouns ('family' and 'friends') are connected by 'and', they form a plural subject, which requires the plural verb form 'bring' instead of 'brings'.
中文: 由「and」連接的複數主詞之主動詞一致性。當兩個名詞(family 與 friends)由「and」連接時,它們構成複數主詞,因此需要使用複數動詞形式「bring」,而非單數形式「brings」。
My brother and sister live in New York.
我的哥哥和姐姐住在紐約。
EN: The auxiliary verb 'do' is used before a main verb in affirmative sentences to add emphasis, meaning 'indeed' or 'really'.
中文: 助動詞「do」可用於肯定句的主動詞之前以示強調,意為「確實」、「真的」或「的確」。
I do believe that honesty is the best policy.
我的確相信誠實是最好的策略。
EN: 'Wherever' is a conjunction meaning 'in or to any place'. In this sentence, 'wherever we can' functions as an adverbial clause of place, with 'help' implied at the end ('wherever we can help').
中文: 「wherever」是一個連 directive(連接詞),意思是「在任何地方」或「無論哪裡」。在本句中,「wherever we can」充當地方副詞子句,後面省略了動詞「help」(即「wherever we can help」)。
You can sit wherever you like.
你可以坐在任何你喜歡的地方。
EN: In English-speaking cultures, expressing a strong personal belief with 'I do think' or 'I do believe' shows sincerity and moral conviction. The sentiment of helping 'wherever we can' aligns with the strong cultural value placed on community service and volunteerism.
中文: 在英語系國家中,使用「I do think」或「I do believe」來表達強烈的個人信念,能展現出說話者的真誠與道德堅持。而「在任何能幫忙的地方伸出援手」的觀念,也與西方文化中對社區服務和志願服務(義工精神)的重視相契合。
EN: This sentence uses the cleft sentence structure 'It is/was... that...' to emphasize a specific part of the sentence (the subject 'a small act'). By placing the emphasized element between 'It was' and 'that', the speaker highlights its importance.
中文: 本句使用了分裂句結構「It is/was... that...」來強調句中的特定部分(此處為主詞「a small act」,即一個小小的舉動)。透過將想強調的元素放在「It was」與「that」之間,說話者能藉此突顯其重要性。
It was her kind words that made me cry.
正是她那溫暖的話語讓我流下了眼淚。
EN: The word 'whole' is an adjective used before a singular noun ('day') to emphasize completeness, meaning 'entire' or 'all of'.
中文: 單字「whole」是一個形容詞,用於單數名詞(此處為「day」)之前以強調完整性,意思是「整個」或「全部的」。
She spent the whole afternoon reading a book.
她花了整個下午的時間讀書。
EN: In English-speaking cultures, there is a strong appreciation for 'random acts of kindness'—small, unexpected gestures of goodwill to strangers. This sentence reflects the belief that even minor positive interactions can have a profound emotional impact on someone's entire day.
中文: 在英語系國家中,人們非常推崇「隨機的善行」(random acts of kindness),即對陌生人做出微小、出乎意料的好意。這句話反映了一種信念:即使是微不足道的正面互動,也能對他人一整天的心情產生深遠的情感影響。
EN: The sentence uses a nominal relative clause (or free relative clause) introduced by 'What' ('What we give') acting as the subject of the main verb 'returns'. In this structure, 'what' is equivalent to 'the thing(s) that'.
中文: 本句使用了由 'What' 引導的名詞關係子句(或稱自由關係子句)「What we give」作為主要動詞「returns」的主詞。在這種結構中,「what」相當於「the thing(s) that」(我們所付出的事物)。
What you decide today will shape your future.
你今天所做的決定將會形塑你的未來。
EN: The phrase 'in time' is an idiom that means 'eventually' or 'after a period of time has passed'. It should not be confused with 'on time' (punctual).
中文: 片語「in time」在此處為習慣用語,意思是「遲早、隨著時間流逝」或「終究」。請注意不要與「on time」(準時)混淆。
Don't worry, you will understand the lesson in time.
別擔心,隨著時間過去,你終究會理解這一課的。
EN: This sentence reflects a universal moral concept akin to 'karma' or 'what goes around comes around,' but phrased in a gentle, encouraging way. In Western culture, there is a strong emphasis on community service and charity, believing that acts of generosity enrich both the giver and the community over time.
中文: 這句話反映了一種普世的道德觀念,類似於「善有善報」或「因果循環」,但語氣更為溫柔且具鼓勵性。在西方文化中,社區服務與慈善活動受到高度重視,人們深信慷慨之舉隨著時間推移,不僅能幫助他人,最終也會豐盛施予者自己的心靈。
EN: Adverbial clauses of time are introduced by subordinating conjunctions like 'when'. They establish the temporal framework for the main clause. In this sentence, 'When I think about life' sets the condition or time for the main action 'I ask...'.
中文: 時間副詞子句由「when」(當……時)等從屬連接詞引導,用來建立主要子句動作發生的時間背景。在本句中,「When I think about life」為主要動作「I ask...」設定了時間點。
When she travels abroad, she always tries local food.
當她去國外旅遊時,她總是會嚐嚐當地的食物。
EN: Noun clauses function as objects of verbs. Here, the noun clause 'what truly matters most' acts as the direct object of the transitive verb 'ask'. It uses statement word order (subject + verb) rather than question word order.
中文: 名詞子句在句中可以作為動詞的賓語(受詞)。在此處,名詞子句「what truly matters most」作為及物動詞「ask」的直接受詞。請注意,此類間接問句需使用陳述句語序(主詞 + 動詞),而非疑問句語序。
I want to know what makes you happy.
我想知道是什麼讓你感到快樂。
EN: This sentence reflects a common Western philosophical and self-reflective practice of prioritizing personal values, relationships, and inner peace over material wealth or social status.
中文: 這句話反映了西方常見的哲學與自我反思傳統,即相較於物質財富或社會地位,人們更重視個人價值觀、人際關係與內心的平靜。
EN: This sentence uses the 'It is... that...' cleft sentence structure (split sentence) for emphasis. By placing 'not wealth or status' between 'It is' and 'that', the speaker strongly emphasizes that these two factors are not the source of contentment, rather than other possibilities.
中文: 本句使用了「It is... that...」分裂句(強調句)結構。透過將「not wealth or status(並非財富或地位)」放在「It is」與「that」之間,說話者強烈強調了這兩者並非滿足感的來源,以排除其他可能性。
It is kindness that people remember most.
人們最記住的,是善良。
EN: The coordinating conjunction 'or' connects two noun phrases 'wealth' and 'status'. When a subject consists of singular nouns connected by 'or', it usually takes a singular verb, but here the relative clause 'that brings...' modifies the emphasized plural-concept noun phrase. However, 'wealth or status' is treated as a singular choice, so the verb 'brings' is in the singular form.
中文: 對等連接詞「or」連接了兩個名詞片語「wealth(財富)」與「status(地位)」。當主詞由「or」連接的單數名詞組成時,通常搭配單數動詞。在此處,關係子句「that brings...」修飾被強調的「wealth or status」,因其視為單一選擇,故動詞使用單數形「brings」。
It is passion or dedication that drives success.
驅使成功的是熱情或奉獻。
EN: This sentence reflects a common philosophical theme in Western literature and self-reflection, which questions the material definition of success (wealth and status) and emphasizes intrinsic values like inner peace and contentment.
中文: 這句話反映了西方文學與自我反思中常見的哲學主題,即質疑以物質(財富與地位)來定義成功的觀念,轉而強調內心平靜與滿足感等內在價值。
EN: A pseudo-cleft sentence (or 'wh-cleft') uses a 'what' clause as the subject to place special emphasis on the information that follows the verb 'be'. It highlights 'the love we share with others' as the most important element.
中文: 擬分裂句(或稱 wh-分裂句)使用 what 引導的子句作為主詞,用以特別強調聯繫動詞 be 後面所接的訊息。在此句中,它突顯了「我們與他人分享的愛」才是最核心的要素。
What we need is a clear plan.
我們需要的是一個清晰的計劃。
EN: The relative clause 'we share with others' modifies the noun 'love'. The relative pronoun 'which' or 'that' is omitted because it functions as the direct object of the verb 'share'.
中文: 關係子句「we share with others」修飾名詞「love」。這裡省略了關係代名詞「which」或「that」,因為它在關係子句中擔任動詞「share」的直接受詞。
The book we read yesterday was inspiring.
我們昨天讀的那本書很啟發人心。
EN: This sentence reflects a deeply rooted philosophical and cultural value in English-speaking societies, emphasizing community, altruism, and interpersonal connection over material wealth or individual achievement.
中文: 這句話反映了英語系國家中根深蒂固的哲學與文化價值觀,即比起物質財富或個人成就,更強調社群、利他主義以及人與人之間的連結。
EN: The auxiliary verb 'do' is used before a main verb in affirmative sentences to add emphasis, meaning 'indeed' or 'really'.
中文: 助動詞「do」可用於肯定句的主動詞之前以加強語氣,表示「確實」、「真的」。
I do hope you can come to my party.
我確實希望你能來參加我的派對。
EN: The conjunction 'that' introduces a noun clause functioning as the direct object of the verb 'believe'.
中文: 連接詞「that」引導一個名詞子句,在句中作為動詞「believe」的直接受詞。
She believes that honesty is the best policy.
她相信誠實是最好的策略。
EN: The 'It is/was... that...' structure is a cleft sentence used for emphasis. By placing the emphasized element (a stranger's smile) between 'It was' and 'that', the speaker highlights this specific cause over any other potential causes.
中文: 「It is/was... that...」結構是分裂句(Cleft Sentence),用於表示強調。藉由將想要強調的元素(a stranger's smile,一個陌生人的微笑)放在「It was」與「that」之間,說話者突顯了這個特定原因,而非其他可能的原因。
It was her encouragement that made me pursue my dream.
是她的鼓勵,才讓我去追求我的夢想。
EN: The verb 'lift' is used metaphorically here to mean 'to improve someone's mood or spirits' (to lift someone's spirits). It suggests raising someone out of a low, dark emotional state.
中文: 動詞「lift」在此處為比喻用法,意為「改善某人的心情或精神」(提振精神)。它暗示著將某人從低落、黑暗的情緒狀態中拉出來。
EN: In English-speaking cultures, there is a strong appreciation for 'random acts of kindness'—small, unexpected gestures of goodwill from strangers. A simple smile from a passerby is often romanticized or valued as a powerful, humanizing connection in busy, individualistic societies.
中文: 在英語系國家中,人們非常推崇「隨機的善行」(random acts of kindness)——即來自陌生人、出乎意料的小小善意。在繁忙且強調個人主義的社會中,路人一個簡單的微笑,往往被視為一種強大且溫暖的人際連結,具有療癒的力量。
EN: A nominal relative clause (or free relative clause) introduced by 'What' acts as a noun phrase. In this sentence, 'What I have learned' serves as the subject of the main verb 'is'. This structure is often used for emphasis, focusing the listener's attention on the specific information that follows.
中文: 由「What」引導的名詞關係子句(或稱自由關係子句)在句中充當名詞片語。在本句中,「What I have learned」作為主要動詞「is」的主詞。這種結構常用於表示強調,將聽者的注意力吸引到隨後出現的具體訊息上。
What you need is a good night's sleep.
你所需要的是一夜好眠。
EN: Gerunds ('giving' and 'getting') function as nouns in this sentence. They are used here to compare two activities. The comparative structure 'X feels better than Y' uses these gerunds to express that the act of offering is more emotionally rewarding than the act of receiving.
中文: 動名詞(「giving」與「getting」)在本句中起名詞的作用。它們在這裡被用來比較兩種活動。比較級結構「X feels better than Y」(X 比 Y 感覺更好)利用這些動名詞來表達:給予的行為比接受的行為在情感上更令人滿足。
Running feels better than walking.
跑步比走路感覺更舒暢。
EN: This sentence reflects a widely held altruistic value in many cultures, often summarized by the proverb 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' In English-speaking societies, discussions about happiness often emphasize community service, charity, and the psychological benefits of generosity (sometimes referred to as the 'helper's high').
中文: 這句話反映了許多文化中普遍認同的利他價值觀,通常可以用諺語「施比受更有福」來概括。在英語系國家中,關於快樂的討論經常強調社區服務、慈善活動以及慷慨行為帶來的心理益處(有時被稱為「助人的快感」)。
EN: The parallel structure 'Some..., others...' is used to contrast two different groups of people or things. 'Others' is a pronoun meaning 'other people' or 'other things' and functions as the subject of the second clause.
中文: 「Some..., others...」(有些人……,其他人則……)的對稱結構用於對比兩組不同的人或事物。「others」是一個代名詞,意思是「其他人」或「其他事物」,在第二個子句中擔任主詞。
Some students prefer studying in the library, others like to study at home.
有些學生喜歡在圖書館讀書,其他人則喜歡在家裡讀書。
EN: The comma splice in this sentence connects two independent clauses ('Some people chase success' and 'others seek peace and purpose') without a coordinating conjunction (like 'but' or 'while'). This is a common stylistic choice in literary or parallel structures, though in formal writing, a semicolon or conjunction is often preferred.
中文: 本句中使用逗號連接兩個獨立子句(「Some people chase success」與「others seek peace and purpose」),中間沒有使用對等連接詞(如 but 或 while)。這在文學或排比結構中是常見的修辭選擇,但在正式寫作中,通常更傾向使用分號或連接詞。
EN: This sentence reflects a classic philosophical contrast in Western culture between external validation (success, fame, wealth) and internal fulfillment (peace, purpose, meaning). It highlights a modern shift where many individuals actively choose mindfulness and slow living over the traditional 'rat race' of constant career climbing.
中文: 這句話反映了西方文化中,對於「外在肯定」(成功、名聲、財富)與「內在滿足」(平靜、目標、意義)之間的經典哲學對比。它凸顯了現代社會的一種轉變:許多人開始主動選擇正念與慢活,而非一味投入傳統上不斷攀爬事業天梯的「盲目競爭」(rat race)。
EN: This sentence uses an 'It is... that...' cleft sentence structure (分裂句). It is used to emphasize a specific part of the sentence (in this case, 'our values, not our things'). The basic formula is 'It is + [emphasized element] + that/who + [rest of the sentence]'.
中文: 本句使用了「It is... that...」的分裂句結構(Cleft Sentence)。這種結構用於強調句子中的特定部分(在此處為「我們的價值觀,而不是我們擁有的事物」)。基本公式為「It is + [被強調的部分] + that/who + [句子其餘部分]」。
It is his dedication, not his luck, that brought him success.
是他的奉獻精神,而不是他的運氣,為他帶來了成功。
EN: The clause 'who we are' is a noun clause functioning as the object of the verb 'define'. It uses embedded question word order (subject + verb: 'we are') rather than question word order ('who are we').
中文: 子句「who we are」是一個名詞子句,作為動詞「define」的賓語(受詞)。它使用間接問句的語序(主詞 + 動詞:「we are」),而非疑問句語序(「who are we」)。
How we respond to challenges shows who we are.
我們如何應對挑戰展現了我們是怎樣的人。
EN: This sentence reflects a widely held philosophical and cultural value in many societies, particularly in discussions about mindfulness and minimalism: the idea that intrinsic character and moral values are far more important than material wealth ('things') in determining a person's true worth.
中文: 這句話反映了許多社會中廣泛認同的哲學與文化價值觀,特別是在探討正念(mindfulness)與極簡主義(minimalism)時:即決定一個人真正價值的,是其內在品格與道德價值觀,而非物質財富(「things」)。
EN: A nominal relative clause (or free relative clause) starting with 'What' acts as a noun phrase. In this sentence, 'What matters' functions as the subject of the main verb 'is'. It means 'The thing that matters'.
中文: 以 'What' 開頭的名詞關係子句(或稱自由關係子句)在句中扮演名詞的角色。在本句中,「What matters」作為主要動詞「is」的主詞,意思是「重要的事情」。
What you need is a good rest.
你所需要的是好好休息。
EN: The wh-clause 'how we treat the people around us' functions as a subject complement (predicative clause) following the linking verb 'is'. It explains or defines the subject 'What matters'.
中文: 由疑問詞引導的子句「how we treat the people around us」在連繫動詞「is」後面作主詞補語(表語子句),用來解釋或定義主詞「What matters」。
The question is how we can solve this problem quickly.
問題是我們該如何快速解決這個問題。
EN: This sentence reflects a core value in many cultures, emphasizing empathy, interpersonal relationships, and daily kindness over material success or social status. It is a common philosophical outlook on what constitutes a meaningful life.
中文: 這句話反映了許多文化中的核心價值觀,強調同理心、人際關係以及日常的善良,而非物質上的成功或社會地位。這是對於「何謂有意義的人生」的一種常見哲學觀點。
EN: The auxiliary verb 'do' is used before a main verb in affirmative sentences to add emphasis, meaning 'indeed' or 'really'.
中文: 助動詞「do」可用於肯定句的主動詞之前以加強語氣,表示「確實」、「真的」。
I do believe that honesty is the best policy.
我確實相信誠實才是上策。
EN: The passive voice 'is built' (be + past participle) is used to focus on the receiver of the action (a meaningful life) rather than the agent performing the action.
中文: 被動語態「is built」(be 動詞 + 過去分詞)用於將焦點放在動作的接受者(有意義的人生),而非執行動作的主體。
Trust is built on mutual respect.
信任是建立在相互尊重的基礎之上的。
EN: Cleft Sentence (It is... that...): This structure is used to emphasize a specific part of the sentence (the subject 'gratitude' in this case). By placing the emphasized element between 'It is' and 'that', the speaker draws the listener's direct attention to it.
中文: 分裂句(It is... that...):此結構用於強調句子中的特定部分(在此處為主詞「gratitude」)。藉由將想強調的元素放在「It is」與「that」之間,說話者能直接吸引聽眾的注意力。
It is love that keeps us going through hard times.
正是愛讓我們度過艱難時期。
EN: Parenthetical Insertion (more than gold): This is a phrase inserted into the main clause to add contrasting information or emphasis. It is set off by commas and can be removed without affecting the grammatical completeness of the sentence.
中文: 插入語(more than gold):這是插入在主句中的片語,用於增加對比資訊或進行強調。它由逗號隔開,即使刪除也不會影響句子的文法完整性。
This book, more than any other, changed my perspective on life.
這本書,比其他任何一本書,更改變了我對人生的看法。
EN: This sentence reflects a common philosophical theme in Western culture that values intrinsic virtues, such as gratitude and kindness, over material wealth (symbolized by 'gold'). It echoes classical literature and moral teachings that define true prosperity through one's state of mind and relationships rather than financial status.
中文: 這句話反映了西方文化中常見的哲學主題,即重視內在美德(如感恩與善良)勝過物質財富(以「黃金」為象徵)。這與古典文學和道德教誨相呼應,認為真正的繁榮取決於人的心態與人際關係,而非財務狀況。
EN: A nominal relative clause (or free relative clause) is introduced by the pronoun 'what', which functions as 'the thing(s) that'. In this sentence, 'what we give to the world' acts as the subject clause, and 'what remains' acts as the subject complement.
中文: 名詞性關係子句(或稱自由關係子句)由代名詞「what」引導,相當於「the thing(s) that」(所……的事物)。在本句中,「what we give to the world」作為主詞子句,而「what remains」則作為主詞補語。
What you need is a good rest.
你所需要的是好好休息。
EN: The prepositional phrase 'in the end' is an adverbial of time/result meaning 'eventually' or 'when everything is considered'. It is often placed at the beginning of a sentence for emphasis, followed by a comma.
中文: 介系詞片語「in the end」是時間或結果副詞,意思是「最終」、「到頭來」或「總之」。它常用於句首以示強調,其後通常會加上逗號。
In the end, they decided to cancel the trip.
到頭來,他們決定取消這次旅行。
EN: This sentence reflects a philosophical and altruistic worldview often emphasized in Western literature and self-reflection, focusing on legacy through kindness and contribution rather than material wealth.
中文: 這句話反映了西方文學與自我反思中經常強調的哲學與利他主義世界觀,即人生的傳承與價值在於我們的奉獻與善行,而非物質財富的累積。
EN: The pronoun 'What' can act as the subject of a clause. In this sentence, 'What' is a nominal relative pronoun (meaning 'the thing that') functioning as the subject of the verb 'matters'.
中文: 代名詞「What」可以作為從句的主詞。在本句中,「What」是一個關係代名詞(意為「……的事情」),擔任動詞「matters」的主詞。
What hurts most is the betrayal.
最傷人的是背叛。
EN: The verb 'matter' means to be important or significant. It is an intransitive verb, meaning it does not take a direct object, and is often followed by prepositional phrases like 'to someone'.
中文: 動詞「matter」意為「重要」或「有重大關係」。它是一個不及物動詞,不需要直接受詞,後面常接介系詞片語(如「to someone」,表示對某人而言)。
Your opinion matters to us.
你的意見對我們很重要。
EN: In English-speaking cultures, using a person's first name (like 'Emma') at the end of a question is a common way to show warmth, direct connection, and active engagement in a conversation, making the question feel more personal and less interrogative.
中文: 在英語系國家中,在問句句尾加上對方的名字(如「艾瑪」)是拉近距離的常用方式。這能展現溫暖、直接的連結與對對話的專注,使問題聽起來更具親和力,而非像在審問。
EN: A nominal relative clause (also called a free relative clause) starting with 'What' acts as a noun phrase. In this sentence, 'What matters most' serves as the subject of the main verb 'is'. This structure is often used for emphasis, highlighting the specific thing being discussed.
中文: 以 'What' 開頭的名詞關係子句(也稱為自由關係子句)在句中扮演名詞片語的角色。在本句中,「What matters most」(最重要的事情)作為主要動詞「is」的主詞。這種結構常用於表示強調,突顯所討論的特定事物。
What we need is a clear plan.
我們需要的是一個明確的計劃。
EN: A relative clause (adjective clause) can modify a noun. Here, '(that/which) we share' is a defining relative clause modifying the noun 'love'. The relative pronoun 'that' or 'which' is omitted because it functions as the direct object of the verb 'share' within the relative clause.
中文: 關係子句(形容詞子句)可以用來修飾名詞。在這裡,「(that/which) we share」是一個限定用法關係子句,修飾名詞「love」(愛)。關係代名詞「that」或「which」被省略了,因為它在關係子句中擔任動詞「share」的直接受詞。
The book we read yesterday was inspiring.
我們昨天讀的那本書很令人振奮。
EN: This sentence reflects a universal humanistic value often emphasized in Western literature and philosophical discourse: prioritizing emotional connection, empathy, and relationships over material wealth or social status.
中文: 這句話反映了西方文學和哲學論述中經常強調的普世人文價值觀:將情感連結、同理心和人際關係置於物質財富或社會地位之上。
EN: This sentence uses an 'It is... that...' cleft sentence structure (split sentence). It is used to emphasize a specific part of the sentence, in this case, the noun 'kindness'. The basic structure is 'It is/was [emphasized element] that/who [rest of the sentence]'.
中文: 本句使用了「It is... that...」的分裂句(強調句)結構。這種結構用於強調句子中的特定部分,在此處強調的是名詞「kindness」(善良)。其基本結構為「It is/was [被強調部分] that/who [句子其他部分]」。
It is honesty that builds lasting trust.
建立持久信任的是誠實。
EN: The relative pronoun 'that' introduces a relative clause modifying the emphasized noun 'kindness'. In this clause, 'people' is the subject and 'remember' is the transitive verb, with 'that' acting as the direct object of 'remember'.
中文: 關係代名詞「that」引導一個修飾被強調名詞「kindness」的關係子句。在此子句中,「people」是主詞,「remember」是及物動詞,而「that」則充當「remember」的直接受詞。
This is the book that I bought yesterday.
這就是我昨天買的那本書。
EN: In English-speaking cultures, emphasizing abstract virtues like 'kindness' over material wealth is a common theme in philosophical and motivational discourse. Using a cleft sentence ('It is...') is a powerful rhetorical device often used in speeches and literature to inspire and draw focus to core values.
中文: 在英語系國家中,在哲學或勵志演說中,強調「善良」等抽象美德而非物質財富是非常常見的主題。使用分裂句(It is...)是一種強而有力的修辭手段,常用於演講和文學作品中,以啟發人心並將焦點引導至核心價值觀。
EN: The auxiliary verb 'do' (or 'does'/'did') can be placed before the base form of a verb to add emphasis to an affirmative statement. It is often used to express strong conviction or to contrast with a previous doubt.
中文: 助動詞「do」(或 does/did)可以放在原形動詞之前,用來加強肯定句的語氣。這通常用於表達強烈的信念,或與先前的懷疑形成對比。
I do hope you can come to my party.
我確實希望你能來參加我的派對。
EN: The verb 'believe' can be followed by a noun clause (that-clause) acting as its direct object. In informal English, the conjunction 'that' is frequently omitted, leaving the subject and verb of the subclause directly after 'believe'.
中文: 動詞「believe」(相信)後面可以接一個名詞子句(that 子句)作為其直接受詞。在非正式英語中,連接詞「that」經常會被省略,使得子句的主詞和動詞直接接在「believe」後面。
I believe we will win the game.
我相信我們會贏得這場比賽。
EN: A free relative clause (or nominal relative clause) starting with 'What' acts as the subject of the sentence. It means 'the thing(s) that' and is used to emphasize a specific point (pseudo-cleft sentence structure).
中文: 由 'What' 引導的關係子句(或稱名詞關係子句)在此擔任整句話的主詞,相當於 'the thing that'(…的事情/東西),常用於分裂句結構中以達到強調特定訊息的效果。
What we need is a practical solution.
我們需要的是一個切合實際的解決方案。
EN: The gerund phrase 'helping others' functions as the subject complement after the linking verb 'is', identifying what gives life meaning.
中文: 動名詞片語 'helping others'(幫助他人)在連繫動詞 'is' 後面擔任主詞補語,用來具體說明賦予生命意義的事物是什麼。
My favorite hobby is reading novels.
我最喜歡的嗜好是讀小說。
EN: This sentence reflects a widely held philosophical and altruistic value in many cultures, emphasizing that personal fulfillment and the 'meaning of life' are found through community service and helping those in need, rather than through material wealth.
中文: 這句話反映了許多文化中廣泛認同的哲學與利他主義價值觀,強調個人的成就感與「生命的意義」是透過服務社會和幫助有需要的人來實現,而非追求物質財富。
EN: This sentence uses the 'It is/was... that...' cleft sentence structure. This grammar pattern is used to emphasize a specific part of the sentence (in this case, the subject 'a small act'). By placing the emphasized element between 'It was' and 'that', the speaker draws the listener's attention directly to it.
中文: 本句使用了「It is/was... that...」的分裂句(強調句)結構。這種文法句型用於強調句子中的特定部分(在此處為主詞「a small act」,即一個小舉動)。藉由將想要強調的元素放在「It was」與「that」之間,說話者能直接吸引聽者的注意力。
It was his kind words that made her smile.
是他溫暖的話語讓她露出了笑容。
EN: The word 'that' acts as a relative pronoun introducing a relative clause ('that changed my day') which modifies the noun phrase 'a small act'. In this clause, 'that' serves as the subject of the verb 'changed'.
中文: 單字「that」在此作為關係代名詞,引導關係子句(形容詞子句)「that changed my day」來修飾名詞片語「a small act」。在此子句中,「that」擔任動詞「changed」的主詞。
I bought a book that inspired me to travel.
我買了一本啟發我去旅行的書。
EN: In English-speaking cultures, there is a strong emphasis on 'random acts of kindness'—small, unexpected gestures of goodwill to strangers or acquaintances. This sentence reflects the cultural belief that even minor positive interactions can have a significant emotional impact on someone's entire day.
中文: 在英語系國家的文化中,非常強調「隨機的善行」(random acts of kindness)——即對陌生人或熟人做出微小、出乎意料的善意舉動。這句話反映了一種文化信念:即使是微不足道的正面互動,也能對一個人整天的心情產生重大的情感影響。
EN: This sentence uses the cleft sentence structure 'It is/was + [emphasized element] + that/who...'. It is used to bring focus or emphasis to a specific part of the sentence (in this case, 'our values').
中文: 此句使用了分裂句結構「It is/was + [強調部分] + that/who...」。這種結構用於強調句子中的特定成分(在此句中為「our values」,即我們的價值觀)。
It is his dedication that made the project successful.
正是他的奉獻精神讓這個專案獲得成功。
EN: The clause 'who we are' is a noun clause acting as the direct object of the verb 'define'. It uses statement word order (subject + verb) rather than question word order.
中文: 子句「who we are」是一個名詞子句,作為動詞「define」的直接受詞。此子句需使用陳述句語序(主詞 + 動詞),而非疑問句語序。
We must decide who we want to be.
我們必須決定我們想要成為怎樣的人。
EN: The sentence begins with a nominal relative clause (also called a free relative clause) 'What we give', where 'what' functions as 'the thing(s) that'. This entire clause acts as the subject of the main verb 'returns'.
中文: 本句以關係子句「What we give」作為主詞(稱為名詞性關係子句)。其中的「what」相當於「the thing(s) that」(我們所給予的事物),整個子句在句中扮演主詞角色,搭配單數動詞「returns」。
What you say matters to me.
你所說的話對我很重要。
EN: The phrasal verb 'return to' means to come back or go back to a prior place, condition, or person. Here, 'returns to us' metaphorically means that the kindness or actions we give out will eventually come back to benefit us.
中文: 片語動詞「return to」表示「回到」某個地方、狀態或人身邊。在此處「returns to us」作隱喻使用,表示我們所付出的善行或事物,最終會回報到我們自己身上。
The lost dog eventually returned to its owner.
那隻走失的狗最終回到了主人身邊。
EN: This sentence reflects a universal moral concept akin to 'karma' or the Western proverb 'What goes around, comes around.' It emphasizes the cultural value of altruism and generosity, suggesting that kindness is never wasted and eventually rewards the giver.
中文: 這句話反映了類似「善有善報」或西方俗諺「種瓜得瓜,種豆得豆」(What goes around, comes around)的普世道德觀。它強調了利他主義與慷慨大方的文化價值,傳遞出「善行絕不會白費,最終會以某種形式回饋自身」的信念。
EN: The auxiliary verb 'do' (or 'does'/'did') can be placed before the base form of a verb to add emphasis. This is often used to reinforce a belief, correct a misconception, or show strong agreement.
中文: 助動詞「do」(或 does/did)可以置於動詞原形之前以示強調。這通常用於強化某種信念、糾正誤解或表示強烈同意(稱為強調助動詞)。
I do believe that honesty is the best policy.
我確實相信誠實才是上策。
EN: The verb 'matter' is an intransitive verb meaning 'to be important' or 'to have significance'. It is commonly used in comparative structures with 'more than' to weigh the importance of two concepts.
中文: 動詞「matter」是一個不及物動詞,意思是「重要」或「有重大意義」。它常用於「more than」(比…更…)的比較級結構中,用來衡量兩個概念的重要性。
Your health matters more than your work.
你的健康比你的工作更重要。
EN: In modern Western culture, particularly in discussions about career and personal development, there is a strong emphasis on finding 'purpose' (a sense of meaning or calling) over external markers of success like 'fame' or wealth. This sentence reflects a widely valued philosophical shift toward intrinsic motivation and mindfulness.
中文: 在現代西方文化中,特別是在關於職業和個人發展的討論中,人們非常強調尋找「purpose」(人生目標、意義或使命感),而非追求「fame」(名聲)或財富等外在成功指標。這句話反映了人們向內在動機與正念生活轉變的普遍價值觀。
EN: The passive voice is formed with 'be + past participle' (is built). It is used here to emphasize the receiver of the action (a life of meaning) rather than the agent performing the action.
中文: 被動語態由「be 動詞 + 過去分詞」(is built)構成。此處使用被動語態是為了強調動作的接受者(有意義的人生),而非執行動作的主體。
Trust is built on honesty and mutual respect.
信任是建立在誠實與互相尊重的基礎之上的。
EN: The prepositional phrase 'choice by choice' functions as an adverbial modifier of manner, meaning 'gradually, one choice at a time'. The pattern 'noun + by + noun' indicates a step-by-step progression.
中文: 介系詞片語「choice by choice」作為修飾方式的副詞修飾語,意思是「逐漸地、一次一個選擇」。這種「名詞 + by + 名詞」的結構表示一步一步、循序漸進的過程。
We solved the complex problem step by step.
我們一步一步地解決了這個複雜的問題。
EN: This sentence reflects a common Western philosophical and self-help theme: existential agency. It emphasizes that a meaningful life is not something we discover by chance, but something we actively construct through our daily decisions and personal responsibility.
中文: 這句話反映了西方哲學與心靈成長書籍中常見的主題:存在主義式的自主權。它強調有意義的人生並非偶然發現的,而是透過我們日常的決定與個人責任,主動建構出來的。
重要單字附有 IPA 發音、定義、例句和互動式測驗。
在本文中: 一種滿足、知足的狀態,感到平靜與快樂
在本文中: 感激之情,感恩的心態
在本文中: 社會地位或身分
在本文中: 界定、定義,決定…的本質
在本文中: 有意義的,值得的
在本文中: 價值觀,人們認為重要且作為行為準則的信仰
在本文中: 陌生人
在本文中: 追逐,努力爭取或追求(名利等)
片語包含類型標示、雙語定義、用法說明和例句。
Minor or simple deeds, often of kindness, that do not require much effort but have a positive impact.
微小的善舉、小小的舉動
To make someone feel happier, more cheerful, or more optimistic on a particular day.
使某人心情好轉、振奮某人的一天
Finally, after considering everything, or at the conclusion of a situation.
最後、歸根究底、終究
Step by step, making individual decisions gradually to build or achieve something over time.
一次做好一個選擇、一步一腳印地抉擇