belief

belief — noun

1. the state of being sure that someone or something is real, true, or worth trusti

1.名詞B2
釋義

the state of being sure that someone or something is real, true, or worth trusting, even when proof may be limited.

例句

Ines's belief in her brother never wavered, even after the trial.

belief in + person showing trust

The villagers held a strong belief that the old well brought good luck.

belief that + clause for stating a conviction

同義詞
  • faith

    stronger and often religious or emotional; trust without needing proof

  • conviction

    stronger and firmer than belief; suggests the feeling cannot easily be changed

  • trust

    focuses on relying on someone, while 'belief' focuses on accepting something as true

  • confidence

    stresses a calm sense of being sure, often in someone's ability rather than a fact

反義詞
  • disbelief

    the feeling that something cannot be true

  • doubt

    weaker than 'disbelief'; an unsure feeling rather than a refusal to accept

文法句型

belief in + noun

belief that + clause

用法筆記

Usually uncountable in this sense. Often paired with 'in' before a person, idea, or quality, and with a 'that'-clause when stating what is believed. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense names the inner feeling of being sure, while sense 2 names the specific idea held.

常見錯誤

❌I have belief on God.
✅I have belief in God.
💡use the preposition 'in', not 'on', after 'belief' for the thing or person trusted.
❌She has many beliefs in honesty.
✅She has a strong belief in honesty.
💡when meaning the feeling of certainty, 'belief' is uncountable and takes a singular adjective like 'strong' or 'firm'.

2. an idea, opinion, or rule that a person or group accepts as true — for example,

2.名詞B2
釋義

an idea, opinion, or rule that a person or group accepts as true — for example, a religious teaching, a moral value, or a personal view about how the world works.

例句

Nikolai respected his grandmother's religious beliefs, even when he didn't share them.

collocation: religious beliefs (often plural)

Nikolai laughed off his grandmother's belief that eating carrots could improve his eyesight.

belief that + clause naming a specific traditional idea

同義詞
  • opinion

    weaker; a personal view that the speaker may not be sure of

  • view

    neutral and often individual; less tied to religion or tradition than 'belief'

  • conviction

    a belief held very strongly, often about right and wrong

  • doctrine

    formal; an official belief taught by a religion, party, or school of thought

文法句型

a belief that + clause

religious / political beliefs

用法筆記

Countable in this sense and very often plural ('beliefs'), especially with religion, politics, or culture. Frequently followed by a 'that'-clause naming the specific idea. Distinguish from sense 1: a person can hold many 'beliefs' (sense 2) but normally just one general 'belief' — the inner certainty — about a topic (sense 1).

常見錯誤

❌It is a wide belief that money brings happiness.
✅It is a widespread belief that money brings happiness.
💡the fixed adjective is 'widespread', 'common', or 'popular', not 'wide'.
❌Her religion belief is important to her.
✅Her religious beliefs are important to her.
💡use the adjective 'religious' before 'beliefs', and the noun is usually plural here.