clerical

clerical — adjective

1. describing the everyday tasks performed in an office environment, such as typing

1.形容詞B1
釋義

describing the everyday tasks performed in an office environment, such as typing letters, keeping records, answering phones, or organizing files.

例句

After finishing school, Aiko took a clerical job at a local law firm in Taipei.

collocation: clerical job / clerical work / clerical staff

The new software reduced the amount of clerical work the nurses had to do.

同義詞
  • administrative

    broader in meaning — includes management and decision-making tasks, not just record-keeping

  • secretarial

    more specific — refers to the duties of a secretary, such as scheduling and correspondence

  • office

    more general — used in compounds like 'office work' without specifying the type of tasks

反義詞
  • managerial

    involving supervision, planning, and decision-making rather than routine paperwork

文法句型

clerical + noun (job / work / staff / tasks / position / duties / error)

用法筆記

Always used before a noun (attributive position). Common collocates include job, work, staff, tasks, position, duties, and error. In workplace contexts, clerical roles are typically separate from managerial or technical positions.

常見錯誤

❌She applied for a clerical.
✅She applied for a clerical job.
💡'clerical' is an adjective and needs a noun such as 'job', 'work', or 'position' after it.
❌He works as a clerical in a bank.
✅He works as a clerk in a bank.
💡the noun form for a person who does clerical work is 'clerk', not 'clerical'.

2. relating to the work, position, clothing, or ceremonies of a priest or other mem

2.形容詞B2
釋義

relating to the work, position, clothing, or ceremonies of a priest or other members of the clergy.

例句

Bishop Diego wore his full clerical robes during the Easter service at the cathedral.

collocation: clerical robes / clerical garments / clerical collar

Hana decided to enroll in a clerical training program to prepare for the priesthood.

同義詞
  • ecclesiastical

    broader — relates to the Christian church as an institution rather than specifically to clergy

  • pastoral

    focuses on the caring and guidance role of clergy, not their formal status or clothing

  • priestly

    more direct and less formal than 'clerical' in this sense

反義詞
  • lay

    describes church members who are not ordained clergy

文法句型

clerical + noun (robes / garments / training / collar / life / leaders)

用法筆記

Frequently used before nouns that describe religious clothing (robes, garments, collar) or religious training. This sense is historically the original meaning and is more formal than using 'priest's' as a modifier.

常見錯誤

❌The clerical held a Sunday service at the church.
✅The priest held a Sunday service at the church.
💡'clerical' is an adjective, not a noun; the person is called a 'priest', 'clergyman', or 'cleric'.
❌I need to speak to the clerical office.' (ambiguous)
✅I need to speak to the priest's office.
💡when referring to a specific person's office, use 'priest's' instead to avoid confusion with the 'office work' meaning.