consciousness

consciousness — noun

1. the state of knowing that a particular fact, situation, or problem exists and un

1.名詞B2
釋義

the state of knowing that a particular fact, situation, or problem exists and understanding that it matters

例句

Public consciousness of the plastic waste problem has grown since the government banned single-use straws.

collocation: consciousness + of + problem/issue

Bilal's documentary raised consciousness about working conditions in the electronics industry.

collocation: raise consciousness + about + topic

同義詞
  • awareness

    more general and used for individuals as well as groups; 'consciousness' often implies a shared or societal understanding

  • recognition

    focuses on the act of identifying or acknowledging something officially

  • realization

    emphasises the moment of coming to understand something new

反義詞
  • ignorance

    the state of not knowing or being unaware of something

文法句型

(a) consciousness + of + noun phrase

raise / heighten consciousness + about + topic

用法筆記

Often used in the phrase 'raise consciousness about something' to mean making people more aware of an issue so that they take action.

常見錯誤

❌I have a strong consciousness about environmental problems.
✅I am very conscious of environmental problems.
💡'consciousness' is a noun for the general state of knowing, while the adjective 'conscious of' expresses individual awareness.

2. the condition of being awake and able to see, hear, feel, and think normally, as

2.名詞B2
釋義

the condition of being awake and able to see, hear, feel, and think normally, as opposed to sleeping or being unconscious

例句

Jin slipped on the wet floor and lay still for a minute before regaining consciousness.

collocation: regain consciousness

The nurse shook the patient's shoulder to check if she lost consciousness after the fall.

collocation: lose consciousness

同義詞
  • wakefulness

    more clinical term for the state of being awake

  • alertness

    emphasises being fully attentive and responsive

  • awareness

    only partially overlaps; 'awareness' focuses on perception of surroundings rather than the physiological state of being awake

反義詞
  • unconsciousness

    the state of being not awake, as after an injury or during sleep

文法句型

regain / lose / recover consciousness

drift in and out of consciousness

用法筆記

Most commonly appears in the fixed phrases 'regain consciousness', 'lose consciousness', and 'drift in and out of consciousness'. You do not normally say 'have consciousness' for this sense.

常見錯誤

❌She was consciousness after the accident.
✅She was conscious after the accident.
💡'conscious' is the adjective meaning awake; 'consciousness' is a noun and cannot follow 'was' as a complement.

3. the complete inner world of a person's thoughts, feelings, sensations, and self-

3.名詞C1
釋義

the complete inner world of a person's thoughts, feelings, sensations, and self-awareness, considered as a whole

例句

Whether animals possess consciousness is one of the most debated questions in modern science.

verb + consciousness: possess / have consciousness

Romi's research explores how long-term meditation can change the way human consciousness operates.

同義詞
  • mind

    broader and more everyday term; 'consciousness' specifically refers to the subjective, experiential aspect of mental life

  • awareness

    too narrow; 'awareness' lacks the full spectrum of emotional and sensory experience that 'consciousness' implies here

  • sentience

    more technical term used mainly for the capacity to feel or perceive; rarer in general use

文法句型

the nature / origin / problem of consciousness

用法筆記

Primarily used in academic or formal contexts, especially in philosophy, psychology, and cognitive science. In everyday conversation, this sense is rare — speakers usually use 'mind' instead.