disabled
disabled — adjective
1. having a long-term physical or mental condition that makes everyday activities s
having a long-term physical or mental condition that makes everyday activities such as walking, seeing, hearing, or learning noticeably harder than they are for someone without that condition
Rin has a disabled younger brother who uses a wheelchair at school and at home.
collocation: disabled + family noun (brother / sister / cousin / child)
Adina became disabled after a car accident, but she still works as a teacher.
pattern: became disabled + cause (after accident / illness)
Folake's clinic provides free checkups for disabled patients who cannot travel easily.
Emre's cousin helps disabled children learn to swim at the local pool.
Ravindra's company hired several disabled workers after renovating the office building.
- impaired
more clinical and specific to function; often used in compound terms such as 'visually impaired' or 'hearing impaired'
- handicapped
an older term now widely considered outdated; it originally described a disadvantage in competitions and many find it dismissive today
- able-bodied
describes someone without a disability
文法句型
be + disabled
become + disabled
disabled + noun (person)
用法筆記
Some people prefer person-first phrasing such as "a person with a disability" over "a disabled person". However, "disabled person" is also used by some communities (especially in the UK) as a consciously chosen identity term. When unsure, person-first language is generally the safest choice.
常見錯誤
2. designed or provided for people who have a disability, so that they can use a bu
designed or provided for people who have a disability, so that they can use a building, service, or facility without difficulty
The hospital has a disabled parking area right next to the main entrance.
collocation: disabled parking / access / entrance / toilet / ramp
All new public buildings must include disabled access ramps and wide doorways.
The train station added new disabled toilets and hearing loops for passengers.
Nora checked whether the restaurant had a disabled entrance before booking a table.
- accessible
broader in meaning; describes any place or feature that is easy for everyone, including disabled people, to use
- inaccessible
describes a place or feature that people with disabilities cannot use
文法句型
disabled + noun (facility / feature)
常見錯誤
disabled — noun
1. people who have a disability, considered together as one group in society
people who have a disability, considered together as one group in society
New government policies aim to improve job opportunities for the disabled.
structure: the + disabled as collective plural noun
Many older buildings were built when little thought was given to the disabled.
Charities that support the disabled have called for better transport services.
A new government report on the disabled recommends changes to housing laws.
- people with disabilities
modern person-first phrase that many prefer; keeps the focus on the individual
- persons with disabilities
formal term used in official documents and laws
文法句型
the + disabled
用法筆記
This term is now often considered offensive when used as a collective label ('the disabled'). The preferred modern alternatives are 'people with disabilities' or 'disabled people' — these keep the focus on the person rather than the condition. Avoid using 'the disabled' in formal writing or when referring to individuals.