elementary
elementary — adjective
1. relating to the simplest and most important parts of a subject or activity, from
relating to the simplest and most important parts of a subject or activity, from which everything else builds up.
The course covers the elementary rules of grammar that every beginner should know.
collocation: elementary rules
Imani learned the elementary steps of cooking, like chopping and boiling.
An elementary understanding of physics helps explain why the sky is blue.
The teacher explained the elementary concepts of addition and subtraction to the class.
Before you can play the song, you need to master a few elementary chords.
- basic
more neutral and widely used for fundamental ideas; does not imply a course structure
- fundamental
emphasises that other things depend on it; slightly more formal
- essential
stresses necessity rather than simplicity or early-stage learning
文法句型
elementary + noun
用法筆記
Typically used attributively — placed before the noun it describes, rather than after a linking verb.
常見錯誤
2. describing the first phase of learning a particular skill or topic, when the stu
describing the first phase of learning a particular skill or topic, when the student has just begun.
Esteban enrolled in an elementary Spanish class designed for complete beginners.
collocation: elementary [subject] class
The elementary textbook introduces basic vocabulary and simple sentence patterns to new learners.
Élise passed the elementary level exam and moved on to the intermediate course.
Our elementary course in programming teaches students how to write simple code.
- introductory
more formal; often used for courses or materials that assume no prior knowledge
- beginner
used as a noun modifier, e.g., 'beginner class'; slightly less formal
- advanced
for students with substantial knowledge
- intermediate
the level after elementary
文法句型
elementary + noun
用法筆記
Typically attributive — placed before a noun that names a course, textbook, exam, or level. Often contrasted with 'intermediate' and 'advanced' on a learning scale.
常見錯誤
3. relating to the first years of formal schooling for children aged roughly five t
relating to the first years of formal schooling for children aged roughly five to eleven, before secondary school.
Lien started teaching at an elementary school in Taipei last year.
typical context: teaching at an elementary school
Most elementary students in Taiwan learn Chinese, math, and science every day.
typical modifier: elementary students
The elementary curriculum at her school includes art, music, and physical education.
Romi's daughter will enter elementary school next September when she turns six.
Many elementary teachers use games to help children learn new words.
- primary
the equivalent term in British and Australian English
- secondary
relating to the next stage of schooling, roughly ages 11–16 or 11–18
文法句型
elementary + noun
用法筆記
Used primarily in American English and other regions that follow the US school system. In the UK, 'primary school' or 'primary education' is the equivalent term.
常見錯誤
4. extremely straightforward to do or understand, involving no difficulty or compli
extremely straightforward to do or understand, involving no difficulty or complication.
The instructions were so elementary that even a child could follow them.
Bilal made an elementary mistake by forgetting to save his work before closing the file.
collocation: elementary mistake
Solving this puzzle is elementary — you just match the colours by shape.
The repair turned out to be elementary once we found the right tool.
- simple
more neutral and widely used; safer in social contexts
- easy
the most common word; describes low effort or difficulty
- straightforward
emphasises clarity and lack of complications
- difficult
requiring much effort or skill
- complicated
involving many interconnected parts
- complex
intricate and multi-layered
文法句型
elementary + noun
be + elementary
用法筆記
Often used predicatively after 'be' to stress that something requires little effort. Can sound dismissive if applied to another person's difficulty — 'simple' is safer in such contexts.