minister
minister — noun
1. a politician who leads a specific government department, such as education, heal
a politician who leads a specific government department, such as education, health, or defence
The education minister announced a new plan to build more libraries across the country.
minister + [department] as title
Henrik was appointed minister of trade after working as an economic advisor for eight years.
appointed minister of [department]
The former minister wrote a detailed book about her years in the government.
Ministers from over thirty countries gathered in Geneva to discuss climate policy.
At university, Yael decided she wanted to become a government minister one day.
- secretary
used in the US and some other countries instead of 'minister' for department heads
- cabinet member
a broader term for any high-ranking official who sits in the cabinet, not just department heads
文法句型
minister + of + [department]
minister + for + [department]
用法筆記
In many countries, the head of a government department may also be called 'Secretary' or 'Secretary of State'. The term 'minister' is standard in parliamentary systems such as the UK, Canada, and Japan.
常見錯誤
2. a person who leads worship services and provides spiritual care for members of a
a person who leads worship services and provides spiritual care for members of a Christian church
The minister welcomed everyone to the Sunday service at the small village church.
minister + Sunday service + church
Megan spoke with her minister about organising a food drive for families in need.
Christopher trained for three years before becoming a minister in his local church.
The minister's sermon on kindness and forgiveness brought comfort to many people in the town.
Eve asked the minister to officiate at her wedding ceremony next summer.
用法筆記
Used primarily in Protestant denominations; the equivalent role in the Catholic Church is 'priest'.
常見錯誤
3. a senior diplomatic officer who acts on behalf of their government in another na
a senior diplomatic officer who acts on behalf of their government in another nation, with a rank one step below an ambassador
Aarav was appointed minister to the Indian embassy in Berlin after years of diplomatic service.
minister to [country/embassy]
The Chinese minister met local officials to discuss trade agreements between the two nations.
Talia served as a diplomatic minister in three countries during her career.
The minister's report on the region's economic situation was sent directly to the foreign office.
- envoy
a diplomatic agent sent on a specific mission, not necessarily a permanent representative
- chargé d'affaires
someone who acts as the head of a diplomatic mission when the ambassador is absent
文法句型
minister + to + [country]
用法筆記
Distinguish from 'ambassador', who holds the highest diplomatic rank. A minister often acts as the deputy to an ambassador or serves in smaller missions where no ambassador is posted.
常見錯誤
minister — verb
1. to serve as a Christian minister, leading religious ceremonies and providing spi
to serve as a Christian minister, leading religious ceremonies and providing spiritual guidance to a community
Kemi has ministered to the same church community in Lagos for over twenty years.
ministered to [church community]
Ryo was invited to minister at a city church after completing his theological studies.
The pastor ministered to patients at the local hospital every Wednesday morning.
Nikhil felt called to minister to young people in his neighbourhood through community programmes.
文法句型
minister + to + [people/place]
用法筆記
Frequently used with the preposition 'to' followed by the people or community being served.
2. to give care, comfort, or help to people who are suffering or in need
to give care, comfort, or help to people who are suffering or in need
Volunteers ministered to the needs of families who had lost everything in the flood.
minister to the needs of [people]
The nurses ministered to the injured passengers with patience until the ambulance arrived.
During the pandemic, Joaquín ministered to elderly neighbours who could not leave their homes.
Selim spent the summer ministering to children at a refugee camp near the border.
文法句型
minister + to + [needs/people]
用法筆記
Formal or literary in tone. The object is typically a person's 'needs', 'wants', or a group of people in difficult circumstances. Not used in everyday conversation about simple acts of helping.