per
per — preposition
1. used before a unit, person, or time word to show the amount, cost, speed, or num
used before a unit, person, or time word to show the amount, cost, speed, or number for one single case at a time.
The bike shop charges NT$300 per hour for repair work.
price/rate: amount + per + time unit
Each student may borrow two library books per week this month.
number allowed per period of time
The train was moving at ninety kilometres per hour near Taichung.
Our guesthouse can sleep four people per room during busy weekends.
文法句型
number/amount + per + unit
per + person/item/period of time
用法筆記
Usually follows a number or amount and comes before a singular unit noun such as 'hour', 'person', 'kilo', or 'day'. In everyday speech, 'a' can sometimes replace it in prices ('$50 a day'), but 'per' is more common in notices, reports, and formal statements.
常見錯誤
per — adverb
1. for each one separately, when the noun being counted or priced is already unders
for each one separately, when the noun being counted or priced is already understood and does not need to be said again.
At the bakery sale, small pies were eighty dollars per.
elliptical price: amount + per
At the school picnic, the children got two sandwiches per.
number + per when the item is already known
The museum rents audio guides for sixty dollars per.
At the craft fair, handmade candles were three hundred dollars per.
- apiece
the closest one-word equivalent in ordinary English
- each
common and neutral, but often placed earlier in the sentence
- per person
the fuller form when the missing noun needs to be stated
文法句型
price/number + per
用法筆記
Follows a price, number, or share when the missing noun is obvious from the situation. Distinguish from preposition sense 1: the preposition keeps the unit after 'per' ('per hour', 'per child'), while this adverb leaves that noun unstated.
常見錯誤
per — abbreviation
1. a written short form of 'period', used mainly in timetables, class records, and
a written short form of 'period', used mainly in timetables, class records, and similar tables where space is limited.
The timetable marked first period as '1st per.' beside Ms. Lin's room.
per. = period on a timetable
The notice said science was in Lab 3 during second per.
school schedule: second per.
The duty sheet showed 'free per.' beside Rosa's name on Tuesday.
The printed schedule shortened 'period' to 'per.' in every lesson box.
- period
the full word used in speaking and normal writing
文法句型
first/second/third + per.
用法筆記
Used in writing, not in normal speech, and usually written with a full stop. Distinguish from abbreviation sense 2, where 'per.' stands for 'person' in price lists rather than a class or time block.
常見錯誤
2. a written short form of 'person', especially in menus, hotel notices, and ticket
a written short form of 'person', especially in menus, hotel notices, and ticket prices that show a cost for one individual.
The menu said the buffet was NT$480 per. for children under twelve.
per. = person in a price notice
The dinner flyer listed the set meal at NT$900 per. for adults.
price + per. in a printed notice
The tour company listed the boat trip at US$25 per. online.
The sign listed karaoke rooms at NT$399 per., not per hour.
- per person
the full wording used in ordinary sentences and clearer notices
- each
a shorter everyday alternative when the people are already mentioned
文法句型
price + per.
用法筆記
Usually follows a figure, with 'person' understood from context. Modern full sentences often spell out 'per person', so this abbreviation appears mostly on printed price lists, signs, and tables.
常見錯誤
per — prefix
1. added to some words to show going through all parts of something or doing someth
added to some words to show going through all parts of something or doing something fully.
The smell of smoke permeated every room after the kitchen fire.
permeate = spread through the whole place
Sadness pervaded the house after Grandpa's old dog died.
pervade = fill every part
Rust had perforated the old bucket, so water leaked out.
Years of training helped Mei perfect her tennis serve before the match.
- through-
a looser English equivalent in plain explanations
- thoroughly
helps explain the idea of completeness in some derived words
- completely
close for words like 'perfect', but not for all per- forms
文法句型
per- + verb
per- + adjective
用法筆記
Mostly seen inside established words such as 'permeate', 'pervade', 'perforate', and 'perfect'. Learners usually meet it as part of a whole word rather than adding it freely to new words. Distinguish from the preposition sense: the prefix joins another word, but the preposition stands alone before a unit.