robot

robot — noun

1. A device run by computer software that is able to perform physical tasks or move

1.名詞A2
釋義

A device run by computer software that is able to perform physical tasks or move around automatically, without direct human control.

例句

The factory installed a new robot that assembles car engines in under three minutes.

collocation: industrial robot / factory robot

Tuan's grandmother runs a small robot vacuum cleaner across the living room each morning.

同義詞
  • automaton

    more formal and old-fashioned, often suggesting a machine that moves stiffly or mechanically

  • android

    specifically a robot built to resemble a human being, common in science fiction

  • bot

    short form, usually refers to a software program rather than a physical machine

反義詞
  • human

    a living person, as opposed to a machine

  • worker

    a person who does a job, contrasted with automated labour

文法句型

a robot

robots

the robot

常見錯誤

❌The robot in the movie could feel love and sadness.
✅The android in the movie could feel love and sadness.
💡'robot' emphasises a machine doing programmed tasks; 'android' is a robot that looks and behaves like a human.

2. A person who behaves in an extremely efficient, mechanical way and does not show

2.名詞B2
釋義

A person who behaves in an extremely efficient, mechanical way and does not show or express any feelings — as if they were a machine rather than a human being.

例句

Chidi's new supervisor is a total robot — she never smiles and gives orders in a flat voice.

informal: 'a total / real / complete robot'

The call-centre worker sounded like a robot, repeating the same script without any emotion.

simile pattern: 'sound like a robot'

同義詞
  • automaton

    more formal, suggests stiff and unthinking behaviour

  • machine

    similar metaphor but weaker, can just mean someone who works tirelessly

  • drone

    emphasises doing repetitive work without thinking, often in a boring job

反義詞
  • warm person

    someone who shows kindness and feeling towards others

  • free spirit

    someone who acts naturally and emotionally, not following rigid routines

文法句型

like a robot

a (total / real / complete) robot

用法筆記

Common in comparisons — 'like a robot' describes someone whose behaviour is mechanically efficient and emotionally blank. Can be mildly insulting when used about a real person.

常見錯誤

❌She is a real robot — always smiling and cheerful.
✅She is a real robot
💡never smiling, just working mechanically.' — The metaphor focuses on lack of emotion, not on efficiency alone.
❌My boss is a robot who works very creatively.
✅My boss is a robot who works mechanically, following the same steps every time.
💡A robot's defining trait is repetitive, uncreative behaviour.

3. A set of coloured lights (red, yellow, and green) positioned at a road junction

3.名詞
釋義

A set of coloured lights (red, yellow, and green) positioned at a road junction to control the flow of traffic by telling drivers when to stop and when to go; used mainly in South African English.

例句

Esteban stopped at the robot on Dorp Street and waited for the light to turn green.

South African informal: 'robot' = 'traffic light'

The robot at the main intersection was broken, so drivers had to take turns crossing the junction.

同義詞

文法句型

the robot

at the robot

robot turns red / green

用法筆記

Confined to South African English in informal conversation. Outside South Africa, 'robot' will not be understood to mean a traffic light and may cause confusion.

常見錯誤

❌Turn left when you see a robot on the corner' (told to a visitor in London).
✅Turn left when you see a traffic light on the corner' (in most English-speaking countries).
💡Use 'robot' for traffic lights only in South Africa.