valentine

valentine — noun

1. a person you choose as a romantic partner or special friend on Valentine's Day,

1.名詞B1
釋義

a person you choose as a romantic partner or special friend on Valentine's Day, 14 February — for example, someone you send a card or give a gift to on that day.

例句

Mira asked her classmate Eli to be her valentine this year.

ask + someone + to be + possessive + valentine — common invitation pattern

Every Valentine's Day, Feng sends a red rose to his valentine.

同義詞
  • sweetheart

    more general and old-fashioned term of endearment; not tied specifically to Valentine's Day

  • girlfriend / boyfriend

    refers to an ongoing romantic relationship, not a one-day tradition

  • lover

    implies a more intimate relationship and sounds more formal or dramatic

文法句型

possessive determiner + valentine

be + possessive + valentine

用法筆記

Commonly used with possessive determiners (my, your, her, his) — e.g., 'Will you be my valentine?' and 'She made a card for her valentine.'

常見錯誤

I bought a valentine for my mother.' (when meaning a greeting card)
I bought a valentine card for my mother.
💡use 'valentine card' for the physical object; 'valentine' alone refers to the person.

2. a decorated greeting card exchanged on 14 February as a way to show romantic aff

2.名詞B1
釋義

a decorated greeting card exchanged on 14 February as a way to show romantic affection, often sent without revealing who the sender is.

例句

Nikhil bought a beautiful valentine for his girlfriend last week.

The teacher helped the students make valentines for their parents.

make + valentine — common classroom activity

同義詞
  • love letter

    a written message expressing love, longer and more personal than a decorated card

  • greeting card

    a general term for any decorated card for any occasion, not specific to romance or Valentine's Day

文法句型

send + valentine

make + valentine

receive + a valentine

用法筆記

Often sent anonymously (without the sender's name), traditionally to express shy affection. The plural form 'valentines' commonly refers to a collection of cards made or exchanged.

常見錯誤

She sent a valentine to her valentine.' (confusing both senses)
She sent a valentine card to her secret valentine.
💡add 'card' when referring to the object so the meaning is clear.