automatic

automatic — 形容詞

1. Used to describe a machine, door, or system that runs by itself, so a person doe

1.形容詞B2
釋義

自動的

機器或裝置可自行運作，不需人手操作

Used to describe a machine, door, or system that runs by itself, so a person does not have to start each step or push buttons all the time.

例句

The supermarket has automatic doors that slide open as Dilnoza walks toward them.

這家超市有自動門，Dilnoza 走近時門就會滑開。

automatic + noun (door)

Eitan's new washing machine is fully automatic, so he just chooses a program and presses start.

Eitan 的新洗衣機是全自動的，他只要選個程式按下開始就好。

fully automatic

同義詞
  • self-operating

    more technical; common in product descriptions

  • mechanized

    stresses that a task once done by hand is now done by machines

  • self-acting

    formal, often in engineering contexts

反義詞
  • manual

    the most common opposite — needs a person to operate it

文法句型

automatic + noun (machine, door, system)

用法筆記

Almost always sits before a noun (attributive). When the subject is the device itself, prefer 'is automatic' rather than describing the action.

常見錯誤

❌The door opens automatic.
✅The door opens automatically.
💡use the adverb 'automatically' to modify a verb; 'automatic' only modifies a noun.

2. Used only of a car, gearbox, or transmission whose gears shift by themselves whi

2.形容詞B2
釋義

自排的

車輛或變速箱會自行換檔

Used only of a car, gearbox, or transmission whose gears shift by themselves while you drive, so you never push a clutch pedal or move a gear stick. Unlike sense 1 (any self-running machine), this sense is restricted to vehicles and is the everyday opposite of 'manual'.

例句

Mateo passed his driving test in an automatic car last summer.

Mateo 去年夏天用自排車考過了駕照。

automatic car

Most rental cars at Los Angeles airport come with an automatic gearbox as standard.

在洛杉磯機場租到的車，大多標配自排變速箱。

automatic gearbox

同義詞
反義詞
  • manual

    the driver changes gears with a clutch and gear stick

文法句型

automatic + noun (car, gearbox, transmission)

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1 (any self-operating device): this sense is restricted to vehicles, gearboxes, and transmissions. Often contrasted with 'manual'.

常見錯誤

❌I drive an automatic gear.
✅I drive an automatic car.' or 'My car has an automatic gearbox.
💡'gear' alone does not collocate; use 'gearbox' or 'transmission'.

3. If a reaction or movement is automatic, you do it instantly without choosing to

3.形容詞C1
釋義

下意識的

出於習慣或反射，不經思考就做出的反應

If a reaction or movement is automatic, you do it instantly without choosing to or even noticing, often because of habit, training, or a body reflex.

例句

When Hannah saw her niece grin in the stroller, smiling back was almost automatic.

Hannah 看到姪女在嬰兒車裡咧嘴笑，回以微笑幾乎是下意識的反應。

almost automatic

After ten years driving a taxi in Taipei, checking the side mirror has become automatic for Zane.

在台北開了十年計程車後，看側邊後照鏡對 Zane 來說已成下意識的動作。

become automatic

同義詞
  • instinctive

    felt deep inside, with no thought needed

  • involuntary

    stresses that you cannot stop the action, often a body reflex

  • reflex

    very fast, body-driven; usually about a physical reaction

反義詞

文法句型

automatic + noun (response, reaction, reflex)

用法筆記

Frequently negative in tone when describing speech or emotion (e.g. an 'automatic apology' suggests it is empty). Distinguish from sense 1 (a machine): here the subject is a person's action, reaction, or feeling.

常見錯誤

❌I gave an automatic to her question.
✅I gave an automatic answer to her question.
💡'automatic' is an adjective and needs a noun after it.

4. An automatic result, right, or punishment is one that always follows when a cert

4.形容詞C1
釋義

必然的

依規定或制度必然發生的結果

An automatic result, right, or punishment is one that always follows when a certain rule applies, with no extra decision or special request needed.

例句

Gold members of the jazz club get an automatic 20% discount on every concert ticket.

爵士樂俱樂部的金卡會員，每張演唱會門票都自動享有八折優惠。

automatic + noun (discount)

In Singapore, driving without a licence carries an automatic fine of two thousand dollars.

在新加坡，無照駕駛會被依規定開罰兩千元。

automatic fine / penalty

同義詞
反義詞

文法句型

automatic + noun (right, entitlement, increase)

用法筆記

The result must follow strictly from a rule, contract, or normal procedure — not from luck or from someone choosing to grant it. Common with words like right, fine, place, increase, qualification.

常見錯誤

❌It is automatic that the manager will promote her.
✅Her promotion is automatic under the new contract.
💡use 'automatic' for outcomes set by a rule, not for what you guess will happen.

5. Used only of guns: one squeeze of the trigger releases a continuous stream of bu

5.形容詞C1
釋義

連發的

槍枝可連續射擊直到放開扳機

Used only of guns: one squeeze of the trigger releases a continuous stream of bullets until the shooter lets go or the magazine empties. Unlike sense 1 (any self-running device), this sense is restricted to firearms and contrasts with semi-automatic (one bullet per trigger pull) and single-shot weapons.

例句

Soldiers were carrying automatic rifles as they walked through the village.

士兵手持自動步槍，走過整個村莊。

automatic rifle

In Japan, owning an automatic weapon at home can lead to several years in prison.

在日本，民眾在家中持有自動武器，可能會被判處數年徒刑。

automatic weapon

同義詞
反義詞

文法句型

automatic + noun (rifle, weapon, pistol)

用法筆記

Used with 'rifle', 'weapon', 'pistol', 'gun'. The related noun (sense noun/2) refers to the gun itself.

automatic — 名詞