base
base — 動詞
1. to use a particular city, country, or building as the centre from which a person
以…為據點
把某地當作主要居住或營運的地方
to use a particular city, country, or building as the centre from which a person lives or runs their work, with most travel and activity starting and ending there.
Yusuf is based in Taipei but flies to Tokyo for client meetings most weeks.
Yusuf 以台北為據點，但幾乎每週都飛東京開客戶會議。
passive: be based in [city]
The charity bases its rescue teams at a small airfield near the coast.
這個慈善團體把救援小組設在沿海一座小型機場。
active: base [object] at [place]
After the merger, the design team will be based in the Berlin office full time.
合併之後，設計團隊會全職進駐柏林辦公室。
Linnea works for a Spanish bank and is currently based in Singapore.
Linnea 在一家西班牙銀行上班，目前以新加坡為據點。
The film crew based themselves in a small village for the whole shoot.
拍攝期間，整個劇組都駐紮在那座小村子裡。
- headquartered
more formal; only used of organisations, not individuals
- stationed
usually military or official postings rather than ordinary work
- located
describes physical position; less about where someone operates from
文法句型
be based in [place]
be based at [location]
用法筆記
Most often appears in the passive (be based in / at) when describing where a person or company normally operates from. The active form usually takes a company, team, or organisation as the subject.
常見錯誤
2. to build a story, decision, theory, or product by drawing its main ideas, facts,
以…為依據
用某事物當作判斷或創作的基礎
to build a story, decision, theory, or product by drawing its main ideas, facts, or shape from another source — for example, a film built around a real event, or a price worked out from sales figures.
The director based the film on a true story about a young swimmer from Korea.
導演以一位韓國年輕泳將的真實故事為依據拍了這部電影。
active: base [X] on [source]
Our prices are based on the cost of cotton, so they change every season.
我們的價格是根據棉花成本訂的，所以每一季都會變動。
passive: be based on [factor]
Olu based her novel on letters her grandmother wrote during the war.
Olu 以祖母在戰時寫的信件為靈感，寫成這本小說。
The judge said the ruling was based entirely on written evidence from both sides.
法官表示，這項判決完全是依據雙方提交的書面證據。
You should not base such an important decision on a single phone call.
這麼重要的決定，不應該只憑一通電話就下。
文法句型
base [something] on [something]
be based on [source]
用法筆記
Almost always followed by 'on' (sometimes 'upon' in formal writing). Distinguish from sense 1 (WORK FROM PLACE): sense 2 takes an abstract object such as a story, decision, or theory, while sense 1 takes a person, team, or company plus a physical location.
常見錯誤
base — 名詞
1. the flat or supporting underside of a physical object — the part it stands on or
底座；底部
物體最下方支撐用的部分
the flat or supporting underside of a physical object — the part it stands on or that holds it up, such as the underside of a lamp, vase, or column.
Yusuf glued a thick felt pad to the base of the wooden lamp so it would not scratch the table.
Yusuf 在木製檯燈的底座貼了一塊厚毛氈墊，這樣才不會刮傷桌面。
the base of [object]: typical possessive frame
The tall vase tipped over because its base was too narrow for its height.
那個高瓶子翻倒了，因為它的底座相對於高度來說太窄。
subject = inanimate object's stability feature
Dr. Lin tapped the base of the microscope to show students where the light enters.
Dr. Lin 輕敲顯微鏡的底部，向學生指出光線是從哪裡進入的。
Hikers stopped to rest at the base of the cliff before climbing higher.
登山客在繼續往上爬之前，先在峭壁底下停下來休息。
There was a small crack running across the base of the coffee mug.
咖啡杯的底部有一道小裂縫橫向延伸。
- bottom
more everyday; refers to the lowest surface generally
- foot
used for tall things like mountains, ladders, stairs
- foundation
implies a built support that carries weight, often for buildings
文法句型
the base of [object]
用法筆記
Object is almost always a concrete physical thing (lamp, statue, column, mountain). Distinguish from sense 7 (MAIN INGREDIENT), which describes the principal substance or layer of a mixture rather than a literal underside.
常見錯誤
2. the central location that a person treats as home or a company runs its activiti
據點；根據地
生活或營運的主要地點
the central location that a person treats as home or a company runs its activities from, and that they regularly return to.
Nikolai uses Taipei as his base while he travels around Asia for work.
Nikolai 以台北作為他的據點，在亞洲各地出差。
use [place] as a base — common collocation
The small design studio has its base in an old warehouse near the river.
那家小型設計工作室的據點設在河邊一棟舊倉庫裡。
have one's base in [location]
After ten years in Berlin, the family decided to move their base back to Lisbon.
在柏林住了十年之後，這家人決定把生活據點搬回里斯本。
The charity runs from a tiny base above a bakery in the old town.
這個慈善機構的辦事處是設在舊城區一家麵包店樓上的小據點。
Many remote workers choose Lisbon as a base because flights to other cities are cheap.
許多遠端工作者選擇里斯本當作據點，因為飛往其他城市的機票都很便宜。
- headquarters
more formal; usually a company's main office
- home
everyday; more about living than business
- centre
wider — any focal point of activity
文法句型
[someone/company]'s base in [location]
use [place] as a base
用法筆記
Often used with 'use … as a base' or 'have a base in [city]'. Distinguish from sense 3 (MILITARY): sense 2 covers civilian work or daily life; sense 3 is specifically a place run by armed forces.
常見錯誤
3. a fixed site belonging to an army, navy, or air force, where soldiers are housed
軍事基地
軍隊駐紮和執行任務的營地
a fixed site belonging to an army, navy, or air force, where soldiers are housed and where missions and supplies are organised.
Captain Reyes was stationed at an air base in northern Italy for three years.
Captain Reyes 在義大利北部一處空軍基地駐紮了三年。
stationed at a base — passive military pattern
Trucks loaded with food and medicine rolled out of the army base before dawn.
載著糧食和藥品的卡車在天亮前駛離了那座陸軍基地。
The naval base near the harbour has been closed to visitors for security reasons.
港口附近的海軍基地基於安全考量已經對外封閉。
Lt. Park returned to the base after a long patrol in the desert.
Lt. Park 在沙漠中長時間巡邏之後返回了基地。
Two soldiers were guarding the main gate of the base when we arrived.
我們抵達時，有兩名士兵正在守著基地的大門。
文法句型
a [type] base
stationed at a base
用法筆記
Almost always appears with a qualifier showing the branch — 'army base', 'naval base', 'air base', 'military base'. Distinguish from sense 2 (MAIN PLACE), which is civilian; this sense is exclusively about armed forces.
常見錯誤
4. in baseball or softball, any of the four marked spots on the diamond that a runn
壘；壘包
棒球場上跑壘員必須踩到的位置
in baseball or softball, any of the four marked spots on the diamond that a runner has to step on so a run will count.
Linnea slid into second base just before the ball reached the fielder.
Linnea 在球傳到野手手上之前的那一刻，滑進了二壘。
slide into [ordinal] base — typical action verb
Mia hit the ball to the wall and ran all the way around the bases for a home run.
Mia 把球擊到全壘打牆，跑了一整圈壘包，擊出一支全壘打。
run around the bases — common phrase
The runner on first base watched the pitcher carefully, ready to steal.
一壘的跑者緊盯著投手，隨時準備要盜壘。
After three balls, the batter walked to first base.
在三個壞球之後，打者保送上一壘。
Coach Dimitri tells the kids to keep their eyes on the ball as they round each base.
Coach Dimitri 提醒孩子們在跑過每個壘包時，都要把眼睛放在球上。
文法句型
reach base
steal a base
用法筆記
Almost always with an ordinal number — 'first base', 'second base', 'third base' (home plate is the fourth). Found in fixed phrases like 'reach base', 'steal a base', 'load the bases'.
常見錯誤
5. an idea, fact, or earlier piece of work that becomes the starting point others b
依據；基礎
後續發展所立足的想法或事實起點
an idea, fact, or earlier piece of work that becomes the starting point others build on when developing a theory, plan, or argument.
Maria's village interviews became the base for her doctoral thesis on rural healthcare.
Maria 在村里所做的訪談，成了她那篇農村醫療博士論文的依據。
the base for + noun (project / argument)
The detective used the witness statements as the base of her whole investigation.
那位偵探把證人的陳述當作整起調查的基礎。
the base of + noun
Five years of sales records gave the new managers a solid base to plan from.
五年的銷售紀錄，給了新任主管們一個穩固的依據去規劃未來。
Without good evidence, the lawyer had no base for her surprising claim.
由於缺乏有力證據，這位律師的驚人主張並沒有什麼依據。
The novel takes Greek myths as a base and turns them into modern stories about office workers.
這部小說以希臘神話為基礎，把它們改寫成現代上班族的故事。
- basis
more common in the fixed phrases 'on the basis of' and 'have no basis'; 'base' is preferred when the starting point is a tangible body of work.
- foundation
stronger and more abstract; suggests the whole later structure depends on it.
- groundwork
emphasises preparatory work already done, not just the idea behind it.
文法句型
the base for + noun
the base of + noun
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 7 (MAIN INGREDIENT): sense 7 names the largest physical or structural component of something; sense 5 names an intellectual starting point that further work develops out of. Often paired with abstract nouns like 'theory', 'argument', 'plan', 'thesis'.
常見錯誤
6. the group of people, customers, or supporters that an organisation, politician,
支持群；客群
提供主要支持或收入的人群
the group of people, customers, or supporters that an organisation, politician, or business depends on for most of its money, votes, or backing.
The senator's loyal base of older voters helped her win the election by a wide margin.
這位參議員忠實的年長選民支持群眾，幫她以大幅領先贏得了選舉。
[someone's] base of [supporter type]
The brand built its customer base through small, friendly shops rather than big advertising.
這個品牌是靠著小型而友善的店家累積客群，而不是靠大量廣告。
customer base — strong collocation
Many young artists have a strong fan base on social media before they sign a record deal.
許多年輕藝人在簽下唱片約之前，就已經在社群媒體上有龐大的粉絲群。
The mayor lost touch with his working-class base after moving to a wealthy neighbourhood.
市長搬到富裕社區之後，便和他原本的勞工階級支持群眾失去了連結。
The party is trying to expand its base among younger voters in the cities.
這個政黨正試圖在城市的年輕選民中擴大支持群眾。
- following
wider; any group of admirers, not just paying or voting
- supporters
everyday plural; less abstract
- constituency
formal; mostly political contexts
文法句型
a [type] base
[someone]'s [type] base
用法筆記
Frequently appears in compounds: 'customer base', 'fan base', 'voter base', 'tax base'. Distinguish from sense 7 (MAIN INGREDIENT): sense 6 is always a group of people; sense 7 is a substance, layer, or main ingredient.
常見錯誤
7. the chief substance or first layer in a mixture, dish, or product, to which othe
主成分；基底
混合物或料理的主成分或底層
the chief substance or first layer in a mixture, dish, or product, to which other ingredients or coats are added.
Chef Olivia made a rich pasta sauce with a base of slow-cooked tomatoes and garlic.
Chef Olivia 用慢燉的番茄和大蒜當基底，做出一道濃郁的義大利麵醬。
a base of [substance] — defining frame
Most of these face creams use water as their base, with oils added for softness.
這些面霜大多以水當作基底，再加入油脂讓質地更柔軟。
[substance] as a base
The painter spread a thin white base on the canvas before adding the bright colours.
畫家先在畫布上鋪了一層薄薄的白色底層，再加上鮮豔的顏色。
This salad dressing has a base of olive oil mixed with lemon juice and honey.
這款沙拉醬的基底是橄欖油，再混合檸檬汁和蜂蜜。
Many traditional Thai curries start from a base of fresh chillies, lemongrass, and garlic.
許多傳統的泰式咖哩，都是從新鮮辣椒、香茅和大蒜的基底開始做起。
- foundation
more abstract; can also be used for cosmetics layers
- core
stresses centrality rather than the bottom layer
文法句型
a base of [substance]
[substance]-based
用法筆記
Common in cooking, cosmetics, and painting contexts. Often followed by 'of + substance'. Compound 'X-based' is very productive: 'oil-based', 'water-based', 'tomato-based'. Distinguish from sense 6 (SUPPORT GROUP), which is always people, not substances.
常見錯誤
8. in a counting system, the size of the group that the place values are organised
底數；基數
計數系統中每個位值所依據的數字
in a counting system, the size of the group that the place values are organised around — for example, every tenth value in our everyday numbers, or every second value when computers count using only 0 and 1.
Most people count in base 10, using the digits 0 through 9 in each place.
大多數人用十進位（底數 10）計數，每一位上使用 0 到 9 的數字。
count / work in + base + number
Computers store all data in base 2, where every digit can only be 0 or 1.
電腦把所有資料儲存在二進位（底數 2）中，每一位只能是 0 或 1。
in base 2 (binary)
Programmers often write memory addresses in base 16 to keep them short and easy to read.
工程師常用十六進位（底數 16）來寫記憶體位址，這樣比較短也好讀。
The teacher asked the class to convert the number 27 from base 10 into base 2.
老師要全班把數字 27 從十進位（底數 10）換算成二進位（底數 2）。
Ancient Babylonian astronomers used a base of 60, which is why we still have 60 minutes in an hour.
古巴比倫的天文學家使用底數 60，這也是我們一小時仍有 60 分鐘的原因。
- radix
the technical term used in computer science papers; rare in everyday speech.
文法句型
base + number (e.g. base 10, base 2)
用法筆記
Almost always followed directly by a number ('base 10', 'base 2', 'base 16'), with no article between. The article appears in the longer pattern 'a base of + number' when describing the system in general.
常見錯誤
9. a substance such as ammonia or sodium hydroxide which, when mixed into water, ne
鹼；鹼性物質
可中和酸並生成鹽的化學物質
a substance such as ammonia or sodium hydroxide which, when mixed into water, neutralises an acid and produces a salt; bases feel slippery and turn red litmus paper blue.
In the lab, Dr. Dimitri added a weak base to the acid until the colour changed to green.
在實驗室裡，Dr. Dimitri 把一種弱鹼慢慢加進酸裡，直到顏色變成綠色。
a weak / strong base
Soap feels slippery on your fingers because it contains a mild base.
肥皂摸起來滑滑的，是因為裡面含有一種溫和的鹼。
contain / be a base
Acids and bases react together to form a salt and water.
酸與鹼會互相反應，生成鹽和水。
The students tested several household liquids and found that bleach acts as a strong base.
學生們測試了幾種家用液體，發現漂白水是一種強鹼。
Sodium hydroxide is the base most often used to make industrial soap.
氫氧化鈉是工業製造肥皂時最常使用的鹼。
- alkali
in school chemistry, often used for bases that fully dissolve in water; technically a subset of bases.
- acid
the opposite chemical type; an acid releases hydrogen ions while a base accepts them.
用法筆記
Almost always appears in the paired phrase 'acids and bases' in school chemistry. The plural 'bases' in this sense is a homograph with the plural of sense 4 (baseball) — context normally makes the meaning clear.
常見錯誤
base — 形容詞
1. describing the simplest version of a product or system, before any extra feature
基本款的
未加任何升級或加值的最簡版本
describing the simplest version of a product or system, before any extra features, upgrades, or higher-priced options are added.
The base model of this laptop comes with 8 GB of memory and no extra software.
這款筆電的基本款配備 8 GB 記憶體，沒有附加軟體。
collocation: base model / base version
Olu chose the base trim of the SUV because she did not want leather seats.
Olu 選了這台休旅車的基本款，因為她不想要皮椅。
collocation: base trim (cars)
Tickets start at the base price of 800 yuan, with better seats costing more.
票價從最低的 800 元起跳，比較好的座位則更貴。
Engineers tested the base design first, then added the new safety features.
工程師先測試最基本的設計，再加入新的安全功能。
Yuki's base salary is fixed, but her yearly bonus depends on team results.
Yuki 的底薪是固定的，但她的年終獎金要看團隊的成績。
- basic
more common everyday word; covers the same 'no extras' idea
- entry-level
marketing term; the cheapest model aimed at first-time buyers
- standard
the default version supplied without optional add-ons
文法句型
base + noun
用法筆記
Almost always used before a noun (attributive), especially with words for products, prices, and pay: 'base model', 'base price', 'base salary', 'base rate'. Distinguish from sense 2 (WITHOUT HONOUR): this sense is about cost or features, not morality.
常見錯誤
2. behaving in a way that lacks moral standards, kindness, or any sense of decency,
卑劣的
缺乏道德、令人不齒的
behaving in a way that lacks moral standards, kindness, or any sense of decency, especially when acting from selfish or shameful motives.
Stealing money from a sick neighbour was a base act that shocked the whole village.
從生病的鄰居那裡偷錢，是讓全村震驚的卑劣行為。
noun phrase: a base act / a base motive
The novel's villain betrays his oldest friend for gold, driven by base greed.
小說裡的反派為了金子背叛最老的朋友，是出於卑劣的貪婪。
collocation: base greed / base instincts
Clara accused the politician of base lies designed to ruin her family.
Clara 指控那位政治人物說出可恥的謊話，想毀掉她的家庭。
It was base of Theo to laugh at the children who had lost their home.
Theo 嘲笑那些失去家園的孩子，實在很卑劣。
The judge said few crimes were as base as cheating an elderly widow out of her savings.
法官說，很少有罪行像詐騙年長寡婦的積蓄那樣卑劣。
- ignoble
very formal, often literary; same idea of low moral worth
- dishonourable
everyday formal word, focuses on breaking codes of honour
- despicable
stronger; suggests the action deserves open contempt
- shameful
more common; emphasises that the actor should feel shame
- noble
showing high moral character, often paired with 'base' as its opposite
- honourable
everyday opposite, acting from principle
用法筆記
Largely literary or formal in modern English; in everyday speech, words like 'shameful', 'dishonourable', or 'mean' replace it. Often appears before abstract nouns such as 'motive', 'instinct', or 'greed' rather than describing people directly.