company
company — 動詞
1. to go somewhere with someone in order to keep them company or make sure they are
陪同
陪同他人同行
to go somewhere with someone in order to keep them company or make sure they are safe
Putri companied her grandmother to the weekly market every Saturday morning.
Putri 每週六早上都陪祖母去逛市場。
company + object + to [place]
The security officer companied the visitor to the front gate of the factory.
安全人員陪同訪客走到工廠大門口。
Iker companied his younger sister to the library so she would not walk alone.
Iker 陪妹妹去圖書館，這樣她就不必獨自走過去。
A nurse companied the elderly patient from the ward to the X-ray room downstairs.
一名護理師陪同年長病患從病房前往樓下的 X 光室。
Dahlia companied her visiting cousin to the night market despite feeling very tired that evening.
Dahlia 雖然當晚非常疲倦，還是陪來訪的表哥去了夜市。
文法句型
company + object
用法筆記
Frequently used in formal or literary contexts. In everyday conversation the verb 'accompany' is far more common. The object is always a person — a family member, guest, or someone needing assistance.
常見錯誤
2. to spend time with a particular person or group, especially one that other peopl
結交
與特定對象（常為不良者）往來
to spend time with a particular person or group, especially one that other people consider unsuitable or morally questionable
Padma's parents warned her not to company with the older crowd at the skate park.
Padma 的父母告誡她不要跟滑板場那些年紀較大的青少年混在一起。
company + with + [person/group] — negative connotation
The old fisherman was known for companying with sailors from every port along the coast.
老漁夫以結交來自各港口的水手而聞名。
Kwame had been companying with a group of musicians who practised in an abandoned warehouse.
Kwame 一直跟一群在廢棄倉庫練團的樂手混在一起。
The villagers disapproved of anyone who companied with the outlaws hiding in the nearby hills.
村民們不贊成任何人跟躲在山丘附近的逃犯來往。
Mert refused to company with colleagues who spread lies about their coworkers.
Mert 拒絕與那些散播同事謠言的職員來往。
- associate
neutral register, far more common than 'company' in modern English
- mix
informal, suggests casual social interaction
- fraternise
formal, often used in military or institutional contexts
文法句型
company + with + someone
用法筆記
Requires the preposition 'with'. Frequently carries a negative or disapproving connotation suggesting the person or group associated with is of questionable character. The proverb 'a man is known by the company he keeps' reflects this sense.
常見錯誤
company — 名詞
1. A group of people working together to make products or carry out paid work with
公司
以營利為目的的商業組織
A group of people working together to make products or carry out paid work with the aim of earning money.
Benjamin works for a software company that creates apps for hospitals.
Benjamin 在一家為醫院開發應用程式的軟體公司工作。
countable noun: a company / two companies
The company announced plans to open three new stores in Taiwan next year.
該公司宣布明年將在台灣新開設三家分店。
Jiwoo started her own company selling handmade pottery at local craft markets.
Jiwoo 創立了自己的公司在當地市集販售手作陶器。
That delivery company offers same-day shipping across the whole island.
那家快遞公司在整個島嶼提供當日送達服務。
- firm
slightly more formal, often used in professional contexts
- corporation
a large legally structured company, often with shareholders
- business
broader term covering any commercial activity, not necessarily a formal organization
常見錯誤
2. The condition of having someone near you so that you are not alone, or the peopl
作伴
有人陪伴的狀態或同處的人
The condition of having someone near you so that you are not alone, or the people who are with you in such a situation.
After the funeral, Sade was grateful for the company of her closest friends.
葬禮之後，Sade 很感激有最親近的朋友們作伴。
pattern: be grateful for the company of [someone]
Tuan enjoys the company of other passengers during his long train rides to work.
Tuan 很享受在長途火車上與其他乘客為伴。
Élise missed the company of her university classmates after moving to a new city.
Élise 搬到新的城市後，很懷念有大學同學相伴的日子。
Being in the company of cheerful people made Felix feel more hopeful about his situation.
和開朗的人在一起，讓 Felix 對自己的處境感到更有希望。
- companionship
warmer, more emotional than 'company'; suggests closeness
- presence
more neutral; simply 'being there' without the warmth of 'company'
- solitude
the state of being alone, especially by choice
- loneliness
unhappy feeling of being alone
用法筆記
Uncountable — do not use 'a company' when you mean the presence of others (that would switch to the BUSINESS sense). Use 'the company of [someone]' or 'some company'.
常見錯誤
3. Having the quality of being enjoyable and interesting to spend time with, used w
好相處
與之相處令人愉快的人
Having the quality of being enjoyable and interesting to spend time with, used with 'be' and an adjective such as good, wonderful, or excellent.
Benjamin's grandfather is wonderful company — he tells the best stories about his childhood.
Benjamin 的祖父是非常好的相處對象——最會講童年故事了。
pattern: be + [adjective] + company
Kian is always great company on long drives because he sings and tells jokes.
Kian 在長途開車時總是很棒的旅伴，他會唱歌說笑話。
The tour guide was excellent company, sharing local legends along the walking route.
那位導遊是很棒的相處對象，沿途分享當地傳說。
Even on rainy days, Heloísa is good company because her cheer lifts others up.
即使在雨天，Heloísa 也很好相處，因為她的愉快能感染身邊的人。
- entertaining person
more specific; focuses on being amusing rather than generally pleasant
- pleasant companion
warmer, more personal than the abstract 'good company'
- bore
someone who is dull and makes time feel slow
用法筆記
Only used with 'be' + an adjective (good / wonderful / excellent / great company). Cannot be used before a noun (❌ 'a good-company friend'). Distinguish from sense 2 (PRESENCE OF OTHERS), which describes the state of not being alone — sense 3 evaluates the quality of the person you are with.
常見錯誤
4. To feel comfortable and content while spending time by yourself, without needing
享受獨處
喜歡一個人而不感到寂寞
To feel comfortable and content while spending time by yourself, without needing other people around you.
Aaron is perfectly happy with his own company and spends most weekends reading at home.
Aaron 非常享受獨處，大部分週末都待在家裡看書。
pattern: be happy with / enjoy + one's own company
After years of living alone, Grandmother had learned to enjoy her own company.
獨居多年後，祖母已經學會享受一個人的時光。
Eitan is rarely lonely — he values his own company and paints during quiet time.
Eitan 很少感到寂寞——他珍惜獨處的時光，在安靜的時候畫畫。
Diya turned down the dinner invitation because she prefers her own company on Friday nights.
Diya 婉拒了晚宴邀請，因為她週五晚上比較喜歡獨處。
- be self-sufficient
broader; can refer to practical independence, not just emotional comfort being alone
- be independent
general trait of not relying on others, not specific to solitude
- need company
the opposite — feeling uncomfortable when alone
- lonely
the negative emotional state of wanting but lacking company
用法筆記
A possessive adjective (my / your / his / her / their / one's) is required before 'own company'. Common with verbs like 'enjoy', 'prefer', 'be happy with', and 'value'.
常見錯誤
5. An activity done with the aim of reducing the feeling of being alone, especially
解悶
為排遣孤單而做的事
An activity done with the aim of reducing the feeling of being alone, especially when nobody else is around.
Jiwoo turned on the radio for company while she cooked dinner in her small kitchen.
Jiwoo 在小廚房裡做晚飯時打開收音機來解悶。
pattern: [noun/activity] for company
Caleb brings his dog along for company whenever he goes hiking in the mountains.
Caleb 去山裡健行的時候都會帶上他的狗作伴。
The man kept the TV on all day for company, even without watching it.
那名男子一整天都把電視開著，即使沒在看，也只是為了有個聲音作伴。
Sade kept a small plant on her desk for company during late nights at work.
Sade 在辦公桌上放了一盆小植物，加班熬夜時有東西作伴。
用法筆記
Always follows a noun or verb phrase describing the activity: [verb] [something] for company. Distinguish from sense 6 (KEEP COMPANY) — sense 5 involves objects or background activities (radio, TV, pet), not active human presence.
6. To stay physically near someone in order to prevent them from feeling lonely, of
陪伴
陪在某人身邊使其不孤單
To stay physically near someone in order to prevent them from feeling lonely, often because they are sad, sick, or waiting for something.
Tuan stayed late at the hospital to keep his grandmother company after her surgery.
Tuan 在祖母手術後留在醫院陪伴她。
pattern: keep + [someone] + company
Felix's sister asked him to keep her company while she waited for the school bus.
Felix 的妹妹請他在等校車的時候陪她。
Élise kept her roommate company by watching films with her after she received bad news.
Élise 在室友收到壞消息後陪她看電影。
Volunteers visit the shelter every Sunday to keep the elderly residents company.
志工每週日到安養院陪伴年長的住戶。
- leave alone
to stop being with someone
- abandon
stronger; to leave someone who needs you
用法筆記
The person being accompanied is always the object of 'keep' (keep + someone + company). Cannot be rearranged as 'keep company with someone' (that pattern belongs to a different, older idiom meaning 'associate with').
常見錯誤
7. a team of professional performers — such as actors, dancers, or musicians — who
劇團
定期一起表演的演員、舞者等團隊
a team of professional performers — such as actors, dancers, or musicians — who work together to put on shows, often as part of a named organisation.
Mateo joined a theatre company that toured small towns across the country.
Mateo 加入了一個到全國各地小鎮巡迴演出的劇團。
collocation: theatre company + toured [area]
The ballet company will perform Swan Lake at the city hall next month.
這個芭蕾舞團下個月將在市政廳演出《天鵝湖》。
Aylin's dance company was invited to perform at a festival in Kyoto this spring.
Aylin 的舞團今年春天獲邀前往京都的一個藝術節演出。
The Riverside Theatre Company cancelled 'The Glass Garden' after losing its main donor.
河畔劇團在失去主要贊助者後，取消了《玻璃花園》的演出。
The company of young actors put on three different plays during the winter season.
這個年輕演員劇團在冬季檔期裡上演了三部不同的戲。
用法筆記
Frequently used as part of an organisation's official name (e.g., 'the Royal Shakespeare Company'). Refers specifically to professional performing groups — not to amateur or casual performance groups.
常見錯誤
8. a subdivision of a battalion in an army, typically made up of several platoons a
連隊
軍隊中由數個排組成的單位
a subdivision of a battalion in an army, typically made up of several platoons and led by a captain or major.
Captain Felix commanded a company of about one hundred soldiers during the mission.
Felix 上尉在任務中指揮了一個約有百名士兵的連隊。
captain + commanded a company + number of soldiers
Each company in the regiment carried its own flag with a special symbol.
這個團裡的每個連隊都有自己的旗幟和特別標誌。
The soldiers in Third Company set up their camp near the river before dawn.
第三連的士兵們在天亮前就在河邊紮好了營地。
Yuna's father served in a supply company that delivered food to the front line.
Yuna 的父親曾在一個向前線運送糧食的補給連服役。
The company commander ordered the troops to move east before the sun rose.
連長在日出前命令部隊向東移動。
用法筆記
A formal military term. A company is a sub-unit of a battalion, typically commanded by a captain and made up of several platoons. Units are often referred to by a number or letter — e.g., 'Alpha Company', '3rd Company' — rather than by a name.
常見錯誤
9. a local organised group of Girl Guides (or Girl Scouts) that meets regularly for
女童軍團
女童軍的基層分隊組織
a local organised group of Girl Guides (or Girl Scouts) that meets regularly for activities, skill development, and community service.
The local Guide company met every Saturday to work on their outdoor skills badges.
當地的女童軍團每週六聚會，練習戶外技能徽章課程。
Guide company + meet for [activity]
Kenji's sister joined a Guide company that focused on environmental projects.
Kenji 的妹妹加入了一個以環保活動為重點的女童軍團。
The Guide company organised a bake sale to raise money for the animal shelter.
這個女童軍團舉辦了一場烘焙義賣，為動物收容所募款。
Amihan volunteered to help her daughter's Guide company with the camping trip.
Amihan 自願幫忙她女兒所屬的女童軍團籌劃露營活動。
用法筆記
Primarily British English. In the US, the equivalent group is almost always called a 'troop'. The same organisational structure applies to younger sections — a 'Brownie company' follows the same pattern. Not used in American English for scouting groups.