contract
contract — 形容詞
1. describes a worker or employee who is hired to do a specific job for a limited p
合約制的
以合約聘用的非正式人員
describes a worker or employee who is hired to do a specific job for a limited period under a formal agreement, rather than as a permanent member of staff
The factory hired 40 contract workers to handle the holiday rush.
這家工廠聘了 40 名合約工來應付假期的訂單高峰。
contract workers — temporary, non-permanent staff
Elena worked as a contract teacher for two years before getting a full-time position.
Elena 當了兩年的合約教師，之後才轉為全職。
Many software engineers prefer contract roles because they offer higher hourly rates.
許多軟體工程師偏好合約制的職位，因為時薪較高。
Isabela was hired as a contract consultant to restructure the company's supply chain.
Isabela 受聘為合約顧問，負責重整公司的供應鏈。
- permanent
a permanent employee has an ongoing role with no fixed end date
文法句型
contract + noun
用法筆記
Attributive only — this sense is used directly before a noun (contract worker, contract employee, contract role). It does not appear after a linking verb.
contract — 名詞
1. a legally binding arrangement, usually in writing, that sets out what each perso
合約；契約
具有法律效力的協議文件
a legally binding arrangement, usually in writing, that sets out what each person or group promises to do or give in exchange for something from the other side
Apinya carefully read every line of the contract before signing it.
Apinya 在簽約之前仔細讀了合約的每一行字。
sign + contract — finalise the agreement
The builder was sued for breach of contract after using materials not listed in the agreement.
那名建商因為使用了合約中未列明的材料而被控違約。
breach of contract — failing to keep a promise in the contract
Hari's lawyer advised him not to sign the contract without a cooling-off clause.
Hari 的律師建議他在合約中加入冷靜期條款之前不要簽字。
According to the terms of the contract, the tenant must give 60 days' notice before moving out.
根據合約條款，房客必須在搬出前 60 天提出通知。
Eitan and his business partner drafted a simple one-page contract to formalise their partnership.
Eitan 和他的合夥人起草了一份簡單的一頁合約，把合作關係正式化。
文法句型
sign + contract
breach + contract
under + contract
contract + between + [parties]
用法筆記
The spoken, unwritten form (oral contract) is legally valid in many situations, but written contracts are strongly preferred as evidence. Distinguish from noun sense 2 (WORK AGREEMENT), which focuses on the employment arrangement rather than the document itself.
常見錯誤
2. a formal arrangement in which a person is employed by a company or individual fo
工作合約
聘僱關係的合約安排
a formal arrangement in which a person is employed by a company or individual for a specific job and period of time, often with stated conditions about pay, duties, and termination
Xiu is under contract with a Korean entertainment company for the next three years.
Xiu 與一家韓國娛樂公司簽了三年合約。
under contract — currently employed by a contract
Anthony signed a two-year contract as the head chef at a newly opened restaurant.
Anthony 簽了一份兩年的工作合約，擔任新開幕餐廳的主廚。
When Tendai's contract expired, he decided not to renew it and started his own business instead.
Tendai 的合約到期後，他決定不再續約，自己創業。
The football star's contract with the club includes a clause about image rights.
那位足球明星與球團的合約中包含一條肖像權條款。
- engagement
more formal, often used for performers, speakers, or consultants hired for a fixed period
- stint
informal, focuses on the period of time rather than the legal framework
文法句型
under + contract
on + contract
have/get + a + contract + to-infinitive
用法筆記
Unlike sense 1 (LEGAL AGREEMENT), which focuses on the legal document itself, this sense emphasises the employment arrangement and its duration. Common in sports, entertainment, and professional services contexts.
contract — 動詞
1. to become smaller in physical size, especially by drawing together or being pres
收縮；縮小
體積或尺寸變小
to become smaller in physical size, especially by drawing together or being pressed; or to cause something to become smaller in this way
Layla felt her stomach muscles contract as she did the last sit-up.
Layla 在做最後一下仰臥起坐時，感覺到腹肌在收縮。
muscles contract — intransitive: become shorter/tighter
The metal railway tracks contract on cold nights, which is why engineers leave small gaps between them.
鐵軌在寒冷的夜晚會收縮，所以工程師會在鐵軌之間留縫隙。
Owen contracted the muscles in his jaw without realising he was clenching his teeth.
Owen 不自覺地收縮了下巴的肌肉，才發現自己在咬牙。
Xiu's pupils contracted sharply when the doctor shone a light into her eyes.
當醫生將燈光照射到 Xiu 的眼睛時，她的瞳孔明顯收縮。
The wool fibres contract when washed in hot water, so the jumper shrank two sizes.
羊毛纖維在熱水中清洗時會收縮，所以毛衣縮小了兩號。
- tighten
more specific; usually describes muscles or ropes becoming tighter, while contract covers a wider range of materials
- shrink
focuses on reduction in size from a larger to a smaller state, often due to heat, cold, or moisture; more common for clothing
- narrow
describes becoming less wide specifically, not smaller in all dimensions
文法句型
something contracts
contract + something
contract + to + [size]
用法筆記
When used intransitively, the subject is the thing that becomes smaller (muscles, metal, fabric). When used transitively, the subject is the person or force causing the change. The opposite process is expand.
2. to go down in value, total amount, or level of activity — used especially of eco
縮減
數量或金額減少
to go down in value, total amount, or level of activity — used especially of economies, markets, industries, or budgets
Apinya read that the national economy had contracted by 1.5 percent in the last quarter.
Apinya 看到報導說該國經濟在上一季萎縮了百分之一點五。
economy + contracts — economic term for shrinking
The construction industry contracted sharply after interest rates rose.
利率調升之後，建築業急遽萎縮。
William noticed that his retirement savings contracted significantly during the market downturn.
William 發現他的退休金在市場低迷期間明顯縮水了。
Elena's small business contracted during the lockdown when customer demand dropped suddenly.
Elena 的小公司在那波封鎖期間業績萎縮，因為客戶需求驟降。
- shrink
more general; can be used for both physical objects and abstract quantities, while contract in this sense is more formal and restricted to economic contexts
- decline
broader; can refer to quality, popularity, or health, not just size or amount
- dwindle
emphasises a gradual reduction over time, often until little remains
文法句型
[economy/market/industry] + contracts
contract + by + [percentage]
用法筆記
Primarily used in formal, analytical, or journalistic contexts about financial or economic indicators. The subject is almost always an abstract entity (economy, market, industry, budget) rather than a physical object. Distinguish from verb sense 1 (GET SMALLER), which describes physical size changes.
3. to catch or develop a disease, illness, or infection, especially one that is ser
感染；罹患
感染疾病
to catch or develop a disease, illness, or infection, especially one that is serious or long-lasting
Tendai contracted malaria while working at a rural clinic in Ghana.
Tendai 在迦納的一家鄉村診所工作時感染了瘧疾。
Isabela contracted a rare bacterial infection after travelling through Southeast Asia.
Isabela 在東南亞旅行後感染了一種罕見的細菌。
The elderly woman contracted pneumonia during the cold winter months and was admitted to hospital.
那位老太太在寒冷的冬天感染了肺炎，被送進了醫院。
Hari's doctor warned him that stress weakens the immune system and raises the risk of contracting infections.
Hari 的醫生警告他，壓力會削弱免疫系統，增加感染的風險。
文法句型
contract + [disease name]
contract + [illness/disease/infection/virus]
用法筆記
More formal than 'catch' or 'get.' Typically used for serious or medically significant conditions (pneumonia, malaria, HIV, a virus, an infection) rather than minor ones like a cold or headache. The disease is the object of the verb.
常見錯誤
4. to arrange by a formal legal agreement for a person or company to perform work o
訂約；承包
簽訂合約委託工作
to arrange by a formal legal agreement for a person or company to perform work or provide services, usually for a fixed price and period
The university contracted Elena to design a new website for the admissions office.
那所大學與 Elena 簽約，請她為招生處設計新網站。
contract + person + to-infinitive — arrange for someone to do work
Erik contracted with a local printing company to produce all his restaurant's menus.
Erik 與一家本地印刷公司簽約，由對方為他的餐廳印製所有菜單。
The government has contracted out the data analysis work to three consulting firms.
政府將數據分析的工作外包給了三家顧問公司。
The film studio contracted Owen to write the screenplay for their next project.
那家電影公司與 Owen 簽約，請他撰寫下一部電影的劇本。
Rather than hiring full-time staff, the restaurant chain contracts with local farms for fresh ingredients.
這家連鎖餐廳沒有聘請全職員工，而是與當地農場簽約供應新鮮食材。
- hire
more general; can refer to employing staff permanently or temporarily, without the emphasis on a formal written contract
- commission
usually implies hiring someone to create a specific work of art, writing, or design
- outsource
specifically means arranging for an external company to handle work previously done inside the organisation
文法句型
contract + [someone] + to-infinitive
contract + with + [someone]
contract + to-infinitive
contract + out + [work]
用法筆記
The phrasal verb contract out means to hire an external company to do work that could be done internally — often used when discussing outsourcing. The intransitive pattern contract with + [person/company] emphasises the relationship between the two parties.