dear
dear — 形容詞
1. considered very important to you and strongly cared about, such as a family memb
珍愛的
深愛且極為重視的
considered very important to you and strongly cared about, such as a family member or close friend
Salma visits her dear grandmother every Sunday afternoon.
Salma 每個星期日下午都會去探望她珍愛的外婆。
collocation: dear + family member
The old photograph reminded Eitan of his dear late father.
那張舊照片讓 Eitan 想起他已故的摯愛父親。
This necklace was a gift from a dear friend who lives in Canada.
這條項鍊是一位住在加拿大的好友送的禮物。
Benjamin's first drawing was kept by his mother because it was so dear to her.
Benjamin 的第一張畫作被他母親保存了下來，因為那對她非常重要。
文法句型
be dear to someone
my dear + [family member/friend]
用法筆記
Common before nouns for family members and close friends. Often used with 'old' to show lasting affection, as in 'my dear old uncle.'
常見錯誤
2. written before someone's name or title at the start of a letter or email as a st
親愛的
書信或郵件開頭的敬稱
written before someone's name or title at the start of a letter or email as a standard polite greeting
Dear Ms. Chen, thank you for your kind invitation to the conference.
親愛的陳女士，感謝您誠摯邀請我參加研討會。
pattern: Dear + Title + Surname
Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing to apply for the teaching position.
尊敬的先生或女士，我寫信是為了申請教職。
Dear Aunt Rosa, we hope you can visit us in Taipei this summer.
親愛的 Rosa 阿姨，希望您今年夏天能來台北玩。
Dear colleagues, please find the meeting notes attached below.
親愛的同事們，會議記錄請見附件。
- to
used only in very informal notes, not standard for business letters
文法句型
Dear + Title + Surname
Dear + First Name
Dear Sir or Madam
用法筆記
Capitalize 'Dear' and the following name. A comma or colon may follow the greeting depending on the style. In emails, 'Dear' is still widely used but sometimes replaced by 'Hi' or 'Hello' in informal settings.
常見錯誤
3. having a price that seems too high compared to what you expect or can afford
昂貴的
價格過高難以負擔的
having a price that seems too high compared to what you expect or can afford
The jacket in the shop window was far too dear for a student's budget.
櫥窗裡那件外套的價格遠超出學生的預算。
pattern: far too dear
Fresh strawberries are dearer in winter than in summer.
冬天的新鮮草莓比夏天貴多了。
comparative form: dearer
We found a lovely flat near the park, but the rent was too dear.
我們在公園附近找到一間不錯的公寓，但租金太貴了。
"Everything in this hotel is dreadfully dear," Christopher complained.
Christopher 抱怨說：「這家飯店裡的東西都貴得嚇人。」
- cheap
opposite in price; can imply low quality
- affordable
within one's budget, neutral in tone
文法句型
too dear for someone
dearer than
用法筆記
This sense is more common in British English than American English. In everyday speech, 'expensive' or 'pricey' is more frequent. 'Dear' often carries a tone of personal complaint or disappointment about the cost.
常見錯誤
dear — 副詞
1. in a way that shows strong positive feelings of love, care, or fondness toward s
深情地
充滿愛意與關懷地
in a way that shows strong positive feelings of love, care, or fondness toward someone or something
The children were dearly loved by both of their grandparents.
這兩個孩子深受祖父母的疼愛。
passive: be dearly loved
Lan dearly misses the small town in the mountains where she grew up.
Lan 深深懷念她小時候住過的那個山間小鎮。
pattern: dearly miss
Asher dearly loves the small park near his flat where birds gather.
Asher 深愛著他公寓附近那個經常有鳥兒聚集的小公園。
The old folk song was one that Amihan's grandmother had dearly loved.
那首老民歌是 Amihan 的祖母曾經深愛過的。
文法句型
love dearly
miss dearly
be dearly loved
用法筆記
Almost always paired with the verbs 'love' or 'miss.' It is not used with general action verbs: ❌ 'She dearly smiled at him.'
常見錯誤
2. so that a person suffers serious negative consequences or loses something valuab
代價高昂
付出重大損失或痛苦地
so that a person suffers serious negative consequences or loses something valuable as a result of an action
The company would pay dearly for ignoring the safety warnings.
這家公司將因忽視安全警告而付出慘痛代價。
idiom: pay dearly for
Elena's mistake on the contract cost her dearly in legal fees.
Elena 在合約上的失誤讓她花了一大筆律師費。
pattern: cost someone dearly
The team's decision to cut corners would later cost them dearly.
該團隊偷工減料的決定日後讓他們付出了慘痛代價。
In his forties, Viktor learned that neglecting his health would cost him dearly as he grew older.
Viktor 在四十多歲時體悟到，忽略健康會讓他在年老時付出沉重代價。
- heavily
used in 'pay heavily' to mean suffer consequences, but less idiomatic
文法句型
pay dearly for something
cost someone dearly
用法筆記
Commonly found in the fixed expressions 'pay dearly for something' and 'cost someone dearly.' Unlike sense 1, this sense always involves a negative outcome — a price, penalty, or loss.
常見錯誤
dear — 感嘆詞
1. said when something mildly bad or unexpected happens and you feel upset, worried
哎呀
表達驚訝、失望或擔憂
said when something mildly bad or unexpected happens and you feel upset, worried, or annoyed about it
"Oh dear, I've left my wallet on the bus!" cried Femi.
Femi 大叫：「哎呀，我把錢包忘在公車上了！」
followed by clause explaining reason
Oh dear, the baby has woken up at three in the morning.
哎呀，寶寶凌晨三點就醒了。
Oh dear, I think the soup is burning on the stove!
哎呀，我覺得爐子上的湯要燒焦了！
Dear me, is that the time already? I need to go!
天哪，都已經這麼晚了？我得走了！
文法句型
Oh dear, + [statement]
Dear me, + [statement]
用法筆記
The phrase 'Oh dear' is milder than a swear word and is used in situations that are inconvenient or upsetting but not catastrophic. 'Dear me' is an older variant still heard in British English.
常見錯誤
dear — 名詞
1. a person who is gentle, helpful, and easy to like, especially when they do somet
好心人
親切和善、樂於助人的人
a person who is gentle, helpful, and easy to like, especially when they do something kind for you
Thanks for giving me a ride to the station — you are a real dear.
感謝你載我去車站——你真是個大好人。
pattern: a real dear
Mr. García is such a dear; he feeds our cat when we travel.
García 先生真是個好心人，我們出門旅行時他會幫我們餵貓。
pattern: such a dear
Be a dear and pass me the salt, would you?
好心幫我把鹽遞過來好嗎？
Amihan is a dear to help me move all these boxes.
Amihan 真是個好心人，幫我搬了這些箱子。
- sweetheart
more affectionate, may imply romantic interest
- darling
more intimate, often used with loved ones
文法句型
a real dear
such a dear
be a dear and + [verb]
用法筆記
Often used after someone has done a small favour. Can also be used playfully or sarcastically. Common in British English in the phrase 'Be a dear and…' to make a polite request.
常見錯誤
2. a word you say when talking directly to someone you feel close to, such as a chi
寶貝
對親密者的暱稱
a word you say when talking directly to someone you feel close to, such as a child, romantic partner, or family member
"Don't cry, my dear, everything will be all right," the nurse said softly.
護士輕聲說：「別哭了，親愛的，一切都會沒事的。」
address: my dear used for comfort
Come along, dear, it is time for your bath.
來吧，親愛的，該洗澡了。
"Would you like more tea, my dear?" asked the elderly hostess.
年長的女主人問道：「親愛的，還要再來點茶嗎？」
Good night, my dear, sleep well," the father whispered to his daughter.
父親輕聲對女兒說：「晚安，親愛的，好好睡。」
文法句型
[statement], dear
my dear
yes, dear
用法筆記
Not typically used between adult men addressing each other. May sound old-fashioned to younger speakers in some regions. In British English, older women in particular use 'dear' or 'my dear' as a general friendly term.
常見錯誤
3. someone who is very important to you, especially a romantic partner or a close r
心愛的人
深愛的人或伴侶
someone who is very important to you, especially a romantic partner or a close relative whom you care about deeply
After five years apart, Élise was finally reunited with her dear.
分別五年後，Élise 終於和她心愛的人團聚了。
possessive: her dear
The letters were written by Shanti's dear, who died long ago.
那些信是 Shanti 已故的愛人寫的。
Lucas sent flowers to his dear on their anniversary every year.
Lucas 每年都在週年紀念日送花給他心愛的人。
The old woman spoke warmly of her dear, who had been a sailor.
那位老太太溫暖地談起她的愛人，他曾經是名水手。
- sweetheart
more common in modern spoken English
- beloved
more formal or literary
- lover
more specific to a romantic or sexual relationship
文法句型
my dear
her dear
the dears
用法筆記
Less common in everyday conversation than 'boyfriend,' 'girlfriend,' or 'partner.' More often found in poetry, nostalgic writing, or older speech. 'My dear' can also function as a possessive noun meaning 'my loved one.'