dedication
dedication — 名詞
1. The quality of investing significant time and energy into a cause or task that m
奉獻；投入
對重要事物投入大量時間心力
The quality of investing significant time and energy into a cause or task that matters deeply to you, often over a long period.
Theo's dedication to his music lessons was clear — he practised every evening without fail.
Theo 對音樂課的投入很明顯——他每天晚上都認真練習，從不間斷。
dedication to + noun phrase for commitment
Building a successful small business takes years of hard work and genuine dedication.
經營一家成功的小企業需要多年努力和真誠的奉獻。
collocation: hard work and dedication
Nia showed remarkable dedication by training at dawn every day for the city marathon.
Nia 展現出驚人的投入精神，為了城市馬拉松每天破曉時分就開始訓練。
The research team's dedication to finding a vaccine kept them working late into the night.
研究團隊對研發疫苗的投入，讓他們經常工作到深夜。
With patience and dedication, Shirin learned to speak Mandarin fluently in just two years.
憑著耐心與投入，Shirin 在短短兩年內就學會了流利的中文。
- commitment
Very close in meaning; 'commitment' can also imply a promise or obligation, while 'dedication' emphasises personal passion and effort.
- devotion
Suggests strong emotional attachment and loyalty, often to a person or faith; 'dedication' is more focused on task-oriented effort.
- perseverance
Emphasises continuing despite difficulties; 'dedication' includes willingness to put in time regardless of difficulty.
- indifference
A complete lack of interest or concern, the opposite of caring deeply enough to invest effort.
- apathy
The absence of enthusiasm or motivation, whereas dedication requires active engagement.
用法筆記
Often used with the preposition 'to' to indicate the goal or activity: dedication to a cause, dedication to learning, dedication to one's family.
常見錯誤
2. A brief note placed in the front of a creative work, naming the person or group
獻詞；題獻
書籍或作品前表達致敬的簡短文字
A brief note placed in the front of a creative work, naming the person or group to whom the creator offers it out of respect or gratitude.
Joaquín read the front-page dedication: 'For my grandmother, who taught me to love stories.'
Joaquín 讀了書頁前的獻詞：「獻給我的祖母，是她教我愛上故事。」
dedication + 'For + person' pattern
The singer said the dedication was for all the nurses fighting the pandemic.
這位歌手說，這首歌的獻詞要送給所有對抗疫情的前線護理人員。
Aarav wrote a dedication to his late father on the first page of his book.
Aarav 在書的第一頁上寫了一段獻詞，獻給已故的父親。
The author's brief dedication — 'To the librarians' — earned cheers at the book launch.
作者簡短的獻詞——「獻給圖書館員」——在新書發表會上引來熱烈掌聲。
- inscription
A more general term for writing carved or written on something; 'dedication' specifically names the honoured person and implies a tribute.
- tribute
A broader term for any act or statement showing gratitude or respect; a dedication is a specific written form of tribute.
- acknowledgement
Often longer and appears after the dedication page, thanking many people for help; a dedication is usually brief and honours one person or group.
用法筆記
In books, the dedication typically appears on a separate page near the front, often using the phrase 'For [name]' or 'To [name].'
常見錯誤
3. A formal event that marks the official opening of a structure such as a church,
啟用典禮
建築物正式啟用的典禮
A formal event that marks the official opening of a structure such as a church, library, or memorial, with a public announcement of its intended purpose.
The mayor attended the dedication of the new public library last Saturday morning.
上星期六早上，市長出席了新公共圖書館的啟用儀式。
dedication of + building
Ryo's family went to the dedication ceremony for the temple in their hometown.
Ryo 一家人去參加了家鄉寺廟的落成典禮。
dedication ceremony for + building
Hundreds of residents gathered for the dedication of the war memorial in the town square.
數百位居民聚集在廣場上，參加戰爭紀念碑的啟用典禮。
The dedication of the new hospital wing included speeches from doctors and local leaders.
新醫院大樓的啟用典禮上，多位醫師和地方領袖上台致詞。
- inauguration
Often used for official launch of a public institution or political term; 'dedication' has a stronger sense of setting something apart for a sacred or special purpose.
- consecration
Specifically religious — dedicating a church or altar with a blessing; 'dedication' can be secular or religious.
- opening ceremony
A broader term for any event marking the start of use; 'dedication' emphasises the formal statement of purpose.
用法筆記
Frequently used with 'of' to specify the building being dedicated. The ceremony often includes speeches, a ribbon-cutting, or a blessing by a religious figure.