design
design — 動詞
1. to plan and decide the shape, appearance, and features of something such as a bu
設計
規劃外觀與功能，繪製圖樣
to plan and decide the shape, appearance, and features of something such as a building, piece of clothing, or machine, typically by creating detailed drawings first.
Gabriela designed a new type of wheelchair that folds flat for travel.
Gabriela 設計了一款可折疊平放的新型輪椅，方便旅行攜帶。
design + direct object (product)
The local architecture firm designed the library with large windows to let in natural light.
這家當地建築事務所設計的圖書館安裝了大窗戶，讓自然光可以照進來。
design + object + with + feature
Asher spent three months designing the layout of the community garden.
Asher 花了三個月的時間設計社區花園的佈局。
A young artist was hired to design the cover of the new cookbook.
一位年輕的藝術家受聘為這本新食譜設計封面。
Lien studied civil engineering so she could design bridges and tunnels.
Lien 攻讀土木工程學位，這樣她就能設計橋樑和隧道。
文法句型
design + noun phrase
design + for + noun
design (intransitive, no object)
用法筆記
Transitive use ('design + object') is most common. The intransitive use ('She designs for a fashion brand') is more typical in professional contexts.
常見錯誤
2. to plan or create something with a specific goal or purpose in mind — for exampl
旨在；用作
為了特定目的而規劃或建造
to plan or create something with a specific goal or purpose in mind — for example, arranging a training course so that it works well for complete beginners.
This small reading room was designed for quiet study, not for loud group work.
這間小型閱覽室是為安靜閱讀而設計的，不適合大聲進行小組討論。
passive: be designed for + purpose
The new app is designed to help new parents track their baby's feeding and sleep schedule.
這款新應用程式旨在幫助新手父母追蹤嬰兒的餵食和睡眠時間。
passive: be designed to + infinitive
Karim designed the training programme for workers who had never used computers before.
Karim 為從未用過電腦的員工設計了這套訓練課程。
These boots are designed for hiking on rough mountain trails in wet weather.
這雙靴子是為在潮濕天氣的崎嶇山路健行而設計的。
The course is designed to prepare international students for university-level academic writing.
這門課程是為了幫助國際學生做好大學學術寫作的準備而設計的。
文法句型
be designed to + infinitive
be designed for + noun phrase
design + noun phrase + to + infinitive
用法筆記
Very frequently used in the passive voice ('be designed to' / 'be designed for'). The active form ('The architect designed the house to capture sunlight') is less common but correct for emphasising the creator's intention.
常見錯誤
design — 名詞
1. a detailed technical sketch or blueprint that shows exactly how a building, mach
設計圖；圖紙
顯示建造方式的詳細圖樣
a detailed technical sketch or blueprint that shows exactly how a building, machine, or product should be built and how its components fit together.
The architect pinned her design for the new school building onto the wall.
建築師將她為新學校大樓設計的圖紙用圖釘釘在牆上。
design + for + (what is being built)
Brandon spread the design across the table and pointed out each room to the builders.
Brandon 把設計圖攤在桌上，向工人們逐一指出每個房間的位置。
The engineer checked the design twice before sending it to the factory.
工程師在把設計圖送到工廠之前仔細檢查了兩遍。
Jin asked to see the design for the kitchen cabinets before construction began.
Jin 要求在開工之前看看廚房櫥櫃的設計圖。
The design for the garden includes a small fish pond and a winding stone path.
花園的設計圖包含一個小魚池和一條蜿蜒的石徑。
文法句型
design + of + noun
design + for + noun
用法筆記
This sense refers to the physical drawing or digital file itself. If you mean the general arrangement or concept (not the document), use noun sense 3 (ARRANGEMENT) instead.
常見錯誤
2. the skill, profession, or academic subject of planning the look and function of
設計（專業）
規劃產品外觀與功能的學科或行業
the skill, profession, or academic subject of planning the look and function of objects, buildings, images, and digital products.
Talia studied graphic design at a college in Taipei for four years.
Talia 在台北的一所大學讀了四年的平面設計。
field of study: studied + [type] + design
Allison earned a degree in industrial design and now works for a hospital equipment company.
Allison 取得了工業設計學位，現在在一家醫療設備公司工作。
profession pathway: degree in + [field] + design → works for [company type]
The museum is hosting an exhibition about Japanese furniture design from the 1950s.
這間博物館正在舉辦一場關於 1950 年代日本家具設計的展覽。
Christopher has worked in fashion design for over fifteen years in Milan.
Christopher 在米蘭從事時裝設計已經超過十五年了。
Hoa took an evening course in web design to improve her company's online shop.
Hoa 報名了一門網頁設計晚間課程，希望能改善公司的線上商店。
文法句型
design + as a field of study/work
in + design
用法筆記
Always uncountable when referring to the field or activity. 'A design' (countable) is only used for a specific plan or pattern (see noun sense 1 or 4). Common compound fields: graphic design, interior design, industrial design, web design, fashion design.
3. the particular way that the parts of something are organised or arranged, which
佈局；結構
事物各部件的安排方式
the particular way that the parts of something are organised or arranged, which affects how it looks and functions.
The design of the new smartphone makes it easy to hold with one hand.
這款新智慧型手機的設計讓使用者可以單手輕鬆握持。
the design of + product
Critics praised the design of the stadium for its clever energy-saving features.
評論家稱讚這座體育場的設計，因為它具備巧妙的節能功能。
praise the design of + for + feature
The kitchen's design puts the stove, sink, and fridge within easy reach of the cook.
這間廚房的設計讓爐具、水槽和冰箱都在烹飪者伸手可及的範圍內。
Simple changes to the car's design improved its fuel efficiency by fifteen percent.
對車身設計的一些簡單改變讓燃油效率提升了百分之十五。
The design of the park encourages visitors to walk rather than drive between attractions.
這座公園的設計鼓勵遊客在景點之間步行，而不是開車。
- layout
focuses on spatial arrangement rather than overall concept
- structure
emphasises how parts connect and support each other
- configuration
more technical; used for systems or electronic devices
- format
used for documents, events, or digital files
文法句型
the design of + noun
design + verb (has, features, includes)
用法筆記
Overlaps with noun sense 1 (DRAWING), but sense 3 refers to the abstract arrangement itself, not the physical documentation. If you can replace 'design' with 'layout' or 'arrangement', you are using sense 3.
4. a repeated arrangement of shapes, lines, or colours that decorates the surface o
圖案；花紋
用於裝飾表面重複的形狀或線條
a repeated arrangement of shapes, lines, or colours that decorates the surface of cloth, paper, wallpaper, tiles, or other objects.
The curtains have a floral design of roses and small green leaves.
窗簾上有玫瑰花和小綠葉組成的花卉圖案。
a [adjective] design of [elements]
Gabriela chose a geometric design of blue and white triangles for the bathroom tiles.
Gabriela 為浴室磁磚選擇了藍白相間的幾何圖案。
Nia liked the design on this ceramic plate with lines shaped like ocean waves.
Nia 很喜歡這個陶瓷盤子上像海浪一樣的線條圖案。
The carpet's design is made of repeating circles in shades of dark gray.
地毯的花紋是由深灰色重複的圓形組成的。
Asher painted a diamond design along the wall just above the bed frame.
Asher 沿著床頭上方的牆壁畫了一道菱形的裝飾圖案。
- pattern
almost interchangeable; 'pattern' is slightly more general and can include non-visual repetition
- motif
a single repeated element within a larger design
- decoration
broader — includes colours, textures, and ornaments, not just patterns
文法句型
design + of + noun
design + on + surface
design + in + colour/material
用法筆記
Distinguish from noun sense 1 (DRAWING): sense 4 describes the pattern itself as a decorative element, not a technical instruction for making something.
常見錯誤
5. a conscious choice or purpose behind an action or arrangement — most commonly us
刻意；故意
非偶然，帶有明確意圖
a conscious choice or purpose behind an action or arrangement — most commonly used in the fixed phrase 'by design', meaning 'on purpose' or 'deliberately.'
The author left the ending unclear by design, not because she ran out of ideas.
作者刻意讓結局留有懸念，並非因為她靈感枯竭。
by design = deliberately
By design, the park has no benches, so visitors keep walking through the space.
這座公園刻意不安裝長椅，以鼓勵遊客在其中穿梭行走。
The narrow streets in the old town were placed there by design to slow horse carts.
舊城區狹窄的街道是刻意為之，目的是讓馬車減速慢行。
By design, the restaurant seats only twelve guests to create an intimate atmosphere.
這家餐廳刻意只設十二個座位，以營造親密的用餐氛圍。
The winding road through the village was no accident — it was built that way by design.
村莊裡彎彎曲曲的道路並非意外——當初就是刻意建成那樣的。
文法句型
by design
have designs on + noun
用法筆記
In modern English, this sense is almost entirely limited to the phrase 'by design' (adverbial, meaning 'intentionally'). The alternative phrase 'have designs on' belongs to sense 6 (SECRET SCHEME) and carries a different, often negative, meaning.
常見錯誤
6. secret plans, often dishonest or selfish, to obtain something that belongs to so
陰謀；企圖
不誠實的私下計劃，意圖奪取
secret plans, often dishonest or selfish, to obtain something that belongs to someone else or to gain control over a situation or person.
The journalist discovered that the company had designs on taking over its main rival.
記者發現該公司企圖併購其主要競爭對手。
have designs on + [target]
Neighbours warned the family that the man had designs on their grandmother's house.
鄰居們警告這家人，那名男子對他們祖母的房子別有用心。
Tax investigators uncovered his designs to hide company profits in overseas accounts.
稅務調查人員揭露了他將公司利潤藏匿在海外帳戶的陰謀。
Padma had no idea that her business partner had designs on the company she had founded.
Padma 完全不知道她的合夥人對她創立的公司另有企圖。
The politician's designs on the leadership role were an open secret in the party.
這位政治人物對領導地位的野心，在黨內已是公開的秘密。
- scheme
a dishonest plan; 'scheme' is a direct synonym but can also be neutral in British English ('pension scheme')
- plot
suggests a secret plan to do something illegal or harmful
- conspiracy
a secret plan made by a group of people, typically for an unlawful purpose
文法句型
have designs on + noun
用法筆記
Almost always appears in the plural form 'designs' within the phrase 'have designs on [something/someone].' Singular 'a design' is not used for this sense. The meaning is typically negative — implying greed, dishonesty, or hidden motives.