desktop

desktop — 名詞

1. the main screen that appears on a computer after it starts up, where small pictu

1.名詞A2
釋義

桌面

螢幕顯示圖示的主畫面

the main screen that appears on a computer after it starts up, where small pictures (called icons) stand for programs, files, and folders that you can open.

例句

After logging in, Amihan's desktop was covered in folders for each school subject.

登入之後，Amihan 的桌面上排滿了各科資料夾。

collocation: covered in / covered with [icons, folders]

Ryo tidied his desktop by moving all the old files into one folder.

Ryo 把舊檔案全部移到同一個資料夾裡，整理了一下桌面。

collocation: tidy / organise your desktop

同義詞
  • home screen

    the very first screen view; 'home screen' is more common on phones and tablets

  • screen

    more general term for any display; less specific to the icon-and-folder layout

  • workspace

    emphasises the area where you do tasks; more formal or productivity-focused

文法句型

the desktop

on the desktop

用法筆記

In everyday language, this computing sense is far more common than the literal meaning of the physical desk surface.

常見錯誤

❌I put my coffee mug on the desktop.' (meaning the computer screen).
✅I put my coffee mug on my desk.
💡Use 'desk' for the physical furniture; 'desktop' for the computer screen is the modern default sense.

2. a computing machine that comes with its own display, keyboard, and central tower

2.名詞A2
釋義

桌上型電腦

配有獨立主機的個人電腦

a computing machine that comes with its own display, keyboard, and central tower, designed to stay on a desk and not be moved around.

例句

Christopher bought a desktop for his home office; he needed more power for video editing.

Christopher 為家庭辦公室買了一台桌上型電腦；他剪輯影片需要更強的效能。

pattern: buy a desktop for [purpose]

Unlike a laptop, a desktop lets you upgrade the graphics card or add memory.

跟筆記型電腦不同，桌上型電腦通常可以自行升級顯示卡或加裝記憶體。

contrast: desktop vs laptop

同義詞
  • PC

    short for personal computer; more general and can include laptops; often implies Windows

  • tower

    specifically the upright box that holds the computer's main parts; informal

  • workstation

    a powerful desktop for professional or technical work; more formal

反義詞
  • laptop

    a portable computer designed for use on the go

  • notebook

    a lightweight, portable computer, similar to a laptop but often smaller

文法句型

a desktop

buy / use / own a desktop

用法筆記

Often shortened to 'desktop' in conversation — 'I work on a desktop' clearly means a desktop computer, not the screen view, because the screen view sense would use 'on the desktop' with a definite article.

常見錯誤

❌I carry my desktop to the coffee shop.
✅I carry my laptop to the coffee shop.
💡A desktop is not designed to be moved regularly.
❌I need a new desktop for my small bag.
✅I need a new laptop for my small bag.
💡'Desktop' implies a large, non-portable machine.

3. the flat top part of a desk where people write, set up a computer, or sort throu

3.名詞B1
釋義

桌板

書桌頂部的平面區域

the flat top part of a desk where people write, set up a computer, or sort through documents.

例句

Mizuki cleared the desktop and spread the maps out across the whole surface.

Mizuki 清空桌板，把地圖攤開鋪滿整張桌面。

collocation: clear the desktop (physical sense)

A small lamp stood at the corner of the desktop, casting a warm glow.

桌板角落放著一盞小燈，散發出溫暖的光線。

physical scene: lamp on the desktop

同義詞
  • worktop

    more common in British English for a kitchen or office work surface

  • surface

    more general; can refer to any flat area

  • tabletop

    similar but refers specifically to a table rather than a desk

文法句型

the desktop

on the desktop

用法筆記

This literal sense is much less frequent than the two computing senses in modern English. It is most often used when describing the physical condition, material, or arrangement of a desk surface.

常見錯誤

❌I saved the file to the desktop.' (meaning the physical surface).
✅I saved the file to the desktop folder on my computer.
💡The phrase 'save to the desktop' almost always refers to the computer screen view.

desktop — 形容詞