despite
despite — 介系詞
1. used before a noun or a verb in the -ing form to say that something happens even
儘管
表示即使有阻礙仍發生
used before a noun or a verb in the -ing form to say that something happens even though something else exists that should make it unlikely or impossible.
Despite the heavy rain, Jude still went for his morning run along the river.
儘管下著大雨，Jude 仍然沿著河邊晨跑。
despite + noun phrase introducing a contrast
Jiwoo got the job despite having no previous experience in marketing.
Jiwoo 儘管沒有行銷經驗，還是得到了這份工作。
despite + gerund (having)
The family picnic went ahead despite the weather forecast warning of storms.
儘管氣象預報警告會有暴風雨，那戶人家的野餐還是照常舉行。
Despite being only twelve years old, Ife already speaks three languages fluently.
Ife 儘管只有十二歲，已經能流利地說三種語言。
Owen finished the marathon despite the fact that he twisted his ankle at the halfway point.
Owen 儘管跑到一半扭傷了腳踝，還是跑完了全程馬拉松。
- in spite of
equivalent in meaning; slightly less formal and more common in spoken English
- notwithstanding
more formal, often used in legal or academic contexts
- regardless of
emphasises that the obstacle is deliberately ignored
- because of
introduces a reason rather than a contrast
文法句型
despite + noun phrase
despite + verb-ing
despite + the fact that clause
用法筆記
Frequently followed by a noun, a gerund (-ing form), or 'the fact that' + clause. This is the most common structure in everyday English.
常見錯誤
2. used after a verb to show that a person acts without meaning to, or contrary to
不由自主
違背自己意願地做某事
used after a verb to show that a person acts without meaning to, or contrary to his or her own wishes.
Arjun found himself laughing despite himself at the comedian's silly joke.
Arjun 發現自己不由自主地對那個喜劇演員的冷笑話笑出聲來。
laughing despite himself — involuntary reaction
Jenna agreed to help despite herself, even though she knew it would mean working past midnight.
Jenna 不由自主地答應幫忙，即使她知道這意味著要工作到半夜。
Sari smiled despite herself when the puppy jumped onto her lap and licked her hand.
Sari 不由自主地笑了出來，因為那隻小狗跳上她的腿舔她的手。
The old man spoke despite himself, revealing secrets he had kept for fifty years.
那位老人不由自主地說出了他保守了五十年的秘密。
- involuntarily
adverb form; more direct but less common in this pattern
- against one's will
similar meaning but stronger sense of force
- deliberately
doing something on purpose, with full intention
文法句型
verb + despite + oneself/himself/herself/themselves
用法筆記
Only used in the pattern 'despite + reflexive pronoun' (myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves). The verb before it usually describes an emotion or action that happens automatically.
常見錯誤
despite — 名詞
1. a strong feeling that a person or thing is worthless or does not deserve any res
輕蔑
認為某人或某物不值得尊重
a strong feeling that a person or thing is worthless or does not deserve any respect at all; contempt.
Gabriel wrote about the corrupt governor with despite, refusing to give him credit for any reform.
Gabriel 以輕蔑的態度描述那位貪婪的州長，拒絕承認他推動的任何改革。
wrote about... with despite — expressing scholarly contempt
Nala stared at the unfair contract with despite, knowing it would cheat her parents out of everything.
Nala 輕蔑地瞪著那份不公平的合約，知道它會騙走父母的一切。
stared... with despite — contempt shown through expression
Mizuki felt a cold despite for the director who had stolen money from the children's hospital fund.
Mizuki 對那位偷取兒童醫院捐款的院長深感輕蔑。
The film is full of despite for the officials who let the old school burn down for insurance money.
這部電影充滿了對那些為了保險金而放任舊學校燒毀的官員的輕蔑。
- admiration
a feeling of deep respect and approval
用法筆記
An older, more literary word. In modern English, 'contempt' or 'disdain' is far more common for this meaning.
常見錯誤
2. a wish to cause trouble, pain, or harm to another person; malice.
惡意
有意傷害或刁難他人的念頭
a wish to cause trouble, pain, or harm to another person; malice.
Joaquín sold the family painting out of pure despite, knowing it would break his mother's heart the most.
Joaquín 出於惡意賣掉了家中的畫作，因為他知道這最會傷母親的心。
out of pure despite — motive of malice
Heather wrote the restaurant review with such despite that the owner nearly lost her business.
Heather 寫的那篇餐廳評論充滿惡意，差點害得老闆經營不下去。
wrote... with despite — malice shown in writing
Kwame could not understand the despite behind his neighbour's cruel remarks about his wife's cooking.
Kwame 無法理解鄰居對他太太手藝的殘酷評論背後隱藏著什麼惡意。
There was no reason for Anna's actions other than pure despite — she simply wanted to destroy her rival's career.
Anna 的行為沒有任何理由，純粹出於惡意——她只是想毀掉競爭對手的事業。
- spite
the modern equivalent; more common in everyday language
- malice
a desire to cause harm, often with forethought
- vengefulness
focus on getting revenge for a past wrong
- goodwill
a friendly and helpful attitude towards others
用法筆記
Archaic or literary; modern English uses 'spite' or 'malice' instead.
3. a specific action that openly refuses to respect a person, rule, or authority.
藐視行為
公然反抗權威或規則的行動
a specific action that openly refuses to respect a person, rule, or authority.
The protest itself was an act of despite, openly defying the unjust law that silenced free speech.
這場抗議本身就是一種藐視的行為，公然反抗那條壓制言論自由的不公法律。
an act of despite — attested countable construction
By wearing the banned symbol on her shirt, Lara committed an act of despite.
Lara 在襯衫上佩戴那禁用的標誌，做出了公開的藐視行為。
Historians see the ship's departure as an act of despite against the crown's authority.
歷史學家認為那艘船的啟航是對王室權威的藐視行為。
The poet published her final work in despite of the publisher's demands to change the ending.
那位詩人不顧出版社改寫結局的要求，出版了最後的作品。
- submission
acceptance of authority or control
用法筆記
Almost exclusively found in older literary or historical texts. The phrase 'in despite of' (meaning 'in defiance of') was common in Early Modern English.
4. harm, damage, or loss that affects someone or something in a negative way.
損害
對某人或某事造成的傷害或損失
harm, damage, or loss that affects someone or something in a negative way.
The new tax law worked to the despite of small business owners, leaving many unable to pay their staff.
新稅法對該地區的小企業主造成了損害，導致許多人無法支付員工薪水。
to the despite of — archaic formal phrase for detriment
Inês worried that the contract would be to the despite of her family rather than to their advantage.
Inês 擔心這份合約對她的家庭有害而無益。
The court ruling was to the despite of the farmers who had already lost their land.
法院的判決對那些已經失去土地的農民造成了損害。
Ritu argued that the new policy was to the despite of the entire community, causing widespread harm.
Ritu 認為這項新政策對整個社區造成了損害，帶來廣泛的傷害。
- detriment
the modern counterpart; very common in formal writing
- disadvantage
the everyday word; also implies an unfavourable condition
- harm
more direct, focusing on actual damage
- advantage
a condition that helps someone succeed
用法筆記
Most commonly found in the fixed archaic phrase 'in despite of' (meaning 'to the disadvantage of'). Modern English uses 'detriment' or 'disadvantage' instead.
despite — 動詞
1. to regard someone or something with a complete lack of respect; to think that a
蔑視
看不起某人或某事物
to regard someone or something with a complete lack of respect; to think that a person or thing is worthless or beneath notice.
The cruel landlord despited his tenants and never repaired anything in the building.
那個冷酷的房東蔑視他的房客，從不修理房子裡的任何東西。
despited + object (archaic transitive past tense)
Eshe despited the gossip and refused to let it affect her work at the hospital.
Eshe 蔑視那些流言蜚語，拒絕讓它們影響她在醫院的工作。
In the old story, the prince despited the beggar and ordered him removed from the gate.
在古老的故事中，王子蔑視乞丐，命令守門人把他趕走。
The general despited the warning signs and marched his troops into the valley.
將軍蔑視警告標誌，仍然率領部隊開進山谷。
- admire
to regard with respect and approval
文法句型
despite + object
用法筆記
Extremely rare in modern English; found mainly in older literary texts. Use 'despise' instead for contemporary writing.
常見錯誤
2. to make someone feel angry, upset, or annoyed, especially deliberately.
激怒
故意使人生氣或惱怒
to make someone feel angry, upset, or annoyed, especially deliberately.
The boy despited his older sister by hiding her schoolbag before the exam.
那個男孩在考試前把姊姊的書包藏起來，故意激怒她。
despited + object (vex/annoy sense, past tense)
Christopher despited the teacher with endless questions that had no real point.
Christopher 用一堆沒有實際意義的問題激怒了老師。
Nothing despited Darius more than being ignored when he was trying to speak.
沒有什麼事情比 Darius 講話時被忽略更讓他惱火的了。
The constant noise from the construction site despited the librarian all afternoon.
建築工地持續不斷的噪音讓圖書館員惱火了一整個下午。
- calm
to make someone stop feeling angry or upset
文法句型
despite + object
用法筆記
This sense of 'despite' as a verb meaning 'to annoy' is now archaic. Modern English would use 'annoy', 'irritate', or 'provoke' instead.