digital
digital — 形容詞
1. relating to a way of storing and processing information using the two numbers 1
數位編碼
以1和0儲存處理資訊的
relating to a way of storing and processing information using the two numbers 1 and 0, which computers and electronic machines can read and work with.
The old vinyl records were converted to a digital format so that fans could listen on their phones.
舊的黑膠唱片被轉換成數位格式，讓樂迷可以在手機上收聽。
digital format — stored as binary data
Lakan's microphone converts his singing into a digital signal that streams numbers to the editing software.
Lakan 的麥克風將他的歌聲轉換成數位信號，將一串串數字傳送到剪輯軟體。
digital signal — binary data stream for audio recording
Padma switched to digital files for her travel photos after her film camera got soaked in the Chiang Mai rain.
Padma 在清邁淋雨弄濕底片相機後，改用數位檔案來儲存旅行攝影作品。
The fitness tracker converts every step into digital data that appears on the phone screen.
這款健身追蹤器將每一步轉換成數位資料，顯示在手機螢幕上。
- binary
more technical; refers specifically to the 1-and-0 system itself, not the broader technology
- computerized
focuses on the use of computers rather than the binary method of data storage
- analog
uses continuous physical signals (waves) instead of discrete binary numbers
用法筆記
This is the core technical sense. It contrasts with 'analog', which uses continuous physical signals (like grooves on a record) rather than discrete numbers.
常見錯誤
2. operated by or connected with electronic signals and modern computing equipment,
數位電子
使用數位電子技術的
operated by or connected with electronic signals and modern computing equipment, rather than mechanical or analog systems.
The new digital hearing aid adjusts its volume automatically when the room gets noisy.
新款數位助聽器在房間變吵時會自動調整音量。
Tariro bought a digital thermometer that shows the temperature in just two seconds.
Tariro 買了一支數位體溫計，只需兩秒就能顯示溫度。
digital + [device] — device with electronic circuits
Digital clocks are easier to read than analog ones because the numbers are large and clear.
數位時鐘比指針時鐘更容易讀取，因為數字又大又清楚。
The hospital upgraded to a fully digital X-ray system that produces clearer images.
醫院升級成全數位X光系統，能產出更清晰的影像。
- electronic
broader — covers any device using electric circuits, not just those using binary data
- computerized
narrower — implies a built-in computer chip controlling the device
- analog
uses continuous physical signals (hands on a clock face, needle on a gauge)
- mechanical
uses gears, springs, or levers rather than electronic circuits
用法筆記
Frequently used with device nouns (camera, clock, thermometer, scale). Contrasts with 'analog' or 'mechanical'. Many everyday products now default to digital, so 'digital' is often omitted unless the contrast matters.
3. relating to the online world of computers and the web, especially the activities
網路
與網路及數位生活相關的
relating to the online world of computers and the web, especially the activities, services, and media that are part of modern daily life.
Emma runs a small pottery studio in Bristol and uses digital marketing to sell her handmade mugs on Instagram.
Emma 在布里斯托經營一間小型陶藝工作室，透過數位行銷在 Instagram 上販售手工馬克杯。
digital marketing — online promotion for a small business
The school created a digital library where students can borrow e-books from home.
學校建置了一個數位圖書館，學生可以在家借閱電子書。
Vinícius works in digital design, creating websites and app interfaces for clients.
Vinícius 從事數位設計工作，為客戶設計網站和應用程式介面。
Digital payments have made it easy to split a restaurant bill with friends using your phone.
數位支付讓人們可以用手機輕鬆分攤餐廳帳單。
The newspaper launched a digital edition that readers can access on their tablets.
該報紙推出了數位版，讀者可以在平板上閱讀。
- online
narrower — specifically through the internet; 'digital' can include offline computer activities too
- virtual
suggests a simulation of physical reality (virtual meeting); 'digital' is broader and less simulation-focused
- electronic
broader — includes any use of electricity, not just internet-connected activities
用法筆記
This is the most common everyday sense. It appears in broad compound nouns such as 'digital world', 'digital age', 'digital native', and 'digital strategy'. The focus is on internet-connected services and culture rather than the underlying binary technology.
常見錯誤
4. showing numbers or other information as electronic figures or symbols on a scree
數位顯示
以數字螢幕顯示資訊的
showing numbers or other information as electronic figures or symbols on a screen, rather than using a moving pointer or a dial.
The car dashboard has a digital display that shows the speed and fuel level clearly.
汽車儀錶板有數位顯示器，清楚顯示車速和油量。
digital display — electronic screen readout
On the microwave, a small digital screen shows how many seconds remain for cooking.
微波爐上有一個小型數位螢幕，顯示剩餘的烹調秒數。
The scale in Feng's bathroom is digital and shows his weight to the nearest decimal point.
Feng 浴室的體重計是數位式的，可以顯示體重至小數點。
Digital watches have a flat screen that shows numbers instead of moving clock hands.
數位手錶有平面螢幕顯示數字，沒有移動的指針。
- numerical
only about numbers; 'digital' displays can also show symbols, letters, or icons
- electronic
broader — a digital display is one type of electronic display
- analog
uses a continuous moving pointer or needle (analog watch, analog gauge)
用法筆記
Describes the appearance of a display, not the underlying technology. A 'digital clock' shows numbers; an 'analog clock' has hands. This sense contrasts with sense 1 (binary data) and sense 2 (electronic circuits) by focusing on the visual output format.
5. connected with a person's fingers or toes, or done using a finger, particularly
手指的
與手指或腳趾相關的
connected with a person's fingers or toes, or done using a finger, particularly in medical or anatomical writing.
The doctor performed a digital examination to check for swelling in the patient's throat.
醫生進行了手指觸診檢查，確認病人的喉嚨有無腫脹。
digital examination — using a finger in a medical check
In anatomy class, the students learned that each hand has five digital bones called phalanges.
在解剖課上，學生學到每隻手有五根手指骨骼，稱為指骨。
digital bones — bones of the fingers
A digital reflex test involves tapping the patient's finger to observe the nerve response.
手指反射測試涉及輕敲病人的手指，觀察神經反應。
The surgeon examined the digital arteries in the patient's hand before the operation.
外科醫師在進行手術前檢查了病人手部的手指動脈。
用法筆記
This is the original Latin meaning of 'digital' (from 'digitus' = finger/toe). It is now restricted to medical and anatomical writing. Do not confuse with the modern technology senses — context (doctor, anatomy, hand) makes the meaning clear.
常見錯誤
digital — 名詞
1. a photograph, video, or other media file that is stored and viewed in an electro
數位媒體
以數位格式儲存的媒體檔案
a photograph, video, or other media file that is stored and viewed in an electronic form, especially one converted from a physical original.
After the wedding reception at the Grand Hyatt, Hiro uploaded over nine hundred digitals to the studio cloud.
在 Grand Hyatt 的婚宴結束後，Hiro 將九百多張數位照片上傳到工作室的雲端空間。
digitals — batch of digital photographs as files
The jewelry boutique asked Talia for high-resolution digitals of the diamond rings for their e-commerce site.
珠寶精品店向 Talia 要求提供鑽石戒指的高解析度數位照片，用於他們的電子商務網站。
high-resolution digitals — large-format digital photographs
Tariro keeps all her family digitals organized by year in folders on her computer.
Tariro 將所有家庭數位照片依年份整理在電腦的資料夾中。
The magazine editor asked for the raw digitals before choosing the cover photo.
雜誌編輯要求提供原始數位檔案，然後挑選封面照片。
- digital file
more explicit; avoids confusion with the adjective
- digital copy
emphasizes that it is a copy of an original
- print
a physical photograph on paper
用法筆記
Usually used in the plural form 'digitals' (countable). Common in photography and media production contexts. The singular 'a digital' is less common but possible ('I need a digital of that photo').
2. the business sector that creates and sells electronic media content, such as onl
數位產業
數位媒體相關的產業
the business sector that creates and sells electronic media content, such as online advertising, streaming services, and digital publishing.
The publishing group invested heavily in digital, hiring new teams for online advertising.
出版集團大力投資數位領域，為網路廣告業務招募新團隊。
in digital — in the digital industry sector
At the Boston publishing house where Darius works, digital brings in nearly two-thirds of yearly revenue from online subscriptions.
Darius 任職的波士頓出版社，年度營收近三分之二來自數位業務，主要是線上訂閱收入。
digital — the digital media business sector
Many graduates are pursuing careers in digital because of the rapid growth in tech jobs.
由於科技業快速成長，許多畢業生正投身數位產業發展。
Feng left his job in print publishing to join a fast-growing digital division.
Feng 離開了紙本出版的工作，加入一個快速成長的數位部門。
- tech sector
broader — includes hardware and software, not just media content
- new media
slightly dated term for internet-based media
用法筆記
Uncountable noun used as a business or industry label. Commonly appears in phrases like 'head of digital', 'investment in digital', and 'shift to digital'. Frequently implies digital marketing, media, or advertising specifically.
3. an electronic device, such as a camera, music player, or watch, that uses digita
數位裝置
使用數位技術的設備
an electronic device, such as a camera, music player, or watch, that uses digital technology to perform its functions.
Otis replaced his old cassette player with a smaller digital that fits in his pocket.
Otis 把舊的卡帶播放機換成一台可以放進口袋的小型數位裝置。
The camera shop sells both film cameras and high-end digitals with interchangeable lenses.
相機店同時販售底片相機和可更換鏡頭的高階數位相機。
digitals — digital cameras
Pipeline workers carry a rugged digital that can survive drops and water exposure.
管線工人隨身攜帶一台耐摔防水的強固型數位裝置。
The hiking group relies on a waterproof digital that tracks their route through GPS.
登山團隊依靠一台防水數位裝置，透過 GPS 追蹤他們的路線。
- digital device
more explicit and formal
- electronic device
broader — includes analog electronics too
- analog device
a device that uses continuous signals rather than digital processing
用法筆記
A shortened form where the specific device is clear from context — 'a digital' usually means 'a digital camera' in photography contexts, or 'a digital watch' in retail. The plural 'digitals' can refer to a category of digital devices.
4. a finger or a toe; one of the jointed end parts of the hand or foot.
手指或腳趾
手或腳的末端指節
a finger or a toe; one of the jointed end parts of the hand or foot.
The medical report noted swelling in the second digital of the patient's right hand.
醫療報告指出病人的右手第二手指出現腫脹。
second digital — second finger
Each digital contains three small bones called phalanges, except the thumb which has two.
每根手指包含三塊稱為指骨的小骨頭，但拇指只有兩塊。
A broken digital may need a splint and several weeks of rest to heal properly.
手指骨折可能需要使用夾板固定，並休息數週才能癒合。
The physical therapist gently moved each digital to check the patient's range of motion.
物理治療師輕輕活動病人的每一根手指，檢查其活動範圍。
用法筆記
Very rare in modern English; the more common noun is 'digit'. This noun sense is almost exclusively used in medical or anatomical writing. The plural is 'digitals'. Most learners will never need this sense — it is included for completeness.