disposition
disposition — 名詞
1. the natural qualities and attitudes that form someone's character and affect how
性情；性格
一個人天生的情緒和行為特質
the natural qualities and attitudes that form someone's character and affect how they usually feel and behave
Sophia has a cheerful disposition that makes everyone around her feel welcome.
Sophia 個性開朗，讓身邊每個人都感到自在受歡迎。
adjective + disposition pattern: cheerful / friendly / calm disposition
Despite the long delay at the airport, Bilal kept his calm disposition and did not complain.
儘管在機場耽擱了很久，Bilal 仍然保持冷靜的性情，沒有抱怨。
The rescue dog had such a gentle disposition that the children trusted it right away.
那隻救援犬性情非常溫和，孩子們立刻就信任了牠。
People with a nervous disposition often find public speaking especially hard.
個性容易緊張的人，通常覺得公開演說特別困難。
- temperament
more formal; focuses on the inborn aspect of character
- nature
broader term; can refer to the essential quality of anything, not just people
- character
includes both natural and learned qualities; disposition emphasises the natural side
文法句型
has a + adjective + disposition
用法筆記
The word is almost always modified by an adjective (cheerful, calm, gentle, nervous). A person's disposition is considered natural and long-lasting, unlike mood, which can change quickly.
常見錯誤
2. the natural likelihood that someone or something will develop a specific pattern
傾向
以特定方式行為或發展的內在趨勢
the natural likelihood that someone or something will develop a specific pattern of behaviour, thought, or growth
Young children often show a disposition to copy the behaviour of adults around them.
幼兒往往會表現出模仿身邊大人行為的傾向。
disposition + to-infinitive: to copy / to worry / to develop
Lien has a disposition to worry about details that most people would not notice.
Lien 有一種擔心瑣碎細節的傾向，而這些細節大部分人都沒注意到。
Some plants have a natural disposition to grow toward whatever light source is available.
有些植物天生就有朝光源生長的傾向。
The study found a disposition toward heart disease among people who ate a diet high in processed foods.
這項研究發現，飲食中含有大量加工食品的人有較高的心臟病傾向。
- tendency
more everyday word; disposition is slightly more formal
- inclination
often implies a conscious mental leaning, not just a natural pattern
- predisposition
more technical; common in medical or psychological writing
文法句型
disposition + to-infinitive
disposition + toward/to + noun
用法筆記
Unlike sense 1, this sense is followed by a to-infinitive or toward/to + noun. A disposition to do something is a tendency that may or may not be acted on.
3. the way objects or parts are positioned in a space
配置；佈置
物體或部件在空間中的安排方式
the way objects or parts are positioned in a space
The disposition of the furniture in the living room made the space feel much larger.
客廳家具的配置讓空間感覺寬敞了許多。
the disposition of [objects] in [space]
The architect studied the disposition of the rooms before deciding where to put the windows.
建築師仔細研究了各房間的佈置，才決定窗戶的位置。
Mizuki changed the disposition of the pots on the balcony so each plant got more sunlight.
Mizuki 重新調整了陽台上盆栽的排列方式，讓每棵植物都能得到更多日照。
The careful disposition of the exhibits guided visitors naturally through the museum.
展品的巧妙配置，自然而然地引導參觀者在博物館內移動。
- arrangement
everyday word; disposition is more formal and usually implies deliberate planning
- layout
common in design and publishing; more specific than disposition
- placement
focuses on the position of each item individually
文法句型
the disposition of + plural noun
用法筆記
This sense is common in formal or technical writing (architecture, design, interior decoration). The object being arranged is typically a plural noun: the disposition of the tables, the disposition of the troops.
4. the legal or official process of transferring property, money, or other assets t
處置；轉讓
財產或資產的正式轉移或贈與
the legal or official process of transferring property, money, or other assets to another person or organisation
The lawyer handled the disposition of the estate after Mr. Okonkwo passed away.
Okonkwo 先生過世後，由律師負責處理遺產的處置事宜。
disposition of estate: legal transfer of property after death
Caio signed the papers for the disposition of his company shares to a family trust.
Caio 簽署了文件，將名下公司股份轉讓給家族信託。
The will included clear instructions for the disposition of all personal belongings and savings.
遺囑中清楚說明了所有個人財物與存款的處置方式。
Tax rules about the disposition of property can be very different from one country to another.
關於財產轉讓的稅務規定，各國之間可能有很大的差異。
- transfer
broader; disposition is the formal legal term
- distribution
implies dividing among multiple recipients
- settlement
often implies resolving a legal or financial obligation
文法句型
the disposition of + legal/financial noun
用法筆記
Used almost exclusively in legal, financial, and formal administrative contexts. Do not use for everyday giving — use give, hand over, or transfer instead.
5. a neat and organised way of placing or positioning things
整齊排列
物件有條理且整齊的擺放方式
a neat and organised way of placing or positioning things
The soldiers stood in perfect disposition, lined up in straight rows for inspection.
士兵們排列整齊，站成一列列筆直的隊伍準備接受檢閱。
military context: in perfect disposition
The books on her desk were arranged with such careful disposition that nothing was out of place.
她書桌上的書籍擺放得井然有序，沒有一樣物品是凌亂的。
The disposition of the tools along the workshop wall showed the carpenter's commitment to order.
工具沿著工坊牆壁整齊排列，展現了木匠對秩序的重視。
The chef insists on a careful disposition of ingredients on each plate before serving.
那位主廚堅持在上菜前將每道菜盤上的食材精心擺放整齊。
- order
everyday word; disposition feels more formal and deliberate
- organisation
focuses on the system, not the visual neatness
- disorder
the opposite of neat placement
文法句型
in + adjective + disposition
用法筆記
This sense overlaps with sense 3 but emphasises tidiness and methodical order rather than merely position. It is the least common sense and sounds dated or literary outside certain set phrases such as in perfect disposition.