dragon
dragon — 名詞
1. in old stories and fantasy books, a giant flying reptile that breathes flames an
龍
傳說中會噴火的巨型爬蟲
in old stories and fantasy books, a giant flying reptile that breathes flames and has sharp claws and a long, powerful tail
Selim painted a green dragon with golden wings for the school art project.
Selim 為學校的美術專案畫了一隻綠色身體、金色翅膀的龍。
In the old story, a brave knight fights a dragon living in a dark cave.
在那個古老的故事裡，一位勇敢的騎士與住在黑暗洞穴中的龍搏鬥。
fights a dragon — typical verb for confronting mythical creatures
Yuki's grandfather told her that in Chinese stories, dragons bring good luck and rain.
Yuki 的祖父告訴她，在中國故事裡，龍會帶來好運和雨水。
The parade had a long red dragon made of cloth and carried by twenty people.
遊行隊伍中有一條用布做成的紅色長龍，由二十個人扛著前進。
- mythical beast
a more general term for any imaginary animal, not just a dragon
- serpent
often means a snake-like creature; some dragons are shown as serpents, but not all serpents have wings or breathe fire
- wyvern
a specific dragon-like creature from European legends with two legs and a barbed tail, not four legs
用法筆記
In East Asian cultures, dragons are usually wise and helpful creatures that bring good fortune and control the rain — very different from the dangerous, fire-breathing dragons of European stories.
常見錯誤
2. a type of large lizard found in parts of Asia and Australia, the best known bein
巨蜥
大型蜥蜴，如科摩多巨蜥
a type of large lizard found in parts of Asia and Australia, the best known being the Komodo dragon of Indonesia
The zookeeper told the children that Komodo dragons can weigh as much as a person.
動物園管理員告訴孩子們，科摩多巨蜥可以重達一個人的體重。
Komodo dragon — the compound noun used for the largest living lizard species
Hoa keeps a bearded dragon as a pet and feeds it fresh vegetables every morning.
Hoa 養了一隻鬃獅蜥當寵物，每天早上餵牠新鮮蔬菜。
Caleb saw a water dragon climb a tree near the river on his trip to Thailand.
Caleb 在泰國旅行時，看到一隻水龍蜥蜴沿著河邊的樹爬上去。
The guide explained that some Asian water dragons can change color when they feel scared.
導遊解釋說，有些亞洲水龍蜥蜴在感到害怕時會變色。
- monitor lizard
the family name for large lizards including the Komodo dragon; more scientific in tone
- goanna
used in Australia for certain monitor lizards, less common in general English
用法筆記
Most often appears in compound names: 'Komodo dragon,' 'bearded dragon,' or 'water dragon.' These are different species, not related to the mythical creature of sense 1. In Taiwan, 科摩多巨蜥 (Komodo dragon) is the standard term.
常見錯誤
3. a term used as an insult toward a woman that others view as bossy, harsh, or fri
悍婦；母老虎
對強勢可怕女性的貶稱
a term used as an insult toward a woman that others view as bossy, harsh, or frightening, especially one in a position of authority
The article called the manager a dragon for expecting her team to work hard.
那篇文章因為主管要求團隊努力工作，就把她稱為悍婦。
called [someone] a dragon — a pejorative label used with the verb 'call'
Kemi told her brother not to call their aunt a dragon — it is a rude word.
Kemi 告訴弟弟不要叫姑姑母老虎，因為那是很沒禮貌的話。
After the principal criticised the teachers, a parent called her a dragon in the school newsletter.
校長批評了老師們之後，有家長在校刊上稱她為悍婦。
Nila laughed when her friend called the teacher a dragon, but warned her not to repeat it.
Nila 聽到朋友說老師是母老虎時笑了出來，但警告她不要到處講。
- shrew
an old-fashioned, offensive word for a woman who argues a lot; similar in register but even more dated
- battle-axe
an informal, offensive term for a woman seen as aggressive or bossy; similar level of offensiveness
- gentle soul
a kind and calm person, the opposite of a frightening or aggressive one
用法筆記
This sense is considered offensive and old-fashioned. It is most often directed at women in leadership roles. The male equivalent (e.g., calling a man a dragon in this sense) is very rare. Learners should avoid using this word to describe a person.