game
game — 動詞
1. to find and use ways to get a personal advantage from the rules or design of an
鑽營；操弄
利用制度漏洞從中取利
to find and use ways to get a personal advantage from the rules or design of an organization, system, or process — often a method others would call unfair or dishonest.
Some taxpayers try to game the system by declaring fake expenses.
有些納稅人藉由申報假開支來設法鑽制度漏洞。
collocation: game the system
Aylin discovered a way to game the airline's reward programme for extra miles.
Aylin 找到了一種操弄航空公司獎勵計畫以換取額外哩程的方法。
The local hospital was caught gaming patient waiting-time targets.
那間當地醫院被發現操弄病患候診時間的績效指標。
Companies often game the tax regulations to reduce what they owe.
企業經常利用稅務法規的漏洞來減少應繳稅款。
Professional athletes sometimes game the draft rules to join a preferred team.
職業運動員有時會操弄選秀規則以便加入自己偏好的球隊。
- rig
stronger negative connotation; implies deliberate cheating rather than rule-bending
- exploit
broader; can be neutral or negative, and does not always imply dishonesty
- manipulate
applies to people or systems; 'game' is limited to systems and rules
- work around
less formal; suggests creative problem-solving without dishonest flavour
- comply
to follow rules properly rather than finding ways around them
文法句型
game + noun phrase (the system, the rules, the market)
用法筆記
The object is nearly always an abstract noun referring to a system, set of rules, or process — never a person. Frequently used in business and political contexts.
常見錯誤
2. to spend time playing computer games or video games as a leisure activity.
打電玩
玩電腦或電視遊戲
to spend time playing computer games or video games as a leisure activity.
Mauricio spends most weekends gaming with his friends online.
Mauricio 大部分週末都和朋友連線打電玩。
intransitive: gaming with friends
After finishing her homework, Hoa likes to game for about an hour before dinner.
做完功課後，Hoa 喜歡在晚飯前打大約一小時電玩。
Minho's parents limit how many hours he can game each school night.
Minho 的父母限制他每個上學日晚間可以打電玩的時數。
The new graphics card makes it much smoother to game at high settings.
新的顯示卡讓高畫質設定下的打電玩體驗流暢許多。
Leo prefers gaming on a console rather than a personal computer.
Leo 比較喜歡在遊戲主機上打電玩，而不是在個人電腦上。
- play video games
the full, more explicit expression; suitable for all registers
文法句型
game (no object)
go gaming
用法筆記
Almost always used in informal contexts. The simple form 'I game' is acceptable, but 'I play games' or 'I play video games' remains more common in everyday speech.
常見錯誤
3. to risk money on the result of a game, race, competition, or other event in the
賭博
押注金錢在賽局或比賽結果上
to risk money on the result of a game, race, competition, or other event in the hope of winning more money back.
Adaeze lost a large sum of money gaming at the casino last winter.
Adaeze 去年冬天在賭場賭博輸了一大筆錢。
gaming = gambling (older usage)
The old gamblers would game on horse races every Saturday afternoon.
那些老賭徒以前每週六下午都會在賽馬上下注。
game on + [event] for betting
Beatrix warned her younger brother against gaming away his entire salary.
Beatrix 警告她弟弟不要把整份薪水都賭掉。
In the nineteenth century, gentlemen often gamed at exclusive private clubs.
在十九世紀，紳士們經常在專屬私人俱樂部裡賭博。
Ryan could not stop himself from gaming on card games despite the mounting debts.
儘管債務不斷增加，Ryan 還是無法阻止自己在牌局上賭博。
- save
to keep money rather than risk it
文法句型
game (no object)
game on + noun (horse, match, race)
用法筆記
This sense is now somewhat old-fashioned; 'gamble' is far more common in modern English. It survives mainly in historical contexts or in the derived noun 'gaming' (as in 'the gaming industry').
常見錯誤
game — 名詞
1. a form of play or sport that people take part in for enjoyment, usually with a s
遊戲；玩具
有規則的娛樂活動或器具
a form of play or sport that people take part in for enjoyment, usually with a set of rules that tell players what they can and cannot do; also, the objects and tools used to play it
Sora and his brother spent the afternoon playing board games in the living room.
Sora 和弟弟下午在客廳玩桌遊。
collocation: board game / card game / computer game
Bao taught his classmates a game that involves guessing words from drawings.
Bao 教同學們玩一種必須從圖畫中猜出單字的遊戲。
The children put away the boxed game after they finished playing with it.
孩子們玩完盒裝遊戲後把它收好。
Chess is a thinking game that takes years of practice to master well.
西洋棋是一種需要思考的遊戲，必須花多年時間才能精通。
Zola opened the new game and spread the cards and dice across the table.
Zola 打開新遊戲，將牌和骰子攤在桌上。
用法筆記
Often used in compound nouns such as board game, card game, video game, and party game to specify the type of activity.
常見錯誤
2. a single event in which people or teams compete against each other according to
比賽；賽事
依規則進行、有勝負的單場競賽
a single event in which people or teams compete against each other according to set rules, with one side trying to win
The basketball game between the two schools drew a large crowd of supporters.
兩所學校之間的籃球比賽吸引了大批觀眾。
noun phrase: [sport] game between [teams]
Bilal watched every game of the World Cup on television last summer.
Bilal 去年夏天在電視上觀看了世界盃的每一場比賽。
Our team lost the game by just one point in the final seconds of play.
我們隊在比賽最後幾秒以一分之差輸了。
Esteban bought tickets for the championship game months before the date.
Esteban 早在比賽日幾個月前就買好了冠軍賽的門票。
The game was tied at two goals each until the referee blew the whistle.
比賽以二比二平手，直到裁判吹哨結束。
用法筆記
Typically used with verbs like play, win, lose, watch, and host. The preposition against introduces the opponent: a game against Brazil.
常見錯誤
3. one of the smaller scoring units that together form a larger contest, especially
局
網球等比賽中的一個計分單位
one of the smaller scoring units that together form a larger contest, especially in tennis, badminton, and volleyball
Zola won the first game of the tennis match in under ten minutes.
Zola 在不到十分鐘內就贏得了那場網球比賽的第一局。
collocation: win / lose a game in [sport]
The server hit two aces in a single game to take the lead quickly.
發球手在一局中擊出兩記 ace 球，迅速取得領先。
Christopher lost the next game but fought back to win the set.
Christopher 輸掉了下一局，但後來反彈贏得了該盤。
Each game in tennis is scored as fifteen, thirty, forty, and game.
網球中每局的計分方式是 15、30、40 和局點。
- round
used in boxing and golf, not tennis
用法筆記
This sense applies mainly to tennis, badminton, and volleyball. In tennis, several games make up a set, and several sets make up a match.
常見錯誤
4. physical activities and team sports that are part of the school day for children
體育課
學校為學童安排的運動活動
physical activities and team sports that are part of the school day for children, usually involving running, throwing, and ball games
The students have a games lesson every Friday afternoon on the field.
學生們每週五下午在操場上體育課。
British English: games lesson / games period
Nora prefers art class to games because she does not enjoy running.
Nora 比較喜歡美術課而不是體育課，因為她不喜歡跑步。
The school requires all children to change into sports kit for games.
學校要求所有學生在上體育課時換上運動服。
Games at that school includes football, netball, and rounders each week.
那所學校的體育課每週包括足球、籃網球和圓場棒球。
- PE
abbreviation for physical education, used in both British and American English
- gym class
common in American English
- physical education
the formal name for the subject
用法筆記
Chiefly British English. In American English, PE (physical education) or gym class is more common for school sports activities.
常見錯誤
5. a large organized event that includes many different sports, often held over sev
運動會
包含多種項目的盛大體育盛會
a large organized event that includes many different sports, often held over several days with participants from many countries or regions
The Olympic Games bring together athletes from nearly every country in the world.
奧運會匯集了全球幾乎每一個國家的運動員。
proper name: Olympic Games / Commonwealth Games / Asian Games
Meera won three medals at the Commonwealth Games last year in swimming.
Meera 去年在大英國協運動會中贏得了三面游泳獎牌。
Hosting the Games can cost a country billions of dollars in preparation.
主辦運動會可能讓一個國家在籌備上花費數十億美元。
The Asian Games feature sports that are popular right across the continent.
亞運會包含了在亞洲各地都很受歡迎的運動項目。
- tournament
smaller, usually for one sport
- championship
focuses on determining a winner
- competition
more general term
用法筆記
Almost always used with a capital letter when part of a proper name: the Olympic Games, the Commonwealth Games. Takes a plural verb: The Games are held every four years.
常見錯誤
6. the particular style or quality of performance that a player shows during a matc
球技；打法
運動員在比賽中展現的技術水準
the particular style or quality of performance that a player shows during a match or competition
Sivan's game has improved a lot since she started training every morning.
Sivan 自從開始每天早上訓練後，球技進步了很多。
possessive + game: [person]'s game
The coach noticed that Esteban's game was much stronger on grass courts.
教練注意到 Esteban 在草地場地上的球技比在紅土場上強得多。
Arjun worked hard on his serve to raise the overall level of his game.
Arjun 努力練習發球，以提升整體球技水準。
A player with a steady game will make fewer mistakes over a long match.
球風穩健的選手在漫長的比賽中失誤會比較少。
- form
current level of performance, not permanent style
- performance
broader term used for any activity
- playing ability
more formal and explicit
用法筆記
Often used with possessives (her game, his game) or preceded by a modifier describing quality (a strong game, a weak game, an all-round game). Common collocations: raise your game, improve your game.
常見錯誤
7. a situation or activity that someone does not treat seriously, regarding it as a
兒戲
不認真對待的事
a situation or activity that someone does not treat seriously, regarding it as a joke even when other people feel it matters
To the politician, the public hearing was just a game that he had to sit through.
對那位政治人物來說，公聽會只是個他得熬過去的兒戲。
collocation: just a game — dismissing something as unimportant
Trang told her brother that losing his job was not a game — he needed to find work right away.
Trang 告訴哥哥，失去工作不是兒戲，他需要立刻找到工作。
usage note: 'not a game' in warnings
Some young drivers treat the road like a game, which deeply worries their parents.
有些年輕駕駛把馬路當成兒戲，讓他們的父母非常擔心。
Esme grew upset when her colleagues treated her project like a game and refused to listen to her ideas.
Esme 對於同事們把她的計畫當成兒戲感到難過，他們根本不聽她的想法。
Lucía warned the children that the spelling competition was not a game and they should prepare seriously.
Lucía 警告孩子們，拼字比賽不是兒戲，他們應該認真準備。
- joke
more colloquial and dismissive — 'He thinks the whole thing is a joke'
- triviality
more formal — 'They dismissed her concerns as a triviality'
- serious business
the opposite — something that must be taken seriously
文法句型
treat [something] like a game
it's (all) a game to [someone]
[something] is not a game
用法筆記
Often appears in negative statements or in the fixed expressions 'it's all a game' and '[something] is not a game'. The speaker is usually frustrated that someone else is being too casual about a serious matter.
常見錯誤
8. a secret and dishonest plan that someone uses to get money or an unfair advantag
騙局
欺騙他人的秘密計畫
a secret and dishonest plan that someone uses to get money or an unfair advantage by tricking other people
The newspaper revealed a game run by a fake charity that took money from elderly people.
該報揭露了一場由假慈善機構運作的騙局，騙走了年長者的錢。
collocation: run a game — controlling a dishonest scheme
Aaron explained how the game worked: three people pretended to compete for a prize that did not exist.
Aaron 解釋了這個騙局的手法：三個人假裝爭奪一個根本不存在的獎品。
The police finally understood the game — the company was selling products that arrived broken so customers would pay for replacements.
警方終於看穿了這個騙局——這家公司刻意出售到貨時已損壞的商品，好讓顧客付費更換。
Marta knew it was a confidence game the moment the stranger asked for her bank details.
Marta 在陌生人詢問她的銀行資料的那一刻，就知道這是個騙取信任的騙局。
Bilal soon realised the whole investment offer was a game designed to take people's savings.
Bilal 很快就意識到，整個投資方案都是為了騙取人們儲蓄而設計的騙局。
- honest deal
a fair and open transaction
文法句型
run a game
be a game
confidence game
用法筆記
The scheme is always dishonest. The word often appears in crime reports or warnings about fraud. 'Confidence game' (also 'con game') refers specifically to a scheme where the criminal first gains the victim's trust.
常見錯誤
9. a particular type of business or professional activity that someone does to earn
行業
某種職業或業務領域
a particular type of business or professional activity that someone does to earn money, treated as a distinct area with its own rules and habits
Eshe has been in the fashion game for over twenty years and knows every designer in the industry.
Eshe 在時尚行業做了二十多年，認識業界每一位設計師。
collocation: the [field] game — informal reference to an industry
Min decided to leave the teaching game after ten years and start his own company.
Min 在教書十年後決定離開這一行，自己創辦公司。
The publishing game has changed a lot since digital books became popular.
自從電子書普及之後，出版行業改變了很多。
People in the restaurant game often work very long hours during the holiday season.
在餐飲行業工作的人，節日期間常常要工作很長的時間。
Sophia told me that the music game is tough, but she loves creating songs too much to quit.
Sophia 告訴我，音樂這一行不好做，但她太喜歡創作歌曲了，捨不得放棄。
文法句型
the [field] game
be in the [field] game
the [field] game has changed
用法筆記
Always preceded by 'the' and a noun naming the field: 'the fashion game', 'the movie game', 'the restaurant game'. The noun phrase works as a single unit referring to that industry. Informal register; not used in formal business writing.
常見錯誤
10. the sex trade as a line of work; the business of providing sexual services for m
賣淫
從事性交易的工作
the sex trade as a line of work; the business of providing sexual services for money
The documentary showed how difficult it is for women to leave the game once they are trapped in it.
那部紀錄片呈現了女性一旦陷入賣淫後多麼難以脫身。
usage: 'the game' as a euphemism for prostitution
The social worker estimated that dozens of young people in the district were on the game out of economic necessity.
社工人員估計，該區有數十名年輕人因為經濟困難而從事賣淫。
collocation: on the game — working as a prostitute
Élise met a former sex worker who spoke about the dangers that women face while on the game.
Élise 遇到一位前性工作者，她談到了女性在賣淫時面臨的危險。
After the police raid, several women who had been forced into the game were offered shelter and counselling.
警方突襲之後，好幾名被迫賣淫的女性獲得了住所和心理輔導。
The charity provides medical and legal help to anyone who is trying to escape the game.
該慈善機構為任何試圖脫離賣淫的人提供醫療和法律協助。
- sex work
the modern, less stigmatised term — 'sex work is legal in some countries'
- the oldest profession
an old euphemism, now dated and sometimes ironic
文法句型
on the game
in the game
the game
用法筆記
Used mainly in the fixed phrase 'on the game' (British English) with no article. Considered a slang or euphemistic term. The tone is generally neutral-to-negative, describing the situation rather than judging the person. Avoid using this term in formal writing about sex work.
常見錯誤
11. the world of illegal activities such as drug dealing or theft, regarded as a way
犯罪勾當
參與非法活動的生活
the world of illegal activities such as drug dealing or theft, regarded as a way of life that is hard to escape
Diya's brother got into the game at sixteen and spent a decade moving between drugs and petty theft.
Diya 的哥哥十六歲就開始從事犯罪勾當，花了十年在毒品和偷竊之間來回。
collocation: get into the game — start a criminal lifestyle
The detective warned the teenager that life in the game only leads to prison or death.
警探警告那名青少年，靠犯罪勾當維生只會走向監獄或死亡。
usage: 'the game' as the criminal underworld
Eli knew several young men who had been in the game for years and could see no way out.
Eli 認識幾個從事犯罪勾當多年的年輕人，他們看不到出路。
The former gang member now gives talks at schools about why he regrets entering the game.
這位前幫派分子現在去學校演講，談論他為何後悔踏入犯罪勾當。
Many young people in poor neighborhoods are drawn into the game because they see few other ways to earn money.
許多來自貧困社區的年輕人因為看不到其他賺錢方式，而被拉進了犯罪勾當。
- the underworld
more formal and broader — 'the criminal underworld'
- a life of crime
descriptive rather than slang — 'he chose a life of crime'
- a straight life
a lawful, honest way of living — informal contrast
文法句型
in the game
into the game
get out of the game
the game
用法筆記
Used mainly in the fixed phrase 'in the game' without an article. Refers broadly to the criminal underworld as a whole — drug dealing, theft, robbery — rather than a specific scheme. The tone is somber and observational, not celebratory.
常見錯誤
12. creatures living in the wild that people chase and kill either to eat or for enj
獵物
打獵捕獲的野生動物或肉
creatures living in the wild that people chase and kill either to eat or for enjoyment; also, the meat of such creatures prepared as food
The hunters went into the forest early in the morning looking for game such as deer and wild turkeys.
獵人一大早就進了森林，尋找鹿和野火雞之類的獵物。
collocation: game such as [examples]
The restaurant is famous for serving game like venison and pheasant during the autumn season.
這家餐廳以秋季供應鹿肉和野雞等獵物料理而聞名。
collocation: game like venison
In some rural areas, local people still rely on wild game as their main source of protein.
在一些鄉村地區，當地人仍然依賴野生獵物作為主要的蛋白質來源。
The government sets strict limits on how much game each hunter may take during the season.
政府對每位獵人在獵季期間可帶走的獵物數量有嚴格限制。
Aaron's grandfather taught him how to track game through the woods without making a sound.
Aaron 的祖父教他如何在樹林中不發出聲音地追蹤獵物。
文法句型
hunt game
game birds
game meat
wild game
用法筆記
Uncountable noun in this sense. 'Game' can refer either to the live animals ('game birds fly fast') or to the cooked meat ('game stew'). The term covers mammals (deer, rabbit, boar) and birds (pheasant, grouse, duck) that are legally hunted.
常見錯誤
game — 形容詞
1. describes a person who is ready to take on a new, difficult, or risky challenge
敢於；勇於
樂於嘗試新鮮或冒險的事
describes a person who is ready to take on a new, difficult, or risky challenge without needing much persuasion, especially when others might be unwilling.
Mert had never tried kayaking, but he was game to give it a go.
Mert 從未划過獨木舟，但他很樂意試一試。
game + to-infinitive for willingness
When the office announced a charity skydive, several staff members were game for the idea.
公司宣布舉辦慈善高空跳傘活動時，好幾位同事都表示願意參加。
game + for + noun phrase
Tariro is always game for a new adventure, from hiking across a desert to learning to surf.
Tariro 總是樂於接受新的挑戰，無論是穿越沙漠的健行還是學衝浪。
The children were game to help their grandmother plant vegetables in the backyard.
孩子們很樂意幫忙祖母在後院種菜。
It was a tough climb up the mountain, but the whole team remained game until the end.
爬這段山路很吃力，但整支隊伍到最後仍然鬥志昂揚。
文法句型
be game for [something]
be game to [do something]
用法筆記
Commonly used in British and Australian English. The adjective comes after the verb be, seem, or remain — never before a noun. A very common pattern is game for + noun or game to + infinitive.
常見錯誤
2. describes a leg, arm, or other body part that is permanently damaged by injury o
傷殘的
肢體因傷病而永久受損
describes a leg, arm, or other body part that is permanently damaged by injury or illness and does not work normally.
The old fisherman walked with a game leg that he had injured during a storm at sea.
那位老漁夫走路時一拐一拐的，他的腿是在海上風暴中受傷的。
game + body part noun: game leg
Despite having a game arm, Élise still managed to cook dinner for her family every evening.
Élise 雖然有一隻手臂傷殘，她仍然每晚為家人做飯。
used before a noun: game arm
Christopher's game knee made running difficult, but he still enjoyed long walks in the park.
Christopher 的膝蓋因舊傷而難以跑步，但他依然喜歡到公園裡長時間散步。
The horse had a game hoof from an old injury, so the rider kept to soft ground.
那匹老馬的蹄子多年前受過傷，所以騎手讓牠走在較軟的泥土路上。
Shanti's grandfather had a game shoulder that ached whenever the weather turned cold and damp.
Shanti 的祖父肩膀有舊傷，每當天氣變冷潮濕時就會隱隱作痛。
文法句型
game + [body part noun]
用法筆記
This sense is now considered old-fashioned or dated in modern English. It appears almost exclusively before a noun naming a body part (leg, knee, arm, shoulder). Learners are more likely to encounter injured, damaged, or bad used in the same position today.