gather
gather — 動詞
1. to bring together items or pieces of information that are spread across differen
收集；搜集
從不同地方把東西集合起來
to bring together items or pieces of information that are spread across different places or come from different sources
Jisoo gathered wild mushrooms from the forest for dinner.
Jisoo 從森林裡採集了野生蘑菇來做晚餐。
gather + from + for + purpose
The young reporter gathered facts from several witnesses.
那位年輕記者從好幾位目擊者那裡收集了事實資訊。
Evelyn gathered her scattered books from the desks and left the classroom quickly.
Evelyn 把散落在桌上的書本收攏起來，然後快步離開了教室。
Minh gathered donations for the homeless shelter last weekend.
Minh 上週末為遊民收容所募集了捐款。
Wei gathered information about the company from news articles and reports before the job interview.
Wei 在面試前從新聞報導和報告中收集了那家公司的資料。
- collect
more general; 'collect' can be more systematic while 'gather' emphasises bringing scattered things together
- accumulate
more formal; implies gradual increase over time
- assemble
often used for people or parts of something; more organised
- scatter
to throw or spread things in different directions
文法句型
gather + noun phrase
gather + from + place/person
用法筆記
Commonly used with prepositions like 'from' (indicating source) or 'for' (indicating purpose). When picking crops or fruit, 'gather' implies collecting from a wide area rather than a single location.
常見錯誤
2. to pull someone towards you and hold them in your arms, usually to comfort or sh
擁抱；摟抱
用雙臂溫柔地抱住某人
to pull someone towards you and hold them in your arms, usually to comfort or show love
Antonia gathered the frightened child into her arms and comforted her.
Antonia 把受驚的孩子摟進懷裡，輕聲安慰她。
gather + into one's arms
The old grandfather gathered his grandson close and told him a story.
老爷爷把孫子摟近身邊，給他講了一個故事。
Nora gathered the crying toddler into her arms and rocked him gently.
Nora 把正在哭鬧的幼兒抱進懷裡，輕輕搖晃著他。
Wei gathered his little sister in a warm hug after she fell down.
Wei 在妹妹跌倒後，給了她一個溫暖的擁抱。
文法句型
gather + someone + into one's arms
gather + someone + close
gather + someone + up
用法筆記
Differs from plain 'hug' or 'embrace' in that it often suggests a protective or caring motion — the person being gathered is often smaller, younger, or in need of comfort.
常見錯誤
3. to gradually become faster, stronger, or more powerful over time; used for physi
加速；增強
變得越來越快或越來越強
to gradually become faster, stronger, or more powerful over time; used for physical objects, natural forces, or abstract processes that build up intensity
The horse gathered speed as it galloped toward the final fence.
那匹馬在奔向最後一道柵欄時加快了速度。
gather speed — fixed collocation
The storm gathered strength as it moved across the warm ocean.
暴風雨在橫越溫暖海洋的過程中愈來愈強。
The ball gathered speed as it rolled down the steep hill toward the fence.
那顆球沿著陡峭的山坡朝籬笆滾去，速度愈來愈快。
The old train gathered speed slowly as it left the station.
那輛老舊火車駛離車站時緩緩加速。
- lose
as in 'lose speed' or 'lose momentum'
文法句型
gather + speed/strength/momentum/force
用法筆記
Subject is typically a vehicle, storm, process, or movement. Requires a noun complement such as speed, strength, force, or momentum. Intransitive uses (e.g. 'the car gathered') are ungrammatical in this sense.
常見錯誤
4. to bring together your inner resources — such as courage, strength, or energy —
鼓起（勇氣）
努力讓自己堅強勇敢以面對困難
to bring together your inner resources — such as courage, strength, or energy — in order to do something difficult, frightening, or demanding
Devika gathered all her courage and stepped onto the big stage.
Devika 鼓起所有勇氣，走上了大舞台。
gather courage — fixed collocation
Tariq gathered his strength for one final push to the finish line.
Tariq 凝聚力氣，做最後一次衝刺奔向終點。
The tired players gathered their energy for the last quarter of the game.
疲憊的球員們打起精神，準備應付比賽的最後一節。
Ayana gathered herself before giving the bad news to her parents.
Ayana 打起精神，準備把壞消息告訴父母。
文法句型
gather + courage/strength/energy
gather + oneself
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 5 (COMPOSE ONESELF): this sense is about mustering strength FOR an upcoming challenge, whereas sense 5 is about regaining calm AFTER a shock. 'Gather oneself' can sometimes bridge both meanings depending on context.
常見錯誤
5. to make yourself calm and in control of your emotions after being shocked, upset
鎮定；平復
受驚嚇後讓自己冷靜下來
to make yourself calm and in control of your emotions after being shocked, upset, or nervous, especially before doing something that requires a clear mind
After the shocking phone call, Mizuki sat down and gathered herself.
接到那通令人震驚的電話後，Mizuki 坐下來讓自己冷靜。
gather oneself — collect one's emotions
Gabriel took a deep breath and gathered his thoughts before answering.
Gabriel 深吸一口氣，整理好思緒後才回答。
gather one's thoughts
After the scary call, the singer paused backstage to gather herself before going on stage.
接到那通嚇人的電話後，那位歌手在後台用了一點時間讓自己平復下來，然後才上台。
Christopher gathered his wits after nearly falling off the ladder.
Christopher 差點從梯子上摔下來，後來努力穩住心神。
Élise gathered her composure and walked back into the meeting room.
Élise 恢復鎮定，走回了會議室。
- compose oneself
formal; specifically means regaining calm after being upset
- collect oneself
very similar; 'collect your thoughts' is a near-equivalent idiom
- pull oneself together
informal; can imply more effort or urgency
- panic
to lose control of your emotions completely
文法句型
gather + oneself
gather + one's + thoughts/wits/composure
用法筆記
Typically follows a shock, scare, or moment of emotional upset. The reflexive form 'gather oneself' is the most common pattern; 'gather one's thoughts' is also very frequent and can be used in less emotional contexts of simply needing to think clearly.
常見錯誤
6. for people or animals: to move from separate spots into a single place, often wi
聚集；集合
人或動物聚在一起形成一群
for people or animals: to move from separate spots into a single place, often with each other
A large crowd gathered outside the theater to see the famous actor.
一大群群眾聚集在劇院外，想一睹那位知名演員的風采。
The whole family gathered around the dinner table every Sunday.
全家人每個星期天都會圍坐在餐桌旁。
gather around + location
Thousands of fans gathered in the park for the free concert.
數千名粉絲聚集在公園裡，準備參加免費演唱會。
The sheep gathered under the tree to escape the midday heat.
羊群聚集在樹蔭下，躲避正午的炎熱。
Obi's friends gathered at the station to welcome him back home.
Obi 的朋友們聚集在車站，歡迎他回家。
- assemble
more formal; often used for official meetings or groups
- congregate
more formal; suggests a larger number of people
- meet up
informal; less formal and planned
文法句型
gather + adverb/preposition (around, in, at, outside)
用法筆記
Can be used for both people and animals. 'Gather round/around' is a common phrasal use that often implies forming a circle facing inward. When the subject is a single person moving to join others, use 'join' or 'meet' instead.
常見錯誤
7. (of clouds, smoke, darkness, or stormy weather) to become thicker, denser, or mo
變濃；聚集
指雲霧煙塵等變得濃密
(of clouds, smoke, darkness, or stormy weather) to become thicker, denser, or more concentrated — for example, storm clouds gathering before a downpour, or evening shadows deepening as the sun sets.
Dark storm clouds gathered above the hills as the family rushed the laundry inside.
烏雲在山丘上方聚集，一家人急忙把衣服收進來。
intransitive: clouds as subject, no object
The fog gathered around the harbour, making it hard for boats to see.
霧氣在港口附近變濃，船隻難以看清方向。
Thick grey smoke gathered under the ceiling of the burning kitchen.
濃濃的灰煙在著火的廚房天花板下聚集。
Smoke from the wildfire gathered in the valley, turning the sky a dark orange.
野火的煙霧在山谷中聚集，天空變成暗橘色。
- thicken
more direct physical sense; less common for feelings
- accumulate
more formal; suggests gradual build-up over time
- concentrate
suggests particles or elements moving closer together
用法筆記
Subject is typically a natural phenomenon (clouds, fog, smoke, darkness) or an abstract feeling (tension, unease). Not used for groups of people or animals — see sense 6 (COME TOGETHER).
常見錯誤
8. to understand or reach a conclusion based on indirect information, evidence, or
推斷；理解
從線索或證據中得出結論
to understand or reach a conclusion based on indirect information, evidence, or hints rather than on a direct statement — for example, gathering from someone's tone that they are upset, or from test results that a treatment is working.
From the way Élise kept checking her watch, I gathered she was anxious to leave.
從 Élise 一直看手錶的樣子，我推斷她很想離開。
gather + that-clause for inferring from observation
The doctors gathered from the results that the treatment was working as expected.
醫生從檢驗結果推斷治療正如預期般有效。
I gather the meeting was postponed — nobody showed up at the usual time.
我想會議延期了——到了平常的時間都沒有人來。
From scattered comments around the office, Renata gathered that her team disliked the new policy.
從辦公室裡零星的談話，Renata 推斷她的團隊不喜歡新政策。
Watching the children's excited faces, Madison gathered that the surprise had been a success.
看著孩子們興奮的表情，Madison 知道這個驚喜很成功。
- misunderstand
to reach the wrong conclusion from the same clues
文法句型
gather + that-clause
gather + from + noun + that-clause
用法筆記
Most common in the structure gather (from X) that... The present-tense use (I gather) signals a tentative conclusion and is common in polite conversation.
常見錯誤
9. to pull thread through fabric and then tighten it so that the cloth forms small,
打褶；抽皺
用針線將布料收攏成小褶
to pull thread through fabric and then tighten it so that the cloth forms small, soft folds or puckers, used in sewing and dressmaking to shape or decorate a garment.
Hana gathered the fabric at the waist to create a soft, flowing skirt.
Hana 在腰部打褶，做出一條柔軟飄逸的裙子。
transitive: gather + fabric + at + body part
The dressmaker gathered the sleeves at the shoulder to give the garment a fuller look.
裁縫師在袖子連接肩膀處抽皺，讓衣服看起來更寬鬆。
Femi gathered the curtain's top edge before sewing it for a more elegant look.
Femi 先把窗簾的上緣打褶再縫，讓布料垂墜得更優雅。
Lakan carefully gathered the ruffled trim along the hem of the blouse.
Lakan 小心地沿著上衣下擺抽皺花邊。
文法句型
gather + fabric/garment + prepositional phrase
用法筆記
The object is usually a piece of fabric, a garment part (sleeve, waist, hem), or a decorative trim. Common in sewing patterns and dressmaking instructions.
10. to draw something you are wearing, or a loose fabric such as a blanket or shawl,
攏緊；裹緊
將衣物或布料拉近身體
to draw something you are wearing, or a loose fabric such as a blanket or shawl, nearer to your body — for example, pulling your coat tight in a cold wind, or wrapping a blanket over your shoulders for warmth.
Sora gathered his coat around himself as the wind picked up on the hilltop.
山頂風變大了，Sora 把外套攏緊。
gather + clothing + around + self (reflexive)
The old man gathered the blanket around his shoulders and settled into his chair.
老先生把毯子裹在肩上，在椅子裡坐好。
Talia gathered the shawl around her neck to keep out the chilly evening air.
Talia 把披肩在脖子周圍裹緊，抵擋傍晚的寒風。
Christopher gathered his jacket tightly around him and hurried down the street.
Christopher 把外套緊緊裹在身上，快步走在街上。
- wrap
suggests covering completely; less specific about the pulling action
- pull close
more literal; common in everyday speech but not a single word
文法句型
gather + clothing + around + (yourself / body part)
用法筆記
Always involves pulling fabric toward oneself or another person. The preposition around is almost always used to show how the cloth wraps the body.
gather — 名詞
1. a small fold created in fabric when a thread is pulled tight, used mainly in dre
碎褶
布料上縫出的小褶
a small fold created in fabric when a thread is pulled tight, used mainly in dressmaking to shape or decorate a garment
The dressmaker sewed gathers at the waist of the wedding dress for a softer look.
那位裁縫師在婚紗的腰部縫上碎褶，讓線條更柔和。
collocation: small gathers / sew gathers
Tara pinned the gathers in place before stitching them to the skirt of the dress.
Tara 先把碎褶用珠針固定好，再縫到裙子的裙身部分。
The museum display showed how 18th-century gowns used delicate gathers at the shoulders.
博物館的展品說明十八世紀的洋裝如何在肩膀處運用細緻的碎褶。
Minho adjusted the gathers on the curtain so the fabric hung evenly across the window.
Minho 調整了窗簾布上的碎褶，讓布料能平順地垂在窗戶兩側。
A skirt with tiny gathers at the hip adds volume without feeling heavy.
裙子的臀部位置加上細碎的褶子，既能增加份量感又不會顯得太厚重。
文法句型
usually in plural: gathers
用法筆記
Frequently plural (gathers) when describing multiple folds across a seam or section of a garment. The verb sense (to gather cloth) is more common — this noun form is specific to sewing and dressmaking contexts.