gear
gear — 名詞
1. A round wheel or disc with teeth around its edge that fits together with another
齒輪
控制機器速度或力量的帶齒輪盤
A round wheel or disc with teeth around its edge that fits together with another such wheel inside a machine. Together, sets of gears control how fast the moving parts turn and how much force is available.
A broken gear in the washing machine drum stopped it from spinning.
洗衣機滾筒裡的一個齒輪壞了，導致它無法旋轉。
The bicycle's chain moves from one gear to another when Amihan changes the pedal speed.
當 Amihan 改變踩踏板的速度時，腳踏車的鏈條便會從一個齒輪移動到另一個。
collocation: change gears
Each gear inside the grandfather clock has a carefully measured number of teeth.
老爺鐘內部的每個齒輪都有經過精密計算的齒數。
The car's gear system transfers engine power to the wheels through metal discs.
汽車的齒輪系統透過一系列金屬圓盤將動力從引擎傳送到車輪。
用法筆記
A single toothed disc is a gear; the whole system of connected gears is called gearing or the gear train.
常見錯誤
2. The set of tools, clothing, and other items that you need for a particular sport
裝備
從事某項活動所需的工具和衣物
The set of tools, clothing, and other items that you need for a particular sport, hobby, job, or activity.
Adaeze packed all her camping gear, including the tent and sleeping bag.
Adaeze 帶齊了露營裝備，包括帳棚和睡袋。
collocation: camping gear / sports gear
Firefighters must check their safety gear before entering a burning building.
消防員進入燃燒中的建築物之前，必須檢查他們的安全裝備。
collocation: safety gear
The kitchen gear in the new restaurant includes industrial ovens and stainless steel counters.
新餐廳的廚房設備包括工業烤箱和不鏽鋼檯面。
Hao bought new fishing gear at the shop near the lake.
Hao 在湖邊的商店買了新的釣魚裝備。
All the climbing gear — ropes, harnesses, and carabiners — was tested before the trip.
所有攀登裝備——繩索、安全吊帶和鉤環——都在出發前測試過了。
用法筆記
Used without a or an. Often appears with a preceding noun describing the activity (camping gear, sports gear, fishing gear).
常見錯誤
3. Casual word for clothes, especially when they are part of a particular style or
服裝
非正式用語，指特定風格的衣物
Casual word for clothes, especially when they are part of a particular style or look.
The punk band wore black leather gear covered in zips and chains.
那個龐克樂團穿著以拉鍊和鍊條裝飾的黑色皮革服裝。
informal register
Élise found some cool vintage gear at the second-hand market.
Élise 在二手市集找到了一些很酷的復古服裝。
Christopher changed out of his work suit into casual gear for the evening.
Christopher 把工作西裝換下來，穿上休閒服裝準備迎接夜晚。
The dancers all wore matching gold gear for the carnival parade.
舞者們都穿著一套金色的服裝參加嘉年華遊行。
用法筆記
This sense is mainly British informal. In American English, outfit or clothes is preferred.
4. A slang term for illegal substances that people take for their mind-altering eff
毒品
（英國俚語）非法藥物
A slang term for illegal substances that people take for their mind-altering effects.
The courts are trying to stop the trade of gear on the streets of London.
法院正試圖遏止倫敦街頭的毒品交易。
slang: gear = illegal drugs
The documentary showed how young people are tempted to buy gear from dealers.
這部紀錄片展示了年輕人如何被引誘向藥頭購買毒品。
Ziad's brother ended up in hospital after taking bad gear at the music festival.
Ziad 的哥哥在音樂節吸食了劣質毒品，最後進了醫院。
Police found a large quantity of gear hidden in the back of the van.
警方在廂型車後座發現了大量的毒品。
用法筆記
Uncountable. This is British criminal slang; learners should recognise it but be cautious about using it.
5. The personal things someone keeps or carries with them.
財物
個人擁有的物品
The personal things someone keeps or carries with them.
Caleb packed all his gear into two suitcases before moving to Taipei.
Caleb 把所有家當裝進兩個行李箱，然後搬到臺北。
When the boat sank, the sailors lost all their personal gear.
船沉沒時，船員們失去了他們所有的個人財物。
collocation: personal gear
The museum stores the historical documents with the rest of the archival gear.
博物館將歷史文件與其他典藏物品存放在一起。
Soldiers are told to keep their gear clean and properly organised at all times.
士兵們被告知要隨時保持個人財物的清潔與整齊。
- belongings
more common in everyday English, especially for personal items one carries
- possessions
more formal and broader, includes valuable items and property
6. A level of speed, effort, or activity, used in phrases that compare how fast or
檔次；步調
活動的強度或速度層級
A level of speed, effort, or activity, used in phrases that compare how fast or how hard someone is working.
After a slow morning, the team finally got into gear and finished the project.
度過緩慢的一個上午後，團隊終於進入狀態，完成了專案。
idiom: get into gear = start working efficiently
When the deadline approaches, Paloma shifts gear and works twice as fast.
截止日期逼近時，Paloma 會換檔加速，以兩倍的速度工作。
idiom: shift gear = change speed or approach
The economy moved into a higher gear after the new trade deal was signed.
新的貿易協議簽署後，經濟進入了更高檔次的成長階段。
Astrid's studies went into top gear during exam week.
考試週期間，Astrid 的課業進入了最高檔次。
The election campaign slipped out of gear after the candidate got sick.
候選人生病後，選舉活動的步調亂了套。
用法筆記
Almost always appears in metaphorical fixed phrases: get into gear, shift gear, move into top/higher gear, slip out of gear.
常見錯誤
gear — 動詞
1. To put a set of toothed wheels into a machine so that it can transmit power from
裝齒輪
為機器安裝齒輪裝置
To put a set of toothed wheels into a machine so that it can transmit power from one moving part to another.
The factory robot arm is geared with a precision set of steel wheels.
工廠機械手臂裝配了一套精密的鋼製齒輪。
passive: be geared with [mechanism]
The engineers geared the new conveyor belt system to run at half the previous speed.
工程師為新的輸送帶系統裝上齒輪，使其以先前一半的速度運轉。
Each motor is geared so that it turns the axle at exactly the right rate.
每個馬達都安裝了齒輪，以便能以精確的速率轉動軸心。
Mark geared the hand drill by attaching a set of cogs to the handle.
Mark 在鑽孔機手柄上加裝了一組齒輪。
- fit with gears
a phrasal explanation rather than a single-word synonym; more transparent to learners
文法句型
be geared (with something)
用法筆記
Usually found in the passive form (be geared). The active form (to gear a machine) is very technical.
2. To link two or more mechanical parts together using toothed wheels so that the m
連接齒輪
用齒輪將機械部件相連
To link two or more mechanical parts together using toothed wheels so that the movement of one causes the other to move.
The pedals are geared to the back wheel through a chain and sprocket system.
踏板透過鏈條和鏈輪系統與後輪連接。
passive: be geared to [part]
In this device, the motor is geared directly to the pump shaft.
在這個裝置中，馬達直接以齒輪連接泵浦軸。
The steering wheel is geared to the front wheels by a rack-and-pinion mechanism.
方向盤透過齒輪齒條機構與前輪連接。
The clock's hour hand is geared to the minute hand so that both move together.
時鐘的時針以齒輪連接到分針，因此兩者會一起轉動。
- connect
more general, not specific to gear mechanisms
文法句型
be geared to + noun
用法筆記
Frequently passive. The pattern 'A is geared to B' means A's movement is mechanically linked to B's movement.
3. To get yourself, someone else, or an organisation ready and equipped for a parti
準備
為特定活動做好準備
To get yourself, someone else, or an organisation ready and equipped for a particular activity or event.
The school is gearing up for the annual sports day next month.
學校正為下個月的年度運動會做準備。
phrasal verb: gear up for
Ilan geared up with warm clothes and boots before heading into the snow.
Ilan 穿上保暖衣物和靴子，準備進入雪地。
phrasal verb: gear up (dress appropriately)
The company is gearing its team up to launch the new product in spring.
公司正在讓團隊做好準備，以便在春天推出新產品。
Local businesses are gearing up for the tourist season with extra staff.
當地商家正增聘人手，為旅遊旺季做好準備。
- wind down
to gradually do less activity
文法句型
gear up
gear + object + up
gear up for + noun
gear up to + infinitive
用法筆記
Almost always used with the particle 'up' (gear up). The object can go before or after 'up': 'gear the team up' or 'gear up the team'.
常見錯誤
4. When two toothed wheels fit into each other so that the movement of one turns th
嚙合
齒輪互相卡合轉動
When two toothed wheels fit into each other so that the movement of one turns the other.
The two cogs gear with each other at a ninety-degree angle.
兩個齒輪以九十度角互相嚙合。
grammar: gear with
The teeth of the smaller wheel gear smoothly into the larger one.
小齒輪的齒順利地嚙合進較大的齒輪。
If the wheels do not gear properly, the machine will make a grinding noise.
如果齒輪沒有正確嚙合，機器會發出刺耳的聲音。
The clutch must be fully engaged before the gears will gear together.
離合器必須完全接合，齒輪才能互相嚙合。
- disengage
to separate gears so they no longer connect
文法句型
gear with + noun
gear together
用法筆記
Intransitive — the subject is a set of gears, and they gear with or into each other. The synonymous verb mesh is more common in everyday technical talk.
5. To design, organise, or adjust something so that it fits a particular group of p
針對；調整
為特定對象或目的設計安排
To design, organise, or adjust something so that it fits a particular group of people, a specific need, or a desired result.
The new textbook is geared toward intermediate learners of English.
這本新教科書是針對英文中級學習者設計的。
passive: be geared toward [audience]
Diya's fitness programme is geared to help beginners build strength safely.
Diya 的健身計畫是為了幫助初學者安全地增強體力。
passive: be geared to + infinitive
The restaurant geared its menu for families with young children.
這家餐廳調整了菜單以適合有幼兒的家庭。
Holiday courses are geared toward students who want to improve their exam scores.
假期課程是針對想要提升考試成績的學生所設計的。
The housing policy is geared to attract young professionals to the city centre.
這項住房政策是為了吸引年輕專業人士到市中心。
文法句型
be geared to + noun
be geared toward + noun
be geared for + noun
be geared to + infinitive
用法筆記
Most common in the passive voice (be geared). Active uses are rarer. Choose the preposition according to the complement: 'geared to' + infinitive or noun, 'geared toward' + noun, 'geared for' + noun.
常見錯誤
6. To become naturally suited or adjusted to something else, so that the two things
配合
自然地適應或協調
To become naturally suited or adjusted to something else, so that the two things match or work well together.
The new employee's style of work did not gear with the team's fast pace.
新員工的工作風格與團隊的快節奏不太配合。
grammar: gear with
The company's goals must gear with the needs of the local community.
公司的目標必須與當地社區的需求相配合。
Her teaching methods gear well with the school's focus on hands-on learning.
她的教學方法與學校注重動手學習的方向配合得很好。
The old rules no longer gear with the way the industry operates today.
舊規則已不再與當今業界的運作方式相配合。
- clash
to be in conflict or not match
文法句型
gear with + noun
用法筆記
Intransitive — the subject adjusts or fits naturally. Do not confuse with the transitive sense (sense 5) where someone actively designs something for a purpose. Distinguish from sense 5: here no agent is adjusting; the things naturally match or fail to match.
7. To move the gear stick of a vehicle in order to change the relationship between
換檔
操作排檔桿改變車輛速度檔位
To move the gear stick of a vehicle in order to change the relationship between the engine speed and the wheel speed.
Christopher geared down as he approached the sharp bend in the road.
Christopher 在接近道路的急彎時換到低速檔。
grammar: gear down = go to a lower speed range
You need to gear up before overtaking another car on the motorway.
在高速公路上超車前，你需要換到高速檔。
grammar: gear up = go to a higher speed range
The driving instructor told Hao to gear into second at the corner.
駕駛教練告訴 Hao 在轉彎處換到二檔。
Ilan geared down smoothly as the traffic lights turned red.
交通號誌轉為紅燈時，Ilan 平順地換到低速檔。
Adaeze learned to gear up early when driving up a steep hill.
Adaeze 學會在上陡坡時提早換到高速檔。
- shift
American English: 'shift into second gear'
文法句型
gear up
gear down
gear into + noun
用法筆記
Commonly used with particles: gear up (to a higher, faster gear), gear down (to a lower, slower gear), gear into (first/second/third). 'Shift gears' is far more common in American English; 'change gear' or 'gear up/down' is more British.