generator

generator — 名詞

1. a machine that creates electricity by using fuel, moving water, or wind to turn

1.名詞B1
釋義

發電機

將機械能轉換為電能的機器

a machine that creates electricity by using fuel, moving water, or wind to turn a part inside it, so that homes and buildings can have power.

例句

The hospital keeps a diesel generator in the basement for emergency power cuts.

醫院地下室備有一台柴油發電機，以應付緊急停電。

collocation: diesel generator / backup generator

When the storm knocked out the power lines, the Okonkwo family used a small generator to keep the refrigerator running.

暴風雨吹斷電線後，Okonkwo 一家用一台小型發電機讓冰箱保持運轉。

同義詞
  • power generator

    a fuller, sometimes more formal term for the same machine

  • dynamo

    older term, usually refers to a generator that produces direct current; less common in modern everyday speech

  • alternator

    a specific type of generator found in vehicles that produces alternating current

文法句型

adjective + generator

generator + for + noun phrase

用法筆記

Frequently used with an adjective that names the power source — diesel generator, gas generator, wind generator, backup generator, portable generator.

常見錯誤

❌The generator broke down so we had no engine to pump water.
✅The generator broke down so we had no power to pump water.
💡A generator produces electricity; an engine produces mechanical motion.

2. a piece of equipment designed to produce a specific substance, gas, vapor, or el

2.名詞B2
釋義

產生器

產生特定物質、氣體或訊號的設備

a piece of equipment designed to produce a specific substance, gas, vapor, or electronic signal through a controlled process.

例句

The laboratory uses a steam generator to keep the temperature of the experiment steady.

實驗室使用一台蒸汽產生器來保持實驗溫度穩定。

collocation: steam generator

A signal generator sends out radio waves at a set frequency to test the equipment.

訊號產生器以設定的頻率發送無線電波，用來測試設備。

signal generator for testing electronics

同義詞
  • apparatus

    broader and more formal; describes any device designed for a specific function

  • producer

    a general term for something that creates an output, but less specific about the mechanical nature

文法句型

[substance/signal] + generator

用法筆記

The output substance or signal is almost always named just before 'generator' — steam generator, signal generator, oxygen generator, gas generator. Without a specifying word, a reader will default to sense 1 (electricity).

常見錯誤

❌We bought a steam generator to power our house.
✅We bought an electric generator to power our house.
💡A steam generator makes steam, not electricity. Use electric generator or simply generator for household power.

3. a business entity that produces and sells something, most often electricity, to

3.名詞B2
釋義

發電業者

生產並供應電力等產品的公司或機構

a business entity that produces and sells something, most often electricity, to homes or other companies.

例句

The regional generator supplies electricity to over two million homes across the valley.

這家區域發電業者供應電力給河谷地區超過兩百萬戶家庭。

generator as a company, not a machine

Local generators are required to meet strict emissions standards under the new environmental law.

根據新環保法規，本地發電業者必須符合嚴格的排放標準。

同義詞
  • producer

    more general term for any company that manufactures or supplies something

  • supplier

    focuses on the distribution side; a generator both produces and supplies

  • power company

    a more everyday term for an electricity generator that serves the public

文法句型

[adjective/region] + generator + verb (supplies/provides/produces)

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1: in this sense, generator refers to the business entity, not the physical machine. Context words like contract, supplier, customer, the grid, or regional signal this meaning.

常見錯誤

❌The generator we signed a contract with broke down last night.
✅The power plant run by the generator we signed a contract with broke down last night.
💡A generator as an organization is a company, not a machine. Clarify which physical asset failed.

4. a person who creates or develops something such as ideas, content, energy, or po

4.名詞C1
釋義

創作者

創造點子、內容或正向影響的人

a person who creates or develops something such as ideas, content, energy, or positive change in a group or situation.

例句

Aiko is a prolific idea generator who comes up with fresh concepts for marketing campaigns every week.

Aiko 是個點子源源不絕的創作者，每週都能為行銷活動想出全新的概念。

collocation: idea generator

The website hired several content generators to keep the blog and social media pages active.

該網站聘請了數名內容創作者，以保持部落格和社群媒體頁面的活躍度。

同義詞
  • creator

    a more general term for someone who makes something, without the mechanical metaphor of 'generator'

  • producer

    often used for someone who creates content or goods professionally

  • originator

    emphasizes being the first to start an idea or movement

文法句型

generator of [ideas/content/energy]

用法筆記

Typically followed by 'of' plus a noun that names what the person creates (generator of ideas, generator of change, generator of good feeling). The term is positive and highlights someone's productive impact rather than their formal job title.

常見錯誤

❌She is a generator who works at the power plant.
✅She operates a generator at the power plant.
💡A person who operates an electricity-producing machine is an operator or technician, not a generator in sense 4.