genetic
genetic — 形容詞
1. relating to the instructions inside every living cell that are passed from paren
基因的
與遺傳特徵相關的
relating to the instructions inside every living cell that are passed from parents to children and control features such as eye colour, height, and the risk of certain illnesses
Ritu has her mother's green eyes because of a genetic trait in the family.
Ritu 有她母親的綠色眼睛，這是因為家族中的基因特徵。
collocation: genetic trait
Doctors told Adaeze that her rare heart condition has a clear genetic cause.
醫生告訴 Adaeze，她罕見的心臟疾病有明確的基因成因。
collocation: genetic cause
The research team found a genetic link to the inherited illness in the village.
研究團隊發現這個村莊的遺傳疾病有基因上的關聯。
Cyrus wondered whether his early hair loss was genetic or caused by stress.
Cyrus 想知道他的早期落髮是基因造成的，還是壓力所引起。
A simple test can tell parents if their baby has the genetic disorder.
一項簡單的檢測就能告訴父母，寶寶是否有基因疾病。
- hereditary
More specific — focuses on passing through family lines rather than the cellular mechanism.
- inherited
Emphasises the family-transmission aspect; used for traits, wealth, or conditions received from ancestors.
- innate
Broader — can describe inborn qualities not necessarily tied to specific genes (e.g. 'an innate sense of rhythm').
- acquired
Describes conditions or traits developed during life rather than inherited at birth.
- environmental
Caused by surroundings or lifestyle rather than by genes.
文法句型
genetic + noun (trait, disorder, test, makeup)
用法筆記
This is the most common use of 'genetic', appearing frequently in medical and everyday contexts. It typically modifies nouns such as 'trait', 'disorder', 'test', 'makeup', and 'cause'. Unlike sense 2, this sense focuses on the biological material passed between generations rather than the scientific field that studies it.
常見錯誤
2. connected with the branch of biology that studies how the characteristics of liv
遺傳學的
與遺傳學科或應用相關的
connected with the branch of biology that studies how the characteristics of living things are passed from one generation to the next through their DNA
Ada decided to study genetic engineering at university after winning the science fair.
Ada 在科展獲獎後，決定在大學攻讀基因工程。
collocation: genetic engineering
Genetic research has helped scientists understand how the immune system fights disease.
基因研究幫助科學家了解免疫系統如何對抗疾病。
collocation: genetic research
The university opened a new diagnostic lab to support its genetic medicine programme.
那所大學開設了一間新診斷實驗室，以支援其基因醫學計畫。
Pim read about the latest advances in genetic testing in a science magazine.
Pim 在一本科學雜誌上讀到基因檢測的最新進展。
- genomics-related
More specific — refers to the study of genomes (the complete set of genes). More technical and less common.
- hereditary (in academic use)
In scientific contexts, 'hereditary' overlaps with 'genetic' but is narrower, focusing on transmission patterns rather than molecular mechanisms.
文法句型
genetic + noun (research, engineering, testing, medicine)
用法筆記
Use this sense when the topic is the scientific discipline or its practical applications (laboratory work, research studies, academic departments). Distinguish from sense 1: 'a genetic mutation' (sense 1 — the mutation itself) vs 'genetic analysis' (sense 2 — the method of study).
常見錯誤
3. used at the end of a word to mean 'producing' or 'causing' something — for examp
產生…的
字尾-genic表「產生或引起」
used at the end of a word to mean 'producing' or 'causing' something — for example, a substance that causes cancer is described as 'carcinogenic', and something that causes an allergic reaction is 'allergenic'
The old factory released carcinogenic chemicals into the river near the village.
那間老舊工廠將致癌化學物質排放到村莊附近的河裡。
-genic meaning 'causing': carcinogenic = cancer-causing
Scientists are studying a new allergenic substance found in some household products.
科學家正在研究在某些家用產品中發現的一種新型致敏物質。
Children's toys must be checked to ensure they do not contain carcinogenic materials.
兒童玩具必須經過檢查，確保不含致癌材料。
Eitan's lab is researching whether the new virus strain is more pathogenic than older ones.
Eitan 的實驗室正在研究這種新型病毒株是否比舊的菌株更具致病性。
文法句型
[noun] + genic = producing [noun]
用法筆記
This is a combining form (also written as '-genic'), not a standalone word. It attaches to noun stems to form adjectives. Common derivatives include 'carcinogenic', 'allergenic', and 'pathogenic'. In scientific writing, many specialised forms exist such as 'mutagenic' and 'teratogenic'.
4. used at the end of a word to mean 'produced by' or 'originating from' something
源於…的
字尾-genic表「由…所產生」
used at the end of a word to mean 'produced by' or 'originating from' something — for example, someone who looks good in photographs is 'photogenic', and an illness caused by medical treatment is 'iatrogenic'
Noor is very photogenic and always looks great in family holiday pictures.
Noor 非常上相，在家庭度假照片中總是很上鏡。
-genic meaning 'produced by': photogenic = produced by (good in) light
The infection was iatrogenic, meaning it was caused by the hospital treatment itself.
這次感染是醫源性的，也就是說是由醫院治療本身所引起的。
The soil sample contained biogenic compounds produced by ancient microorganisms.
該土壤樣本含有由遠古微生物產生的生物源化合物。
Sirin hired a photographer because she needed photogenic images for her new clothing line.
Sirin 聘請了一位攝影師，因為她的新服裝系列需要上鏡的照片。
文法句型
[noun] + genic = originating from [noun]
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 3 of this entry: '-genic' meaning 'producing' (carcinogenic) versus '-genic' meaning 'produced by' (photogenic). The direction of causation depends on context: the first part of the word names either what is produced or what does the producing.