gentleman
gentleman — 名詞
1. a polite word used when speaking to or about a man, especially in formal setting
先生
對男性的禮貌稱呼
a polite word used when speaking to or about a man, especially in formal settings or with someone whose name you have not been told
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome our guest speaker for tonight.
各位先生女士，讓我們歡迎今晚的演講嘉賓。
formulaic opening 'Ladies and gentlemen'
A gentleman at the door is asking to speak with the manager.
門口有一位先生想和經理說話。
polite reference to an unknown man
The notice on the wall read: 'Gentlemen must wear a jacket and tie.'
牆上的告示寫著：「男士必須穿著西裝外套和領帶。」
Good evening, gentlemen — your table by the window is ready now.
晚安，先生們——你們靠窗的位子已經準備好了。
There is a gentleman on the phone who wishes to discuss the contract details.
有位先生在電話上，想討論合約的細節。
用法筆記
This is the only sense used as a direct form of address. Compare with sense 2 (WELL-MANNERED), where 'gentleman' describes a person's character rather than serving as a polite label.
常見錯誤
2. a man who demonstrates kindness, courtesy, and consideration toward others, espe
紳士
有禮貌、尊重他人的男士
a man who demonstrates kindness, courtesy, and consideration toward others, especially in social settings
Cyrus held the door open for the woman behind him — a true gentleman.
Cyrus 為身後的女士扶住門——他真是個紳士。
used as a compliment after polite actions
Antonia's father is a kind gentleman who always listens carefully to others.
Antonia 的父親是一位和善的紳士，總是很認真傾聽別人說話。
After the meeting, Lin drove his colleague home in the rain — such a gentleman.
會議結束後，Lin 開車送同事回家——真是個紳士。
The young man acted like a gentleman by offering his seat to the elderly woman.
那位年輕男子像個紳士一樣，把自己的座位讓給了老太太。
Sirin said her brother is a gentleman because he always helps with the dishes.
Sirin 說她哥哥是個紳士，因為他總是幫忙洗碗。
- gent
informal British shortening, sometimes humorous or ironic
- man of honour
emphasises moral integrity alongside good manners; more formal
- boor
a rude or insensitive man
用法筆記
Frequently used with 'a' or 'true' as a compliment after someone performs a courteous action. Unlike sense 3 (HIGH SOCIAL CLASS), this sense has no connection to birth or wealth — it is purely about behavior.
常見錯誤
3. a person of the male sex whose family has a high position in society; in histori
貴族
出身高社會階級的男人
a person of the male sex whose family has a high position in society; in historical contexts, someone who owned enough land to avoid earning wages through manual jobs
In Victorian times, a gentleman did not need to work for a living.
在維多利亞時代，貴族不需要為生計而工作。
historical class context
The old manor house belonged to a gentleman from a wealthy landowning family.
那座古老的莊園別墅屬於一個擁有大量土地的有錢家族。
Chidi's great-grandfather was a gentleman who owned large farms in the countryside.
Chidi 的曾祖父是一位在鄉間擁有大型農場的貴族。
In some novels, a gentleman is expected to ride a horse and fence.
在某些小說裡，貴族應該要會騎馬和擊劍。
The estate was passed down through generations of gentlemen in the same family.
這座莊園在同一個家族中一代代地傳給了後代。
- aristocrat
more specific — a member of the nobility, whereas 'gentleman' can include the broader gentry
- nobleman
emphasises noble birth and title
- member of the gentry
formal phrase that matches the historical meaning closely
- commoner
a person without noble or gentry status
用法筆記
This sense is increasingly historical or literary in modern English. Today, it is mainly used when discussing past social structures. Distinguish from sense 2 (WELL-MANNERED), which describes behavior rather than birth — a man from a working-class background can be called a gentleman in sense 2 but not in this sense.
常見錯誤
4. a man employed by a wealthy or noble person to serve as a personal assistant, he
隨從
受雇於貴族的私人僕人
a man employed by a wealthy or noble person to serve as a personal assistant, helping with tasks like dressing and grooming
The duke's gentleman prepared his bath and chose his evening clothes.
公爵的隨從為他準備了洗澡水，並挑選了晚宴服裝。
occupational role: personal attendant
Femi served as a gentleman to a wealthy merchant in eighteenth-century London.
Femi 在十八世紀的倫敦擔任一位富商的貼身隨從。
Each morning, the gentleman laid out fresh clothing and polished his master's shoes.
每天早上，隨從都會準備好乾淨的衣服，並把主人的皮鞋擦亮。
In the play, the gentleman brings his master breakfast and reads the morning news.
在戲劇中，隨從會為主人送上早餐並朗讀晨間新聞。
A gentleman in the royal household would care for the king's wardrobe and appearance.
皇室裡的隨從負責照顧國王的衣物和儀容。
- valet
the standard modern term for a male personal attendant
- manservant
more general term for a male domestic employee
- butler
the chief male servant in a household, more senior than a valet
用法筆記
This sense is now archaic or historical in most contexts. The more common modern term for this role is 'valet' or 'personal attendant'. The term 'gentleman's gentleman' was a traditional phrase for such a servant.