hedge
hedge — 名詞
1. a living fence created by planting shrubs or small trees in a continuous line, c
樹籬
由灌木或小樹組成的邊界
a living fence created by planting shrubs or small trees in a continuous line, commonly used to mark the boundary of a yard, farmland, or other outdoor area
The gardener trimmed the tall hedge that separated the two gardens.
園丁修剪了隔開兩座花園的高大樹籬。
collocation: trim a hedge
Birds often build their nests inside thick hedges during spring.
春天時，鳥兒經常在茂密的樹籬內築巢。
collocation: thick hedge
A low hedge of lavender lined the front path of the cottage.
一條薰衣草組成的低矮樹籬沿著小屋前的小徑排列。
The old stone wall was replaced by a hedge of hawthorn and blackthorn.
那道舊石牆被山楂和黑刺李組成的樹籬取代了。
Rabbits can hide easily in the hedge along the farmer's field.
兔子可以輕易躲進農田邊的樹籬裡。
- hedgerow
a line of wild shrubs and trees, usually in the countryside; more natural and less maintained than a hedge
- shrub border
a garden planting of bushes used as decoration rather than a boundary
常見錯誤
2. something that you do or arrange to protect yourself against possible loss or da
避險工具
保護免受財務損失的措施
something that you do or arrange to protect yourself against possible loss or damage, especially financial loss from changes in prices, interest rates, or exchange rates
Buying gold can be a good hedge against inflation during uncertain times.
在動盪時期，購買黃金可以是對抗通膨的良好避險工具。
hedge against [risk]
The investor used currency futures as a hedge against the falling dollar.
那位投資者利用貨幣期貨作為對抗美元貶值的避險工具。
hedge against [financial risk]
After losing money in tech stocks, Mei-Lin used bond ETFs as a hedge against further losses.
在科技股虧損之後，Mei-Lin 利用債券 ETF 作為避免進一步損失的避險工具。
Farmers often buy crop insurance as a hedge against a poor harvest.
農夫經常購買作物保險，作為歉收時的避險措施。
The company set aside emergency funds as a hedge against unexpected costs.
該公司預留應急資金，作為應對意外成本的避險準備。
- risk
a hedge reduces risk; risk is what the hedge protects against
用法筆記
Often followed by 'against' to specify the risk or loss being protected from. Common in financial and business contexts.
常見錯誤
3. language used deliberately to avoid stating something directly or honestly, so t
閃爍之詞
故意含糊其辭的說法
language used deliberately to avoid stating something directly or honestly, so that what you say sounds less definite than your true opinion
The politician's speech was full of hedges like 'possibly' and 'it depends on the circumstances.'
那位政治人物的演說充滿了「可能」和「要看情況而定」這類閃爍之詞。
noun: hedges = evasive words or phrases
When asked about the budget cut, the manager offered only hedges and vague promises.
被問到預算削減的問題時，經理只說了些閃爍之詞和模糊的承諾。
Skilled negotiators use verbal hedges to keep their options open during talks.
熟練的談判者會在協商過程中運用閃爍之詞，以保留自己的選擇空間。
The lawyer spotted every hedge in the witness's testimony and pressed for clearer answers.
律師察覺到證人證詞中的每一處閃爍之詞，並要求對方給出更明確的答案。
- equivocation
more formal than hedge; implies deliberate misleading through ambiguity rather than just cautious wording
- evasion
a broader term for any act of avoiding a direct answer; hedge specifically refers to the linguistic tool used
- straight talk
direct and honest communication without attempted avoidance
用法筆記
Usually appears in formal or professional contexts such as politics, law, or business negotiations. Often plural (hedges) when referring to the specific words or phrases used.
hedge — 動詞
1. to tightly restrict someone's freedom to move or act by putting limits, rules, o
限制；束縛
用規則或障礙限制自由
to tightly restrict someone's freedom to move or act by putting limits, rules, or obstacles around them
Hiro felt hedged in by all the rules his new landlord had imposed.
Hiro 覺得自己被新房東施加的種種規定束縛住了。
passive: be hedged in by [restrictions]
The school's curriculum was hedged about with strict government regulations.
學校的課程受到嚴格的法規限制。
passive: be hedged about with [limits]
A series of legal constraints hedged the small business in at every turn.
一連串的法律限制讓這家小企業處處受阻。
The research team felt their creativity was hedged by tight deadlines and budget limits.
研究團隊覺得他們的創造力被緊迫的截止期限和預算限制束縛了。
Élise refused to let fear hedge her choices when she started her own business.
Élise 在創業時拒絕讓恐懼限制她的選擇。
- free
to release from restrictions
文法句型
be hedged in by [restrictions]
be hedged about with [rules]
用法筆記
Frequently used in the passive voice ('be hedged in by' or 'be hedged about/around with'). The active form usually takes an abstract subject (rules, regulations, fear) rather than a person.
常見錯誤
2. to avoid making a definite statement or decision, often by using unclear languag
迴避；閃避
避免給出明確答案或承諾
to avoid making a definite statement or decision, often by using unclear language or changing the subject when pressed for an answer
When the reporter asked about the scandal, the minister hedged and changed the topic.
記者問及那件醜聞時，部長迴避問題並轉移了話題。
hedge = avoid answering directly
Jude hedged at every question about his plans for the company's future.
Jude 對每個關於公司未來規劃的問題都閃爍其詞。
hedge at [question]
Stop hedging and tell us whether you support the new policy or not.
別再閃躲了，告訴我們你到底支持不支持這項新政策。
Manuela hedged when her boss asked whether she would accept the overseas posting.
Manuela 在老闆問她是否接受海外派駐時迴避了問題。
The candidate hedged so often that voters could not tell where he stood.
那位候選人頻頻迴避問題，選民無法判斷他的立場。
- dodge
more informal and implies a quick, clever avoidance; hedge suggests cautious, reluctant delaying
- equivocate
more formal than hedge; means to use deliberately ambiguous language
- prevaricate
formal; implies lying or stretching the truth to avoid commitment
- commit
to give a clear, definite answer or position
文法句型
hedge at [question/issue]
用法筆記
Often followed by 'at' when referring to a specific question or issue: 'hedge at the question'. Can also be used intransitively without a preposition: 'Stop hedging!'
常見錯誤
3. to take action to reduce the risk of losing money by making investments or arran
避險；對沖
採取行動降低財務風險
to take action to reduce the risk of losing money by making investments or arrangements that protect against price, interest rate, or currency changes
The grain trader hedged his position by selling futures contracts early.
那位穀物交易商透過提前出售期貨合約來對沖自己的持倉。
hedge + [financial position] + by [action]
Many companies hedge their currency exposure when trading with foreign partners.
許多公司在與外國合作夥伴交易時，都會對沖其匯率風險。
hedge + [currency/financial] exposure
Reuben hedged his bets by investing in both technology stocks and government bonds.
Reuben 同時投資科技股和政府債券，為自己分散風險。
The airline company hedged against rising fuel costs by locking in current prices.
那家航空公司鎖定當前價格，以對沖燃油成本上漲的風險。
Small investors can hedge their savings by holding a mix of assets across different markets.
小額投資者可以透過持有不同市場的多種資產來為儲蓄避險。
- insure
implies paying a premium for protection; hedge involves counterbalancing actions rather than buying insurance
- offset
means to balance one risk against another, without the protective connotation of hedge
- diversify
a broader strategy of spreading investments; hedging is one specific way to diversify
- gamble
to take a risk for possible gain, the opposite of protecting against loss
文法句型
hedge [investment] against [risk]
用法筆記
Common in finance and business contexts. The object is usually the investment or asset at risk, and 'against' introduces the specific risk being protected from. The idiom 'hedge your bets' extends this idea to any situation where keeping multiple options reduces risk.
常見錯誤
4. to physically enclose an area with a hedge of planted bushes or small trees — an
用樹籬圍住
以灌木或小樹圍成邊界
to physically enclose an area with a hedge of planted bushes or small trees — an action (creating a boundary), as opposed to the hedge itself (noun sense 1)
The vegetable patch was hedged with rosemary and thyme to keep animals out.
那塊菜圃周圍種滿了迷迭香和百里香，以防動物闖入。
passive: be hedged with [plants]
The original owners hedged the entire property with tall laurel bushes.
原屋主用高大的月桂樹叢將整塊地圍了起來。
active: hedge [area] with [plant]
Christopher hedged off a corner of the garden to create a quiet reading spot.
Christopher 用樹籬隔出花園的一角，打造了一個安靜的閱讀區。
The lane was hedged on both sides by blackberry bushes that formed a green tunnel.
那條小徑兩側種滿了黑莓叢，形成一條綠色的隧道。
- open
to remove barriers or create an open space
文法句型
be hedged with [plants]
hedge [area] off
用法筆記
This sense refers to the physical action of planting a hedge as a boundary. The phrasal form 'hedge off' means to separate or partition an area using a hedge.
hedge — 形容詞
1. related to making or taking care of garden hedges, including the tools used for
樹籬的
修剪或種植樹籬用的
related to making or taking care of garden hedges, including the tools used for cutting, trimming, or planting them
The garden centre has a special section for hedge plants like boxwood and privet.
這家園藝中心有一個專門的區域，販售黃楊和女貞等樹籬植物。
collocation: hedge plants
Hedge trimmers are dangerous tools that should be handled with care.
樹籬修剪機是危險工具，使用時必須小心。
collocation: hedge trimmer
The landscaper recommended a hedge species that would grow well in partial shade.
園藝設計師推薦了一種能在半蔭處良好生長的樹籬樹種。
Shirin bought a new pair of hedge shears to replace the rusty old ones.
Shirin 買了一把新的樹籬剪刀，來取代生鏽的舊剪刀。
用法筆記
This adjective is almost always used before a noun. Common in gardening and landscaping contexts. The most frequent compounds are 'hedge plant', 'hedge trimmer', and 'hedge species'.
2. designating wild plants or small animals that grow or live in hedges at the side
路邊的
生長在路邊樹籬旁的
designating wild plants or small animals that grow or live in hedges at the side of roads or fields, rather than tools or products for hedge care
Hedge garlic is a common wild plant that grows along country lanes in spring.
蒜芥是一種常見的野生植物，春天時沿著鄉間小路生長。
compound: hedge garlic
The children collected hedge berries to make jam, as their grandmother had taught them.
孩子們採集了路邊的樹籬莓果，照著祖母教的方法做成果醬。
Hedge parsley can be found along footpaths and field edges throughout the summer.
整個夏天，在步道旁和田野邊緣都可以找到荷蘭芹。
Hedge woundwort is a wildflower that thrives in the shady edges of country lanes.
水蘇是一種野生花卉，喜歡生長在鄉間小路陰涼的邊緣。
- hedgerow
used as a modifier in similar compounds (e.g. 'hedgerow plants'), but describes the whole row rather than plants growing alongside
用法筆記
Primarily used in British English in compound names of wild plants and occasionally small animals found in hedgerows. Rare in American English.
3. of lower than average quality or value; not as good as the usual standard
低劣的
品質低於一般標準的
of lower than average quality or value; not as good as the usual standard
The pub served a hedge wine that tasted more like vinegar than actual wine.
那家酒吧賣的廉價酒喝起來更像醋，不像真正的葡萄酒。
compound: hedge wine = low-quality wine
The travellers had to make do with hedge accommodation that was damp and poorly heated.
那些旅人只能將就住在簡陋潮濕且暖氣不足的住宿環境中。
compound: hedge accommodation
A hedge priest travelled from village to village, holding Mass in secret barns and farmhouses.
一位巡迴各地的簡陋教士在祕密的穀倉和農舍裡舉行彌撒。
In the nineteenth century, hedge schools in Ireland offered basic lessons to poor children.
十九世紀時，愛爾蘭的簡陋學校為貧困兒童提供基礎教育。
- superior
of higher quality
用法筆記
This sense is now rare and mostly found in older British texts or used humorously. It appears in set compounds like 'hedge wine' (poor-quality wine) or 'hedge school' (a makeshift school in rural Ireland, historically).