inclinations

IPA/ˌɪn.klɪˈneɪ.ʃən/
KK[ˌɪnklənˈeʃənz]IPA/ˌɪn.kləˈneɪ.ʃən/

inclinations — 名詞

  • inclinationssingular
  • inclinationsesplural

1. A natural feeling that makes you want to behave, think, or choose in a particula

1.名詞B2
釋義

傾向；偏好

想做某事的自然傾向或偏好

A natural feeling that makes you want to behave, think, or choose in a particular way; a preference or tendency that may be temporary or part of your character.

例句

Despite her strong artistic inclinations, Mei decided to study computer science at a technical university.

儘管 Mei 有強烈的藝術傾向，她還是決定到科技大學攻讀電腦科學。

strong + artistic inclinations + despite-clause conflict

The rescue dog showed an inclination to hide whenever a stranger entered the room.

那隻救援犬一有陌生人進門，就表現出想躲起來的傾向。

inclination to + infinitive describing habitual behaviour

同義詞
  • tendency

    The most direct synonym; slightly broader and used in both casual and technical contexts.

  • propensity

    Stronger and more formal; suggests a deep-rooted, almost involuntary tendency.

  • leaning

    Often used for political, ideological, or aesthetic preferences; milder than inclination.

  • preference

    Focuses on conscious choice between options rather than an inner drive.

反義詞
  • disinclination

    A reluctance or unwillingness to do something; the opposite of having an inclination.

  • aversion

    A strong feeling of dislike or opposition, stronger than mere disinclination.

用法筆記

Often followed by a to-infinitive (inclination to do something) or a prepositional phrase with 'toward/towards' or 'for'. Can describe both a temporary wish and a long-term character trait. The plural form 'inclinations' is common when referring to general tendencies.

常見錯誤

❌She has an inclination about modern art.
✅She has an inclination toward modern art.
💡Use 'toward' or 'for', not 'about'.
❌I have no inclination of going there.
✅I have no inclination to go there.
💡After 'inclination', use a to-infinitive, not an of + gerund structure.

2. A slight lowering of the head or bending of the upper body, used as a polite ges

2.名詞C1
釋義

點頭；鞠躬

頭或身體的輕微向下動作以表敬意

A slight lowering of the head or bending of the upper body, used as a polite gesture of greeting, acknowledgment, respect, or agreement.

例句

The priest acknowledged the visitor's generous donation with a slight inclination of his head.

那位神父微微點了點頭，以示對訪客慷慨捐贈的感謝。

slight inclination of the head as polite acknowledgment

Villagers greeted the monk with a gentle inclination rather than a full bow from the waist.

村民們以輕微欠身而非深鞠躬的方式，向那位僧侶打招呼。

gentle inclination contrasting with full bow

同義詞
  • nod

    Less formal and more common; a quick, small downward movement of the head only.

  • bow

    A deeper bending of the body from the waist, more elaborate than an inclination.

用法筆記

This sense is more formal than 'nod' or 'bow'. It typically appears in descriptions of formal or ceremonial settings. The phrase 'inclination of the head' is the most common construction. Almost always used in the singular.

3. The degree of deviation, measured in degrees, of a surface, line, or plane from

3.名詞C1
釋義

傾斜角

物體表面偏離水平或垂直的角度

The degree of deviation, measured in degrees, of a surface, line, or plane from a flat horizontal or vertical reference point; the slope or tilt of something.

例句

The barn roof has an inclination of thirty-five degrees so that rainwater runs off without causing leaks.

穀倉屋頂有三十五度的傾斜角，讓雨水流下而不會造成漏水。

inclination of + measurement in degrees, practical context

The orbital inclination of a planet affects how much sunlight reaches its polar regions during each season.

行星的軌道傾斜角會影響陽光在每個季節到達其極地地區的量。

orbital inclination in astronomy context

同義詞
  • slope

    A more general term; can refer to both the angle and the surface itself. Less technical.

  • gradient

    Often used in mathematics, engineering, and road design; emphasises the rate of change.

  • tilt

    More informal; suggests a deviation from the vertical or upright position.

用法筆記

Common in technical and scientific writing. In geometry, the inclination of a line refers to the angle it makes with the positive direction of the x-axis. In astronomy, 'orbital inclination' is the angle between a planet's orbital plane and a reference plane such as the ecliptic.