individual
individual — 形容詞
1. used to describe each thing or person as a separate unit within a larger group,
個別；各自
群體中單獨存在的
used to describe each thing or person as a separate unit within a larger group, rather than treating them all as one whole
The teacher gave each individual student a different worksheet to complete.
老師給每位個別學生不同的學習單。
each + individual + noun for emphasis of separateness
Sari wrapped each individual gift in a different colour of paper.
Sari 用不同顏色的包裝紙包裝每一份個別的禮物。
The individual parts of the machine can be replaced separately.
機器的各個零件可以分別更換。
Quinn labelled each individual box before loading them onto the truck.
Quinn 在把每個箱子裝上卡車前，先貼上標籤。
Individual tickets for the show cost more than the group rate.
演出的個人票價比團體票還貴。
- collective
involving or shared by a whole group rather than separate members
- group
used attributively: 'group ticket', 'group rate'
文法句型
each + individual + noun
individual + noun (part, member, item, etc.)
用法筆記
Typically placed before a noun. Do not use this sense to mean 'private' or 'personal' — that function belongs to sense 2.
常見錯誤
2. made, given, or intended for use by one particular person, or connected with one
個人的
專為個人使用或提供的
made, given, or intended for use by one particular person, or connected with one person rather than with a larger group
The hotel provides individual bottles of shampoo and soap for each guest.
這家飯店為每位房客提供個人用的小瓶洗髮精和肥皂。
individual + noun for single-portion products
Aoi received individual attention from the coach during the training session.
Aoi 在訓練課程中獲得教練的一對一指導。
individual attention — very common collocation
Emre signed up for individual lessons instead of joining the group class.
Emre 報名了個人課程，而不是加入團體班。
Each employee has an individual locker for storing personal belongings.
每位員工都有個人置物櫃來存放私人物品。
The clinic creates individual treatment plans for every patient it receives.
診所為每一位病患制定個人化的治療方案。
文法句型
individual + noun (attention, need, lesson, portion, etc.)
用法筆記
Frequently found before nouns describing services, products, or arrangements — for example, 'individual attention', 'individual tuition', 'individual portions'. Do not confuse with sense 3: 'individual style' means distinctive, not personal.
常見錯誤
3. having a quality that makes someone or something clearly different from others i
獨特的
與眾不同的、有個人特色的
having a quality that makes someone or something clearly different from others in a way that is special or unusual
Vinícius has a very individual style of painting that is easy to recognise.
Vinícius 有著非常獨特的繪畫風格，很容易辨認。
very + individual + noun — distinctive quality
Amani's individual way of speaking made her stand out in the debate team.
Amani 獨特的說話方式讓她在辯論隊中脫穎而出。
The restaurant's individual flavour comes from a secret blend of spices.
這家餐廳的獨特風味來自一種秘密香料混合。
Kabir's approach to teaching is highly individual and not like any other method.
Kabir 的教學方式非常獨特，不像任何其他方法。
Eitan brought his own individual dance moves to the group performance.
Eitan 把他自己獨特的舞步帶入團體表演中。
- distinctive
neutral, focuses on recognisable difference; 'individual' adds a sense of originality
- unique
stronger — means one of a kind, while 'individual' means clearly different
- original
suggests creativity and freshness; 'individual' highlights personal character
- characteristic
more formal and neutral; 'individual' carries a slightly admiring tone
- ordinary
not special or different from others
- conventional
following what is usual or expected
- generic
lacking any distinctive qualities
文法句型
individual + noun (style, personality, approach, etc.)
be + very/quite/highly + individual
用法筆記
Can be placed before a noun ('individual style') or after a linking verb ('Her style is very individual'). Often modified by intensifiers such as 'very', 'quite', and 'highly'. Unlike sense 1, this sense does not carry the meaning of separateness.
常見錯誤
individual — 名詞
1. one person considered on their own, especially when thinking about how they rela
個人；個體
相對於群體的單一人物
one person considered on their own, especially when thinking about how they relate to or differ from a larger group or society
The rights of the individual must be protected even in a large society.
即使在大型社會中，個人的權利也必須受到保護。
the + individual — generic reference to 'any one person'
Christopher was the only individual who offered to help after the accident.
Christopher 是車禍後唯一主動提供幫助的人。
The law treats each individual as responsible for their own actions.
法律把每一個人視為必須對自身行為負責的個體。
A good school recognises the needs of each individual, not just the whole class.
好的學校會關注每個人的需求，而不只是全班整體。
The charity provided food and shelter for over two hundred individuals last winter.
去年冬天，該慈善機構為超過兩百人提供了食物和住所。
- person
the most general word for a human being; 'individual' adds a sense of separateness or distinct identity
- human being
emphasises species membership rather than social role
- soul
emotional or spiritual tone; informal in counting contexts ('not a soul in sight')
文法句型
the + individual
each + individual
as an individual
individuals (plural)
用法筆記
The most common noun sense. Frequently contrasted with terms for the whole group, such as 'society', 'the community', 'the collective', or 'the state'. The plural 'individuals' is common in formal, legal, and academic writing.
常見錯誤
2. a person who does not follow what everyone else does and has their own way of th
有個性的人
想法和行為與眾不同的人
a person who does not follow what everyone else does and has their own way of thinking or acting, often in a way that others find interesting
Élise is a true individual who follows her own path without caring what others think.
Élise 是個真正的有個性的人，她走自己的路，不在乎別人怎麼想。
true + individual — admiring tone
With his unusual clothes and bold opinions, Jack was known as something of an individual.
Jack 穿著奇特、見解大膽，大家都說他是個特立獨行的人。
something of an individual — common fixed expression
Ziad has always been an individual — he painted his room purple and started a band.
Ziad 一直是個很有個性的人——他把房間漆成紫色，還組了一個樂團。
In a world of copycats, Sari remains a confident individual who does things her way.
在模仿者的世界裡，Sari 依然是一個有自信的獨特人物，用自己的方式做事。
People called her an individual because she collected old radios and fixed them herself.
大家說她是個與眾不同的人，因為她收集老收音機，還會自己修理。
- nonconformist
stronger and more ideological — someone who deliberately rejects social norms; 'individual' is gentler
- original
as a noun, slightly old-fashioned; 'individual' is more natural in modern English
- character
informal and often amusing — 'he is quite a character'; 'individual' is more neutral
- follower
someone who copies others rather than thinking for themselves
- conformist
someone who follows social norms without question
文法句型
be + quite an + individual
be + something of an + individual
an + individual (referring to a distinctive person)
用法筆記
Often carries a positive or admiring tone, suggesting charming originality rather than mere strangeness. Common in the fixed expressions 'quite an individual' and 'something of an individual'. Distinguish from noun sense 1: this sense does not contrast one person with a group — it highlights their unusual character.