initiate
initiate — 動詞
1. to take the first step in setting a process, plan, or activity in motion — for e
啟動；發起
使過程或活動開始進行
to take the first step in setting a process, plan, or activity in motion — for example, starting an investigation, launching a project, or opening a conversation with someone new.
The government initiated an official investigation into the data breach at the hospital.
政府針對醫院的資料外洩事件啟動了一項正式調查。
initiate + investigation (formal/official context)
Aarav initiated a weekly book club after realising his coworkers wanted to read more.
Aarav 發現同事們想多讀點書，於是發起了一個每週讀書會。
The United Nations has initiated a new programme to provide clean water in rural areas.
聯合國啟動了一項新計畫，為偏鄉地區提供乾淨的飲用水。
Once the paperwork is signed, the company will initiate the construction work next month.
文件簽署完成後，公司將於下個月啟動建築工程。
文法句型
initiate + noun phrase (a process, project, investigation, etc.)
用法筆記
Frequently used in formal or official writing — subjects are often organisations (governments, companies, committees) rather than individuals. Less formal alternatives include 'start' or 'launch'.
常見錯誤
2. to welcome a person into a club or organisation by performing an official ceremo
接納；入會
透過儀式正式允許加入團體
to welcome a person into a club or organisation by performing an official ceremony or following a formal process — for example, a secret society inducting new members at a special gathering.
Darius was initiated into the historical society during a ceremony at the old town hall.
Darius 在舊市政廳的一場儀式中正式加入了歷史學會。
passive: be initiated into [group] + ceremony
Each spring the club initiates around thirty new members after a two-month trial period.
每年春天，該俱樂部會在兩個月的試用期後吸收大約三十名新會員。
The elders initiated the young men into the tribe during the harvest festival.
長輩們在豐收祭典中為部落的年輕男子舉行了成人儀式。
João was initiated into the secret recipe handed down by the bakers in his family.
João 從家族麵包師那裡學到了代代相傳的祕方。
New members are initiated at a special event where they learn the organisation's history.
新會員在一場特別活動中接受入會儀式，並了解該組織的歷史。
文法句型
be initiated into + group / society / organisation
用法筆記
Almost always takes 'into' when followed by the group name. The passive construction ('was initiated') is extremely common. Distinguish from verb sense 1 (START / BEGIN): in this sense the object is a person, not a thing or process.
常見錯誤
initiate — 名詞
1. someone who has recently become part of a club, society, or team and has been to
新進成員
剛加入團體並學習規則的人
someone who has recently become part of a club, society, or team and has been told about its rules and insider knowledge.
The workshop is designed for initiates who have never used the design software before.
這堂工作坊是為初次使用設計軟體的學員設計的。
As an initiate, Renata was paired with a senior colleague who showed her the office routines.
身為新進成員，Renata 被安排與一位資深同事搭檔，向她介紹辦公室的流程。
as an initiate — introductory role
The book explains basic theories clearly so that initiates can follow the arguments.
這本書清楚地解釋了基本理論，讓新入門者也能理解。
The group's traditions are kept secret from outsiders and explained only to new initiates.
該團體的傳統對外保密，只向新進成員說明。
文法句型
initiate + of / to [group]
用法筆記
Often paired with 'new' (new initiate). More common in the plural (initiates) when referring to a cohort of newcomers. Compare with noun sense 2 (INSIDER / EXPERT), which refers to someone with deep knowledge, not a beginner.
常見錯誤
2. a person who has deep knowledge or expertise in a particular field because they
內行；專家
熟悉某領域深層知識的人
a person who has deep knowledge or expertise in a particular field because they have been part of it for a long time — for example, someone who understands the subtle rules of a craft, discipline, or tradition.
Few initiates understand the finer points of traditional Japanese tea ceremony.
只有內行人才懂得日本傳統茶道的細微之處。
few initiates — implies exclusivity of knowledge
The lecture was too technical for the public but fascinating for initiates in the field.
那場演講對一般大眾來說太艱深，但對該領域的專家來說卻很有趣。
Among initiates, her theory on coral reef recovery is considered the most convincing.
在內行人看來，她關於珊瑚礁復育的理論最具說服力。
The annual conference brings together initiates from research laboratories across Europe.
這場年度會議匯集了來自歐洲各實驗室的研究專家。
- expert
More general and widely used; focuses on skill level rather than being part of a specific group
- specialist
Someone with deep knowledge in a narrow area; common in medicine and technical fields
- insider
Emphasises access to privileged or exclusive information within a group
文法句型
among initiates
initiates in [field]
用法筆記
More common in the plural (initiates) and often preceded by 'among' or 'few'. Unlike noun sense 1 (NEW MEMBER), this sense describes someone with mastery, not a beginner. The context usually involves specialised knowledge that outsiders lack.
常見錯誤
initiate — 形容詞
1. having been officially accepted as a member of a group, organisation, or office
正式加入的
經正式程序成為成員的
having been officially accepted as a member of a group, organisation, or office through a proper process — for instance, an initiate member of a committee who has voting rights after completing the admission procedure.
Only initiate members of the committee may vote on the final proposal.
只有正式加入的委員才能對最終提案進行投票。
initiate members — attributive use
The ceremony recognised her as an initiate fellow of the Royal College of Physicians.
這場典禮正式認可她為皇家內科學院的院士。
Walid wore the special badge given to all initiate officers of the society.
Walid 佩戴著該協會所有正式幹部都會收到的特殊徽章。
Yael became an initiate member of the hiking club after her three-month trial period.
Yael 在通過三個月的試用期後，正式成為登山社的社員。
- excluded
Deliberately kept out of a group or activity
- uninitiated
Not yet formally introduced or admitted; the direct opposite
文法句型
initiate + member / officer / participant
用法筆記
This adjective is almost exclusively used in formal or ceremonial writing. In everyday language, 'full' or 'official' is preferred instead of 'initiate'. Very rarely encountered outside of historical or institutional contexts.
常見錯誤
2. having received instruction in special or secret knowledge that is not shared wi
獲傳祕密的
已接受團體內部知識傳授的
having received instruction in special or secret knowledge that is not shared with people outside a group — for example, an initiate elder who knows the sacred rituals of a community.
The ancient chants are passed only to initiate students who finish the full training.
古老的吟唱只傳授給完成完整訓練的入門弟子。
The priest as an initiate elder knew the prayers that were never spoken aloud.
身為傳祕長老，那位祭司知道那些從不公開唸誦的祈禱文。
initiate elder — formal/ceremonial context
Only initiate practitioners are allowed into the inner chamber of the temple.
只有獲傳祕密的修行者才能進入寺廟的內殿。
Only a few initiate scholars have ever seen the original manuscript in the library.
只有少數學識淵博的學者曾親眼見過圖書館裡的那份原始手稿。
- instructed
More general and widely used; does not imply secrecy or exclusivity
- schooled
Slightly informal; suggests systematic education or training
- enlightened
Carries spiritual or philosophical connotations beyond mere instruction
- ignorant
Lacking knowledge; stronger than 'uninformed'
- uninitiated
The direct opposite — not yet introduced to the special knowledge
文法句型
initiate + student / practitioner / elder
用法筆記
Found mainly in descriptions of traditional or religious groups where knowledge is passed through stages. For everyday contexts, 'trained' or 'experienced' is more natural.
3. relating to the process or ceremony of introducing someone into a group, such as
啟始的
與入會儀式或初期階段有關
relating to the process or ceremony of introducing someone into a group, such as the early stages of membership or the rites performed at the beginning of a person's involvement.
The museum displayed several artefacts used in initiate ceremonies of the Maori people.
這間博物館展示了毛利人入會儀式中使用的幾件器物。
The book describes the initiate stages that all new members must go through.
這本書描述所有新成員都必須經歷的入門階段。
initiate stages — attributive describing the process
The initiate period lasts six months, during which newcomers learn the basic rules.
入會期間為期六個月，新成員在這段時間學習基本規則。
The initiate rites of the fishing village are held every year before monsoon season.
這個漁村的入會儀式每年都在季風季節來臨前舉行。
- introductory
Common and neutral; refers to the beginning stage of anything
- preliminary
Suggests steps taken before the main event; more procedural than ceremonial
- initiatory
The standard adjective form for 'relating to initiation'; more frequent than 'initiate'
- final
The concluding stage or step
- concluding
Marking the end of a process or ceremony
文法句型
initiate + ceremony / stage / period
用法筆記
This is an extremely rare usage, mostly found in academic anthropology, religious studies, or historical writing. In almost all contexts, 'initiatory' or 'introductory' is preferred over 'initiate' as an adjective for 'relating to the process of initiation'.