instinctive
instinctive — 形容詞
1. describes an action or feeling that happens as a natural, automatic response wit
本能的
出於本能，未經思考的
describes an action or feeling that happens as a natural, automatic response without needing to think about it or learn it beforehand
When a loud noise came from the bush, Matthew's instinctive reaction was to freeze.
當灌木叢傳來一聲巨響，Matthew 的本能反應是僵住不動。
instinctive reaction + to-infinitive for automatic behaviour
Beatrix had an instinctive understanding of how to comfort crying children.
Beatrix 對於如何安撫哭泣的孩子有一種本能的理解。
instinctive understanding of + wh-clause for natural ability
The goalkeeper's instinctive dive to the left saved the penalty kick.
守門員本能地往左撲救，擋下了那記罰球。
Karim felt an instinctive distrust of the stranger who smiled too much.
Karim 對那個笑得太過的陌生人生出一種本能的不信任感。
Mizuki's instinctive kindness toward animals made her popular at the shelter.
Mizuki 對動物那份本能的友善使她在收容所很受歡迎。
- automatic
more general; can describe machines or processes as well as human actions
- innate
more formal; emphasises being born with a quality rather than just acting without thought
- natural
broader in meaning; can describe any characteristic that feels normal, not only spontaneous reactions
- intuitive
based on a gut feeling or inner sense rather than physical reflex; often used in creative or intellectual contexts
- deliberate
done consciously and with careful thought — the opposite of automatic
- learned
acquired through experience, study, or training rather than present from birth
- calculated
planned in advance with a specific goal in mind
文法句型
instinctive + noun (reaction, response, feeling, distrust)
be + instinctive
用法筆記
Typically placed before the noun it modifies. Most often describes immediate physical reactions, emotional responses, or natural abilities. Unlike deliberate or planned actions, instinctive ones happen too quickly for conscious thought.