introvert
introvert — 名詞
1. A person who gains emotional energy from spending time alone or in small quiet g
內向者
喜歡安靜獨處的人
A person who gains emotional energy from spending time alone or in small quiet groups, and who finds large social gatherings tiring rather than exciting.
As an introvert, Nala prefers a quiet night with a novel over a crowded party.
身為一個內向者，Nala 寧可在家讀本好小說，也不願去人擠人的派對。
collocation: 'as an introvert' — describing oneself
Christopher, an introvert, finds crowded meetings draining and needs quiet time at home to recharge.
Christopher 是內向者，人多的會議讓他覺得很累，回家後需要安靜的時光來恢復精力。
appositive structure: 'Christopher, an introvert, …'
Yasmin, an introvert, enjoys lively dinners but always needs quiet time alone to recharge.
Yasmin 是內向者，喜歡熱鬧的聚餐，但總需要獨自安靜一段時間來恢復元氣。
The library added a quiet reading nook with soft lamps where introverts could read alone.
圖書館設置了一個有柔和燈光的安靜閱讀角落，讓內向的學生可以獨自閱讀。
Arjun no longer sees being an introvert as a weakness — it is part of who he is.
Arjun 不再覺得內向是一種缺點——這本來就是他個性的一部分。
- loner
more negative; suggests active avoidance of people rather than a preference for quiet
- reserved person
describes the external behaviour (quiet, restrained) but not the internal energy-recharge reason
- extrovert
a person who gains energy from being around many people
- social butterfly
informal; someone who moves easily between many social groups
用法筆記
Countable noun. Often used with the indefinite article: 'an introvert'. The opposite temperament type is an 'extrovert'. Being an introvert is not a disorder — it describes a normal variation in how people process social stimulation.
常見錯誤
introvert — 動詞
1. To bend, fold, or draw a body part or structure inward toward its own centre, or
向內翻；內縮
將身體部位向內彎曲或縮回
To bend, fold, or draw a body part or structure inward toward its own centre, or to be capable of being drawn back inside.
When threatened, some marine worms can introvert their feeding tubes completely into their body.
遇到威脅時，某些海洋蠕蟲能將牠們的進食管完全縮回體內。
transitive: 'introvert + body part'
The proboscis of this butterfly species introverts when it is not feeding on nectar.
這種蝴蝶的口器在不吸食花蜜時會向內收起。
Under a microscope, students watched how the organism's cilia introverted to protect the cell surface.
在顯微鏡下，學生們觀察到該生物的纖毛如何向內縮以保護細胞表面。
The octopus can introvert part of its arm into its mouth while searching for food.
章魚在尋找食物時，可以將部分觸手縮入口中。
- retract
more common in general English; 'retract' implies pulling back, while 'introvert' implies turning inward
- invaginate
equally technical synonym used in anatomy and embryology
文法句型
introvert + object (body part)
introvert (no object; reflexively)
用法筆記
Technical term used mainly in biology and zoology. Often describes retractable structures such as proboscises, feeding tubes, or cilia. The verb can be used transitively (the animal introverts its proboscis) or intransitively (the proboscis introverts).
2. To turn one's attention, emotional energy, or mental focus inward rather than to
向內專注
將注意力或情感轉向自身
To turn one's attention, emotional energy, or mental focus inward rather than toward other people or outside events.
After losing the competition, Élise introverted her disappointment instead of sharing it with teammates.
比賽落敗後，Élise 把所有的失望都壓在心裡，沒有告訴隊友。
transitive + emotion as object
Shanti learned to introvert her nervous energy by directing her attention to her own breathing.
Shanti 學會將自己的緊張情緒內化，將注意力集中在自己的呼吸上。
introvert + emotion/energy as object; inward direction via concrete action
The bad news made Joon introvert his thoughts, and he stayed quiet all evening.
那則壞消息讓 Joon 陷入沉思，接下來整個晚上都不太說話。
Instead of crying, little Maeve introverted her sadness and played alone in her room.
小 Maeve 沒有哭，而是把悲傷藏在心裡，獨自一人在房間裡玩。
- internalise
similar but broader; 'internalise' means to absorb into one's thinking, not necessarily to direct inward
- externalise
to direct feelings or thoughts outward
文法句型
introvert + object (emotion, attention, energy)
用法筆記
Uncommon even in formal writing. More frequently expressed with phrases such as 'turn inward,' 'withdraw into oneself,' or 'direct one's attention inward.' The object is typically an emotion, thought, or form of mental energy.
3. To cause a person to develop a personality that focuses more on inner thoughts a
使內向
導致人心理上變得內向
To cause a person to develop a personality that focuses more on inner thoughts and feelings than on social interaction with others.
Years of being excluded by classmates can introvert a child who was once naturally outgoing.
多年被同學排擠，可能會讓一個原本活潑開朗的孩子變得內向。
transitive: cause + person to become introverted
The psychologist believed that the boarding school's strict environment had introverted many of its students.
那位心理學家認為，寄宿學校嚴格的環境讓許多學生變得內向。
Parents who dismiss a child's questions at dinner may unintentionally introvert the child's personality.
如果父母在晚餐時總是打發孩子的提問，可能會在無意中讓孩子變得內向。
Eli's constant rejection by his peers slowly introverted his once cheerful nature.
同儕一再拒絕 Eli，讓他原本開朗的個性逐漸變得內向。
- make introverted
more natural phrasing in modern English
- make extroverted
the opposite developmental effect
文法句型
introvert + person
用法筆記
Very rare in modern English; this sense originates from Jungian psychology. Usually replaced by the phrase 'make someone introverted' or 'cause introversion in.' The subject is typically an environment, experience, or external influence, not the person themselves.