keynote
keynote — 名詞
1. the main idea or message that runs through a speech, book, or event, giving it a
主調；主旨
貫穿演講或作品的核心思想
the main idea or message that runs through a speech, book, or event, giving it a clear focus and direction
Élise opened with a short story that introduced the keynote of the entire conference.
Élise 以簡短的故事開場，帶出了整場會議的主旨。
keynote of [event] as central theme
The keynote of the speech on climate change was the urgent need for local action.
那場氣候變遷演講的主調是採取在地行動的迫切需求。
the keynote of [speech/document]
When asked what united their policies, the party leaders said fairness was the keynote.
被問到什麼讓各項政策一致時，政黨領袖表示公平就是主調。
Community service was identified as the keynote of the school's new education programme.
社區服務被視為學校新教育方案的主旨。
Freedom and responsibility together formed the keynote that ran through every chapter of the book.
自由與責任共同構成了貫穿全書每一章的主調。
- theme
more general; keynote suggests the single most important or defining idea
- core
focuses on the essential centre of something rather than its guiding idea
- gist
refers to the general meaning rather than a central principle or mood
- main thread
emphasises continuity through a piece of writing or speech
- aside
a remark that is off the main topic
- digression
a temporary move away from the main subject
文法句型
the keynote of [something]
用法筆記
This sense is almost always singular and used with the definite article the or a possessive determiner.
常見錯誤
2. in music, the starting note of a scale from which the scale's key takes its name
主音
音階中的第一個音
in music, the starting note of a scale from which the scale's key takes its name
In C major, the keynote is C and all other notes relate back to it.
在 C 大調中，主音是 C，其他音都與它相關。
Yuna practised identifying the keynote of each scale before playing the full set of notes.
Yuna 在彈奏完整的音階之前，練習辨認每個調的主音。
identifying the keynote of each scale
A piece that finishes firmly on its keynote sounds complete and resolved to the listener.
一首樂曲若堅定地結束在主音上，聽起來會完整而和諧。
The teacher asked Bao to play G major and hold the keynote for four beats.
老師請 Bao 彈奏 G 大調，並將主音維持四拍。
- tonic
the technical term for the keynote; more common in formal music theory
- fundamental
used for the lowest note of a chord rather than the tonal centre of a key
文法句型
the keynote of [a scale]
用法筆記
Also called the tonic. In Western music theory, the keynote is the tonal centre of a piece — the note that feels like 'home.' This sense is mainly found in music education and theory contexts.
3. the most important speech at a conference or formal gathering, which establishes
主題演講
會議或典禮的主要演講
the most important speech at a conference or formal gathering, which establishes the main topic and sets the tone for the event
Professor Renata Okonkwo will deliver the keynote at the international education summit next week.
Renata Okonkwo 教授將在下週的國際教育高峰會上發表主題演講。
deliver the keynote — most common verb collocation
The organisers chose a Nobel laureate to give the keynote address on the opening morning.
會議主辦單位邀請了一位諾貝爾獎得主在開幕日上午進行主題演講。
keynote address as attributive noun
Hundreds of delegates arrived early to hear the keynote, which was streamed live online.
數百名與會者提早到場聆聽主題演講，這場演講還進行了線上直播。
Christopher's keynote lasted forty minutes and was followed by a lively question-and-answer session.
Christopher 的主題演講長達四十分鐘，隨後進行了熱烈的問答。
A strong keynote can shape the direction of a conference and keep speakers on topic.
一場有力的主題演講能為整場會議定調，讓所有講者緊扣主題。
- keynote address
full form; more formal than keynote alone
- opening address
focuses on timing (first speech) rather than importance or theme-setting
- plenary talk
a talk given to the whole conference audience, not necessarily the most important one
文法句型
keynote speech
keynote address
give a keynote
用法筆記
Often used as an attributive noun before address or speech (keynote address, keynote speech). The verb give or deliver is the most common collocation.
常見錯誤
keynote — 動詞
1. to give the main speech at a conference or formal event, setting its central the
發表主題演講
在大會上做主要演講
to give the main speech at a conference or formal event, setting its central theme
Faisal has been invited to keynote the annual design conference in Taipei this autumn.
Faisal 獲邀在今年秋季的臺北年度設計大會上發表主題演講。
keynote [event] — direct object is the event
The software company paid a well-known author to keynote their product launch event.
這家軟體公司聘請了一位知名作家在他們的產品發表會上進行主題演講。
Obi will keynote the opening session of the youth leadership forum tomorrow morning.
Obi 將在明天上午的青年領袖論壇開幕場次發表主題演講。
Last year Dr. Anong Siriwong keynoted a major medical symposium in Bangkok.
去年 Anong Siriwong 博士在曼谷的一場大型醫學研討會上發表了主題演講。
文法句型
keynote + [event]
用法筆記
This verb takes the event (conference, forum, summit, etc.) as its direct object. To specify an audience, a prepositional phrase with to or for is added: keynote a conference for investors.
常見錯誤
2. to establish the main character, mood, or guiding principle of an activity, disc
定基調
為某事設定主要風格或方向
to establish the main character, mood, or guiding principle of an activity, discussion, or period
The chancellor's speech keynoted a new era of economic reform and international cooperation.
總理的演講為經濟改革與國際合作的新時代奠定了基調。
keynote [period/era] — abstract object
Ziad's opening remarks keynoted the entire negotiation process with a spirit of mutual respect.
Ziad 的開場白以互相尊重的精神為整個談判過程定了基調。
A single bold design choice can keynote the visual identity of an entire branding campaign.
一個大膽的設計選擇就能為整個品牌活動的視覺風格定下基調。
The head teacher's decision to listen to every concern keynoted a more open school culture.
校長傾聽每一個人意見的決定，為更開放的校園文化定了基調。
- set the tone for
more common in everyday English; the phrasal equivalent of this sense
- characterise
describes what something is like, but does not imply that it shapes what comes later
- define
stronger; suggests creating clear boundaries rather than establishing a mood
文法句型
keynote + [noun phrase]
用法筆記
This is a formal, literary sense. The subject is usually an event, a statement, or a decision that shapes what follows. The verb is typically used in the active voice with an abstract object (era, campaign, approach, discussion).