less
less — 名詞
1. a smaller amount or quantity of something, especially when comparing it with a l
較少量
比另一個更少的數量
a smaller amount or quantity of something, especially when comparing it with a larger amount
Élise ate less than her brother at dinner, so she was still hungry afterwards.
Élise 吃的量比弟弟少，所以晚餐後她還是覺得餓。
comparative: less than + noun phrase
The supermarket charges less for vegetables when they are in season.
這家超市在蔬菜盛產季節時賣得比較便宜。
Rohan paid less for his used car than Tomás paid for his new one.
Rohan 買二手車花的錢比 Tomás 買新車花的錢少。
Mizuki spent less on concert tickets this year than she spent last year.
Mizuki 今年花在演唱會門票上的錢比去年少。
If you eat less, your body will feel lighter and more energetic.
如果你吃得少一些，身體會感覺更輕盈、更有活力。
- smaller amount
more explicit; used when the quantity is countable or uncountable in a neutral way
- lesser quantity
more formal, often used in written or technical contexts
- more
general opposite when referring to quantity or degree
文法句型
less + of + noun phrase
less than + noun phrase
用法筆記
Uncountable noun; never used with an indefinite article. When comparing countable items, 'fewer' is traditionally preferred over 'less'.
常見錯誤
2. something that is not as important, serious, or valuable as other matters — used
次要事物
重要性較低的事或物
something that is not as important, serious, or valuable as other matters — used to contrast higher-priority subjects with lower-priority ones
The committee dealt with urgent matters first and saved the less important items for the next meeting.
委員會先處理緊急事項，把次要的留到下次會議再說。
the + less important + noun — contrastive priority ordering
Gabriel thinks major projects need attention first and the less important matters can wait.
Gabriel 認為大型專案需要優先關注，次要的可以等。
In a crisis the greater problems should come before the less urgent ones.
危機發生時，重大的問題應該優先於次要的。
Amira tackles the hardest jobs first and saves the less urgent tasks for later.
Amira 先處理最困難的工作，把次要的留到後面再做。
- lesser things
more colloquial; common in everyday speech
- minor matters
explicitly about low priority; used in planning contexts
- more important matters
formal phrase for higher-priority items
文法句型
the + less + verb (singular)
nothing + less + than
用法筆記
Typically preceded by 'the' and followed by a singular verb. This sense appears most often in formal or written contexts where a contrast is drawn between major and minor matters.
常見錯誤
less — 形容詞
1. a smaller amount of something that cannot be counted — used before nouns such as
較少
數量或程度較小的
a smaller amount of something that cannot be counted — used before nouns such as sugar, time, or money to show that there is not as much of that thing as before or as expected.
Adina used less sugar in the cake than the recipe called for.
Adina 照食譜做蛋糕時用了較少的糖。
less + uncountable noun (sugar)
If you spend less time on games, you will have more time for homework.
如果你花較少的時間玩遊戲，就會有更多時間做功課。
The restaurant bought less beef this week because fewer guests ordered steak.
這家餐廳本週買了較少的牛肉，因為點牛排的客人變少了。
Minh used less salt after the doctor warned him about his blood pressure.
Minh 在醫生警告他注意血壓之後，做菜時用了較少的鹽。
- more
greater in amount
文法句型
less + [uncountable noun]
用法筆記
Frequently used as a comparative before uncountable (mass) nouns. In formal English, 'fewer' is preferred for countable plural nouns.
常見錯誤
2. of a lower rank, status, or level of worth compared to others — used to describe
次要
地位或重要性較低的
of a lower rank, status, or level of worth compared to others — used to describe people, tasks, or things that are not as important as something else.
The manager put aside less important tasks to deal with the urgent complaint first.
經理把次要的工作先放一邊，以便處理緊急的投訴。
less + adjective + noun (less important tasks)
No less a person than the university president came to speak at the graduation.
來畢業典禮致詞的不是別人，正是大學校長本人。
pattern: no less a/an + noun
Baraka chose a less stressful position at the clinic so he could recover properly.
Baraka 選擇了診所裡壓力較小的職位，這樣他才能好好康復。
Ayesha delegated less urgent emails to her assistant while she was at the conference.
Ayesha 在參加會議期間把較不緊急的郵件交給助理處理。
- greater
of higher rank or importance
文法句型
less + [adjective] + [noun]
no less a/an + [noun]
用法筆記
Common in fixed expressions like 'no less a person than' to emphasise unexpectedly high status. The adjectives that follow 'less' in this sense are typically abstract (important, demanding, stressful, urgent).
常見錯誤
3. smaller in amount, strength, or frequency — describing a noun that has decreased
較小
規模、程度或強度減小的
smaller in amount, strength, or frequency — describing a noun that has decreased relative to an earlier state or baseline (e.g., less traffic, less noise, less risk).
The new road brought less traffic through the village during the morning rush.
新道路讓村莊早晨尖峰時段的車流量減少了。
less + uncountable noun (traffic)
Christopher turned down the heating because less warmth was needed on the sunny afternoon.
Christopher 把暖氣關小，因為下午陽光充足，不需要那麼多暖氣。
Ramón bought a car that uses less petrol than his old one did.
Ramón 買了一輛比舊車省油的新車。
The doctor said the new treatment carried less risk of side effects for older patients.
醫生說新的療法對年長病患的副作用風險較低。
- greater
larger in size or degree
文法句型
less + [uncountable noun of degree/measure]
用法筆記
Describes a reduction in degree, intensity, or extent rather than countable quantity. Often paired with nouns like traffic, heat, noise, risk, fuel, and damage.
常見錯誤
4. used informally before countable nouns and numbers, meaning the same as 'fewer'.
少於
用於可數名詞，相當於 fewer
used informally before countable nouns and numbers, meaning the same as 'fewer'.
There were less than fifty guests at the wedding because of the snowstorm.
因為暴風雪的關係，婚禮來了少於五十位賓客。
less than + [number] (measure phrase)
The recipe says to use less eggs if you are making a smaller cake.
食譜說如果要烤比較小的蛋糕，蛋的用量要少一些。
less + countable noun (eggs) — informal usage
Dylan paid less than twenty dollars for the train ticket to the city.
Dylan 花了少於二十美元買了到市區的火車票。
The team scored less goals this season than they did last year.
球隊本賽季的進球數比去年少。
文法句型
less + [countable noun]
less than + [number] + [countable noun]
用法筆記
Widely heard in everyday speech and with expressions of time, distance, and money (less than ten minutes, less than a mile), where it sounds natural. However, prescriptive grammar rules prefer 'fewer' with countable nouns in formal or academic writing.
常見錯誤
less — 副詞
1. used when comparing people, things, or actions to show that a quality is present
較少；更少
表示程度上比原來或比另一事物低
used when comparing people, things, or actions to show that a quality is present to a smaller degree or that an action happens with less strength or frequency
This jacket is less expensive than the one we saw yesterday.
這件夾克比我們昨天看到的那件便宜。
less + adjective — comparing two items
Tendai eats less sugar now after visiting the doctor last month.
Tendai 上個月看醫生後，現在糖吃得比較少。
The second hospital was less crowded, so we went there instead.
第二間醫院比較不擁擠，所以我們改去那裡。
Niran's phone costs less than mine but takes better pictures.
Niran 的手機比我的便宜，但拍照效果更好。
It rains less often in Taipei during the winter months.
臺北冬天降雨的次數比較少。
- not as...as
periphrastic comparative structure; more common in conversational English (e.g. 'not as expensive as')
- to a smaller degree
more formal register, often used in academic or analytical writing
- more
direct opposite; marks a greater degree, extent, or amount
文法句型
less + adjective/adverb/verb (+ than + object of comparison)
用法筆記
Frequently placed before adjectives, adverbs, and certain verbs to form comparative structures. Common intensifiers include 'much', 'far', and 'even' (much less expensive, far less often, even less sugar). In formal writing, 'fewer' is preferred over 'less' before plural countable nouns (fewer people, not less people).
常見錯誤
less — 限定詞 / 代名詞
1. A smaller quantity or amount of something when compared with a previous amount o
少些
數量或程度比平常或以前小
A smaller quantity or amount of something when compared with a previous amount or with what is usual.
The doctor advised Beatrix to eat less sugar for her health.
為了健康，醫生建議 Beatrix 減少糖的攝取量。
less + uncountable noun (sugar)
Antonia drinks less coffee after switching to green tea in the mornings.
Antonia 早上改喝綠茶後，咖啡就喝得比較少了。
If you use less salt when cooking, your food will still taste delicious.
煮菜時少放點鹽，食物吃起來還是很美味。
Since the factory closed last year, there has been far less traffic in town.
自從去年工廠關閉後，鎮上的交通量就少了很多。
Rohan thinks families should spend less money on things they do not truly need.
Rohan 認為家庭應該少花錢在不是真正需要的東西上。
- a smaller amount of
more explicit phrasing
- not as much
less formal than 'less'
- more
indicates a larger quantity
文法句型
less + uncountable noun
用法筆記
Used only with uncountable nouns (water, time, money, traffic). With countable nouns, use 'fewer' instead, though 'less' is common in informal speech.
常見錯誤
2. Describing a situation in which the amount, size, or frequency of something keep
越來越少
數量或頻率持續減小的過程
Describing a situation in which the amount, size, or frequency of something keeps getting smaller over time.
With each passing month, Minh heard less and less from his college friends.
隨著時間過去，Minh 大學畢業後跟朋友的聯絡越來越少。
less and less + from [someone] — decreasing contact
As the train pulled away, the station became less and less visible in the distance.
火車駛離時，車站在遠處變得越來越模糊。
The noise from the party became less and less as the neighbours went to bed.
隨著鄰居去睡覺，派對的噪音也越來越小。
Since Sari started her new job, she has had less and less time for reading.
自從 Sari 開始新工作後，她看書的時間就越來越少了。
- decreasingly
more formal; used as an adverb
- progressively less
emphasises step-by-step reduction
- more and more
indicates continuing increase
文法句型
less and less
用法筆記
Commonly takes the pattern 'less and less + noun' or 'become/get + less and less + adjective'. The repeated structure emphasises a continuing downward trend.
常見錯誤
3. The idea that a simple approach containing only the most necessary items or elem
少即是多
簡約勝於繁複的理念
The idea that a simple approach containing only the most necessary items or elements produces better results than a complicated one with many extras.
Hana believes that less is more when decorating a small bedroom.
Hana 認為裝飾小臥室時，少即是多。
The art teacher told Trang that less is more in good logo design.
美術老師告訴 Trang，好的商標設計原則是少即是多。
fixed expression: less is more
Karim applies the less-is-more rule by using only the freshest ingredients.
Karim 只用最新鮮的食材，實踐少即是多的原則。
Yasmin keeps her wardrobe simple because she believes less is more.
Yasmin 的衣櫃很簡約，因為她相信少即是多。
- simplicity is best
paraphrase of the same idea
- keep it simple
imperative form, less formal
文法句型
less is more
用法筆記
Used as a fixed expression or proverb. Often appears in discussions of design, fashion, cooking, or lifestyle choices.
4. Used before a period of time to highlight that the duration is surprisingly shor
不到
強調時間比預期短
Used before a period of time to highlight that the duration is surprisingly short given what was achieved or happened during it.
The package arrived in less than two days, which surprised everyone at the office.
包裹不到兩天就送到了，辦公室的每個人都很驚訝。
less than + [time period] for surprise at short duration
Kofi learned to play the guitar well in less than six months of practice.
Kofi 練習不到六個月就把吉他彈得很好了。
The chef prepared a full meal for ten people in less than one hour.
那位主廚在不到一小時內就做好了一頓十人份的餐點。
Beatrix read the entire novel in less than a week during her holiday.
Beatrix 在放假期間不到一週就看完了整本小說。
- more than
indicates a longer time period
文法句型
less than + [time period]
用法筆記
Typically followed by a time period (a week, two days, six months, an hour). The smaller the time, the more impressive the achievement sounds.
常見錯誤
5. Used before a number or amount to emphasise that it is surprisingly large or imp
多達
強調數量龐大令人印象深刻
Used before a number or amount to emphasise that it is surprisingly large or impressive.
No less than fifty guests came to celebrate Christopher's graduation party.
多達五十位親友來參加 Christopher 的畢業派對。
no less than + [number] for emphasis on large quantity
The museum received no less than eight thousand visitors on opening day.
博物館開幕當天就接待了多達八千名訪客。
Nikhil has written no less than six articles about climate change this year.
Nikhil 今年寫了多達六篇關於氣候變遷的文章。
No less than two hundred volunteers helped clean the beach after the storm.
多達兩百名志工在風暴過後協助清理沙灘。
- as many as
similar emphasis on large quantity, slightly less dramatic
- up to
indicates a maximum, less emphatic
文法句型
no less than + [number]
用法筆記
The phrase 'no less than' always goes directly before a number or amount. It is the opposite in meaning of 'only' — it emphasises a large number, not a small one.
常見錯誤
❌ 'No less than 10 people showed up.' (when 10 is a small number) — 'no less than' is for emphasising large numbers; use 'only' for small numbers.
less — 限定詞
1. used before an uncountable noun to show that someone or something has a smaller
更少
數量較小的（用於不可數名詞前）
used before an uncountable noun to show that someone or something has a smaller quantity than another person, thing, or situation
Tamar added less salt to the soup than the recipe required.
Tamar 在湯裡加的鹽比食譜要求的更少。
determiner + uncountable noun + comparative 'than'
Brian now spends less time on social media than he did last year.
Brian 現在花在社群媒體上的時間比去年更少。
With less traffic on the road, Olivia reached the airport in thirty minutes.
路上車比較少，Olivia 在三十分鐘內就到達機場了。
Leo eats less meat after learning about sustainable diets.
Leo 在了解永續飲食後，吃的肉比以前更少。
Apinya had less money after paying the rent.
Apinya 付完房租後剩下的錢更少了。
- a smaller amount of
paraphrase; 'less' is shorter and more natural in everyday use
- more
direct opposite in quantity comparisons
文法句型
less + uncountable noun (+ than + noun phrase)
less + countable noun in quantity expressions ('less than two miles')
用法筆記
Frequently used in comparative structures with 'than' to contrast quantities. This determiner sense applies only before a noun — do not confuse with the adverb sense where 'less' modifies an adjective or verb.
常見錯誤
2. placed before 'of' to show that the expected good quality of a person or thing i
不算
缺乏所述的良好特質
placed before 'of' to show that the expected good quality of a person or thing is missing or reduced
The hotel was less of a bargain than the website suggested.
這家飯店並不像網站說的那麼划算。
less of a + noun + comparative 'than'
Zuri found the training course less of a help than she expected.
Zuri 覺得這個培訓課程不如她預期的有幫助。
The move to a new city was less of an adventure than Felix hoped.
Felix 搬到新城市這件事並沒有他想像的那麼像一場冒險。
The meeting was less of a success because of the technical problems.
因為技術問題，這場會議不算成功。
- not much of a
more informal; similar meaning but stronger negative tone
- more of a
opposite meaning; suggests stronger possession of the quality
文法句型
less of a + singular countable noun
less of + plural / uncountable noun
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: sense 2 uses 'less of' to comment on the quality or character of something, whereas sense 1 measures amount. 'Less of a' cannot be replaced with 'fewer of a'.
常見錯誤
3. used to describe something that decreases in amount, degree, or frequency gradua
日漸減少
逐漸減少的數量或頻率
used to describe something that decreases in amount, degree, or frequency gradually over a period of time
As the weeks passed, Yuki had less and less interest in the project.
隨著時間一週週過去，Yuki 對這個專案的興趣越來越少。
less and less + uncountable noun
Christopher found less and less time to practise the piano.
Christopher 練鋼琴的時間越來越少。
The old lighthouse receives less and less funding every year.
這座古老的燈塔每年獲得的經費越來越少。
Sivan noticed that there was less and less snow on the mountain each winter.
Sivan 注意到山上的積雪每年冬天越來越少。
- decreasingly
formal adverb; less common in everyday speech
- a dwindling amount of
more literary; implies the decrease is concerning
- more and more
opposite pattern indicating gradual increase
文法句型
less and less + uncountable noun
less and less + adjective/adverb
用法筆記
This is a fixed expression that must always repeat 'less'. The pattern signals a continuous decline; using 'less' only once would not convey the same gradual sense.
less — 介系詞
1. used to show that a particular amount is subtracted from a total — for example,
減去
從總數中扣除
used to show that a particular amount is subtracted from a total — for example, stating a price after a discount, a salary after deductions, or a profit after expenses.
The final bill was $850, less the $50 deposit we had already paid.
最終帳單是 850 美元，減去我們已經付過的 50 美元訂金。
pattern: [total] less [deduction]
Her take-home pay is €3,200 per month less taxes and pension contributions.
她的實領薪資是每月 3200 歐元，減去稅金和退休金提繳。
salary context: [gross] less [deductions]
Kian calculated the net price as $120 less the student discount of 15%.
Kian 計算出的淨價是 120 美元，再減去 15% 的學生折扣。
The company's profit last quarter was £2.4 million less operating costs.
該公司上一季的利潤是 240 萬英鎊，扣除營運成本後。
Charlotte received $2,000 as an advance, less the agency's commission.
Charlotte 收到 2000 美元預付款，已扣除仲介佣金。
- plus
the opposite additive operation
文法句型
[amount/number] less [deduction/item]
用法筆記
This preposition typically appears in formal, financial, or accounting contexts. In everyday spoken English, 'minus' is far more common for arithmetic ('five minus three equals two', not 'five less three'). The pattern is always [total] less [what is subtracted].
常見錯誤
less — 形容詞字尾
1. added to a noun to form an adjective that means someone or something does not ha
無；沒有
表示沒有某事物
added to a noun to form an adjective that means someone or something does not have that thing — for example, a careless person is someone who does not show care, and a homeless animal is one that has no home.
Quan felt helpless when his phone battery died during the storm.
Quan 的手機在暴風雨中沒電時，他感到無助。
helpless = without help or ability to act
A homeless cat slept outside the shop every cold night.
一隻無家可歸的貓每晚睡在那家商店外面。
homeless = without a home
Élise gave a careless shrug and walked away without looking back.
Élise 滿不在乎地聳了聳肩，頭也不回地走了。
A useless key sat at the bottom of the drawer for years.
抽屜底部放著一把多年無用的鑰匙。
The child felt friendless on her first day at the new school.
那個小女孩在新學校的第一天感到沒有朋友。
- -ful
forms adjectives meaning 'full of' or 'having' (e.g. hopeful, careful)
文法句型
[noun] + less
用法筆記
This is the most common use of the suffix -less. The opposite suffix is -ful: compare hopeless (no hope) with hopeful (full of hope). The root is almost always a noun.
常見錯誤
2. added to a verb or noun to form an adjective meaning either (i) too many to coun
無法；不倦
表示無法被…或持續不歇
added to a verb or noun to form an adjective meaning either (i) too many to count or unable to stop, or (ii) not affected by the thing mentioned — for example, countless stars cannot be counted, a tireless worker does not get tired, and a restless child cannot stay still.
A countless number of stars filled the night sky above the village.
無數的星星布滿了村子上方的夜空。
countless = too many to count
Kemi remained speechless after hearing the surprising news.
Kemi 聽到那個驚人的消息後，驚訝得說不出話來。
speechless = unable to speak
Selim did tireless work to finish the project on time.
Selim 投入不倦的工作，努力按時完成專案。
The restless child could not sit still during the long lesson.
那個坐立不安的孩子在漫長的課堂上無法靜坐。
The family endured ceaseless noise from the construction site next door.
那家人忍受著隔壁建築工地傳來的不斷噪音。
- unable to
a periphrastic equivalent that works as a phrase rather than a suffix
- -able
adds the meaning 'can be done' (countless vs countable)
文法句型
[verb/noun] + less
用法筆記
Words in this sense often express impossibility (countless, speechless) or continuous action (tireless, restless). Unlike sense 1 (WITHOUT), the focus here is on inability rather than absence. Some words like countless can fit both senses depending on context.
常見錯誤
less — 字尾
1. added to a noun to create an adjective meaning 'not having' or 'lacking' the thi
無...的
加在名詞後構成「沒有…的」
added to a noun to create an adjective meaning 'not having' or 'lacking' the thing the noun refers to
Beatrix was speechless when she won the first prize at the science fair.
Beatrix 在科學博覽會獲得第一名時，驚訝得說不出話來。
"speechless" — noun "speech" + "-less"
A careless mistake by the chef set off the smoke alarm in the kitchen.
主廚一個粗心的失誤引發了廚房裡的煙霧警報器。
The river looked lifeless after the factory dumped chemicals into the water.
工廠將化學物質排入水中後，那條河看起來毫無生機。
Adisa's restless baby kept waking up every two hours all night long.
Adisa 的嬰兒很不安穩，整晚每隔兩小時就醒來一次。
Tamar found the instructions useless because they were in a language she did not read.
Tamar 覺得說明書毫無用處，因為那些說明是用她不懂的語言寫的。
- -ful
direct opposite; forms adjectives meaning 'full of' or 'characterised by' the same noun — compare careful/careless, hopeful/hopeless, useful/useless
文法句型
noun + -less → adjective
用法筆記
The suffix -less attaches directly to common nouns to form adjectives. It is highly productive and works with both concrete nouns (a home → homeless, a roof → roofless) and abstract nouns (care → careless, hope → hopeless). Learners should not confuse this suffix with the comparative word 'less' — compare 'a harmless insect' (an insect without harm) with 'a less harmful insect' (an insect that causes less harm than another).