level

level — 動詞

1. to create an even, flat surface by taking away raised sections and filling in lo

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

弄平;整平

使表面平整

to create an even, flat surface by taking away raised sections and filling in lower spots, removing any bumps or dips.

例句

Jiwoo spent the afternoon levelling the garden soil before planting the vegetable seeds.

Jiwoo 花了一整個下午把花園的土整平,為播種蔬菜種子做準備。

level + surface (soil/ground) for a purpose

The old railway line was removed and the ground levelled for a new park.

舊鐵路被拆除後,地面被整平,用來建造一座公園。

passive: be levelled for [purpose]

同義詞
  • flatten

    implies pressing down to make thin, not just even

  • smooth

    more about removing roughness than achieving horizontal evenness

  • even out

    phrasal verb; more gradual, used for minor adjustments

反義詞
  • roughen

    to make a surface uneven on purpose

文法句型

level + object (ground/surface)

level + object + adverb (out/off)

用法筆記

Often used with an adverb such as 'out' or 'off': 'level out the bumps' or 'level off the top'.

常見錯誤

He flattened the garden soil.
He levelled the garden soil.
💡'flatten' suggests pressing something down until it is completely flat and thin; 'level' means making the surface even, not necessarily thin.

2. to knock down a building or structure completely, so that nothing is left standi

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

夷平;摧毀

徹底摧毀建築或區域

to knock down a building or structure completely, so that nothing is left standing above the ground.

例句

The earthquake levelled most of the old houses in the mountain village.

地震把山村裡大部分的舊房子都夷為平地了。

level + building/structure (destroyed by natural force)

Entire city blocks were levelled by the fire that swept through the downtown area.

橫掃市區的大火將整個街區夷為平地。

passive: be levelled by [disaster]

同義詞
  • raze

    more formal and literary; exactly the same meaning

  • destroy

    wider meaning — can be partial; 'level' is total

反義詞
  • build

    to construct something new

  • erect

    formal; to put up a structure

文法句型

level + building/structure/city

用法筆記

Stronger than 'damage' or 'partially destroy' — 'level' means the structure is reduced to the same height as the ground. Often used with natural disasters or military action.

常見錯誤

The storm levelled the roof.
The storm tore off the roof.
💡'level' means destroying the whole building down to the ground, not just part of it.

3. to point or aim something at someone, such as a weapon, or to direct words like

3.動詞及物B2
釋義

針對;指向

將批評、指控等對準某人

to point or aim something at someone, such as a weapon, or to direct words like criticism or an accusation at a particular person.

例句

During the debate, Tyler levelled serious accusations at the city council members.

在辯論中,Tyler 對市議員提出了嚴重的指控。

level + accusation + at + person/group

The soldier levelled his rifle at the target and waited for the command to fire.

那名士兵將步槍瞄準目標,等待開火命令。

level + weapon + at + target

同義詞
  • aim

    more neutral; can be used for weapons or general goals

  • direct

    slightly softer; can be used for both positive and negative comments

  • fire off

    informal; implies a quick series of criticisms

文法句型

level + accusation/criticism + at someone

level + weapon + at target

be levelled at/against someone

用法筆記

When used for criticism or accusations, this is frequently passive (be levelled at/against). When used for a weapon, it is typically active with a direct object.

常見錯誤

She levelled a question at the teacher.
She asked a question.' / 'She levelled a criticism at the teacher.
💡'level' with words implies a strong negative judgment, not a neutral question.

4. to speak honestly and directly to someone about something difficult or unpleasan

4.動詞不及物B2
釋義

坦白說;坦承

坦白直接地對某人說話

to speak honestly and directly to someone about something difficult or unpleasant, without hiding information or trying to avoid the topic.

例句

Putri decided to level with her parents about the dent in the car door.

Putri 決定向父母坦白,承認車門上的凹痕是她弄的。

level with someone about something

I need you to level with me — will the project be ready on time?

我需要你跟我說實話——專案能不能如期完成?

direct appeal: level with me

同義詞
  • come clean

    more informal; specifically about admitting wrongdoing

  • be straight with

    similar register; emphasises directness

  • open up

    softer; about sharing feelings, not necessarily bad news

反義詞
  • hide

    to keep information from someone

  • lie

    to say something untrue on purpose

文法句型

level with + someone

level with + someone + about + something

用法筆記

Always followed by 'with + person'. Cannot be used transitively ('level someone' is wrong in this sense). Common in informal conversations about admitting mistakes or sharing bad news.

常見錯誤

I levelled the truth to my boss.
I levelled with my boss about the mistake.
💡The verb needs 'with' and a person, not 'to' and a thing.

level — 名詞

level — 形容詞