liberal
liberal — 形容詞
1. Willing to accept and value a wide range of beliefs and personal choices, includ
開放的
尊重不同信念與行為的
Willing to accept and value a wide range of beliefs and personal choices, including those that differ from what society considers traditional or conventional.
Imran grew up in a liberal household where all political views were discussed openly.
Imran 在一個開放的大家庭長大，家裏可以公開討論各種政治觀點。
collocation: liberal household / liberal society
The city is known for its liberal attitudes toward different lifestyles and cultures.
這座城市以對不同生活方式與文化的開放態度聞名。
collocation: liberal attitudes toward
Mizuki's parents held liberal views and raised her to question tradition.
Mizuki 的父母抱持開放觀念，鼓勵她質疑傳統。
A liberal society protects the right of people to follow their own beliefs.
一個開放的社會會保護人們依循自己信念生活的權利。
The village had a liberal atmosphere where people from many faiths lived side by side.
這個村子有著開放的氣氛，不同信仰的人們和睦地生活在一起。
- open-minded
more about willingness to consider new ideas; less political than 'liberal'
- tolerant
focuses on accepting others' practices without necessarily agreeing
- broad-minded
older term, similar to open-minded but slightly formal
- narrow-minded
unwilling to accept different beliefs or behaviour
- conservative
preferring tradition and resisting change
文法句型
be liberal about [beliefs/behaviour]
liberal [attitudes/views/society]
用法筆記
Often used to describe societies, families, or institutions that accept non-traditional lifestyles, beliefs, or behaviours. The preposition 'about' is common: 'liberal about something.'
常見錯誤
2. Supporting policies that increase personal freedom and make society more equal b
進步的
支持社會改革與公平分配的
Supporting policies that increase personal freedom and make society more equal by gradually sharing wealth, property, and power more fairly among all citizens.
The liberal candidate promised to raise taxes on the wealthy to fund better schools.
這位進步派候選人承諾對富人加稅，以資助更好的學校。
attributive: liberal candidate / liberal government
Élise supports liberal policies that reduce the gap between rich and poor.
Élise 支持有助於縮小貧富差距的進步政策。
collocation: liberal policies
Under a liberal government, the country expanded free healthcare to all citizens.
在進步派政府的領導下，該國將免費醫療擴大至所有公民。
Many young voters prefer a liberal party that invests in public services.
許多年輕選民偏好主張投資公共服務的進步政黨。
The newspaper takes a liberal stance on social issues like same-sex marriage.
這家報紙在同性婚姻等社會議題上採取進步立場。
- progressive
very similar but often implies stronger commitment to active reform; increasingly preferred in US politics
- left-wing
broader term; can include more radical positions like socialism
- reformist
focuses on changing specific laws rather than a whole political philosophy
- conservative
favours tradition and limited government action on social issues
- right-wing
broad term for opposing progressive social and economic policies
文法句型
liberal [candidate/government/party/policies]
be politically liberal
用法筆記
In modern political discourse, this sense implies centre-left positions: support for social welfare, civil rights, and environmental protection. Distinguish from sense 3 (ECONOMIC FREEDOM), which advocates minimal government intervention in markets.
常見錯誤
3. Supporting economic systems in which businesses operate with few government cont
自由市場的
主張低稅收少監管的
Supporting economic systems in which businesses operate with few government controls, low taxes, and minimal regulation so that competition and free trade drive growth.
The economist argued that liberal trade policies would help the economy grow.
這位經濟學家主張自由貿易政策有助於經濟成長。
collocation: liberal trade policies
Adisa's government pursued liberal economic reforms, cutting taxes and removing controls.
Adisa 的政府推行自由市場改革，包括減稅與解除管制。
Critics say liberal market policies mostly benefit large corporations, not workers.
批評者認為自由市場政策主要讓大企業受益，而非勞工。
A liberal economic system relies on competition between private companies.
自由市場經濟體系依賴民營企業之間的競爭。
The country's liberal trade policies helped local businesses access international markets.
該國的自由貿易政策幫助本地企業進軍國際市場。
- free-market
directly describes the economic philosophy without the broader political connotations
- laissez-faire
French term for minimal government intervention; more formal and historically specific
- neoliberal
modern form of economic liberalism, often used critically by opponents
- protectionist
favours trade barriers and government control of markets
- regulated
describing an economy with strict government rules
文法句型
liberal [trade/market/economic] [policies/reforms/system]
用法筆記
This sense describes 'economic liberalism' or 'classical liberalism' — the belief in free markets and limited government. It often contrasts with 'liberal' in the political-progressive sense (sense 2), which supports more government intervention for social equality. Adding 'economic' or 'market' before 'liberal' disambiguates this sense.
常見錯誤
4. Giving or given freely and in large amounts, especially of money, food, or other
慷慨的
慷慨給予或大量的
Giving or given freely and in large amounts, especially of money, food, or other material resources.
The charity received a liberal donation from someone who wanted to stay anonymous.
這家慈善機構收到一位不願具名的支持者慷慨捐款。
collocation: liberal donation
Grandma always served liberal portions of rice and vegetables at dinner.
祖母晚餐時總會盛上滿滿的米飯和蔬菜。
collocation: liberal portions of
The company offers a liberal benefits package with six weeks of paid leave.
這家公司提供慷慨的福利方案，包括六週有薪假。
Rania applied a liberal amount of sunscreen before going to the beach.
Rania 在去海灘之前塗了厚厚一層防曬乳。
Elena added a liberal dash of hot sauce to her soup before eating it.
Elena 在湯裡加了一大匙辣醬才開始喝。
- generous
more common and general; works for both material and non-material giving
- open-handed
more informal and descriptive
- ample
describes the amount itself rather than the giver's attitude
文法句型
be liberal with [money/food/resources]
liberal [portion/donation/amount]
用法筆記
Commonly used with concrete nouns describing things given or spent: 'a liberal donation,' 'a liberal portion,' 'a liberal amount.' For people, the pattern 'liberal with [something]' is typical, e.g. 'liberal with his money.' Avoid using this sense for non-material things like time or attention — 'generous' sounds more natural there.
常見錯誤
5. Not following rules, details, or the exact original form very strictly; allowing
寬鬆的
不嚴格按照細節的
Not following rules, details, or the exact original form very strictly; allowing a broad or flexible understanding instead of a precise one.
The translator took a liberal approach, keeping the poem's feeling over its exact words.
譯者採取了寬鬆的方式，保留詩的情感而非逐字翻譯。
collocation: liberal approach
The judge gave a liberal reading of the contract, letting both sides renegotiate.
法官對合約做了寬鬆的解讀，允許雙方重新協商。
collocation: liberal reading of [document]
Christopher's liberal interpretation of the rules meant nobody knew what was actually banned.
Christopher 對規則的寬鬆解釋使得沒有人確切知道什麼是禁止的。
The teacher accepted a liberal translation that captured the idea rather than every word.
老師接受了一版寬鬆的翻譯，強調原文的精神而非每個字。
文法句型
liberal [interpretation/reading/translation/approach]
用法筆記
Almost always used before nouns like 'interpretation,' 'reading,' 'translation,' or 'approach.' The focus is on flexibility rather than accuracy. This sense can carry a mildly negative tone when the speaker thinks precision was needed.
常見錯誤
6. Relating to a type of education that develops general knowledge, critical thinki
博雅的
培養通識能力的
Relating to a type of education that develops general knowledge, critical thinking, and broad understanding across many subjects rather than teaching specific job skills.
Padma chose a liberal arts college to study history, philosophy, and biology.
Padma 選擇了一所博雅學院，以便學習歷史、哲學和生物學。
collocation: liberal arts college
A liberal education teaches students how to think across different subjects.
博雅教育教導學生如何在不同學科之間進行批判性思考。
collocation: liberal education
The university's liberal arts programme requires courses in literature and mathematics.
這所大學的博雅課程要求修讀文學和數學等科目。
A liberal arts college focuses on teaching students how to think rather than what to think.
博雅學院的重點是教學生如何思考，而非思考什麼。
- general
broader term for non-specialised education
- broad-based
describes the curriculum scope without the institutional tradition
- vocational
focused on specific job skills and training
- specialised
concentrated in one field or discipline
文法句型
liberal arts [college/education/background]
liberal [education/studies]
用法筆記
Primarily used in North American education systems. 'Liberal arts' refers to humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences as a broad curriculum. Outside the US, 'liberal education' or 'general education' may be preferred. This sense is almost always followed by 'arts,' 'education,' 'college,' or 'background.'
常見錯誤
liberal — 名詞
1. A person who supports progressive social policies, personal freedom, and gradual
自由派
主張社會改革與平等的
A person who supports progressive social policies, personal freedom, and gradual change that shares wealth, property, and power more fairly among all members of society.
As a liberal, Maeve supports higher spending on public healthcare and schools.
作為自由派，Maeve 支持增加公共醫療和學校的經費。
phrase: as a liberal
Liberals in parliament pushed for a law that protects workers' rights.
國會中的自由派推動了一項保障勞工權益的法律。
the + plural: liberals in parliament
The election showed voters shifting toward liberals in urban areas.
選舉結果顯示都市選民明顯轉向支持自由派。
Both liberals and conservatives agreed on the need for education reform.
自由派和保守派都同意教育改革的必要性。
The senator is a liberal who believes government should help the poorest citizens.
這位參議員是自由派，認為政府應該幫助最貧困的公民。
- progressive
increasingly preferred by those who hold such views; emphasises active reform
- left-winger
broader; can include more radical positions beyond mainstream liberalism
- conservative
someone who prefers traditional social structures and limited government
- right-winger
broad term for those opposing progressive change
文法句型
a/the liberal
liberals in [parliament/government]
as a liberal
用法筆記
This is the most common noun sense in modern media and political discussion. In the US, 'liberals' are associated with the Democratic Party. In the UK, 'liberals' may refer to members of the Liberal Democrats. In many countries, the term is used broadly for centre-left political positions.
常見錯誤
2. A person who accepts and respects a wide range of beliefs and lifestyles, even w
開明的人
尊重不同觀念的人
A person who accepts and respects a wide range of beliefs and lifestyles, even when these differ from their own or from what is traditional.
Uncle Otis is a true liberal who believes everyone should live as they choose.
Otis 叔叔是個開明的人，他相信每個人都可以按照自己選擇的方式生活。
predicative: is a liberal
In the debate, the liberals argued for greater acceptance of different cultures.
在辯論中，開明的人主張應更廣泛地接受不同的文化。
the + plural: the liberals argued
The community includes both conservatives and liberals who respect each other.
這個社區裡同時有保守派和開明派，他們彼此尊重。
My grandmother was a liberal in the best sense — she never judged anyone.
我祖母向來是思想開明的人——她從不隨意評判他人。
Among the villagers, Grandfather was known as a liberal who never scolded anyone for their choices.
在村子裡，爺爺被公認為思想開明的人，從不因別人的選擇而責備他們。
- open-minded person
more transparent — describes the quality without political associations
- tolerant person
direct and unambiguous
- bigot
a person who is intolerant of other beliefs or groups
- conservative
in the social sense — someone who prefers traditional ways
文法句型
a liberal
the liberals
用法筆記
This sense focuses on personal tolerance and open-mindedness rather than political affiliation. It is less common in modern political discourse than sense 1. When used without context, most readers will assume the political meaning rather than the general tolerant meaning.
常見錯誤
3. A person who believes that businesses and markets should operate with minimal go
自由市場派
主張經濟自由放任的
A person who believes that businesses and markets should operate with minimal government regulation, low taxes, and free trade, and that competition drives economic growth and prosperity.
Niran describes himself as a classical liberal who favours free trade and small government.
Niran 形容自己是古典自由市場派，支持自由貿易和小政府。
phrase: classical liberal
Economic liberals argue that deregulation creates jobs and encourages innovation.
自由市場派認為解除管制能創造就業機會並鼓勵創新。
phrase: economic liberals
The debate between economic liberals and protectionists shaped the new trade deal.
自由市場派與保護主義者之間的辯論影響了新的貿易協定。
Classical liberals believe low taxes allow businesses to invest and expand.
古典自由市場派認為低稅率能讓企業投資與擴張。
- libertarian
more extreme — favours even less government, often opposing all state intervention
- free-market advocate
descriptive phrase without ideological label
- protectionist
someone who favours trade barriers and government market control
- social democrat
supports stronger government involvement in the economy for equality
文法句型
a classical liberal
economic liberals
用法筆記
Often requires a qualifier like 'classical' or 'economic' to distinguish from sense 1, since the two meanings are politically opposite on economic issues. 'Classical liberal' refers to the 18th-19th century tradition of thinkers like Adam Smith and John Stuart Mill, who advocated free markets alongside personal freedom.