life

IPA/laɪf/
KK[lˈaɪf]IPA/laɪf/

life — 名詞

  • lifesingular
  • livesplural

1. the period of time when a person or other living thing is alive, including all t

1.名詞A2
釋義

生命；一生

從出生到死亡的期間

the period of time when a person or other living thing is alive, including all the experiences, events, and activities that happen during that time

例句

Anya spent most of her life in a small fishing village on the coast.

Anya 一生大部分時間都住在一個沿海的小漁村裡。

possessive + life: her life

The old photographs helped Sirin remember the important moments of her life.

那些舊照片幫助 Sirin 回憶起她生命中的重要時刻。

同義詞
  • existence

    more formal, often used in philosophical contexts

  • lifetime

    focuses specifically on the duration, not the experiences

文法句型

life + of + noun

in + possessive + life

用法筆記

Often used with possessives (my life, her life, their lives) or with of to specify whose existence is being described. This is the broadest and most frequent sense of the word.

常見錯誤

❌I read a book about live.
✅I read a book about life.
💡live is a verb or adjective; the noun form for existence is life.
❌She lived a long live.
✅She lived a long life.
💡life (noun) vs live (verb) are easily confused by learners.

2. the full span of a person's existence from birth to death, seen as a single unbr

2.名詞B1
釋義

一生；終身

從出生到死亡的完整期間

the full span of a person's existence from birth to death, seen as a single unbroken period that one lives through, commits to for its entire length, or endures till the end — used in fixed expressions like for life or the rest of your life

例句

When their parents died, Nora promised her younger brother to care for him for life.

父母過世後，Nora 承諾要照顧弟弟一輩子。

for life: indicates the entire remaining duration

The judge sentenced the convicted murderer to spend the rest of his life in a maximum-security prison.

法官判處這名被判有罪的殺人犯終身監禁，關押在最高安全級別的監獄裡。

the rest of + possessive + life

同義詞
  • lifetime

    interchangeable in many contexts, slightly more formal

文法句型

for life

all of + possessive + life

the rest of + possessive + life

用法筆記

Typically appears in fixed expressions like for life, for the rest of your life, or all my life. Distinguish from sense 1 (EXISTENCE): this sense emphasises the full duration rather than the experiences within it.

3. the act or state of sacrificing one's own existence or well-being so that anothe

3.名詞B2
釋義

犧牲；奉獻

為保護他人或理想而死

the act or state of sacrificing one's own existence or well-being so that another person, a group, or a principle can survive or be protected.

例句

The young soldier gave his life to save the other members of his team.

那位年輕士兵為了拯救隊友而犧牲了自己的生命。

give + possessive + life: gave his life

Three student activists lost their lives during the protest for cleaner drinking water in their town.

三名學生運動人士在爭取鎮上乾淨飲用水的抗議活動中喪生。

lose + possessive + life (plural): lost their lives

同義詞
  • sacrifice

    broader term that can include giving up things other than one's life

  • self-sacrifice

    emphasises the voluntary nature of the act

文法句型

give + possessive + life

lose + possessive + life

risk + possessive + life

用法筆記

Nearly always used with verbs like give, lose, risk, or sacrifice combined with a possessive. The subject is typically the person making the sacrifice. Common in news reports about accidents, wars, and heroic acts.

常見錯誤

❌He gave his live for his country.
✅He gave his life for his country.
💡the noun is life, not the verb live.

4. the idea that people live on after dying as spirits or in another form of being

4.名詞B1
釋義

來生；永生

死後靈魂繼續存在的信念

the idea that people live on after dying as spirits or in another form of being

例句

After her mother passed away, Tamar found great comfort in her belief in life after death.

母親過世後，Tamar 從她對死後有來生的信念中獲得極大的安慰。

life after death: set phrase

The ancient Egyptians wrote detailed descriptions on tomb walls about what happens in the next life.

古埃及人在墓室牆壁上寫下了關於來生景象的詳細描述。

next life: another common phrase for this sense

同義詞
  • afterlife

    the most direct synonym; refers to the same concept as a single noun

  • eternity

    emphasises the timeless, endless nature of existence after death

反義詞
  • death

    the end of physical life that this sense claims to follow

文法句型

life after death

the afterlife

next life

eternal life

用法筆記

Commonly found in fixed phrases: life after death, next life, eternal life, and the afterlife. This sense is uncountable and rarely used with an article unless modified (a life beyond death).

5. the daily routines and customs that make up how someone lives, covering all part

5.名詞A2
釋義

生活；日子

日常作息、活動與經歷的總稱

the daily routines and customs that make up how someone lives, covering all parts of their existence from work to relationships

例句

Moving to the countryside gave Layla a quieter and simpler life.

搬到鄉下之後，Layla 過著更安靜、更簡單的生活。

adjective + life: a quieter and simpler life

Vikram enjoys Mumbai's busy social life — concerts, films, and late-night street food with friends.

Vikram 享受孟買熱鬧的社交生活——和朋友一起聽音樂會、看電影、吃宵夜。

同義詞
  • lifestyle

    focuses on choices and habits rather than the full set of experiences

  • existence

    more formal, often describes the basic conditions of living

文法句型

adjective + life

noun modifier + life

life + of + noun

用法筆記

Can be modified by almost any adjective (busy life, quiet life, happy life, stressful life) or noun modifier (family life, city life, school life, home life). This sense is very productive for describing different areas or styles of living.

常見錯誤

❌I like my everyday live.
✅I like my everyday life.
💡life is the noun; live is a verb.

6. a complete change from one's existing situation to a different way or place of l

6.名詞B1
釋義

新生活；轉變

徹底改變生活方式或地點

a complete change from one's existing situation to a different way or place of living, typically after a difficult period

例句

After the divorce, Yasmin decided to start a new life in another city.

離婚後，Yasmin 決定在另一個城市展開新生活。

start a new life: most common verb collocation

The family sold everything they owned and began a new life in Canada.

這家人賣掉了所有家當，在加拿大開始了新的生活。

同義詞
  • fresh start

    a synonymous phrase that can be used interchangeably in most contexts

  • new beginning

    slightly more formal, often used in emotional or spiritual contexts

反義詞
  • routine

    a fixed, unchanging pattern of living that is the opposite of a fresh start

文法句型

start a new life

make a new life

begin a new life

用法筆記

Always appears with an adjective like new or fresh and a verb like start, begin, make, or build. The focus is on the act of changing rather than the resulting lifestyle. Distinguish from sense 5 (WAY OF LIVING): this sense describes the transition itself, not the ongoing pattern.

7. the length of time that a machine, device, system, or organization continues to

7.名詞B2
釋義

使用壽命

機器或組織能持續運作的時間

the length of time that a machine, device, system, or organization continues to work, be useful, or exist

例句

The average life of a laptop battery is about three to four years.

筆記型電腦電池的平均使用壽命大約是三到四年。

the life of [object] — duration of usefulness

Charlotte hopes to extend the life of her washing machine by cleaning it every month.

Charlotte 希望每個月清洗洗衣機，來延長它的使用壽命。

同義詞
  • lifespan

    more specific; the maximum or expected duration

  • durability

    focus on how long something lasts without breaking, not its whole period of use

  • service life

    technical term for the period a product is expected to remain functional

文法句型

the life of [noun]

用法筆記

Commonly preceded by a possessive or 'of' phrase identifying the object: 'the life of a battery', 'the car's life'. Often modified by adjectives like 'useful', 'working', 'design', or 'shelf'.

常見錯誤

❌The life of my phone is two hours before it dies.
✅The battery life of my phone is two hours.
💡'life of a phone' sounds like the whole phone's existence; specify 'battery life' for power duration.
❌I want to buy a car with long life.
✅I want to buy a car with a long working life.
💡'life' needs a modifier when referring to objects; 'working life' or 'useful life' is clearer.

8. the condition or force that separates living creatures from non-living matter an

8.名詞B1
釋義

生命

生物有別於無生物的特質或狀態

the condition or force that separates living creatures from non-living matter and from dead bodies — giving them the ability to grow, reproduce, breathe, and react to their surroundings

例句

The scientists are searching for signs of life on other planets using powerful telescopes.

科學家們正在利用強大的望遠鏡搜尋其他行星上的生命跡象。

signs of life — evidence of living things

Yuki believes that every form of life, from insects to elephants, deserves respect.

Yuki 認為每一種形式的生命，從昆蟲到大象，都應該受到尊重。

forms of life — types of living organisms

同義詞
  • existence

    broader; can refer to non-biological or abstract things

  • animation

    more poetic; suggests movement and activity

  • vitality

    focuses on the energy of being alive, not the state itself

反義詞

文法句型

life as [noun phrase]

signs of life

forms of life

用法筆記

Unlike sense 1 (human existence) which focuses on personal experience and biography, this sense describes the biological state itself. 'Signs of life' and 'forms of life' are fixed patterns unique to this sense.

常見錯誤

❌She wrote a book about her interesting life.' (when meaning personal experience)
✅She wrote a book about the life of plants in the desert.
💡Use 'life' with a modifier or 'of' phrase when you mean the biological state. For personal experiences, use 'life' alone or with a possessive.

9. the lively, energetic quality that a person, performance, event, or place natura

9.名詞B2
釋義

活力

充滿能量和趣味的特質

the lively, energetic quality that a person, performance, event, or place naturally possesses — the sense that something is vibrant, spirited, and full of activity rather than dull, empty, or quiet

例句

The young singer brought life to the old folk song, and the audience stood up and cheered.

那位年輕歌手為這首老民歌注入了活力，觀眾都站起來歡呼。

bring life to [something] — make it lively

Selim's travel stories are full of life and colour — you never get bored listening to him.

Selim 的旅遊故事充滿了活力和色彩——聽他講話永遠不會無聊。

full of life — very energetic and interesting

同義詞
  • energy

    more neutral; can describe physical power or enthusiasm

  • vitality

    suggests healthy energy and liveliness

  • animation

    focuses on visible liveliness in movement or expression

反義詞

文法句型

full of life

bring life to [noun]

用法筆記

Used where a thing or event has 'life' as a quality. Not used for living organisms themselves — a person who 'has life' means they are biologically alive (sense 8), not that they are energetic. 'Full of life' avoids this ambiguity.

常見錯誤

❌My grandmother is 90 and still has a lot of life.
✅My grandmother is 90 and is still full of life.
💡'has life' sounds biological; 'full of life' means energetic.

10. the deliberate act or process of making something more interesting, vivid, or ex

10.名詞B2
釋義

活化

透過行動讓平淡事物變得生動

the deliberate act or process of making something more interesting, vivid, or exciting — used in the phrases bring to life and breathe life into, where a person or thing actively transforms a dull subject, object, or situation into an engaging one

例句

The old black-and-white photos were brought to life when Grandma told us the stories behind each one.

當奶奶告訴我們每張照片背後的故事時，那些老舊的黑白照片就活了起來。

bring [noun] to life — make vivid and interesting

The new history teacher breathed life into the class by dressing up as famous figures from the past.

新的歷史老師打扮成過去的知名人物來上課，為課堂注入了生命力。

breathe life into [noun] — revitalise with energy

同義詞
  • animate

    more formal; give motion or spirit to

  • revitalise

    suggests restoring energy to something that has lost it

  • enliven

    make more lively or interesting

文法句型

bring [noun] to life

breathe life into [noun]

用法筆記

Always part of a verb phrase — 'life' here is the object of 'bring to' or 'breathe into'. The phrase can be used with any subject that adds energy or interest. 'Breathe new life into' adds the idea of refreshing something old or tired.

常見錯誤

❌The music brought life to the party.' (not wrong but less natural)
✅The music brought the party to life.
💡The standard word order is 'bring [something] to life', not 'bring life to [something].' The latter is possible but less idiomatic.

11. used in the phrase 'come to life' to describe a machine, device, system, or plac

11.名詞B2
釋義

活過來

開始活動或發揮功能

used in the phrase 'come to life' to describe a machine, device, system, or place starting to move, work, or operate as if it had become alive

例句

The old radio crackled and came to life with jazz music when Elena plugged it in.

Elena 插上電源後，那臺老收音機劈啪作響了一會兒，然後傳來爵士樂電臺的聲音，啟動了。

come to life — start functioning (electronic device)

The robot's eyes glowed blue and its arms began to move — it had finally come to life.

機器人的眼睛發出藍光，手臂開始移動——它終於活過來了。

同義詞
  • activate

    more technical; cause to start working

  • start up

    begin operating, especially a machine or engine

  • awaken

    more poetic; especially for places or nature

反義詞

文法句型

come to life

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 12: this sense focuses on the start of actual movement, sound, or functional operation (a clock ticking, an engine running, a city waking). Sense 12 focuses on a change in mood or atmosphere becoming more exciting.

常見錯誤

❌The meeting came to life when the manager arrived.' (if you mean it became exciting, use sense 12)
✅The old radio came to life when I plugged it in.
💡Use this sense for actual functioning; use sense 12 for atmosphere or excitement.

12. used in the phrase 'come to life' to describe a situation, event, discussion, or

12.名詞B2
釋義

活躍起來

變得更有趣或更有活力

used in the phrase 'come to life' to describe a situation, event, discussion, or place becoming more exciting, interesting, or full of lively activity

例句

The party only came to life after midnight when the band started playing salsa music.

派對直到午夜樂團開始演奏騷莎音樂之後才熱鬧起來。

The quiet museum came to life when a group of schoolchildren arrived for an interactive tour.

原本安靜的博物館在一群學童前來參加互動導覽時，頓時活絡了起來。

同義詞
  • liven up

    become more lively or interesting; informal

  • warm up

    gradually become more enthusiastic or excited

  • pick up

    informal; improve in energy or activity

反義詞

文法句型

come to life

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 11: this sense describes a change in atmosphere or level of excitement, not the start of mechanical or physical functioning. If a device starts making noise, use sense 11. If a room full of people suddenly becomes animated, use this sense.

13. the state of returning to a condition of operation, liveliness, or interest afte

13.名詞B2
釋義

復甦；重振

恢復生機或重新開始運作

the state of returning to a condition of operation, liveliness, or interest after a period of inactivity, stillness, or decline — the key element that distinguishes this sense from other 'life' phrasal senses is the idea of restoration or recovery, often expressed with back in come back to life or bring back to life

例句

After weeks of heavy rain, the flooded garden came back to life when the sun finally dried out the soil.

連續下了幾週大雨之後，淹水的花園在陽光終於曬乾土壤時恢復了生機。

collocation: come back to life (nature)

An old clock, silent for years, was brought back to life at a local shop.

那台沉寂多年的老時鐘，被當地一家店修好後重新運作起來。

collocation: bring back to life (object)

同義詞
  • revive

    more formal, used for plants, economies, or traditions

  • restore

    focuses on returning something to a former good state

  • animate

    more formal, used in creative or artistic contexts

反義詞
  • die

    the opposite process of losing life or function

  • fade

    losing energy or existence gradually

  • die down

    to become less active or exciting

文法句型

come/spring + back + to life

bring + object + back + to life

come + to life

bring + object + to life

用法筆記

Often appears in fixed phrases: 'come back to life' (intransitive, focuses on the subject reviving on its own) and 'bring [something] back to life' (transitive, an agent does the reviving). The shorter forms 'come to life' and 'bring to life' are also common when describing renewed energy rather than literal restoration.

14. all the plants, animals, and other living organisms that inhabit a particular en

14.名詞B2
釋義

生物；生命

某一環境或地區的全部生物

all the plants, animals, and other living organisms that inhabit a particular environment, region, or type of place — typically preceded by a modifier such as marine, plant, bird, or wildlife to specify which kinds of organisms

例句

The scientist spent thirty years studying marine life in the Pacific Ocean.

那位科學家在太平洋花了三十年研究海洋生物。

collocation: marine life / plant life / wildlife

The forest floor is full of insect life — beetles, ants, and spiders of every size.

森林地表充滿了昆蟲——各種大小的甲蟲、螞蟻和蜘蛛。

同義詞

文法句型

[adjective] + life

life on + [place]

用法筆記

Uncountable — you cannot say 'a life' or 'lives' in this sense. Typically modified by a preceding noun (plant life, wildlife, marine life) or used in the phrase 'signs of life'.

常見錯誤

❌There are many lives in the ocean.
✅There is a lot of marine life in the ocean.
💡In this sense 'life' is uncountable, referring to living things as a whole.

15. the practice of creating art by observing a real person, object, or scene direct

15.名詞B2
釋義

實物；實景

以真人或實物為題材繪畫

the practice of creating art by observing a real person, object, or scene directly, rather than using photographs or memory as a reference.

例句

In art class, the students spent the afternoon drawing a vase of flowers from life.

美術課上，學生們花了一整個下午對著一瓶花寫生。

phrase: draw/paint from life

Anya prefers to paint from life because the colours look more natural than in photos.

Anya 比較喜歡寫生，因為顏色看起來比照片更自然。

同義詞
反義詞

文法句型

[verb] + from life

用法筆記

Only used in the fixed phrase 'from life' after verbs like draw, paint, sketch, or work. Related terms: 'life model' (a person who poses), 'still life' (painting of objects).

常見錯誤

❌I painted this from a life.
✅I painted this from life.
💡No article is needed before 'life' in this sense.

16. a legal penalty that keeps a person in prison for many years, often for the rest

16.名詞B1
釋義

無期徒刑

被判長期監禁或終身監禁

a legal penalty that keeps a person in prison for many years, often for the rest of their natural life; a life sentence.

例句

The judge sentenced the man to life in prison for the robbery.

法官判處那名男子終身監禁，因為他犯下了搶劫案。

phrase: life in prison

In some countries, a life sentence means the person will never be released.

在某些國家，無期徒刑代表犯人永遠不得釋放。

collocation: life sentence

同義詞
反義詞

文法句型

[verb] + life

life + [noun]

用法筆記

In legal contexts, 'life imprisonment' is the formal term. The length of time actually served varies by country — it may mean the rest of the person's natural life or a fixed number of years (e.g. 25 years).

常見錯誤

❌He got life in jail.
✅He got life in prison.
💡'Prison' is the standard collocation in legal usage; 'jail' usually refers to short-term detention.

17. one of several chances a player has in a game before being eliminated or having

17.名詞A2
釋義

生命值；命

遊戲中可失敗的次數

one of several chances a player has in a game before being eliminated or having to restart from the beginning.

例句

The game gives you three lives, and you start over when you lose them all.

遊戲給玩家三條命，全部用完就得從頭開始。

phrase: lose a life / lose all lives

Aoi was on her last life when she finally defeated the final boss.

Aoi 只剩最後一條命時，終於打敗了最終頭目。

phrase: last life

同義詞
  • chance

    broader term, used in all kinds of games

  • try

    informal, common in children's games

文法句型

have/lose + [number] + lives

use up + all + [possessive] + lives

用法筆記

Countable — you can have one life, two lives, etc. Common in both video games and board games. Often used with the verbs 'lose', 'gain', 'earn', 'save', or 'use up'.

常見錯誤

❌I lost one life when the monster touched me.
✅I lost a life when the monster touched me.
💡Use the article 'a' instead of 'one' unless you specifically want to count.

18. a written work that describes the real events of a person's life and is created

18.名詞B1
釋義

傳記

由他人撰寫的真實人物生平

a written work that describes the real events of a person's life and is created by someone else, not by the person who lived it

例句

Aoi is writing a life of the composer that covers his early years in Vienna.

Aoi 正在撰寫那位作曲家的傳記，內容涵蓋他在維也納的早年生活。

life + of + person — biography noun construction

Aaron borrowed a life of the astronaut from the school library for his book report.

Aaron 從學校圖書館借了一本太空人的傳記來寫他的讀書報告。

同義詞
  • biography

    the standard modern term; more common in everyday use than life

  • life story

    less formal, often used for oral or informal accounts rather than a published book

  • memoir

    usually focuses on a specific period or theme, not the full life, and is often written by the subject

文法句型

life + of + person

用法筆記

In this sense, life is a countable noun, used to mean a biography. It can be followed by of and the name of the person (e.g., a life of Churchill). This usage is more common in formal or literary contexts than the everyday word biography.

常見錯誤

❌I am reading a life of myself.
✅I am reading my own autobiography.
💡When the person writes about their own life, use autobiography, not life of myself.

life — 形容詞