lowly
lowly — 形容詞
- lowlypositive
- lowliercomparative
- lowliestsuperlative
1. having a low social rank, an unimportant job, or humble origins — used especiall
卑微的
社會地位低下的
having a low social rank, an unimportant job, or humble origins — used especially of people whose position is looked down upon by others.
The old gardener lived a lowly life, but the children adored his stories.
那位老園丁過著卑微的生活，但孩子們很喜歡他的故事。
Baraka started as a lowly assistant at the bakery before becoming the head baker.
Baraka 最初只是麵包店的一名卑微助理，後來成了首席烘焙師。
collocation: lowly + job title (assistant / clerk / worker)
Despite her lowly beginnings on a small farm, Saira became a respected surgeon.
Saira 出身卑微，來自一個小農場，後來卻成為備受尊敬的外科醫生。
The lowly intern solved a problem that had puzzled the senior engineers for weeks.
那名卑微的實習生解決了困擾資深工程師好幾週的問題。
文法句型
lowly + noun (job title / rank)
用法筆記
Usually placed before a noun that names a job or role. Unlike 'humble', 'lowly' often carries a sense of being undervalued by others rather than a self-chosen modesty.
常見錯誤
lowly — 副詞
1. in a quiet voice or with very little sound, so as not to attract attention or di
低聲地
小聲地、不發出大聲音
in a quiet voice or with very little sound, so as not to attract attention or disturb others.
The children spoke lowly so as not to wake the baby.
孩子們低聲說話，以免吵醒嬰兒。
lowly + verb of speaking (spoke / whispered / sang)
Heather sang lowly to herself while she weeded the garden.
Heather 一邊在花園裡除草，一邊低聲唱著歌。
The two friends laughed lowly in the back of the library.
那兩個朋友在圖書館後方低聲笑著。
The nurse spoke lowly so the patient would not be startled.
護士低聲說話，以免嚇到病人。
- loudly
direct opposite in terms of volume
用法筆記
This sense is old-fashioned in modern English; speakers today are far more likely to use 'quietly' or 'softly' instead.
常見錯誤
2. in a way that shows you do not think you are better or more important than other
謙卑地
態度謙遜、不自大
in a way that shows you do not think you are better or more important than others, often by bowing or lowering yourself physically.
The servant bowed lowly before the emperor and waited for his command.
僕人在皇帝面前謙卑地鞠躬，等候他的命令。
collocation: bow lowly / kneel lowly
Renata accepted the criticism humbly, without making a single excuse.
Renata 謙卑地接受了批評，沒有為自己找任何藉口。
Minh knelt lowly before the altar and prayed in silence.
Minh 在祭壇前謙卑地跪下，靜默祈禱。
The old woman spoke lowly to the prince, with her eyes fixed on the ground.
老婦人謙卑地對王子說話，雙眼緊盯著地面。
- proudly
direct opposite; showing self-importance
- arrogantly
carries a stronger negative tone of superiority
用法筆記
Old-fashioned in everyday speech. In modern English, 'humbly' is the preferred adverb for describing meek or self-effacing behaviour.
3. in or to a position that is physically close to the ground or floor, at a low el
在低處
位置接近地面的
in or to a position that is physically close to the ground or floor, at a low elevation.
The hawk circled lowly over the field, watching for field mice in the grass.
那隻鷹在田野上方低處盤旋，尋找草叢裡的田鼠。
lowly + verb of position (circled / hung / crouched / sat)
Fog lay lowly in the river valley, hiding the opposite bank from view.
霧氣低低地籠罩在河谷中，遮蔽了對岸的視線。
The old cat crouched lowly beneath the table, watching a moth flutter past.
老貓低處蹲在桌子底下，看著一隻蛾子飛過。
The children sat lowly on the floor, building a tall tower of wooden blocks.
孩子們低處坐在地板上，用木積木搭建一座高塔。
- low
the standard modern adverb for physical position; 'lowly' is formal and dated
- high
at a great elevation; opposite end of the height scale
用法筆記
Distinguish from adverb/2 (HUMBLE MANNER): this sense describes only physical position near the ground, not an attitude of humility expressed through bowing or kneeling. As a positional adverb, 'lowly' is rare in modern English; the simple adverb 'low' is more common (e.g. 'circled low', 'hung low', 'sat low').