main
main — 形容詞
1. the biggest, most powerful, or most significant in a group of similar people or
主要；最重要
在同類中規模最大、影響力最深或地位最高的
the biggest, most powerful, or most significant in a group of similar people or things.
The main road through Kabir's village was closed for a week after the heavy rain.
Kabir 村莊的主要道路因為大雨而封閉了一週。
main road — used for the most important route
Our main reason for moving was that Yasmin found a better job in Taipei.
我們搬家的主要原因是 Yasmin 在台北找到了更好的工作。
main reason — used for the biggest factor
The main character in the novel is a librarian who solves mysteries.
這本小說的主角是一位破解謎團的圖書館員。
Stefan asked what the main differences were between the two smartphones.
Stefan 問那兩支智慧型手機的主要差異是什麼。
One of the main problems with renting is that you cannot change the kitchen.
租房子的主要問題之一是你不能改動廚房。
文法句型
main + noun
用法筆記
Always placed before the noun it describes. Cannot be used on its own after a linking verb ('the problem is main' ❌ — use 'the main problem is...' ✅).
常見錯誤
main — 名詞
1. a thick pipe or cable that carries water, gas, or electricity from a central sup
主幹管
從供應網絡輸送水、瓦斯或電力的粗管線
a thick pipe or cable that carries water, gas, or electricity from a central supply network through a neighbourhood so that individual buildings can be connected to it.
A burst water main flooded the street outside Min's apartment building last night.
昨晚 Min 公寓大樓外的街道因為一條自來水主幹管破裂而淹水。
burst water main — common collocation for a broken supply pipe
The gas main runs beneath the pavement and connects to each house on the block.
瓦斯主幹管鋪設在人行道下方，連接到街區的每一戶住宅。
gas main — specific type of utility pipe
A cold snap caused a water main to burst on Elm Street, flooding the pavement and several driveways.
一場寒流導致榆樹街的自來水主幹管破裂，人行道和好幾戶的車道都淹了水。
A construction crew accidentally broke a water main while digging for a new foundation.
一組施工人員在挖地基時意外挖斷了一條自來水主幹管。
The gas main for the whole apartment block runs underneath the pavement out front.
整棟公寓大樓的瓦斯主幹管鋪設在門前的人行道下方。
文法句型
the + main
water main
gas main
用法筆記
Often used with a preceding noun that specifies the type: water main, gas main, electricity main. 'The main' alone can refer to any of these when the context is clear.
常見錯誤
2. the collection of plumbing and electrical wiring within a property that supplies
室內管線系統
建築物內輸送水電或排放汙水的管線網絡
the collection of plumbing and electrical wiring within a property that supplies water and power around the building, or that removes waste water.
Sivan turned off the water at the mains before fixing the leak in the bathroom.
Sivan 在修理浴室漏水前先把總水源關掉了。
at the mains — fixed phrase for the supply cut-off point
The electrician checked whether the mains could handle the new air conditioner.
電工檢查了室內電線系統能否負荷新的空調。
the mains — refers to the household electricity supply system
The Victorian house needed a new mains connection before Yuki could install a modern combi boiler.
這棟維多利亞式老房子需要更換總管線，Yuki 才能安裝現代化的鍋爐。
When the sewage mains backed up, the landlord called a plumber right away.
當汙水總管堵塞時，房東立刻打電話叫水電工來處理。
Romi unplugged the computer from the mains during the thunderstorm to protect it.
Romi 在雷雨期間把電腦的電源插頭拔掉以保護電腦。
- supply line
American English term for the household connection
- service pipe
technical term for the individual building connection
文法句型
the mains
mains + noun
用法筆記
In British English, 'the mains' (plural) is the standard term for a building's electricity supply. 'Mains-powered' or 'mains-operated' means a device uses the household electricity supply, not a battery. In American English, 'main' (singular) or 'service line' is more common.
3. the specific junction point — usually just inside or outside a building — where
管線接頭
外部管線與建築物內部系統的銜接處
the specific junction point — usually just inside or outside a building — where an external utility pipe or cable meets the property's internal plumbing, wiring, or drainage system.
The plumber showed Chen where the main was so the new kitchen pipes could join the existing system.
水電工向 Chen 指出總接頭的位置，這樣新廚房的水管才能接入現有系統。
where the main was — locating the junction point between external and internal systems
You need a licensed electrician to connect the solar panels at the main.
安裝太陽能板需要由合格的電工在總接頭處進行連接。
at the main — the junction point for connection
The technician checked the seal at the main before turning the gas supply back on after the leak repair.
技術人員在修完瓦斯漏氣後，先檢查了總接頭處的密封墊，才重新打開供氣。
A certified plumber can install a shut-off valve right at the main for easy access.
合格的管工可以在總接頭處安裝一個關閉閥，方便日後使用。
- junction
more general term for any joining point
- service connection
formal utility company term
文法句型
the + main
at/from the main
用法筆記
This sense is close to sense 2 but focuses on the physical connection point rather than the network of pipes. 'At the main' is a typical phrase — it means 'at the point where the external supply meets the internal system'.
4. the largest and most filling dish of a meal, usually served after a starter or a
主菜
一餐中分量最大、最能吃飽的那道菜
the largest and most filling dish of a meal, usually served after a starter or appetiser and sometimes followed by dessert.
Apinya ordered grilled fish as her main and a small salad to begin with.
Apinya 點了烤魚作為主菜，再來一份小沙拉開胃。
as her main — ordering the main course
Jack usually skips a starter and orders only the main when he eats out.
Jack 外出用餐時通常不點前菜，只點主菜。
For the main, Élise prepared a vegetable curry with rice and fresh coriander.
Élise 準備了蔬菜咖哩配白飯和新鮮香菜作為主菜。
The menu lists eight main courses, including steak, pasta, and roast chicken.
菜單上有八種主菜可供選擇，包括牛排、義大利麵和烤雞。
Yara found the main too large and asked the waiter for a takeaway box.
Yara 覺得主菜分量太大，就跟服務生要了餐盒打包。
- main course
the full form; equally common
- entrée
American English term for the main dish; means starter in British English
- main dish
less common but still used
文法句型
the + main
for the main
main course
用法筆記
In restaurant contexts, 'the main' is slightly less formal than 'the main course'. 'Entrée' is used in American English for the main course but in British English 'entrée' means a starter — this can cause confusion for learners.
常見錯誤
5. a fixed phrase used to say that something is true in most ways or with few excep
大致上
用於表示某件事在多數情況下成立
a fixed phrase used to say that something is true in most ways or with few exceptions — similar to 'generally speaking' or 'for the most part'.
In the main, the students enjoyed the trip to the natural history museum.
大致上，學生們都很喜歡這次自然歷史博物館的校外教學。
In the main, + clause — phrase at the start of a sentence
The food at the conference was, in the main, well prepared and tasty.
會議上的餐點大致上都準備得很好，味道也不錯。
was, in the main, — phrase inserted mid-sentence
Reviews of the film were positive in the main, though a few critics disagreed.
這部電影的評價整體來說是正面的，不過有少數影評人持反對意見。
Contributions to the charity came, in the main, from local residents and a few businesses.
這家慈善機構的捐款主要來自當地居民和少數企業。
- generally
more common in everyday speech
- for the most part
similar formality and meaning
- by and large
similar meaning, slightly less formal
- mostly
simpler and more conversational
文法句型
in the main + clause
clause + in the main
用法筆記
This is a fixed adverbial phrase, not a literal use of 'main'. It is common in formal writing and academic texts. In everyday conversation, 'generally' or 'mostly' sounds more natural. The phrase cannot be broken up with possessive adjectives ('in my main' ❌).