marginal
marginal — 形容詞
1. so small in amount, degree, or effect that it barely matters or makes very littl
微小的
數量或影響極小的
so small in amount, degree, or effect that it barely matters or makes very little noticeable difference.
The cost difference between the two plans was marginal — less than five dollars a month.
這兩種方案的費用差異非常微小，每月只差不到五美元。
predicative: marginal difference / marginal cost
After two weeks of treatment, only a marginal improvement appeared in Yuki’s condition.
經過兩週治療後，Yuki 的病情只有微小的改善。
attributive: marginal improvement
The company reported marginal profit growth of just 0.4 percent this quarter.
該公司本季報告的利潤成長微乎其微，僅有 0.4%。
A marginal increase in temperature was enough to melt the thin layer of ice.
溫度微幅上升就足以融化那層薄冰。
- slight
similar meaning but neutral in tone; a slight improvement is still noticeable
- negligible
stronger than marginal; something so small it can be ignored or has no practical effect
- minimal
focuses on the smallest possible amount, often by intention (minimal waste, minimal effort)
- insignificant
carries a judgment of unimportance that goes beyond size alone
- substantial
large in amount, degree, or effect
- significant
large enough to be noticed and matter
文法句型
marginal + noun
be + marginal
用法筆記
Frequently appears with nouns denoting measurable quantities (“difference”, “improvement”, “increase”, “change”). Distinguish from sense 6 (barely profitable), where the focus is on financial adequacy rather than size.
常見錯誤
2. appealing to a very small audience and therefore existing outside the central co
非主流的
只有少數人感興趣的
appealing to a very small audience and therefore existing outside the central concerns or mainstream of a society or field.
The documentary about traditional folk pottery covered a topic so marginal that fewer than two hundred people watched it online.
那部關於傳統民間陶藝的紀錄片探討的主題極度小眾，線上觀看人數不到兩百人。
attributive: marginal topic / marginal interest
Kemi published her research in a marginal journal with only a few hundred readers.
Kemi 在一本發行量很小的非主流期刊上發表了她的研究。
The band’s music appeals to a marginal audience and never reaches the mainstream charts.
這個樂團的音樂只吸引小眾聽眾，從未進入主流排行榜。
This issue is marginal to the main debate and should not distract the committee.
這個議題在主要辯論中僅屬周邊問題，不應讓委員會因此分心。
- niche
more modern and neutral; a niche interest is simply narrow, not necessarily unimportant
- peripheral
more formal; suggests something is at the edge of a field or discussion
- fringe
often carries a stronger connotation of being outside the mainstream or unusual
- mainstream
accepted or followed by most people
- central
of primary importance or relevance
文法句型
marginal + noun
be + marginal + to + noun
用法筆記
Often paired with “to” (be marginal to something) to indicate peripheral relevance. Can carry a slightly dismissive tone — calling a topic marginal suggests it does not deserve wide attention.
常見錯誤
3. relating to the idea that many small, separate improvements in different areas c
微幅成長的
微小進步累積成顯著成果
relating to the idea that many small, separate improvements in different areas can together produce a large overall result over time.
The cycling team focused on marginal gains such as better tires and lighter helmets.
自行車隊專注於微幅進步，例如更好的輪胎和更輕的安全帽。
phrase: marginal gains — small improvements that add up
By making marginal gains in every department, the factory doubled its output in two years.
透過在各部門尋求微幅進步，這家工廠在兩年內產量翻倍。
By applying marginal gains to his daily study, Leo raised his grade through short daily review sessions.
Leo 將微幅成長應用於每日讀書，透過簡短的每日複習提升了成績。
Even a one-percent marginal gain can make a real difference in a long race.
即使 1% 的微幅成長也能在長距離比賽中帶來真正的差距。
- incremental
describes regular, step-by-step increases; less specific to the “add up over time” concept
- cumulative
focuses on the total effect of additions, but not necessarily small ones
文法句型
marginal gain(s) / marginal improvement(s)
用法筆記
Popularized in British sports by cycling coach Sir Dave Braidford. The phrase “marginal gains” is a fixed expression and commonly appears in business and self-improvement contexts as well.
4. relating to a parliamentary constituency where the leading parties each enjoy ne
選情緊繃的
兩黨得票接近的選區
relating to a parliamentary constituency where the leading parties each enjoy nearly equal backing from voters, so the outcome hinges on a tiny shift in votes.
The MP campaigned hard to keep her marginal seat in the general election.
該國會議員在大選中努力保住她的選情緊繃的席位。
collocation: marginal seat / marginal constituency
Both parties spent heavily on advertising in the marginal constituencies of the Midlands.
兩個政黨都在英格蘭中部的搖擺選區砸下大筆廣告費。
A marginal ward can change hands with a swing of just a few hundred votes.
一個選情緊繃的選區只需幾百票的變動就可能換黨執政。
The latest poll showed that three marginal seats could decide the next government.
最新民調顯示，三個搖擺選區可能決定下一屆政府的歸屬。
- swing seat
the equivalent US term; also used in British English but less formal
- battleground seat
US term; emphasizes the competitive nature of the seat
- safe seat
a seat where one party has a large and stable majority
文法句型
marginal seat / marginal constituency / marginal ward
用法筆記
Primarily used in British politics. In the US the equivalent term is “swing seat” or “battleground district.” The noun form “marginal” (sense 1 under noun) can be used to refer to the seat itself.
常見錯誤
5. placed in the empty area beside the main body of text on a page, typically as a
頁邊的
寫在頁面空白處的
placed in the empty area beside the main body of text on a page, typically as a comment or correction.
The professor’s marginal notes helped Yael understand the difficult passage.
教授在頁邊寫的筆記幫助 Yael 理解那段艱澀的文章段落。
attributive: marginal notes / marginal comments
Élise wrote marginal comments beside every paragraph of the long essay.
Élise 在那篇長文的每一段旁邊寫下了頁邊評語。
The old textbook contained marginal illustrations drawn by a former student.
那本舊課本裡有以前學生畫的頁邊插圖。
Marginal annotations pointed out the most common grammar mistakes in the chapter.
頁邊註解指出了該章中最常見的語法錯誤。
文法句型
marginal note(s) / marginal comment(s)
用法筆記
The only sense that refers to the literal edge of a page. All other senses are figurative extensions of the “edge” or “borderline” idea.
6. (of a business, farm, or activity) producing such a low income that it barely co
薄利的
收入僅夠維持成本的
(of a business, farm, or activity) producing such a low income that it barely covers the costs involved, leaving almost no profit.
Farmers abandoned the marginal land because it could not produce enough crops.
農民們放棄了那片勉強能耕作的土地，因為產量太低。
collocation: marginal land — barely fertile enough
The restaurant operated at a marginal profit and struggled to pay its staff on time.
那家餐廳利潤極為微薄，連按時支付員工薪水都很困難。
Planting wheat on marginal soil requires more fertilizer than the harvest is worth.
在勉強可耕種的土壤上種植小麥，所需的肥料比收成價值還高。
The factory was marginal for years before new management finally turned it around.
這家工廠多年來僅能勉強維持損益兩平，直到新的管理層上任後才終於好轉。
- break-even
describes a situation where income exactly equals costs; marginal is slightly above break-even
- unprofitable
stronger; means the activity loses money rather than barely making any
- profitable
producing enough income to make a clear gain
- viable
capable of being sustained financially
文法句型
marginal land / marginal profit / be + marginal
用法筆記
Common in agriculture (marginal land = land of poor fertility) and business (marginal profit = profit so thin that a small cost increase creates a loss). Distinguish from sense 1: here the focus is on financial viability, not numerical size.
常見錯誤
marginal — 名詞
1. a parliamentary constituency or seat where the result is likely to be decided by
搖擺選區
兩黨勢均力敵的選區
a parliamentary constituency or seat where the result is likely to be decided by a very small number of votes because the main parties have almost equal support.
The party targeted ten marginals in the north of England for an extra fifty thousand pounds in local funding.
該政黨將英格蘭北部的十個搖擺選區列為目標，各額外提供五萬英鎊的地方補助。
noun use: marginal — a seat with a narrow majority
Lara won the marginal by just forty-two votes in the local election.
Lara 在地方選舉中僅以四十二票之差贏得了那個搖擺選區。
The Labour government’s slim majority of twelve depends on keeping all its marginals in the next general election.
工黨政府在國會僅有十二席的脆弱多數，能否保住所有搖擺選區將決定下屆大選的成敗。
Both candidates visited the marginal twice during the final week, holding town-hall meetings to win over undecided voters.
兩位候選人在競選最後一週都兩度造訪那個搖擺選區，舉辦市民大會爭取游離選民。
- swing seat
the equivalent US term; more widely understood internationally
- battleground seat
US term emphasizing competitive campaigning
- safe seat
a seat where one party has a comfortable and stable majority
文法句型
a marginal / the marginal / marginals (plural)
用法筆記
Always used in the context of British or Commonwealth politics. The plural “marginals” is common in news reporting. In US English the equivalent is “swing seat” or “battleground district.”