mechanical

mechanical — 形容詞

1. using a motor or engine to do work, rather than relying on human or animal stren

1.形容詞B1
釋義

機械的

由機器運作或與機器有關的

using a motor or engine to do work, rather than relying on human or animal strength; also, having to do with machines, their parts, and how those parts function together.

例句

The old mechanical clock in the town square still keeps perfect time.

小鎮廣場上的那座老舊機械鐘，至今依然走時精準。

Lien studied mechanical engineering at the university for four years.

Lien 在大學攻讀了四年的機械工程。

collocation: mechanical engineering

同義詞
  • motorized

    specifically powered by a motor, usually for vehicles or tools

  • automated

    emphasis on self-operation without human control, often with computers

反義詞
  • manual

    operated or done by hand, not by a machine

  • hand-operated

    requiring direct human effort to work

文法句型

mechanical + noun

be/become/seem + mechanical

用法筆記

Often used before a noun to describe equipment or systems that rely on moving parts and an engine or motor. Contrast with 'electronic' (which uses microchips) and 'manual' (which requires human effort).

常見錯誤

❌My watch is manual, not battery-powered.
✅My watch is mechanical, not battery-powered.
💡'mechanical' means it runs on gears and springs; 'manual' means you have to wind it by hand.

2. concerning the way forces make objects move, stop, or change direction; related

2.形容詞B2
釋義

力學的

與力學、運動及物理力有關的

concerning the way forces make objects move, stop, or change direction; related to the physics of motion and energy.

例句

The engineer calculated the mechanical advantage of the pulley system.

工程師計算了滑輪系統的機械利益。

collocation: mechanical advantage

Devika learned about mechanical energy in her physics class today.

Devika 今天在物理課上學到了力學能的相關知識。

同義詞
  • kinetic

    specifically relating to motion, more technical

  • physical

    broader — relating to matter and energy, not limited to mechanics

文法句型

mechanical + noun

be + mechanical

用法筆記

This sense belongs to the field of mechanics and physics, describing how physical forces cause or affect motion. It does NOT refer to machines in general — use Sense 1 for that.

常見錯誤

❌The car has a mechanical problem with its engine.' (when talking about broken machine parts)
✅The car has a mechanical problem with its engine.
💡This actually works for both Sense 1 and 2; to be precise, use Sense 1 for broken equipment and Sense 2 for concepts like force, energy, and motion.

3. done or said without conscious thought or emotion, as if following a preset rout

3.形容詞B2
釋義

機械式；呆板

因習慣而機械式地、不加思考的

done or said without conscious thought or emotion, as if following a preset routine rather than making a fresh choice each time.

例句

Yasmin gave a mechanical reply without really listening to the question.

Yasmin 機械式地回答，根本沒仔細聽問題。

After hours of data entry, Eitan's movements became slow and mechanical.

連續幾小時輸入資料後，Eitan 的動作變得緩慢又呆板。

predicative use: became + mechanical

同義詞
  • automatic

    very similar, but can be neutral or positive (automatic reflexes); 'mechanical' suggests lifelessness

  • habitual

    done from habit, not necessarily with lack of feeling

  • robotic

    even stronger image of machinelike behaviour, more informal

反義詞

文法句型

mechanical + noun

seem/look/become + mechanical

用法筆記

Describes human behaviour that is automatic and lifeless, often from boredom, tiredness, or habit. It carries a slightly negative tone — suggesting a lack of genuine feeling or attention.

常見錯誤

❌I gave a mechanical answer to prove I was paying attention.
✅I gave a thoughtful answer to prove I was paying attention.
💡'mechanical' means you were NOT paying attention; use 'thoughtful' or 'detailed' to show care.