much
much — 名詞
1. a large amount or part of something, typically used before 'of' to refer to a sp
大量
大量的數量或程度
a large amount or part of something, typically used before 'of' to refer to a specific thing, group, or category
Much of the budget was spent on new computers for the office.
大部分預算都花在辦公室的新電腦上。
collocation: much of + [noun phrase]
Aarav did not eat much at dinner because his stomach hurt.
Aarav 因為胃痛，晚餐沒吃多少。
How much of the homework have you finished so far, Camille?
Camille，你的功課寫完多少了？
There is so much to learn about traditional Chinese medicine.
關於中醫，有好多東西可以學。
Mira put too much salt in the soup, so she added more water.
Mira 在湯裡加了太多鹽，於是她又加了一些水。
- a lot
more common in everyday positive statements; less formal
- plenty
suggests more than enough; slightly more emphatic
- a great deal
more formal; used in written English
- little
small amount; opposite end of the scale
文法句型
much of + [noun phrase]
用法筆記
Used with uncountable nouns or uncountable concepts. Often appears in questions (how much), negative statements (not much), and with degree words (so much, too much).
常見錯誤
2. something that is important, valuable, or impressive — almost always used in neg
了不起
重要或令人印象深刻的
something that is important, valuable, or impressive — almost always used in negative statements or questions to express a low opinion or lack of quality
Defne did not think much of the film, so she left early.
Defne 對那部電影評價不高，所以提早離場了。
negative pattern: not think much of [something]
The little café was not much to look at, but the cakes were delicious.
那家小咖啡館外觀不起眼，但蛋糕很好吃。
idiomatic: not much to look at
Jabari made much of his son's excellent grades at school.
Jabari 非常看重兒子的優異成績。
Lan is not much of a dancer, but she still went to the party.
Lan 不太會跳舞，但她還是去了派對。
文法句型
not think much of + [noun phrase]
not much of a + [noun]
make much of + [noun phrase]
not up to much
用法筆記
Almost never used in simple positive statements. Common fixed expressions include: 'not much of a [profession/role]', 'not up to much', 'not much to look at', and 'make much of [something]'.
常見錯誤
much — 形容詞
1. existing in a large quantity — used with uncountable nouns when asking about the
大量的
用於不可數名詞，表示數量很大
existing in a large quantity — used with uncountable nouns when asking about the size of something or saying there is not enough of it
Wei didn't have much money left after paying for the hotel and flights.
Wei 付完飯店和機票錢後，身上的錢就不多了。
not much + uncountable noun (negative sentence)
Is there much traffic on the road to the airport at this hour?
現在這個時間通往機場的路上交通流量大嗎？
much + uncountable noun in a question
Trang does not spend much time on social media during the week.
Trang 平日花在社群媒體上的時間並不多。
How much sugar do you take in your morning coffee?
你早上喝咖啡要加多少糖？
Gabriel realised there was not much food in the fridge for the party.
Gabriel 發現冰箱裡派對要用的食物已經不多了。
- a lot of
more common than 'much' in affirmative statements; works in all registers
- plenty of
emphasises there is enough or more than enough
- a great deal of
more formal; used mainly in written English
- little
small in quantity, used with uncountable nouns
文法句型
not much + uncountable noun
how much + uncountable noun
too much + uncountable noun
用法筆記
In everyday affirmative statements, 'a lot of' or 'plenty of' is more natural than 'much'. For example, 'I have a lot of work to do' sounds more natural than 'I have much work to do' in spoken English.
常見錯誤
2. having great importance, value, or significance — often used in negative stateme
重要的
用於否定句，表示不值得一提或價值不高
having great importance, value, or significance — often used in negative statements to suggest something is not impressive or worthy of attention
Lucía felt her old bicycle was not much, but it had carried her for years.
Lucía 覺得她那輛舊腳踏車沒什麼了不起，但它已經載著她好幾年了。
not much = not impressive or valuable
To the village elders, a fancy car is not much compared to family traditions.
對村裡的長輩來說，一輛名車與家庭傳統相比根本不算什麼。
Rania is not much of a cook, but her guests always enjoy her meals.
Rania 不太會做菜，但她的客人總是喜歡她煮的飯菜。
Astrid thought the job offer was not much, but she decided to try it.
Astrid 一開始覺得這份工作機會不怎麼樣，但她決定試一試。
Élise knew her singing voice was not much, yet she loved local performances.
Élise 知道自己的歌喉不怎麼樣，但她還是喜歡在當地表演。
- significant
stronger and more formal; used in both positive and negative contexts
- important
direct synonym but used freely in affirmative sentences too
- noteworthy
formal; suggests something worth paying attention to
- insignificant
direct opposite; used in both affirmative and negative
文法句型
not much (predicative adjective)
not much of a + noun
用法筆記
This sense almost always appears in negative constructions ('not much'). The affirmative use ('That is much!') is very rare and sounds old-fashioned. The common pattern 'not much of a + noun' means 'not a good example of that noun'.
常見錯誤
3. great in number — a formal or old-fashioned way of saying 'many', used with coun
許多的
正式文體中表示數量很大
great in number — a formal or old-fashioned way of saying 'many', used with countable nouns in literary or official writing
Much praise was given to the volunteers who rebuilt the community centre.
重建社區中心的志工們獲得了許多讚揚。
formal use with mass nouns for collective praise
The historian noted that much effort had gone into preserving the old records.
歷史學家指出，保存那些舊記錄投入了大量的心力。
In the novel, much suffering is endured by the characters before they find peace.
在這本小說中，角色們在找到平靜之前經歷了許多苦難。
Much research remains to be done before the treatment can be approved for use.
在該療法獲准使用之前，還有大量的研究工作有待完成。
The charity received much support from local businesses during the holiday season.
這家慈善機構在假期期間獲得了當地企業的許多支持。
- few
used with countable nouns; opposite of 'many'
文法句型
much + plural noun (formal)
用法筆記
In modern everyday English, this sense is limited to formal writing, academic texts, and fixed phrases. In conversation, 'a lot of' or 'many' are heard instead. With collective uncountable nouns (effort, research, support, praise), 'much' feels formal but is grammatically natural.
常見錯誤
4. more than is wanted, needed, or reasonable — used when a quantity, situation, or
過多的
超出合理範圍；讓人無法接受
more than is wanted, needed, or reasonable — used when a quantity, situation, or behaviour goes beyond what a person finds acceptable
Three back-to-back meetings on a Friday afternoon is a bit much for the team.
星期五下午連續開三場會議，對團隊來說有點太過分了。
a bit much = slightly excessive or unfair
Faisal found his boss's criticism a bit much after weeks of hard work.
Faisal 覺得經過好幾週的努力後，上司的批評有點太過分了。
The noise from the construction site was too much for the elderly couple next door.
隔壁的建築噪音對那對老夫婦來說實在太大了。
Bringing three dishes to a potluck is fine, but asking for five is too much.
帶三道菜參加聚餐還可以，但要求帶五道就太多了。
Folake told her roommate that leaving dirty dishes for three days was a bit much.
Folake 告訴她的室友，把髒碗盤放三天不洗有點太超過了。
- excessive
more formal; describes something that goes beyond reasonable limits
- over the top
informal; describes behaviour or demands that are unreasonably extreme
- unreasonable
focuses on fairness rather than quantity
- acceptable
within reasonable limits; opposite of 'excessive'
- reasonable
fair and sensible; opposite of 'unreasonable'
文法句型
too much (for someone)
a bit much
much for someone to handle
用法筆記
Common in conversational English as a predicate adjective. 'A bit much' is an idiomatic phrase meaning 'slightly unreasonable or excessive'. 'Too much' can also stand alone: 'This is too much for me.'
常見錯誤
much — 副詞
1. used to make a comparison, difference, or feeling stronger — for example, saying
非常；得多
用於比較級、too 前，加強程度
used to make a comparison, difference, or feeling stronger — for example, saying something is much better, much too expensive, or that you very much enjoy something.
The hotel was much nicer than we expected from the photos online.
這間飯店比我們從網路照片上預期的要好得多。
much + comparative adjective
These boots are much too small for Minh, so he needs a larger size.
這雙靴子對 Minh 來說太小了，他需要大一號的尺寸。
much + too + adjective
Emma enjoyed the concert much more than she thought she would.
Emma 對這場音樂會的喜愛程度遠超過她原本以為的。
Rafael very much prefers walking to work over taking the crowded bus.
Rafael 非常喜歡走路去上班，勝過搭乘擁擠的公車。
The repair cost was much less than the garage had originally quoted.
修理費用比修車廠一開始報的價錢少了許多。
文法句型
much + comparative adjective/adverb
much + too + adjective
much more / much less + adjective
verb + so much / very much
用法筆記
In affirmative statements, 'much' alone (without 'very' or 'so') is less common before ordinary verbs. Use 'very much' or 'so much' instead: 'I very much like it' (not 'I much like it'). However, 'much' alone works freely before comparatives ('much bigger'), 'too' ('much too fast'), and past participles ('much admired').
常見錯誤
2. used in front of certain past participles (like 'loved', 'respected', 'appreciat
非常；深受
用於特定過去分詞前，表示程度高
used in front of certain past participles (like 'loved', 'respected', 'appreciated') and a few adjectives to mean 'to a high degree' or 'very'.
The retired teacher was much loved by generations of students.
那位退休的老師深受歷屆學生的愛戴。
much + loved (past participle)
Soraya felt much relieved when the doctor said the test was normal.
醫生說檢查結果正常時，Soraya 大大鬆了一口氣。
much + relieved (adjective)
Feng was much admired for his patient work with young children.
Feng 因為耐心教導幼兒而備受讚賞。
Eitan felt much obliged to the neighbours who helped fix his roof.
Eitan 非常感激幫忙修理屋頂的鄰居。
Your generous donation is much appreciated by everyone at the shelter.
您慷慨的捐款令收容所的每一位員工都感激不已。
文法句型
much + past participle
much + adjective (relieved, obliged, alike)
用法筆記
Not every past participle works with 'much'. Common combinations include 'much loved', 'much admired', 'much appreciated', 'much discussed', 'much needed'. For other participles, use 'very' instead ('very tired', not 'much tired'). This sense is frequently passive.
常見錯誤
3. happening often or in large quantities; used especially in negative statements a
經常
用於否定句或疑問句，表示頻率
happening often or in large quantities; used especially in negative statements and questions to talk about frequency.
Ravindra does not go to the cinema much these days because he studies every evening.
Ravindra 最近不常去電影院，因為他每天晚上都在念書。
negative: not ... much for frequency
Do you travel much for your new job in the sales department?
你那份新業務工作常需要出差嗎？
question: Do you ... much?
Nora does not cook much now that she lives alone in the city.
Nora 現在一個人住在城裡，不常下廚了。
How much do the two groups actually communicate with each other?
這兩個小組實際上有多常互相溝通？
- often
works in affirmative statements where 'much' does not; more neutral in register
- a lot
informal but common in both negative and affirmative statements
- frequently
more formal; works in all sentence types
文法句型
not ... much (at the end of a clause)
Does/Did ... much ...?
How much ...?
用法筆記
In affirmative statements, 'much' meaning 'often' sounds unnatural. Say 'He goes there a lot' or 'He goes there often' instead of 'He goes there much'. The affirmative use of 'much' for frequency is largely restricted to formal or literary contexts.
常見錯誤
4. for a long period of time; used mainly in formal writing or in expressions like
很久；長時間
用於時間長短，常搭配比較級或 into
for a long period of time; used mainly in formal writing or in expressions like 'much longer' or 'much into the night'.
The meeting went on much longer than anyone had expected.
會議進行的時間比任何人預期的都要久得多。
much + longer (time duration)
Brian stayed up working much into the night to finish the report.
Brian 為了完成報告工作到深夜。
much + into + time period
The wedding party continued much later than the neighbours appreciated.
婚宴持續到很晚，鄰居們不太高興。
The train arrived much earlier than the time shown on the schedule.
火車抵達的時間比時刻表上顯示的早了很多。
文法句型
much + comparative time word (longer, earlier, later)
much + into + time period
用法筆記
This sense overlaps with sense 1 (TO A GREAT DEGREE) when used with time words like 'longer', 'later', 'earlier'. The difference is that sense 4 is specifically about temporal duration, while sense 1 covers all kinds of degree comparisons.
常見錯誤
5. used in front of a superlative or phrase starting with 'the' to emphasize that s
最；顯然
用於最高級前，強調明顯勝出
used in front of a superlative or phrase starting with 'the' to emphasize that something is clearly ahead of all others.
This is much the best bakery in the neighbourhood, in Aylin's opinion.
Aylin 認為這家麵包店是附近最棒的。
much + the best
Anthony is much the most experienced candidate who applied for the job.
Anthony 是所有應徵者當中經驗最豐富的。
much + the most + adjective
The northern route is much the safer option during the winter months.
冬季期間北邊的路線是安全得多的選擇。
Of all the films at the festival, this one was much the most popular.
影展中所有電影裡，這部是最受歡迎的。
文法句型
much + the + superlative
much + the best/most/etc.
用法筆記
Unlike sense 1 (TO A GREAT DEGREE), which uses 'much' + a bare comparative ('much better'), this sense requires 'the' before the adjective: 'much the better', 'much the best'. It cannot be used before superlatives without 'the'.
常見錯誤
6. almost but not completely; used mostly in front of 'the same' or 'alike' to mean
幾乎；差不多
表幾乎相同或相似
almost but not completely; used mostly in front of 'the same' or 'alike' to mean 'very similar'.
The two laptop models look much the same to most customers.
這兩款筆電在大多數顧客眼裡看起來幾乎一模一樣。
much the same
Élise and her younger sister are much alike in both looks and personality.
Élise 和她妹妹在外貌和個性上都很相似。
much alike
Life in the countryside today is much the same as it was twenty years ago.
如今鄉下的生活跟二十年前幾乎沒什麼兩樣。
The twins' opinions on most topics are much the same as each other's.
這對雙胞胎對大部分話題的看法都差不多。
- completely
'completely different' is the opposite of 'much the same'
- totally
'totally different' expresses a full difference
文法句型
much the same
much alike
much as ... as
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 5 (BY FAR): 'much the best' = 'clearly the best', while 'much the same' = 'nearly the same'. The context ('best' vs 'same') tells you which meaning applies.
常見錯誤
much — 限定詞 / 代名詞
1. used before uncountable nouns or as a pronoun to talk about a large quantity of
大量；很多
用於不可數名詞前，表示數量很大
used before uncountable nouns or as a pronoun to talk about a large quantity of something, especially in questions, negative statements, and after 'so', 'too', and 'as'
Meera asked the shop assistant how much the blue dress cost.
Meera 問店員那件藍色洋裝多少錢。
how much ...? for asking about quantity or price
Kenji did not have much time to finish his homework before dinner.
Kenji 沒有太多時間在晚飯前完成功課。
not ... much + uncountable noun in negatives
There is too much traffic on the highway every morning at eight o'clock.
每天早上八點，這條高速公路上的交通流量太大了。
Aylin ate as much as she wanted at the wedding buffet last Saturday.
Aylin 在上週六的婚禮自助餐上想吃多少就吃多少。
Rafael does not have much experience with computers, but he is learning fast.
Rafael 對電腦沒有太多經驗，但他學得很快。
- a lot of
the preferred alternative in positive statements; more natural in everyday speech
- plenty of
suggests more than enough, with a slightly more informal tone
- a great deal of
more formal; used in writing rather than conversation
文法句型
much + uncountable noun
how much ...?
not ... much
too much
so much
as much as
用法筆記
In positive statements, 'a lot of' or 'plenty of' is far more common than 'much' alone (e.g. 'There is a lot of food' not 'There is much food'). This sense of 'much' appears naturally in questions, negatives, and after 'so', 'too', 'as'.
常見錯誤
2. used as a pronoun to refer to the same thing, situation, or quantity that was ju
同樣
指剛才提到過的同一件事或同等數量
used as a pronoun to refer to the same thing, situation, or quantity that was just mentioned, especially in fixed phrases like 'as much' or 'thought as much'
When the train was delayed again, Trang sighed and said she had thought as much.
火車又誤點了，Trang 嘆了口氣說她早就料到了。
thought as much — expected the same thing
If you need a place to stay, I would do as much for any friend.
如果你需要地方住，我對任何有困難的朋友都會同樣幫忙。
do as much — do the same thing
Charlotte said she loved the park, and I felt as much about the flower garden.
Charlotte 說她很喜歡這個公園，而我也對那座花園有同樣的感覺。
The letter did not say much, but his silence told us as much.
那封信沒說什麼，但他的沉默已經告訴了我們同樣的事。
- the same
a direct synonym; 'much' cannot be used alone for this meaning without 'as'
- the same thing
more explicit and less idiomatic; works in more contexts
- the opposite
a different thing or situation entirely
文法句型
as much (as pronoun)
thought as much
do as much
用法筆記
This sense appears almost exclusively in fixed patterns with 'as': 'as much' (the same thing), 'thought as much' (expected the same result), or 'do as much' (do the same thing). The word 'much' cannot be replaced by 'a lot' in these patterns.
常見錯誤
3. used as a pronoun to refer to a large amount of work, tasks, or things that need
很多事要做
指有大量工作或任務需要處理
used as a pronoun to refer to a large amount of work, tasks, or things that need to be dealt with, often when this feels demanding or overwhelming
There is still much to discuss before the team can agree on a final plan.
團隊要討論的事情還很多，才能達成最終的計畫。
there is much to + verb for tasks remaining
Omar has much to learn about the company's policies before starting his new role.
Omar 在開始新職位之前，有很多公司政策需要了解。
The young athlete knew there was much to improve before the national competition.
這位年輕運動員知道自己在全國比賽前還有很多需要改進的地方。
Tanvi felt there was much to see in the old city, so she stayed longer.
Tanvi 覺得這座古城有很多值得看的東西，所以她待得更久了。
- a great deal
more formal; similar meaning but lacks the implication of demanding effort
- plenty
suggests sufficient quantity without the feeling of being overwhelmed
- little
a small amount, suggesting few tasks remain
文法句型
much + to-infinitive
there is much to + verb
用法筆記
This sense typically follows a form of 'be' ('there is', 'there remains', 'there was') and takes a to-infinitive. Unlike sense 1, this is used in positive statements and emphasises the scope of what needs doing rather than just a quantity. Distinguish from sense 9 of this POS (in another batch), which focuses on a situation being personally too difficult to handle.
4. used as a pronoun, often in the phrase 'be too much', to describe a situation, t
太過分
形容情況或行為超出合理範圍
used as a pronoun, often in the phrase 'be too much', to describe a situation, task, or behaviour that goes beyond what is fair, reasonable, or acceptable
Asking the students to finish three essays in one night was just too much.
要求學生一個晚上寫完三篇論文實在太過分了。
be too much — beyond what is reasonable
Kofi felt that his boss's constant criticism during the meeting was a bit much.
Kofi 覺得老闆在會議上不斷批評他，有點太過分了。
For a four-year-old, waiting in line for an hour is too much to ask.
對一個四歲的孩子來說，排隊等一個小時實在是要求太多了。
Camila thought the price of the handbag was too much for such poor quality.
Camila 覺得那個手提包的價格以這麼差的品質來說太貴了。
- excessive
more formal; describes amounts or behaviour that are beyond what is normal
- unreasonable
focuses on fairness rather than quantity; can apply to demands, rules, or behaviour
- outrageous
stronger; suggests shock or moral objection
- reasonable
fair and acceptable within normal limits
- acceptable
within the range of what people consider appropriate
文法句型
be too much
be a bit much
too much + to-infinitive
用法筆記
Commonly used in informal conversation. 'A bit much' is a milder version that suggests something is slightly over the line rather than completely unacceptable. Distinguish from sense 9 of this POS (in another batch), which describes a task or experience that is simply too difficult for someone to handle personally.
5. used in negative sentences with 'think of' to mean having a low opinion about so
看重；重視
否定句表評價不高；肯定句表重視
used in negative sentences with 'think of' to mean having a low opinion about someone or something, or in 'make much of' to mean treating something as very important or giving it a lot of attention
Élise did not think much of the new film, so she left the cinema early.
Élise 對這部新片評價不高，所以提前離開了電影院。
not think much of — have a low opinion of
The local newspaper made much of the mayor's small mistake during the speech.
當地報紙大肆報導了市長在演講中的一個小失誤。
make much of — treat as very important
After waiting an hour, Hugo still did not think much of the restaurant service.
等了將近一個小時後，Hugo 對那家餐廳的服務仍然評價不高。
The teacher made much of Minho's improvement in mathematics this semester.
老師非常重視 Minho 這學期在數學方面的進步。
Paloma did not think much of the hotel room after seeing how small it was.
看到房間有多小之後，Paloma 對那家飯店評價不高。
- value
positive counterpart; used in affirmative sentences unlike 'think much of' which is negative
- rate highly
more informal; expresses a favourable opinion
- dismiss
to treat as unimportant; the opposite of making much of something
文法句型
not think much of + noun
make much of + noun
用法筆記
This sense always requires a supporting verb: either 'think of' (in negatives) or 'make of'. Without these, 'much' does not carry this meaning. 'Not think much of' is much more common than 'make much of', which is slightly more formal.
常見錯誤
6. used in phrases like 'much the same' or 'not much to choose between' to express
差不多
表示兩者非常相似，差異不大
used in phrases like 'much the same' or 'not much to choose between' to express that two or more things are very similar and the difference between them is small
The two candidates have much the same qualifications and work experience.
這兩位候選人的資格和工作經驗大同小異。
much the same — very similar
Amani's recipe for chicken soup is much the same as her grandmother's.
Amani 的雞湯食譜跟她祖母的做法差不多。
There is not much to choose between the three hotels on this street.
這條街上的三家飯店差別不大。
The two dialects sound much the same to an outsider, but locals hear the difference.
這兩種方言在外人聽起來差不多，但當地人聽得出差異。
The twins look much the same from a distance, though their personalities are quite different.
這對雙胞胎從遠處看長得差不多，不過他們的個性倒是很不一樣。
- very similar
less idiomatic but more flexible in sentence position
- almost identical
stronger; suggests almost no difference at all
- comparable
more formal; focuses on having qualities that can be measured against each other
- very different
having significant differences
- distinct
clearly different and separate
文法句型
much the same
not much to choose between
much of a muchness
常見錯誤
7. used in the fixed expression 'not much of a...' to say that someone or something
稱不上
用於否定某人某物不夠好
used in the fixed expression 'not much of a...' to say that someone or something is not a particularly good or impressive example of a particular kind of person or thing
I am not much of a cook, so my family usually eats takeout on weeknights.
我不是個稱得上會做菜的人，所以我家平日晚上通常叫外送。
not much of a + singular noun for weak ability
Harper was not much of a morning person, yet she woke at dawn for the job.
Harper 算不上是個早起的人，但她為了新工作每天天剛亮就起床了。
The old hotel was not much of a luxury resort, but it had clean rooms.
那間老飯店算不上豪華度假村，不過房間倒是乾淨。
Reuben was not much of a singer, but he performed at his cousin's party.
Reuben 稱不上會唱歌，但他還是在表親的派對上表演了。
- quite a
positive opposite; e.g. 'She is quite a cook' means she is a very good one
文法句型
not much of a + singular countable noun
用法筆記
The noun after 'a' must be singular and countable. The expression sounds natural with roles or labels ('cook', 'dancer', 'help'), but less natural with concrete objects like 'car' or 'house' unless the focus is on quality.
常見錯誤
8. used before a noun phrase that describes someone's feelings, especially surprise
非常
用於引出強烈感受或結果
used before a noun phrase that describes someone's feelings, especially surprise, relief, or disappointment, to emphasise that the feeling was strong or that a definite outcome occurred
Much to Mira's surprise, her lost wallet was returned to the police station within hours.
令 Mira 非常驚訝的是，她遺失的錢包在幾小時內就被送到了警察局。
much to + possessive + noun of emotion
Much to the children's delight, the school announced a surprise holiday on Friday.
令孩子們非常開心的是，學校宣布星期五臨時放假。
Much to my relief, the doctor said the test results showed nothing serious.
令我非常鬆了一口氣的是，醫生說檢驗結果沒有大礙。
Much to the manager's dismay, the project deadline was moved up by two weeks.
令經理非常沮喪的是，專案的截止日期提前了兩週。
- to the great ... of
a more formal alternative; e.g. 'To the great surprise of everyone'
文法句型
much to + possessive determiner + emotion noun
用法筆記
The emotion noun must be one that can be felt strongly, such as 'surprise', 'delight', 'relief', 'dismay', 'annoyance', 'regret', or 'amusement'. Common nouns like 'happiness' or 'sadness' are less frequent in this pattern. The structure always appears at the beginning of a sentence or clause.
常見錯誤
9. used as a pronoun, especially after 'be', to describe a situation, experience, o
難以承受
指情況或經歷過度而無法應付
used as a pronoun, especially after 'be', to describe a situation, experience, or responsibility that is so difficult, painful, or demanding that someone cannot cope with it
The noise from the construction site became too much for Yasmin's elderly grandmother.
工地的噪音對 Yasmin 年邁的祖母來說實在難以承受。
be too much for someone — beyond someone's ability to cope
After losing both his job and apartment, the stress was too much for Hari.
工作與住處雙雙失去，這樣的壓力對 Hari 來說實在難以承受。
The grief of losing her dog was too much to bear, so Feng took leave from work.
失去愛犬的悲傷實在難以承受，於是 Feng 向公司請了假。
Vinícius felt the homework was too much for a child of only eight.
Vinícius 覺得那些功課對一個年僅八歲的孩子來說太多了。
- overwhelming
more formal; describes a feeling that is so strong it is hard to deal with
- more than someone can handle
a full phrase that explains the meaning directly
- intolerable
stronger; suggests something is completely unacceptable, not just difficult
- manageable
something that can be dealt with without too much difficulty
- easy to cope with
a straightforward opposite describing no difficulty at all
文法句型
be too much for someone
too much to bear/handle
find something too much
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 4 of this POS (NOT FAIR OR REASONABLE): sense 4 focuses on unfairness or unreasonable demands, while this sense focuses on the personal inability to cope. The phrase 'too much for someone' can belong to either sense — context determines which meaning applies.
常見錯誤
much — 限定詞
1. a word used before uncountable nouns to say that there is a large quantity of so
大量
修飾不可數名詞，表數量多
a word used before uncountable nouns to say that there is a large quantity of something, most often found in questions and negative sentences — for example, asking 'how much time?' or saying you do not have much money.
Dylan didn't have much money left after buying the train ticket.
Dylan 買了火車票後，手邊沒剩多少錢。
negative sentence with uncountable noun (money)
Is there much traffic on the way to the airport, Dahlia?
Dahlia，去機場的路上車多嗎？
question form with uncountable noun (traffic)
The team did not get much support from the local government.
這個團隊沒有從地方政府得到多少支持。
There was not much hope of finding the missing cat after three days.
三天後，找到那隻失蹤的貓的希望已經不大。
Kenji put so much effort into his art project that he won first prize.
Kenji 在美術作品上投入了極大的心力，最後贏得了第一名。
- a lot of
more common in positive statements; less formal than 'much'
- plenty of
suggests more than enough; more positive in tone
- a great deal of
more formal; used mainly in written English
- little
the opposite when referring to quantity of uncountable nouns
文法句型
not + much + uncountable noun
how much + uncountable noun + ?
so much / too much + uncountable noun
用法筆記
In everyday positive sentences, use 'a lot of' instead of 'much'. For example, say 'I have a lot of work' not 'I have much work'. The determiner 'much' is natural in positive statements only when paired with 'so', 'too', or 'as'.
常見錯誤
2. a larger quantity of something than a person wants or needs, always used with 't
過多；太多
超出想要或需要的量
a larger quantity of something than a person wants or needs, always used with 'too' before it — for instance, putting too much salt in food or spending too much money on something you do not really need.
Christopher put too much salt in the soup and nobody could eat it.
Christopher 在湯裡放了太多鹽，結果沒有人能喝。
too much + uncountable noun (salt)
The children ate too much cake at the party and felt sick afterwards.
孩子們在派對上吃了太多蛋糕，後來都覺得不舒服。
Shanti spent far too much time on her phone instead of studying.
Shanti 花了太多時間在手機上，沒有好好念書。
The suitcase weighs too much and the airline will charge extra.
這個行李箱太重了，航空公司會加收費用。
- excessive
more formal; used in academic or professional writing
- overly abundant
very formal; rare in everyday speech
- too little
the opposite — not enough of something
文法句型
too + much + uncountable noun
far too much + uncountable noun
用法筆記
'Too much' is different from 'a lot of'. 'A lot of' just means a large amount. 'Too much' means the amount is more than you want — it carries a negative feeling.
常見錯誤
3. a quantity or amount that is more than a particular person is able to deal with,
負擔不起
數量超出個人應付能力
a quantity or amount that is more than a particular person is able to deal with, bear, or manage — like having so many tasks that you cannot finish them, or receiving sad news that is hard to accept.
The pile of paperwork was too much for Amihan, so she asked for help.
那一堆文書工作讓 Amihan 吃不消，於是她向人求助。
too much for + someone (quantity-related capacity)
The news about her father's illness was too much for Lucía to bear alone.
父親生病的噩耗讓 Lucía 一個人承受不了。
Handling three part-time jobs at the same time proved too much for Hassan.
同時兼三份兼職工作，對 Hassan 來說實在負擔太重。
The strong current was too much for the young swimmer, so the lifeguard jumped in.
強勁的水流對那位年輕的泳者來說太危險了，救生員立刻跳入水中。
- overwhelming
describes a feeling or situation that is too much to handle
- unmanageable
focuses on the practical aspect of not being able to control or deal with it
- more than one can bear
emphasizes emotional or physical endurance
- manageable
easy enough to deal with
- within one's capacity
something a person can handle
文法句型
too much for + someone
too much + uncountable noun + for + someone
用法筆記
This sense is distinct from sense 2: sense 2 talks about an unwanted amount in general, while sense 3 specifically describes something too hard for a person to manage. The pattern 'too much for [someone]' is the key signal for this meaning.
常見錯誤
4. used to say that a price, demand, expectation, or behaviour is so extreme that i
過度；不合理
價格、要求等超出合理範圍
used to say that a price, demand, expectation, or behaviour is so extreme that it feels unfair, unreasonable, or unacceptable — for example, a landlord asking for three months' rent in advance, which the tenant calls 'too much'.
Three hours of homework every evening is much too much for a nine-year-old child.
一個九歲小孩每天晚上要寫三小時作業，實在太誇張了。
much too much + for + person — exceeding reasonable limits
The rent for this tiny flat is way too much for what you get.
這間小公寓的租金以這樣的條件來說貴得離譜。
informal intensifier: way too much
Yumi thought the new rules were too much and decided to complain to the manager.
Yumi 覺得新規定太過分了，決定向經理投訴。
Expecting us to work seven days a week without a break is far too much.
要求我們一週工作七天，連一天假都沒有，實在太不合理了。
- excessive
formal term for 'too much' in this sense
- exorbitant
used specifically for prices and fees that are unreasonably high
- outrageous
more emotional; suggests shock or anger at the unreasonableness
- reasonable
fair and acceptable
- fair
what one would expect as normal
文法句型
be + too much (predictative)
far too much / way too much + uncountable noun
用法筆記
This sense differs from sense 2 and sense 3: sense 2 focuses on quantity exceeding desire (too much salt), sense 3 focuses on exceeding one's capacity to manage (too much for me to handle), while sense 4 focuses on something being beyond what is fair or reasonable as a judgement about rules, demands, or behaviour.
常見錯誤
5. placed after a completed statement to say that something matches what the speake
的確；果然
句末片語，強調預期成真
placed after a completed statement to say that something matches what the speaker had already guessed or expected — for example, saying 'I thought as much' after finding out that a party you suspected would be cancelled, indeed was cancelled.
So the meeting was cancelled after all — I thought as much when nobody arrived.
會議果然還是取消了——我看到沒人到場時就料到會這樣。
fixed phrase: 'I thought as much' — confirming a suspicion
Aylin said she failed the driving test, and Adina had suspected as much all along.
Aylin 說她駕照沒考過，Adina 一直以來也早就猜到會如此。
The teacher warned us the final would be hard, and it was as much.
老師早就警告過期末考會很難，結果的確如此。
The builder claimed he could finish in one day, but I never expected as much.
那位建築工人說他一天就能做完，但我本來就沒抱這麼大期望。
文法句型
thought as much
suspected as much
as much as [someone] expected
用法筆記
This is a fixed-phrase use of 'much'. 'I thought as much' means 'that is what I expected' or 'that confirms what I already believed'. It is common in spoken English and informal writing.
much — 代名詞
1. a pronoun referring to something that has good quality, value, or importance — m
了不起
指有價值或品質好的事物
a pronoun referring to something that has good quality, value, or importance — most often used in negative sentences to express that a person or thing is not particularly impressive or worthwhile.
Ezra is not much of a cook, but his children love his simple meals.
Ezra 不太會做菜，但他的孩子們很喜歡他做的簡單料理。
not much of a + noun — lacking quality in that role
The wooden chair was not much to look at, but it held great sentimental value.
那張木椅外表不起眼，但卻承載著深厚的情感價值。
not much to look at — unimpressive in appearance
Eshe thought the museum exhibition was not much and left after ten minutes.
Eshe 覺得那間博物館展覽沒什麼看頭，十分鐘後就走了。
Is it really so much to expect the train to arrive on time?
要求火車準時抵達真的有那麼過分嗎？
Liang decided that the fame and money were not much without good health.
Liang 認為，沒有健康的身體，名聲和金錢都不算什麼。
- a great deal
expresses high value or importance — 'She made a great deal of his efforts.'
文法句型
pronoun + be + not much
not much of a + noun
用法筆記
Almost always used in negative or interrogative contexts. The phrase 'not much of a + noun' is a fixed expression indicating that someone is not very skilled at or suitable for the role described by the noun.