neat
neat — 形容詞
1. clean and carefully arranged, so that every object is exactly where it should be
整潔的
整齊清潔，物品擺放有序
clean and carefully arranged, so that every object is exactly where it should be.
Rin was proud of her neat desk, with each pencil in its own holder.
Rin 對自己整潔的書桌感到自豪，每枝鉛筆都放在專屬的筆筒裡。
neat + noun describing a tidy space
The old library kept its books in neat rows along the wall.
那間舊圖書館把書整整齊齊地沿牆排成一排。
neat + noun (rows, piles, stacks)
Anna's bedroom was always neat because she put things away right after using them.
Anna 的房間總是很整潔，因為她用完東西就會立刻收好。
A neat pile of clean towels sat on the chair next to the bath.
浴室旁的椅子上放著整整齊齊的一疊乾淨毛巾。
Lisa wrote in such neat handwriting that the teacher could read every answer easily.
Lisa 的字跡工整，老師能輕鬆讀懂每個答案。
文法句型
be + neat
neat + noun
用法筆記
Frequently used to describe physical spaces (rooms, desks, shelves) and the way things are arranged (rows, piles, stacks). Not used for people in this sense — see sense 2.
常見錯誤
2. used to describe a person who likes to keep themselves and their surroundings cl
愛整潔的
喜歡保持自身與環境整齊清潔
used to describe a person who likes to keep themselves and their surroundings clean and well organized.
Gabriel was a neat child who always hung his coat on the hook.
Gabriel 小時候就很愛整潔，總會自己把外套掛好。
neat + person noun describing a habit
The hotel manager is very neat and expects the staff to follow her example.
那位旅館經理非常愛整潔，也希望員工跟她一樣。
Asher is so neat that he sorts his books by colour on the shelf.
Asher 很愛整潔，書架上的書會按顏色分類。
A naturally neat person, Aylin could not relax in a messy room.
Aylin 天生愛整潔，無法在凌亂的房間裡放鬆。
Nora was a neat student, so the teacher often asked her to sort the supplies.
Nora 是愛整潔的學生，老師常請她去整理用品。
- tidy
can also describe people in British English ('a tidy person')
- well-organised
broader — can describe how someone manages time or tasks, not just physical space
- messy
common for describing a person's habits
- disorganised
focuses on lack of system rather than cleanliness
文法句型
be + neat
neat + person / child / student
用法筆記
Used only of people, not of objects or spaces. Distinguish from sense 1: a room can be neat (sense 1), but a person CAN be a neat person (sense 2). Frequently used in attributive position: a neat person, a neat child.
常見錯誤
3. informal way of saying that something is very good, enjoyable, or pleasant; used
讚的；棒的
非正式用語，表達喜愛或讚賞
informal way of saying that something is very good, enjoyable, or pleasant; used to express approval or enthusiasm.
The film we saw last night was really neat — you should watch it too.
昨晚看的那部電影真的很讚，你也應該去看看。
informal register: 'really neat' for expressing approval
Maeve said the hiking trail was neat, with waterfalls and wildflowers along the way.
Maeve 說那條健行步道很棒，沿途有瀑布和野花。
Justin's band played a neat set of songs that had everyone dancing by the end.
Justin 的樂團演奏了一組超棒的歌曲，到最後大家都在跳舞。
There is a neat little bookshop around the corner with cheap used novels.
轉角有家很不錯的小書店，賣便宜的二手小說。
Diya thought the garden was so neat that she visited it every afternoon.
Diya 覺得那座花園太棒了，每天下午都會去。
- terrible
direct opposite in informal contexts
文法句型
be + neat
neat + noun
用法筆記
Informal in this sense — very common in American English conversation but not used in formal or academic writing. 'really neat' and 'so neat' are frequent intensifier patterns. Not used in British English with this meaning.
常見錯誤
4. cleverly simple and effective; used to describe a way of doing something that sh
巧妙的
簡潔而有效，展現巧思
cleverly simple and effective; used to describe a way of doing something that shows skill or intelligence while being easy to understand or carry out.
Emma came up with a neat way to save her files automatically every few minutes.
Emma 想到一個巧妙的方法，每隔幾分鐘就自動儲存檔案。
neat + way / method / approach for describing a clever method
The engineer showed a neat design that used fewer parts but worked just as well.
那位工程師展示了一個巧妙的設計，零件更少但效果一樣好。
Rachid found a neat trick for opening jars by running hot water over the lid.
Rachid 發現了一個開罐頭的妙招——用熱水沖瓶蓋。
This camera has a neat feature for editing photos without a computer.
這台相機有個巧妙的功能，不用電腦就能編輯照片。
Sumin's neat solution to the scheduling problem saved the whole team hours of planning.
Sumin 對排班問題提出的巧妙解法，為整個團隊省了好幾小時。
- clumsy
describes a solution or method that is awkward or inefficient
- complicated
the opposite of simple and effective
文法句型
be + neat
neat + noun (way / solution / trick / idea)
用法筆記
Describes methods, designs, tools, or ideas — not people. While someone can be called a 'neat person' (see sense 2), you would not say 'He is neat' to mean 'he is clever'. The cleverness must be in the approach or device, not the person.
常見錯誤
5. describing a spirit served in its pure form, with no water, ice, or other liquid
純的
烈酒不加水、冰塊或其他飲料
describing a spirit served in its pure form, with no water, ice, or other liquid added.
The bartender asked if I wanted the whiskey neat or on the rocks.
酒保問我威士忌要純飲還是加冰。
drink + neat vs 'on the rocks' (with ice)
Rania prefers her rum neat because she says water ruins the flavour.
Rania 比較喜歡純飲蘭姆酒，因為她覺得加水會破壞風味。
In some bars, ordering a neat bourbon means a full glass with no ice.
在某些酒吧點純飲波本，你拿到的是不加冰的滿杯。
Dad smiled when the waiter brought his Scotch neat in a small glass.
服務生把爸爸點的純蘇格蘭威士忌用小杯子送來時，他露出了笑容。
A neat glass of single malt is served at room temperature to show its aroma.
一杯純飲的單一麥芽威士忌在室溫下供應，以展現其香氣。
- straight
almost identical; 'straight' may also include drinks served at room temperature without chilling, while 'neat' specifically means no added liquid or ice
- on the rocks
served over ice
- mixed
combined with another drink or mixer, such as a cocktail
文法句型
be + neat
drink something neat
neat + noun (whiskey / rum)
用法筆記
Used only for strong alcoholic drinks (whiskey, bourbon, rum, Scotch, brandy). Does not apply to wine, beer, or soft drinks. Contrast with 'on the rocks' (served with ice) and 'with a splash' (with a small amount of water or mixer).