number
number — 動詞
1. to give each thing in a group its own position in a list or series, usually by w
編號
按順序標上數字
to give each thing in a group its own position in a list or series, usually by writing a number on it so that their order is clear.
Christopher numbered every page of his thesis before handing it in.
Christopher 在交論文前，給每一頁都編上了號碼。
number + noun phrase — marking items with numbers
All the seats in the hall were numbered so guests could find their places easily.
大廳裡的所有座位都編了號，方便來賓找到位置。
passive: be numbered
Elena numbered the questions on the worksheet from one to twenty.
Elena 把學習單上的問題從一編號到二十。
The auction catalogue numbered each painting in the order it would be sold.
拍賣目錄按拍賣順序，為每幅畫作編號。
文法句型
number + noun phrase
be numbered (passive)
用法筆記
Commonly used in the passive form when the focus is on the items that have been marked rather than on the person doing the marking.
常見錯誤
2. to reach a particular total when you count the members of a group — used to say
總計
合計達到某數量
to reach a particular total when you count the members of a group — used to say how many people or things there are, especially in official or written contexts.
The crowd that gathered for the rally numbered more than ten thousand.
聚集參加集會的人群總計超過一萬人。
subject (group) + number + quantity
Karim's stamp collection now numbers over eight hundred items from forty countries.
Karim 的郵票收藏現在總計超過八百件，來自四十個國家。
The university's alumni association numbers about fifty thousand former students worldwide.
該大學的校友會在全球總計約有五萬名校友。
Devika noticed that her team numbered only twelve people after several members left.
Devika 發現她的團隊在幾位成員離開後，總共只剩下十二個人。
文法句型
number + quantity/amount
be numbered among + group noun
用法筆記
The subject is always a group of people or things. The amount that follows is the total count of that group. This sense is often used in formal or written English rather than in casual conversation.
常見錯誤
number — 名詞
1. A written symbol (such as 1, 2, or 3) or a word (such as 'five') that stands for
數字
計算和數數時使用的符號或文字
A written symbol (such as 1, 2, or 3) or a word (such as 'five') that stands for a quantity used in counting and calculating.
Dario wrote the number seven on the board for the class to see.
Dario 在黑板上寫下數字七給全班看。
number + [numeral] for a written quantity symbol
The teacher asked the children to count from number one to number twenty.
老師叫小朋友從數字一數到數字二十。
Sana checked each number on the list before handing it to Karim.
Sana 把清單交給 Karim 之前，檢查了上面的每一個數字。
Can you read the tiny numbers printed on the side of the ruler, Paloma?
Paloma，你看得見尺側邊上那些小小的數字嗎？
Joshua circled every odd number in his maths book with a red pen.
Joshua 用紅筆在數學本上圈出每個奇數。
用法筆記
Countable noun — you can have one number or several numbers.
常見錯誤
2. Numerals placed after a noun (such as a house, a seat, or a page) to show where
號碼；編號
用於標示順序或位置的數字
Numerals placed after a noun (such as a house, a seat, or a page) to show where something belongs in an ordered list.
Feng lives at number twelve on Green Street, just past the corner shop.
Feng 住在格林街十二號，就在轉角商店旁邊。
number + [address] for identifying a house
Please turn to page number forty-two in your textbook, everyone.
請大家翻開課本第四十二頁。
The flight to London is leaving from gate number seven at the airport.
飛往倫敦的班機在機場七號登機門起飛。
Élise wrote her seat number on a small note so she would not forget it.
Élise 把自己的座位號碼寫在一張小便條上，以免忘記。
The hotel room was number three hundred and ten on the fourth floor.
那間旅館的房間在四樓，是三百一十號房。
- serial number
a longer, unique code printed on a product for official identification
- reference number
used in documents and forms to identify a specific application or case
用法筆記
Often follows a noun directly (e.g. 'gate number seven', 'room number 310'). In addresses, the number usually comes before the street name without the word 'number' in informal use, but 'at number twelve' is a standard spoken pattern.
常見錯誤
3. The set of digits that you dial to reach a particular person or business by tele
電話號碼
撥打電話時使用的一串數字
The set of digits that you dial to reach a particular person or business by telephone.
Karim wrote down Talia's number on a napkin after the party.
Karim 在派對結束後把 Talia 的號碼寫在一張餐巾紙上。
collocation: someone's number = phone number
If you need a ride home, call my number and I will come get you.
如果你需要搭車回家，就打我的電話，我會來接你。
Sade changed her mobile number after moving to a new city last month.
Sade 搬去新城市後，上個月換了手機號碼。
I dialled the wrong number and ended up talking to a pizza place by mistake.
我撥錯號碼，結果不小心打到一家披薩店。
The school posted its new contact number on the website for parents to find.
學校把新的聯絡電話貼在網站上，方便家長查詢。
- phone number
the full, more formal term
- telephone number
formal, especially in written English
- extension
a short internal number within a company's phone system
用法筆記
Often shortened to just 'number' in conversation when the context is clear ('What's your number?'). Common compound forms: 'phone number', 'mobile number', 'contact number'.
常見錯誤
4. The overall sum that you get when you add together every person or item in a par
總數
人或事物的總計數量
The overall sum that you get when you add together every person or item in a particular group.
The number of students in the class rose from twenty to twenty-five this year.
今年班上學生的總人數從二十人增加到二十五人。
the number of + [plural noun] + singular verb
We were surprised by the number who came to the show in the rain.
我們對冒雨來看表演的人數感到驚訝。
The number of cars on the road doubles during the summer holiday season.
暑假期間路上車輛的數量會增加一倍。
Caleb counted the number of steps from his house to the bus stop every morning.
Caleb 每天早上數從家到公車站的步數。
What is the total number of tickets sold for tonight's concert so far?
今晚演唱會到目前為止賣出的門票總數是多少？
文法句型
the number of + [plural noun] + singular verb
用法筆記
Unlike 'a number of' (see sense 6), 'the number of' refers to a specific total count and takes a singular verb: 'The number of applicants is increasing.'
常見錯誤
5. A quantity of people or things that is described by an adjective (such as 'large
大量；少量
用形容詞描述的約略數量
A quantity of people or things that is described by an adjective (such as 'large', 'small', or 'growing') to show roughly how many there are.
A growing number of families are choosing to cycle to work instead of driving.
越來越多的家庭選擇騎腳踏車上班，而不開車。
adjective + number of + [plural noun]
Only a small number of tickets were left when Feng arrived at the box office.
Feng 到達售票處時，只剩下少數幾張票。
A surprising number of students had never tried sushi before the school trip.
令老師驚訝的是，校外教學前有不少學生從未吃過壽司。
The company let go of a considerable number of workers when it moved abroad.
那家公司搬到國外時，解僱了相當多的員工。
文法句型
[adjective] number of + [plural noun] + plural verb
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 4: 'the number of' states an exact total. This sense uses an adjective before 'number' to give a rough idea of size (large, small, growing, surprising, considerable). The verb that follows is plural: 'A large number of people were waiting.'
常見錯誤
6. An expression meaning 'several' or 'some', used when the exact amount is not imp
若干；一些
大約幾個，不指明確切數量
An expression meaning 'several' or 'some', used when the exact amount is not important and you just want to say there is more than a few.
A number of guests had already left the party by the time dessert was served.
甜點上桌時，已經有幾位客人離開了派對。
a number of + [plural noun] = several
There are a number of good restaurants in this part of the city.
這座城市這個區域有幾家不錯的餐廳。
A number of problems came up during the construction of the new bridge.
新橋的建造過程中出現了一些問題。
The committee raised a number of questions about the safety of the new design.
委員會對新設計的安全性提出了一些疑問。
- none
zero; opposite of 'several'
文法句型
a number of + [plural noun] + plural verb
用法筆記
In this sense, 'a number of' always takes a plural verb. It is different from 'the number of' (sense 4), which refers to a specific total and uses a singular verb. Unlike sense 5, this sense does not allow an adjective before 'number'.
常見錯誤
7. a collection of individuals gathered in one location or united by a shared goal
一群人
聚集在一起或有共同目的的一群人
a collection of individuals gathered in one location or united by a shared goal
Baraka was one of a small number of guests invited to the private dinner.
Baraka 是少數受邀參加私人晚宴的賓客之一。
a small number of + plural noun (people)
A number of students from the dance club volunteered to help with the event.
舞蹈社的幾名學生自願協助這次活動。
a number of + plural noun (things/people)
The whole number of passengers on the evening flight was only forty-three.
晚班航班上所有乘客加起來只有四十三人。
Among the number were several well-known artists and one famous writer.
這群人當中包括幾位知名藝術家和一位著名作家。
文法句型
a number of + people (followed by plural verb in UK, singular in US)
number + of + plural noun phrase
用法筆記
When used alone as 'a number of' + plural noun, the verb can be singular or plural depending on variety. British English typically uses a plural verb ('A number of people were waiting'), while American English often uses a singular verb ('A number of people was waiting'). In formal writing, 'the number of' always takes a singular verb.
常見錯誤
8. a grammatical category that tells how many items a word refers to — for example,
單複數
詞語表示單數或複數的語法形式
a grammatical category that tells how many items a word refers to — for example, whether it points to just one (singular) or to several (plural)
Élise explained that 'child' and 'children' differ in number as well as spelling.
Élise 解釋說，「child」和「children」不僅拼寫不同，在單複數上也不同。
differ in number (grammatical feature)
In English, the verb must agree with its subject in number.
在英語中，動詞必須在主語的單複數上保持一致。
agree in number (subject-verb agreement)
Bao found it tricky that Japanese nouns do not change form to show number.
Bao 發現日語的名詞不會改變詞形來表示單複數，覺得這很棘手。
The word 'scissors' looks plural in number but can refer to a single tool.
「scissors」這個詞在單複數上看起來是複數形，但可以指一件工具。
Minho's essay on number in grammar won first prize at the language fair.
Minho 關於語法單複數的文章在語言博覽會上獲得了一等獎。
- grammatical number
full term, more precise for grammar contexts
- number marking
focuses on how languages show number on words
文法句型
number + verb (singular/plural agreement)
singular number
plural number
用法筆記
Commonly used in the fixed phrases 'singular number' and 'plural number'. Also appears in grammar contexts like 'number agreement' or 'agree in number'. Countable as a grammar concept ("the numbers of nouns") but more often uncountable.
常見錯誤
9. an individual edition of a periodical such as a magazine, newspaper, or journal
期號；期
雜誌或期刊的單一期別
an individual edition of a periodical such as a magazine, newspaper, or journal
Heather picked up the latest number of her favourite fashion magazine at the airport.
Heather 在機場拿了一本她最喜歡的時尚雜誌的最新一期。
latest number of [publication]
The library keeps every back number of the journal going back to 1952.
圖書館收藏了這本期刊從1952年至今的每一期過刊。
back number (previously published issue)
Cyrus wrote a short article for the summer number of the university review.
Cyrus 為大學校刊的夏季號寫了一篇短文。
This month's number features an interview with a famous film director from Japan.
本月的這一期專訪了一位來自日本的知名電影導演。
Paloma saved every number of the comic book series that her uncle gave her.
Paloma 保留了她叔叔送她的每一期漫畫系列。
文法句型
number + of + magazine/newspaper
the + adjective + number
用法筆記
Less common in US English, where 'issue' is preferred. Still widely used in British English and in formal publishing contexts. 'Back number' is a fixed expression meaning a previously published edition.
常見錯誤
10. an item of attire, most often a woman's dress or suit, that draws admiration for
一件衣物
尤指引人注目的女性服飾
an item of attire, most often a woman's dress or suit, that draws admiration for its style or appearance
Paloma wore a striking black number with silver buttons to the awards ceremony.
Paloma 穿了一件引人注目的黑色銀扣套裝參加頒獎典禮。
adjective + number (describing the clothing)
The shop window displayed a chic little red number that caught every shopper's eye.
櫥窗裡展示了一件時髦的紅色小洋裝，吸引了每位顧客的目光。
little + colour + number (informal pattern)
Nila chose a comfortable linen number for the summer wedding in the countryside.
Nila 選了一件舒適的亞麻質料衣物參加鄉間的夏日婚禮。
Heather's vintage silk number from the 1960s was the talk of the party.
Heather 那件1960年代的復古絲質洋裝成了派對上的話題。
文法句型
adjective + number
用法筆記
Almost always preceded by an adjective (often describing colour, fabric, or style). Used informally. Also occasionally used for other admired items like a car ('a sleek little number').
常見錯誤
11. a person who has a particular quality or belongs to a particular group, often us
某種人；角色
具有特定特質或屬於某類型的人
a person who has a particular quality or belongs to a particular group, often used to describe someone's type or character
Reuben is not the kind of number who would ever gossip about his friends.
Reuben 不是那種會到處說朋友閒話的人。
the kind of number (type of person)
Kwame is a sharp number who always finds the fastest solution to any problem.
Kwame 是個反應很快的人，總能找到解決問題的最快方法。
adjective + number (informal)
Nila thought of herself as a practical number who preferred simple solutions.
Nila 認為自己是個務實型的人，偏好簡單的解決方案。
Baraka laughed and said, 'So you are one of those artistic numbers, I see.'
Baraka 笑著說：「原來你是那種藝術型的人啊。」
文法句型
adjective + number
one of those + adjective + numbers
用法筆記
Always used with a preceding adjective or descriptive phrase. This sense is informal and slightly old-fashioned in some varieties. Often appears in the structure 'one of those + adjective + numbers' to classify someone into a familiar type.
常見錯誤
12. a short vocal or instrumental piece performed as one segment within a concert, s
一首歌；曲子
表演中的短歌、樂曲或歌舞
a short vocal or instrumental piece performed as one segment within a concert, show, or stage production
Kwame and his band played a lively jazz number that got everyone clapping along.
Kwame 和他的樂團演奏了一首輕快的爵士曲子，讓大家都跟著打拍子。
adjective + number (type of music)
The final number of the evening was a slow piano piece that left the audience silent.
當晚的最後一首曲子是一首緩慢的鋼琴曲，觀眾聽得鴉雀無聲。
final/opening number (position in performance)
Minho's solo dance number at the talent show won him first place.
Minho 在才藝表演上的獨舞表演為他贏得了第一名。
Bao whistled a cheerful little number while walking home through the park.
Bao 邊穿過公園走回家，邊吹著一首愉快的小曲。
The choir saved their most difficult number for the very end of the concert.
合唱團把最難的一首歌留到音樂會的最後才表演。
文法句型
adjective + number
musical number
song and dance number
用法筆記
Common in entertainment and performance contexts. Can describe vocal pieces, instrumental pieces, or dance routines performed to music. 'Musical number' is the broadest term; 'song and dance number' refers specifically to a combined singing and dancing piece.
常見錯誤
13. a remark, excuse, complaint, or trick that a particular person is known for usin
老套；把戲
某人常說的藉口或常玩的把戲
a remark, excuse, complaint, or trick that a particular person is known for using repeatedly
Luca launched into his usual number about the dog eating his homework.
Luca 又搬出那套老套說詞，說他的狗吃掉了作業。
collocation: usual number
Putri rolled her eyes when her colleague started the same number about being too busy.
Putri 翻了個白眼，因為她的同事又開始用那套老套藉口說自己太忙了。
collocation: the same number
Mira said, 'I have heard that number before — it is always the same excuse.'
Mira 說：「我以前就聽過那套說詞了——永遠都是同樣的藉口。」
Jude pulled a clever number and convinced the whole team to stay late.
Jude 耍了個聰明的小把戲，說服了整個團隊留下來加班。
Olivia recognized the number her brother used every time he wanted to borrow money.
Olivia 認出了她哥哥每次想借錢時用的那套說詞。
- trick
emphasizes the deceptive or clever action; less about what someone says
- routine
similar informality, often used for a predictable sequence of remarks or behaviour
- spiel
stronger focus on a rehearsed or persuasive speech; slightly more negative tone
- stunt
focuses on an attention-getting action rather than a remark
文法句型
possessive + number (someone's usual number)
the same number
pull + a + number
用法筆記
Often used with a possessive adjective (my/his/her/their usual number) or in the phrase 'the same number'. Commonly found in informal speech rather than writing.