safe
safe — 名詞
1. a metal container with a lock, used in homes, banks, and shops to keep money, je
保險箱
存放貴重物品的有鎖金屬箱
a metal container with a lock, used in homes, banks, and shops to keep money, jewellery, important documents, and other valuable things out of the reach of thieves or protected from fire and damage.
Aunt Ayana keeps her grandmother's pearl necklace in a small safe under her bed.
阿雅娜阿姨把她祖母的珍珠項鍊放在床底下的小保險箱裡。
keep [valuable] in a safe
The hotel safe in the wardrobe lets guests store their passports and cash.
衣櫃裡的飯店保險箱讓房客能夠存放護照和現金。
hotel safe — for storing valuables while travelling
Ryan opened the heavy steel safe and took out the contracts.
萊恩打開厚重的鋼製保險箱，拿出了合約。
The thieves could not break into the bank's main safe.
那些小偷無法闖入銀行的主保險箱。
We keep our important documents in a fireproof safe at home.
我們把重要文件存放在家中的防火保險箱裡。
文法句型
often used in compounds (safe-deposit box, safecracker)
常見錯誤
safe — 形容詞
1. in a situation where nobody and nothing can hurt you; kept away from anything da
安全的
沒有危險或傷害的
in a situation where nobody and nothing can hurt you; kept away from anything dangerous.
Hoa kept her passport in a safe place under the bed.
Hoa 把護照放在床底下一個安全的地方。
collocation: safe place
The children felt safe inside the school building during the storm.
暴風雨時，孩子們覺得待在學校建築物裡很安全。
feel + safe (subjective sense of security)
Adisa stayed safe by wearing a helmet whenever he rode his bicycle.
Adisa 每次騎腳踏車都戴安全帽，確保自己安全。
Quinn made sure the ladder was safe to climb before going up to the roof.
Quinn 在爬上屋頂前，先確認梯子爬起來是安全的。
- secure
emphasises being firmly protected, often with locks or barriers
- protected
focuses on active measures taken to prevent harm
- out of danger
more emphatic; used after a crisis has passed
文法句型
safe from + danger/harm/threat
用法筆記
Often paired with 'from' to name the danger: 'safe from the storm', 'safe from attack'. Also common with 'keep' as a transitive phrasal verb ('keep someone safe').
常見錯誤
2. having gone through a dangerous situation without being hurt, damaged, or lost.
安然無恙
經歷危險後未受傷害的
having gone through a dangerous situation without being hurt, damaged, or lost.
The firefighters brought every family member out of the burning house safe.
消防員把每個家庭成員都安全地從起火的房子裡帶出來。
bring someone out safe (resultative pattern)
Cyrus returned from his hiking trip safe, though his backpack was torn.
Cyrus 健行回來安然無恙，雖然背包破了。
return + safe (motion verb resultative)
All the passengers on the bus were safe after the accident on the highway.
高速公路發生事故後，巴士上所有乘客都平安無事。
The cat climbed down from the tree safe, with nothing more than muddy paws.
那隻貓從樹上安全爬下來，只有爪子沾了些泥土。
文法句型
arrive/return/come back + safe
用法筆記
This sense is resultative — it describes the outcome of a dangerous event. It typically appears after verbs of motion (return, arrive, emerge, come through) rather than before a noun. Compare 'a safe child' (sense 1, always protected) with 'the child is safe' (sense 2, after a fall).
常見錯誤
3. completely unharmed and without injury, especially after a difficult journey, lo
完好無損
經過旅程或考驗後安然無恙的
completely unharmed and without injury, especially after a difficult journey, long absence, or frightening experience.
Eli's family was relieved that he arrived safe and sound after the long flight.
Eli 的家人得知他長途飛行後平安抵達，都鬆了一口氣。
idiomatic phrase: arrive safe and sound
The missing hikers were found safe and sound in a forest cabin three days later.
三名失蹤的登山客三天後在森林小屋中被找到，安然無恙。
passive: were found safe and sound
Camila texted her mother to say she was safe and sound after the earthquake.
Camila 傳訊息給媽媽，說她在地震後平安無事。
The package arrived safe and sound despite the rough handling at the airport.
儘管在機場被粗暴搬運，包裹依然完好無損地送達。
- unscathed
more formal; suggests a dangerous event was narrowly avoided
- in one piece
informal; can apply to people or objects after a risky situation
文法句型
arrive/reach + safe and sound
用法筆記
Almost always appears in the fixed phrase 'safe and sound'. The 'and sound' part adds emphasis — 'sound' here means 'in good condition'. Unlike sense 2, this sense implies a positive emotional resolution (relief) and is typically used after journeys, searches, or crises with an uncertain outcome.
常見錯誤
4. not likely to cause injury, damage, problems, or negative consequences; posing l
不危險的
不會造成傷害的
not likely to cause injury, damage, problems, or negative consequences; posing little or no risk.
Is this water safe to drink after boiling it for five minutes?
這水煮沸五分鐘後可以安全飲用嗎？
pattern: safe to + verb
Saira checked that the playground equipment was safe for small children.
Saira 檢查了遊樂場設施對小孩是否安全。
pattern: safe for + person
The wooden bridge did not look safe enough to walk across with a heavy load.
那座木橋看起來不夠安全，無法揹重物走過去。
Hyun chose a safe route through the mountains that avoided the steep cliffs.
Hyun 選擇了一條安全的山路，避開了陡峭的懸崖。
- harmless
stronger — cannot cause any harm at all; 'safe' allows for minor risk
- risk-free
informal; emphasises no chance of negative outcome
- non-hazardous
formal/technical, especially for chemicals or materials
文法句型
safe for + person/thing
safe to + infinitive
safe enough to + infinitive
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: sense 1 describes a person's state (being free from danger), while sense 4 describes an activity, object, or situation (not causing danger). 'The children are safe' (sense 1) means they are not in danger; 'the pool is safe' (sense 4) means the pool will not harm them.
常見錯誤
5. (of a place, container, or location) designed or suitable for keeping things pro
保險的
可安全存放貴重物品的
(of a place, container, or location) designed or suitable for keeping things protected from theft, damage, or loss.
Joshua put his grandmother's ring in a safe drawer with a lock on it.
Joshua 把祖母的戒指放進一個有鎖的安全抽屜裡。
collocation: safe drawer / safe place
The museum keeps its most valuable paintings in a safe room that nobody can enter.
博物館把最有價值的畫作放在一個無人能進入的安全室裡。
Ingrid found a safe spot under the stairs to store her emergency supplies.
Ingrid 在樓梯下找到一個安全的地方存放應急物資。
The hotel provides a safe box in every room for guests to store their passports.
飯店每間房間都提供保險箱，讓房客存放護照。
文法句型
a safe place/spot/area for + object
用法筆記
This sense specifically applies to a location or container. Use 'safe place' when talking about storage (a drawer, a cupboard, a room). Do not confuse with the noun 'safe' (sense 1 of noun), which is a metal box with a lock. This adjective describes the quality of a place; the noun names the object itself.
常見錯誤
6. carefully chosen or done so that there is little risk of failure, criticism, or
穩妥的
不冒風險的；謹慎的
carefully chosen or done so that there is little risk of failure, criticism, or negative results; cautious rather than adventurous.
It is safe to say that Christopher will win the cooking competition this year.
可以肯定地說，Christopher 今年會贏得烹飪比賽。
pattern: it is safe to say that...
Hannah decided the train was safer than driving in the heavy snow.
Hannah 認為搭火車比在下雪時開車更穩妥。
comparative form: safer to + verb
Choosing a plain white shirt for the interview was the safe option.
面試時穿一件素白襯衫是穩妥的選擇。
The bank made a safe investment in government bonds rather than new companies.
銀行投資政府公債而不是新創公司，算是穩妥的投資。
- cautious
describes a person's careful behaviour rather than the choice itself
- sensible
implies good judgement, not just avoiding risk
- uncontroversial
specifically about opinions or statements that won't upset anyone
文法句型
it is safe to + verb
a safe + noun (bet/choice/assumption)
play (it) safe
用法筆記
This sense can have a slightly negative tone — a 'safe choice' may be sensible but also boring or unadventurous. The phrase 'play it safe' is a common idiom meaning to avoid taking risks. 'It is safe to say' is a fixed expression used before making a confident statement.
常見錯誤
7. describes a political constituency or elected position where one party wins so c
鐵票倉
同一政黨長期勝選的選區
describes a political constituency or elected position where one party wins so consistently that another party has almost no chance of winning.
Hao's party has held this safe seat for over forty years.
浩的政黨擁有這個鐵票倉已經超過四十年了。
collocation: safe seat
Trang rarely campaigns in the safe seat because her victory is nearly guaranteed.
莊很少在鐵票倉選區跑競選活動，因為她幾乎篤定當選。
predicative use: seat is safe
The seat has been safe for the Conservatives since the 1980s.
這個選區自1980年代以來一直是保守黨的鐵票倉。
Candidates for a safe seat seldom worry about losing an election.
鐵票倉的候選人很少擔心會輸掉選舉。
With such a large majority, the district is considered a safe seat.
由於擁有這麼大的多數優勢，這個地區被視為鐵票倉。
- uncontestable
more formal; describes a position not seriously challenged
- unbeatable
focuses on the incumbent's strength rather than the district's history
- marginal
describes a seat where the result is uncertain
- swing seat
a seat that often changes between parties
用法筆記
Usually appears before the noun (a safe seat). Refers to the constituency itself, not to the candidate.
常見錯誤
8. in baseball, describes a batter or runner who reaches a base successfully before
安全上壘
棒球中跑者成功到達壘包
in baseball, describes a batter or runner who reaches a base successfully before the opposing team can tag them out.
The umpire shouted 'safe' as Benjamin slid into second base.
裁判大喊「安全上壘」，因為 Benjamin 滑上了二壘。
umpire's call: 'safe'
Valentina was called safe at first base after a very close play.
Valentina 在一次極接近的判決中被判安全上一壘。
passive: be called safe
Zayd was safe at third base after a close play, and the home crowd cheered.
Zayd 經過一個極接近的攻防後被判安全上三壘，主場觀眾歡聲雷動。
The runner was safe by less than a second, beating the throw.
跑者以不到一秒之差安全上壘，比傳球還快。
Maja's safe hit brought two runners home for her team.
Maja 的安全打把兩位跑者送回本壘得分。
- out
the opposite ruling when a runner fails to reach base in time
用法筆記
Only used in baseball contexts. The opposite call is out. Can be used as the umpire's exclamation (Safe!) or as a description (The runner is safe).
常見錯誤
9. used in casual conversation, especially among young people, to say that someone
讚；酷
口語中表示喜歡或認可
used in casual conversation, especially among young people, to say that someone or something is good, likeable, or cool.
Tamar got tickets to the concert — that is so safe of her!
Tamar 拿到了演唱會的門票——她真是太讚了！
so safe — intensifier with slang approval
Lauren's new haircut is absolutely safe, I love it.
Lauren 的新髮型超酷的，我很喜歡。
That film was proper safe, mate — you should watch it.
那部電影超讚的，兄弟——你應該看看。
Reema said the party was safe, so we should definitely go.
Reema 說那個派對很讚，所以我們一定要去。
Beatrix's playlist is always safe — every track is a hit.
Beatrix 的播放清單永遠很讚——每首歌都是經典。
- rubbish
British slang for something bad or low quality
用法筆記
Informal slang, most common among younger speakers in British English. Can describe both people (He's safe — he's a good person) and things (That tune is safe — that song is great).
常見錯誤
10. a one-word reply in casual talk, especially among young people, confirming that
好；行
口語中表示同意或接受提議
a one-word reply in casual talk, especially among young people, confirming that you accept a suggestion, approve a plan, or take someone up on an offer.
Stephanie suggested pizza for dinner, and Nala simply said 'Safe.'
Stephanie 提議晚餐吃披薩，Nala 只說了一聲「好」。
one-word reply accepting a suggestion
'I can give you a lift home.' 'Safe, thanks mate!'
「我可以順路載你回家。」「好，謝啦！」
When Hao offered to drive, Trang replied 'safe, appreciate it.'
當 Hao 主動說要開車時，Trang 回了一句「行，謝啦。」
Zayd proposed going to the beach, and everyone nodded and said 'safe.'
Zayd 提議去海邊，每個人都點頭說「好」。
Reema said 'safe' when Lauren offered to share her lecture notes.
當 Lauren 主動說要分享課堂筆記時，Reema 說了一聲「好」。
- nah
informal rejection of an offer or suggestion
用法筆記
Used as a stand-alone interjection in response to an offer or suggestion. Common in British youth slang. Unlike sense 9, this sense does not describe a person or thing — it is a reply token.