power
power — 動詞
1. to give a machine or system the energy it needs to work.
供電；驅動
給機器能源使其運轉
to give a machine or system the energy it needs to work.
Solar panels power the farm's lights and water pump.
太陽能板為農場的照明和抽水幫浦供電。
power + machine/system
A small battery powered the toy train all afternoon.
一顆小電池驅動那台玩具火車跑了一整個下午。
Wind from the coast powers homes in three nearby towns.
來自海岸的風為附近三個城鎮的住家供電。
The backup generator powered the hospital during the storm.
暴風雨期間，備用發電機為那家醫院供電。
Gasoline still powers most of the fishing boats here.
這裡大多數漁船現在仍靠汽油驅動。
文法句型
power + machine/system/building
用法筆記
Subject is usually an energy source such as electricity, wind, fuel, or a battery. The object is normally a machine, building, or system that can run on that energy.
常見錯誤
2. to move forward with strong force, often quickly and directly.
猛衝；疾駛
靠強勁力量快速前進
to move forward with strong force, often quickly and directly.
The horse powered up the hill through deep mud.
那匹馬穿過深泥，猛衝上山坡。
power + up + place
Two police boats powered across the bay after sunset.
兩艘警艇在日落後疾駛穿過海灣。
movement with across
Elena powered through the station door with two heavy bags.
Elena 提著兩個重袋子，硬是衝過車站大門。
The crowd powered toward the stage when the gates opened.
大門一開，人群就朝舞台猛衝過去。
After the curve, the freight train powered along the flooded tracks.
轉過彎後，那列貨運火車沿著淹水的鐵軌疾駛。
文法句型
power + through/across/up/toward
用法筆記
Usually followed by a direction phrase such as 'through', 'across', 'up', or 'toward'. Distinguish from sense 3, where 'power' takes a ball as its object in sports.
常見錯誤
3. in sport, to send a ball forward with a very hard hit or kick.
猛擊；重踢
在球類運動中大力擊球
in sport, to send a ball forward with a very hard hit or kick.
Kim powered the ball past the keeper in the final minute.
Kim 在最後一分鐘把球猛擊過守門員身旁。
power + the ball + past + player
From the edge of the box, Owen powered the ball into the top corner.
在禁區邊緣，Owen 把球重重踢進球門上角。
power + the ball + into + place
At the restart, Ben powered the ball deep into the box.
比賽重新開始時，Ben 把球猛擊到禁區深處。
On wet grass, Mia powered the ball across the face of goal.
在濕草地上，Mia 把球重踢橫越球門前。
Leo powered the ball over the wall from the free kick spot.
Leo 在自由球點把球猛擊越過人牆。
文法句型
power + the ball + place phrase
用法筆記
Mostly used in sports writing and commentary. The object is usually the ball, and the sentence often adds where the ball went next.
常見錯誤
power — 名詞
1. the capacity to direct other people and affect what happens.
權力
支配他人與局勢的能力
the capacity to direct other people and affect what happens.
The king used his power to raise taxes across the whole country.
國王運用自己的權力，在全國加稅。
use power to + verb
A few large apps have too much power over what children watch after school.
幾個大型 app 現在幾乎掌控了孩子放學後看的內容。
power over + person/group
Without union backing, Rosa had little power in the pay dispute.
沒有工會撐腰時，Rosa 在那場薪資爭議中幾乎沒有權力。
The storm showed how little power humans have against the sea.
那場風暴讓人看見，人類面對大海其實沒有多少權力。
- powerlessness
the state of being unable to affect people or events
- weakness
broader and can be physical or emotional as well
文法句型
have power over + person/group
use power to + verb
用法筆記
Often followed by 'over' when naming the people or area controlled. Distinguish from sense 4, which is a right given by law or rules, and from sense 5, which is authority tied to a role or position.
常見錯誤
2. the position of governing a country, or the degree to which a group rules it.
政權
掌管國家的統治地位
the position of governing a country, or the degree to which a group rules it.
The party came to power after twenty years in opposition.
那個政黨在在野二十年後上台執政。
come to power
A military group stayed in power until the first free election.
那個軍方團體一直掌權到第一次自由選舉為止。
stay in power
Rebels seized power in the capital before dawn on Monday.
叛軍在星期一黎明前奪取了首都的政權。
Young voters hope to vote the old president out of power.
年輕選民希望把那位老總統投票趕下台。
- opposition
the parties or groups that are not governing
文法句型
come to power
stay in power
seize power
用法筆記
Usually appears in political patterns such as 'come to power', 'stay in power', and 'seize power'. Distinguish from sense 1, which is broader control and is not limited to ruling a state.
常見錯誤
3. the force in a body that lets a person or animal push, lift, or hit hard.
力氣
身體使力的強度
the force in a body that lets a person or animal push, lift, or hit hard.
Years of climbing gave Mei great power in her hands and shoulders.
多年攀岩讓 Mei 的手和肩膀很有力氣。
power in + body part
The horse showed amazing power when it pulled the cart uphill.
那匹馬拉著車上坡時，展現出驚人的力氣。
Even after surgery, Dad still had enough power to lift the suitcase.
就算動過手術，爸爸還是有足夠的力氣提起那個行李箱。
By the final round, the boxer's left arm had lost power.
到了最後一回合，那名拳擊手左臂的力氣已經沒了。
- weakness
lack of physical force
文法句型
power in + body part
lose power
enough power to + verb
用法筆記
Often used with body parts or actions, as in 'power in the legs' or 'punching power'. Distinguish from noun senses 7 and 8 in the other chunk, which are about general ability or talent rather than bodily force.
常見錯誤
4. permission backed by law or official rules that allows someone to do a particula
權限
依法或依規可做某事的權利
permission backed by law or official rules that allows someone to do a particular thing.
The court has the power to order a new trial.
法院有權限下令重審。
have the power to + verb
Only the mayor had the power to close the bridge that night.
那天晚上，只有市長有權限關閉那座橋。
Under school rules, teachers have no power to search students' bags.
依照校規，老師沒有權限搜查學生的包包。
This board has the power to remove the director by a vote.
這個董事會有權限透過表決撤換主管。
- prohibition
an official rule that says an action is not allowed
文法句型
have the power to + verb
power to + verb
用法筆記
Commonly followed by 'to + verb' and often belongs to a court, government office, or other official body. Distinguish from sense 1, where the focus is practical control rather than a formal right.
常見錯誤
5. the leading place in a group or organization that lets someone direct others and
主導權
因地位而能主事的力量
the leading place in a group or organization that lets someone direct others and have the final say.
After the founder retired, his daughter held most of the power in the company.
創辦人退休後，他的女兒掌握了公司大部分的主導權。
hold power in + organization
Even without a title, Aunt Rosa had real power in every family decision.
就算沒有頭銜，Aunt Rosa 在每個家庭決定裡都很有分量。
In the newsroom, the senior editor held more power than the owner.
在編輯室裡，那位資深編輯握有的主導權比老闆還大。
Once the union arrived, supervisors lost some power on the factory floor.
工會進來後，主管們在工廠現場失去了一部分主導權。
- subordination
the state of being under someone else's authority
文法句型
hold power in + organization
power in + group
lose power
用法筆記
Often refers to someone's standing or commanding position rather than a specific legal permission. Distinguish from sense 4, which commonly appears as 'the power to + verb'.
常見錯誤
6. electricity used to light homes, run machines, and keep systems working.
電力
供設備與住家使用的電
electricity used to light homes, run machines, and keep systems working.
The storm cut power to three villages near the coast.
暴風雨切斷了沿海三個村子的電力供應。
cut power to + place
Factories need steady power to keep the machines running all night.
工廠需要穩定的電力，機器才能整晚運轉。
power to run machines
Our flat gets some winter heat from solar power.
我們的公寓冬天有一部分暖氣來自太陽能供電。
Please turn off the old heater to save power before bed.
睡前請把那台舊暖氣關掉，省一點電。
- electricity
the most general everyday word
- current
more technical and more about flow in wires
- supply
focuses on the service reaching homes or buildings
文法句型
cut power to + place
restore power
save power
用法筆記
Uncountable in this sense. Common in practical phrases such as 'power cut', 'power line', and 'solar power'. Distinguish from noun sense 10 in the other chunk, which is about output or measurement rather than everyday electricity supply.
常見錯誤
7. everything someone is able to do with the mind and the body.
身心能力
人的心智與身體可做的事
everything someone is able to do with the mind and the body.
Years of illness reduced Grandpa Lee's powers of memory and movement.
多年的病痛慢慢削弱了 Grandpa Lee 的身心能力，包括記憶和行動。
plural: powers of memory and movement
After the stroke, Maria worked hard to regain the power of speech.
中風後，Maria 努力想重新找回說話的能力。
collocation: regain the power of speech
After knee surgery, the drug can weaken the body's power to heal.
膝蓋手術後，這種藥可能削弱身體自我修復的能力。
Even at ninety, Professor Chen kept his powers of judgment.
就算到了九十歲，Professor Chen 仍保有清楚的判斷能力。
- abilities
the most general word for what someone can do
- faculties
more formal, especially for mental abilities
- capacities
broad and slightly formal
- weaknesses
areas where ability is lacking
- disabilities
physical or mental conditions that limit ability
用法筆記
Often appears in the plural when separate abilities are named, as in powers of memory, speech, or judgment.
8. a particular skill or special ability that lets someone do something well.
本事；才能
做某事的特別能力
a particular skill or special ability that lets someone do something well.
Leah has a rare power to calm crying babies in minutes.
Leah 有一種本事，幾分鐘內就能安撫哭鬧的嬰兒。
power to + verb
Years on stage gave Omar the power to keep a room quiet.
多年的舞台經驗讓 Omar 有能力讓整個房間安靜下來。
Years as a nurse gave Hana the power to calm angry families.
多年護理工作讓 Hana 有本事安撫憤怒的家屬。
The coach saw Nina's power to read the game early.
教練看出了 Nina 及早讀懂比賽的才能。
- inability
lack of power to do something
- clumsiness
poor practical skill
文法句型
power to + verb
用法筆記
Often followed by a to-infinitive. Distinguish from sense 7, which refers to a person's full set of abilities rather than one specific skill.
常見錯誤
9. a person, group, or country with enough influence or strength to direct others.
重要勢力
在某領域能左右局勢的人、團體或國家
a person, group, or country with enough influence or strength to direct others.
For years, the railway union was a power in Taipei politics.
多年來，鐵路工會一直是台北政壇上的重要勢力。
pattern: a power in [field]
After the war, Japan became an economic power in Asia.
戰後，日本成了亞洲的經濟強權。
collocation: economic power
Even in retirement, Senator Vega remained a power in party budget talks.
就算退休了，Vega 參議員在黨內預算協商中仍是重要勢力。
By 1900, the kingdom was no longer a great power in Europe.
到了 1900 年，那個王國已不再是歐洲的強權。
- force
broad and often more neutral
- heavyweight
informal, for an influential person or organization
- superpower
only for a very strong country
- authority
focuses on official decision-making power
- minor player
person or group with little influence
- underdog
side that is weaker than its rivals
用法筆記
Often appears in patterns such as 'a power in local politics' or 'a great/economic power'. Distinguish from sense 1, which names control itself rather than the person, group, or state holding it.
10. the amount of energy produced, used, or sent out in a given time.
功率
能量產生或使用的速率
the amount of energy produced, used, or sent out in a given time.
The heater uses less power when the room is already warm.
房間已經暖了時，暖氣機用的功率會比較低。
collocation: use less power
On the test track, the engine produced more power than last year's model.
在測試跑道上，這具引擎輸出的功率比去年的型號更高。
pattern: produce more power
Engineers tested the motor at full power before the race.
工程師在比賽前以全功率測試了那台馬達。
The laser lost power after three hours of continuous use.
那台雷射連續使用三小時後，功率就下降了。
- output
focuses on what a machine produces
- wattage
the measured amount of power in watts
- horsepower
used especially for engines and vehicles
用法筆記
Common with machines and measurements such as watts. Distinguish from sense 6, which refers to electricity as a supply rather than the rate or output.
11. the amount a lens or similar device makes something look larger.
倍率
鏡片把影像放大的倍數
the amount a lens or similar device makes something look larger.
The microscope gives enough power to show the tiny cells clearly.
這台顯微鏡有足夠的倍率，可以清楚看見微小的細胞。
collocation: enough power to + verb
At low power, the telescope shows the whole moon at once.
在低倍率下，這支望遠鏡能一次看到整個月亮。
collocation: at low power
Dr. Wu switched to a higher power to inspect the insect's wing.
Wu 醫師切換到更高的倍率來檢查昆蟲的翅膀。
The guide used binoculars with enough power to spot eagles.
嚮導用倍率夠高的雙筒望遠鏡來找老鷹。
- magnification
the direct technical term
- zoom
common for cameras, not always the same as optical strength
- enlargement
focuses on the result rather than the lens setting
用法筆記
Often used with words such as low, high, or enough before it, especially for microscopes, telescopes, and binoculars. Distinguish from sense 10, where power is about energy output.
12. the small number that shows how many times another number multiplies itself.
次方
表示數自乘次數的小數字
the small number that shows how many times another number multiplies itself.
On the board, in x to the fourth power, the four is the power.
在黑板上，x 的四次方裡，那個 4 就是次方。
pattern: to the fourth power
The teacher asked the class to write ten to the power of six.
老師要全班寫出十的六次方。
pattern: to the power of + number
In class, a negative power moves the base below the line.
課堂上，負次方會把底數移到分數線下面。
During the quiz, Sam forgot that the power comes after the base.
小考時，Sam 忘了次方要寫在底數後面。
- exponent
the standard maths term
- index
used in some maths teaching, especially British English
- superscript
describes where the number is written, not its meaning
文法句型
to the power of + number
用法筆記
Usually appears in phrases such as 'to the third power' or 'to the power of 6'. Distinguish from sense 10, which belongs to physics and engineering.
常見錯誤
power — 形容詞
1. Designed to run by electricity or a motor instead of by hand.
電動的
用電力或馬達驅動的
Designed to run by electricity or a motor instead of by hand.
The carpenter packed a power drill for the kitchen remodel.
木工為廚房翻修把電鑽放進了工具箱。
power + equipment noun
A power wheelchair helped Nora move across the long hospital hall.
電動輪椅幫 Nora 穿過長長的醫院走廊。
collocation: power wheelchair
At the farm, the power gate slid open for the milk truck.
在農場裡，送奶卡車一到，電動大門就滑開了。
The bakery uses a power mixer during the early morning shift.
那家麵包店在清晨班時會用電動攪拌機。
- manual
describes equipment used by hand without a motor
- hand-operated
makes the contrast with machine-driven equipment explicit
文法句型
power + equipment noun
用法筆記
Usually comes before a noun naming equipment, vehicles, or parts of a machine. Distinguish from adjective sense 2, which is about physical force in sport rather than a motor.
常見錯誤
2. In sport, describing an athlete or style that depends on physical strength and f
力量型
運動中靠力量取勝的
In sport, describing an athlete or style that depends on physical strength and forceful play.
The team signed a power forward from Kaohsiung for next season.
球隊簽下了一名來自高雄的力量型大前鋒，準備打下個球季。
sports collocation: power forward
After winter training, Mina became a power hitter with quick hands.
冬訓後，Mina 成了揮棒有力的力量型打者。
sports collocation: power hitter
By halftime, the Tigers' power game had worn down the smaller team.
到了中場，Tigers 的力量型打法已經拖垮了那支較小的球隊。
On wet grass, a power runner can still break two tackles.
就算在濕草地上，力量型跑衛還是能撞開兩次擒抱。
- strong
the broad everyday adjective for physical force
- muscular
focuses more on body build than playing style
- hard-hitting
used especially for forceful attacking play or heavy shots
- speed-based
wins through pace rather than physical force
- finesse-based
wins through touch, control, or skill rather than strength
文法句型
power + sports noun
用法筆記
Mostly comes before sports nouns such as 'forward', 'hitter', 'game', or 'runner'. Distinguish from adjective sense 1, which describes machines and equipment driven by electricity or a motor.