rail
rail — 名詞
1. the trains, tracks, stations, and services that together form a method of moving
鐵路
火車運輸系統
the trains, tracks, stations, and services that together form a method of moving passengers and goods over long distances
Many commuters in Tokyo prefer rail over driving to avoid traffic jams.
東京許多通勤族選擇搭火車勝過開車，以避免塞車。
uncountable use: 'by rail' / 'prefer rail over driving'
Transport Minister Indra announced a €3.2 billion project to modernise the rail network across southern Ghana.
交通部長 Indra 宣布投入 32 億歐元，現代化迦納南部的鐵路網絡。
collocation: rail network
Chiara's father worked for the rail company for over thirty years.
Chiara 的父親在這家鐵路公司工作了三十多年。
Train fares on this rail route went up again at the start of the year.
今年年初，這條鐵路線的火車票價又調漲了。
- railway
used in British English for the same system
- railroad
the standard American English term
- train service
focuses on the operational aspect rather than the infrastructure
2. a long bar of steel laid on the ground in pairs, creating a pathway for trains t
鐵軌
火車行駛的兩條金屬軌道
a long bar of steel laid on the ground in pairs, creating a pathway for trains to roll along
Workers are checking the steel rails for cracks after the cold winter.
工作人員正在檢查鋼鐵鐵軌在嚴冬過後是否有裂縫。
A fallen tree had landed across the rails, so all services were stopped.
一棵倒下的樹橫在鐵軌上，所有列車因此停駛。
The old railway line still has rusted rails buried deep under the grass.
那條舊鐵路線的雜草下方仍埋著生鏽的鐵軌。
Isabela watched sparks fly as the train wheels scraped against the steel rails.
Isabela 看著火車輪子在鋼軌上摩擦時迸出的火花。
用法筆記
Often used in the plural (rails) because trains run on a pair of bars.
常見錯誤
3. a straight bar fixed in place that people can hold for support, that prevents th
橫桿
固定在牆上或柱子間的橫條
a straight bar fixed in place that people can hold for support, that prevents them from falling, or that holds towels, curtains, or clothing
Ezra gripped the hand rail tightly while climbing down the steep stairs.
Ezra 走下陡峭階梯時緊緊抓著扶手欄杆。
collocation: hand rail
Towel rails in the bathroom keep your towels warm and dry all day.
浴室的毛巾架能讓毛巾一整天保持溫暖和乾燥。
collocation: towel rail
The wooden balcony rail stops young children from falling off the edge.
陽台上的木製欄杆可以防止小孩從邊緣摔下去。
Shanti held onto the steel handrail as she walked down the icy front steps.
Shanti 走下結冰的前階梯時，緊緊抓著鋼製扶手。
用法筆記
When referring to a barrier made of rails and vertical posts, the word 'railing' is often used instead. For example: 'a metal railing along the bridge'.
常見錯誤
rail — 動詞
1. to express strong anger or opposition toward something, especially a policy, law
怒斥
憤怒地抱怨或批評
to express strong anger or opposition toward something, especially a policy, law, or situation
Passengers railed against the airline for cancelling their flight without notice.
乘客憤怒抨擊該航空公司無預警取消航班。
pattern: rail against [institution/group]
Local residents railed at the council for closing down the only playground.
當地居民大聲譴責議會關閉唯一的遊樂場。
pattern: rail at [authority figure/body]
The senator railed publicly about the rising cost of healthcare for families.
這位參議員公開抨擊家庭醫療保健費用不斷上漲。
Mira railed against the new tax rules, calling them unfair to small shops.
Mira 強烈反對新稅法，稱其對小商店不公平。
文法句型
rail + against/at + noun
rail + about + noun
用法筆記
This verb is always intransitive — it needs a preposition (against, at, or about) before its object. Unlike 'criticize', you cannot say 'rail something' directly. The tone is more forceful and emotional than 'complain'.