relation

relation — 名詞

1. the patterns of feeling, behaviour, and communication that develop when individu

1.名詞B1
釋義

關係

人與人之間的互動連結

the patterns of feeling, behaviour, and communication that develop when individuals, organisations, or nations interact with one another

例句

The relation between the two countries has grown warmer since the trade deal.

由於這項貿易協定，兩國之間的關係變得更加友好。

relation between [two parties] for connection

Beatrix has built a strong working relation with her new team members.

Beatrix 與她的新團隊成員建立了良好的工作關係。

build a working relation with [someone]

同義詞
  • relationship

    more common for personal bonds; softer, everyday tone

  • connection

    broader; can be social, logical, or physical

  • rapport

    implies mutual understanding and trust; more specific

  • dealings

    focuses on practical interactions rather than feelings

反義詞

文法句型

relation between [two parties]

relation with [someone]

用法筆記

Often used in the plural form 'relations' when referring to the general state of connection between groups, countries, or institutions. 'Relation' in the singular usually refers to a single person-to-person connection.

常見錯誤

❌I have a good relation with my sister.
✅I have a good relationship with my sister.
💡'Relationship' sounds more natural for close personal bonds; 'relation' is more formal and often used for professional or group connections.

2. a meaningful tie linking several items, ideas, or events — such as how regular e

2.名詞B2
釋義

關聯

事物之間的邏輯連結或相似性

a meaningful tie linking several items, ideas, or events — such as how regular exercise relates to sleep quality, or how rising prices connect to higher demand

例句

Researchers found a clear relation between sleep quality and memory performance.

研究人員發現睡眠品質與記憶表現之間有明確的關聯。

relation between X and Y

The study examined the relation of diet to heart disease in older adults.

這項研究探討了飲食與長者心臟病之間的關聯。

relation of X to Y

同義詞
  • connection

    more everyday term; slightly less formal

  • link

    suggests a direct, often causal tie

  • correlation

    specifically a statistical or measurable relationship

  • association

    suggests a connection that may or may not be causal

反義詞

文法句型

relation between [thing A] and [thing B]

relation to [something]

用法筆記

The phrase 'bear a relation to' (or 'bear no relation to') is a common fixed expression for stating that two things are connected (or not connected). Frequently used in academic and analytical writing.

常見錯誤

❌This has relation to that problem.
✅This has a relation to that problem.' or 'This bears a relation to that problem.
💡'Relation' in this sense usually requires an article ('a', 'the') or a determiner like 'no', 'some', 'little'.

3. used when talking about how one thing is connected to or compared with another —

3.名詞B1
釋義

關於；相比

與某事物相關或相比較

used when talking about how one thing is connected to or compared with another — for example, discussing a policy in relation to its cost, or judging a building's height in relation to nearby structures

例句

The committee reviewed the new policy in relation to its environmental impact.

委員會針對該新政策對環境的影響進行了審查。

in relation to [topic]

Mayumi's salary seems low in relation to the amount of work she does.

以 Mayumi 所做的工作量來說，她的薪水似乎偏低。

同義詞
  • regarding

    more concise; common in business writing

  • concerning

    directly replaces 'in relation to'; similar formality

  • with respect to

    equally formal; slightly more academic

  • about

    everyday alternative; less formal but widely used

文法句型

in relation to [something]

with relation to [something]

用法筆記

This sense only occurs in the fixed phrases 'in relation to' and (less commonly) 'with relation to'. It functions like a preposition, similar to 'regarding' or 'concerning'. Common in formal writing, business communication, and academic contexts.

常見錯誤

❌Relation to this issue, we need more data.
✅In relation to this issue, we need more data.
💡Do not drop 'in'; the phrase requires 'in relation to' as a three-word unit.

4. a person who shares a common family background with someone else, connected eith

4.名詞B1
釋義

親戚

同一家族的人（血緣或婚姻關係）

a person who shares a common family background with someone else, connected either by blood ties or through marriage

例句

All of Alessia's close relations flew in for the family reunion.

Alessia 所有的近親都飛來參加家庭團聚。

close relations for family members

Jin discovered he is a distant relation of a famous writer from the 1800s.

Jin 發現自己是一位十九世紀著名作家的遠親。

同義詞
  • relative

    more common in everyday speech; same meaning

  • family member

    neutral and clear; works in all contexts

  • kin

    old-fashioned or literary; rarely used in conversation

反義詞

文法句型

relation of [someone]

distant/close relation

用法筆記

'Relation' is slightly more formal than 'relative' in everyday conversation, though both are common. 'Immediate relations' refers to parents, siblings, spouse, and children. 'Distant relation' refers to someone not in your immediate family line.

常見錯誤

❌She is a relation of my mother.
✅She is a relation of my mother's.
💡Use the possessive form ('my mother's') rather than 'of my mother' when saying who someone is related to.