spark plug

IPA/ˈspɑːk plʌɡ/
IPA/ˈspɑːrk plʌɡ/

spark plug — 名詞

1. a small metal part placed inside an engine that uses an electric current to crea

1.名詞B1
釋義

火星塞

引擎中點燃油氣的零件

a small metal part placed inside an engine that uses an electric current to create the spark which ignites the fuel and starts the motor.

例句

The mechanic checked all the spark plugs before the race began.

技師在比賽開始前檢查了所有的火星塞。

collocation: check the spark plugs

Mira replaced the old spark plug in her car to improve fuel use.

Mira 更換了車子裡舊的火星塞來改善油耗。

collocation: replace a spark plug

同義詞
  • ignition plug

    less common technical synonym used mainly in automotive manuals

  • glow plug

    a similar part used in diesel engines that heats air rather than producing a spark — not interchangeable

文法句型

spark plug + verb (fits into, produces, ignites)

用法筆記

The plural form spark plugs is very common when referring to all the units in an engine (most car engines have four or more cylinders, each with its own spark plug).

常見錯誤

❌The car needs a new spark.
✅The car needs a new spark plug.
💡spark by itself refers to a flash of electricity, not the device that produces it.

2. someone who brings energy and enthusiasm to a group or project, making others fe

2.名詞B2
釋義

靈魂人物

為團隊注入活力的關鍵人物

someone who brings energy and enthusiasm to a group or project, making others feel excited and motivated to take action.

例句

Bao was the spark plug of the team, always pushing everyone to try harder.

Bao 是團隊的靈魂人物，總是激勵大家更加努力。

collocation: spark plug of + [group]

As club president, Yasmin became the spark plug for many fresh events.

身為社團會長，Yasmin 成為許多新活動的推手。

informal figurative use

同義詞
  • motivator

    more general; focuses on encouraging others rather than initiating action

  • driving force

    slightly more formal; emphasises the person's power to keep things moving

  • catalyst

    formal and technical; suggests causing change without necessarily taking part

反義詞
  • dead weight

    informal; a person who slows a group down rather than energising it

文法句型

spark plug + of [group]

用法筆記

This sense is almost always used with a following of-phrase or behind-phrase that names the group or activity. It is usually singular and takes an article (a / the). The literal meaning (engine part) is far more common; use the figurative sense only in informal or journalistic contexts.

常見錯誤

❌She is a spark plug person.
✅She is the spark plug of the group.
💡spark plug is used directly as a noun, not as an adjective modifier.