state

state — 名詞

1. The particular physical or emotional way someone or something is at a given mome

1.名詞B1
釋義

狀態；狀況

人或物在某個時刻的狀況

The particular physical or emotional way someone or something is at a given moment.

例句

After the long flight, Chidi was in such a tired state that he fell asleep at the dinner table.

Chidi 經過長途飛行後疲憊不堪，在晚餐桌上就睡著了。

in a [adjective] state — describing a person's condition

The old house had been empty for years and was in a terrible state of decay.

那棟老房子空置多年，已經破敗不堪。

in a state of [noun] — describing a thing's condition

同義詞
  • condition

    more general, used for physical objects and people equally

  • situation

    focuses on broader circumstances rather than personal condition

  • circumstances

    more formal, emphasizes external factors

文法句型

in a state of [something]

state of [noun]

[adjective] state

用法筆記

Common in the pattern 'in a [adjective] state' or 'in a state of [noun]'. The adjective often describes strong emotions or physical disrepair.

常見錯誤

❌He is in a good state of mind' (unnatural).
✅He is in a good state of mind.
💡This is actually acceptable but less common than 'state of mind' as a fixed phrase.

2. The general situation or set of circumstances at a particular time, especially t

2.名詞B1
釋義

情況；局勢

目前或某階段的整體情勢

The general situation or set of circumstances at a particular time, especially the current one.

例句

The finance minister gave a report on the current state of the national economy.

財政部長針對國家經濟的現狀提出了報告。

the state of [something] — describing a situation

Asher asked his lawyer to explain the state of his case before the trial began.

Asher 在開庭前請律師說明案件的進展情況。

同義詞
  • situation

    more general, less formal

  • status

    focuses on progress or position within a process

  • position

    emphasizes where things stand relative to goals

文法句型

the state of [something]

state of affairs

用法筆記

Unlike sense 1 (CONDITION), this sense focuses on the progress or status of an ongoing situation or process, not on a person's physical or emotional condition.

常見錯誤

❌What is the state of your father?' (confusing with sense 1).
✅What is your father's state of health?
💡Use sense 1 for people's condition.

3. A nation that operates under its own government and controls a specific territor

3.名詞B2
釋義

國家

有獨立政府的政治共同體

A nation that operates under its own government and controls a specific territory.

例句

France has been a unified state for centuries, with Paris as its capital.

數個世紀以來，法國一直是一個統一的國家，以巴黎為首都。

The conference brought together leaders from every member state of the European Union.

那場會議聚集了歐盟各成員國的領導人。

member state — a country that belongs to an international organization

同義詞
  • nation

    emphasizes cultural and ethnic unity more than political structure

  • country

    less formal, more general, used in everyday speech

  • power

    focuses on political or military influence rather than territory

文法句型

a state

the State

member state

state-run

用法筆記

Often capitalized (State) when referring to a specific country as a political entity. Frequently found in international relations and political discourse.

常見錯誤

❌ 'New York is a state in the USA' — this is actually correct for sense 5 (REGION), not sense 3. The US is one state (nation) made up of multiple states (regions).

4. The political system or group of institutions that governs a country and makes d

4.名詞B2
釋義

政府；政權

治理國家的機構體系

The political system or group of institutions that governs a country and makes decisions on behalf of its people.

例句

In many countries, the state provides free education to all children up to age sixteen.

在許多國家，政府為所有十六歲以下的兒童提供免費教育。

the state provides — government as service provider

Sofie believes the state should do more to support families with young children.

Sofie 認為政府應該為有幼兒的家庭提供更多支援。

同義詞
  • government

    more specific to the ruling body at a given time

  • administration

    focuses on the executive branch in power

  • authorities

    plural, refers to the people and agencies who enforce laws

文法句型

the State

state control

state intervention

用法筆記

Often capitalized (the State) in formal writing. Distinguish from sense 3 (COUNTRY): sense 4 refers to the governing apparatus, not the territory or population.

常見錯誤

❌The state of Japan is a constitutional monarchy' (confusing with sense 3).
✅The Japanese state is a constitutional monarchy.
💡'State' here means government, not country.

5. One of the divisions of a federal country, such as the United States, India, or

5.名詞B1
釋義

州；邦

聯邦國家內的行政區

One of the divisions of a federal country, such as the United States, India, or Germany, that has its own local government.

例句

Dylan moved from New York State to California for the warmer weather and job opportunities.

Dylan 為了更溫暖的天氣和就業機會，從紐約州搬到加州。

Each state in the US has its own flag, laws, and system of public schools.

美國每個州都有自己的旗幟、法律和公立學校系統。

同義詞
  • province

    used in Canada, China, and other countries for similar divisions

  • region

    more general, not a specific administrative unit

  • territory

    usually suggests less independence than a state

文法句型

[name] State

the state of [name]

用法筆記

Capitalized when part of a proper name (New York State, the State of Florida). Not all countries use 'state' for internal divisions — the UK has 'nations', Canada has 'provinces'.

常見錯誤

❌I visited state of Washington' (missing article).
✅I visited the state of Washington.
💡Use 'the state of' for US states.

6. An informal way of talking about the US in everyday conversation.

6.名詞A2
釋義

美國

美國的簡稱（非正式）

An informal way of talking about the US in everyday conversation.

例句

Mert is planning to move back to the States after finishing his degree in London.

Mert 計劃在倫敦完成學位後搬回美國。

the States — informal name for the USA

When I travel abroad, people often ask me what life is like in the States.

我出國旅遊時，常有人問我在美國的生活是什麼樣子。

同義詞
  • America

    more general, also refers to the continent

  • the US

    slightly more formal, common abbreviation

文法句型

the States

the States (informal)

用法筆記

Always used with 'the' (the States). Informal — not suitable for formal writing. In formal contexts, use 'the United States' or 'the US'.

常見錯誤

❌I went to States last year' (missing 'the').
✅I went to the States last year.
💡Always include the definite article.

7. A formal, dignified ceremony or display of official grandeur, especially one inv

7.名詞C1
釋義

隆重儀式

國家元首或王室參與的正式典禮

A formal, dignified ceremony or display of official grandeur, especially one involving a monarch or head of government.

例句

The queen traveled in state through the streets of the capital in a golden carriage.

女王乘坐金色馬車隆重地穿過首都的街道。

in state — with full formal ceremony

The president's body lay in state at the parliament building so citizens could pay their respects.

總統的遺體停放在國會大廈供民眾瞻仰致意。

lie in state — fixed phrase for a deceased leader honored publicly

同義詞
  • pomp

    emphasizes impressive display, often slightly negative

  • ceremony

    broader, less specific to government occasions

  • pageantry

    focuses on colorful, visual spectacle

文法句型

in state

state occasion

用法筆記

Almost always appears in fixed phrases: 'in state' (with ceremony), 'lie in state' (of a dead leader), or as a modifier before nouns like 'banquet', 'dinner', 'funeral'.

常見錯誤

❌The ceremony was held in state' (correct but uncommon).
✅The ceremony was held with great state.
💡'In state' is the fixed phrase.

state — 動詞

state — 形容詞