steep
steep — 形容詞
1. used to describe a slope or surface that rises or falls suddenly, making it phys
陡峭的
坡度很斜的
used to describe a slope or surface that rises or falls suddenly, making it physically challenging to walk, climb, or travel on.
Liang struggled to cycle up the steep road that led into the hills.
梁拼命踩著腳踏車，騎上通往山丘的那條陡峭道路。
collocation: steep road / steep hill / steep path
A steep set of stone steps connected the old town to the beach below.
一排陡峭的石階連接了舊城區與下方的沙灘。
The path grew so steep that the hikers had to use their hands to climb.
那條小路變得非常陡峭，登山客得用手攀爬。
From the steep cliff, Eve could see the waves crashing far below.
伊芙從陡峭的懸崖上，可以看到海浪在下方猛烈拍打。
- sheer
more extreme than steep — describes a surface that is nearly vertical
- precipitous
more formal and dramatic; suggests a dangerously steep drop
- sharp
used for angles rather than whole surfaces; a sharp incline
用法筆記
Frequently used to describe terrain, stairs, or roads that are difficult to climb. Can be modified by very, quite, extremely, or too.
常見錯誤
2. happening very quickly and by a large amount — used especially for changes in nu
急遽的
短時間內大幅變化的
happening very quickly and by a large amount — used especially for changes in numbers, prices, levels, or quantities moving sharply in one direction.
The company reported a steep drop in sales after the product recall.
那家公司在產品召回後，業績出現了急遽的下滑。
collocation: steep drop / steep fall / steep decline
There has been a steep rise in the cost of renting an apartment in Taipei.
台北租屋的費用近年來急遽上漲。
The doctor warned about the steep increase in allergy cases during spring.
醫生警告，春季過敏病例的數量正急遽增加。
Fans were surprised by the steep decline in the singer's popularity after the scandal.
醜聞爆發後，那位歌手的人氣急遽下滑，讓粉絲們大感意外。
用法筆記
Commonly modifies nouns such as rise, fall, drop, increase, and decline. Typically used in business, economics, and data-reporting contexts. Not used for physical slopes.
常見錯誤
3. much higher than what most people think is fair or reasonable — used especially
昂貴的
價格過高不合理的
much higher than what most people think is fair or reasonable — used especially when complaining about the cost of something.
The rent for that small flat was too steep for a student to afford.
那間小公寓的租金太昂貴了，學生根本負擔不起。
collocation: too steep / steep rent / steep price
Customers complained that the restaurant's prices were steep for such small portions.
顧客抱怨那家餐廳的價格太貴，份量卻很小。
The museum's admission fee was steep, so the family visited the park instead.
博物館的門票太貴了，於是全家人改去公園玩。
Diya found the tuition fees at the private school far too steep for her budget.
迪亞發現那間私立學校的學費遠遠超出她的預算。
- expensive
neutral and more general; steep adds a subjective sense of unfairness
- exorbitant
stronger and more formal; suggests the price is shockingly high
- outrageous
very informal; expresses anger at the price
- cheap
low in price
- reasonable
fair and not too high
用法筆記
Restricted to prices, fees, rents, and costs — not used for other kinds of excess. This sense is informal and often carries a tone of complaint.
常見錯誤
steep — 名詞
1. a place where the ground drops away sharply, such as a cliff face or the steep s
陡坡
陡峭的地形或崖壁
a place where the ground drops away sharply, such as a cliff face or the steep side of a mountain.
The narrow trail led to a steep covered in thick bushes and loose rocks.
那條狹窄的小路通向一處長滿濃密灌木、布滿鬆動岩石的陡坡。
Ife stood at the top of the steep, heart racing as she peered down.
伊菲站在陡坡頂端，心跳加速，往下一看。
formal register; used in geographical descriptions
The map marked a steep on the north ridge that climbers should avoid.
地圖上標示山脊北側有一處陡坡，登山客應避開。
The rescue team lowered a rope down the steep to reach the injured hiker.
救援隊沿著陡坡放下繩索，以救援受傷的登山客。
- cliff
a specific type of steep face, usually vertical and made of rock
- escarpment
a long, steep slope separating two level areas; more technical
- precipice
a very steep, almost vertical rock face; suggests danger
用法筆記
Uncommon in everyday speech. More often used in written descriptions of landscapes or in hiking and climbing contexts. Usually appears as the steep after a determiner and often followed by a location phrase.
steep — 動詞
1. to put something into a liquid and leave it there so that the liquid's propertie
浸泡
放在液體中使其軟化或入味
to put something into a liquid and leave it there so that the liquid's properties soak into it — done to soften food, draw out dirt, or give flavour to a drink or dish.
Theo steeped dried mushrooms in hot water for twenty minutes, then added them to the stew.
西奧將乾燥的香菇泡在熱水裡二十分鐘，然後加入燉菜中。
transitive pattern: steep [food] in [liquid] for [time]
The tea needs to steep for at least five minutes to develop its full flavour.
茶葉需要浸泡至少五分鐘，才能釋放出完整的香氣。
intransitive pattern: [ingredient] steeps for [time]
Constanza steeped the stained tablecloth in cold water overnight to loosen the dirt.
康斯坦莎把沾了污漬的桌布泡在冷水裡一整晚，讓污垢鬆脫。
To make the spice blend, steep the peppercorns in vinegar for at least two days.
要做這款香料配方，請將胡椒粒浸泡在醋中至少兩天。
文法句型
steep + noun + in + noun
steep + for + time
用法筆記
Common in recipes and instructions for preparing tea, coffee, herbs, or dried food. Can be used transitively (I steep the tea) or intransitively (the tea is steeping). The liquid is usually hot but not boiling.
常見錯誤
2. to have a great deal of a particular quality, idea, or influence present in ever
沉浸
深受某種特質或文化影響
to have a great deal of a particular quality, idea, or influence present in every part, so that it strongly shapes the character or atmosphere of someone or something.
The old town is steeped in history dating back more than a thousand years.
這座古城沉浸在一千多年的悠久歷史之中。
passive pattern: be steeped in [abstract noun]
Cole grew up steeped in the farming traditions of his grandparents' village.
科爾從小就沉浸在祖父母家鄉的農耕傳統裡。
The novel is steeped in the atmosphere of post-war London.
這部小說沉浸於戰後倫敦的獨特氛圍之中。
Layla steeped herself in the local language and customs before moving abroad.
萊拉在移居國外之前，讓自己全心沉浸在當地的語言與文化中。
- saturated with
similar meaning but slightly more technical; suggests complete filling
- immersed in
active participation rather than passive influence
- permeated by
suggests something spreads through every part, often of smell or atmosphere
文法句型
be steeped in + noun
用法筆記
Almost always used in the passive voice (be steeped in) with abstract nouns like tradition, history, culture, or atmosphere. The reflexive form steep oneself in is less common but possible for deliberate immersion.