structural

structural — 形容詞

1. describes how the different components within a system, organization, or process

1.形容詞B2
釋義

結構性

系統或組織的結構層面

describes how the different components within a system, organization, or process are arranged and influence each other — for example, problems that are built into a company's management model rather than caused by individual workers.

例句

Karim argued that the company's problems were structural and not the fault of individual employees.

Karim 認為公司的问题是結構性的，並非個別員工的過錯。

structural + problems: describing systemic, not personal, issues

The government announced a structural reform of the healthcare system to reduce waiting times.

政府宣布對醫療保健系統進行結構性改革，以縮短等候時間。

structural reform: large-scale change to how a system is organized

同義詞
  • systemic

    broader scope — affects the entire system; 'structural' often implies arrangement of parts, while 'systemic' implies something that pervades the whole system

  • organizational

    less formal; limited to companies and institutions; 'structural' can also apply to abstract systems like language or economics

  • fundamental

    focuses on importance rather than arrangement; a fundamental change may not involve restructuring, but a structural one always does

反義詞
  • superficial

    structural issues go deep into how something is arranged; superficial issues only affect the surface

  • temporary

    structural change is meant to be lasting; temporary fixes do not alter the underlying arrangement

文法句型

structural + noun

用法筆記

Almost always used before a noun (attributive position). For example, you can say 'a structural problem' but not 'the problem is structural' in informal speech (though it does occur in formal writing as a predicate adjective).

常見錯誤

❌The company has structural problems because some workers are lazy.
✅The company has structural problems because its decision-making process is too slow.
💡'structural' describes system-level issues, not individual behaviour.

2. concerning the load-bearing framework or physical fabric of a building, bridge,

2.形容詞B2
釋義

建築結構

建築物或物體的構造相關

concerning the load-bearing framework or physical fabric of a building, bridge, or similar object — for example, walls, beams, foundations, and the materials that keep a structure standing.

例句

The earthquake caused serious structural damage to the old church near the market square.

地震對市場廣場附近的老教堂造成了嚴重的建築結構損壞。

structural damage: physical harm to a building's framework

Jenna's uncle is a structural engineer who checks the safety of tunnels and bridges.

Jenna 的叔叔是一名結構工程師，負責檢查隧道和橋樑的安全性。

structural engineer: specialist in building frameworks

同義詞
  • constructional

    rare; 'structural' is the standard term in building contexts

  • load-bearing

    more specific — refers only to parts that support weight, while 'structural' covers the entire framework

  • architectural

    broader — includes design and aesthetics; 'structural' focuses on the engineering framework

反義詞
  • cosmetic

    cosmetic repairs affect appearance only; structural repairs affect the framework

  • non-structural

    direct negative — walls that do not carry weight are non-structural

文法句型

structural + noun

用法筆記

Commonly used with nouns that refer to physical parts of a building: beam, wall, foundation, frame, integrity. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense always involves physical construction; sense 1 involves abstract arrangements.

常見錯誤

❌The team made a structural change to the project schedule.' (here meaning sense 1).
✅The team found structural cracks in the building's foundation.
💡the second sense requires something physical like a building or bridge.