symbol
symbol — 名詞
1. A written mark, printed character, or small picture that stands for a particular
符號
用來代表其他事物的圖形或記號
A written mark, printed character, or small picture that stands for a particular thing, idea, or operation.
The @ symbol appears in every email address that you write.
@ 符號出現在你寫的每一個電子郵件地址裡。
preposition 'in' with symbol
In mathematics, the + symbol stands for addition between numbers.
在數學中，+ 符號代表數字之間的加法運算。
Yumi learned that the heart symbol is often used to mean love in texts.
Yumi 學到心形符號在簡訊中常用來代表愛。
The symbol $ is used to mean dollars in many countries around the world.
$ 符號在世界上許多國家用來代表錢。
A question mark is the symbol that writers put at the end of a question.
問號是作者放在句子結尾的符號。
- sign
more general — 'sign' can also mean an indicator or notice board; 'symbol' is more specific to conventional representation
- mark
simpler and broader — a mark can be a scratch or stain without conventional meaning
- character
refers specifically to written or printed letters and signs, often in a writing system
文法句型
symbol for [something]
用法筆記
Often followed by 'for' to name what the mark represents. Subject is usually the symbol name itself.
常見錯誤
2. A thing — such as an object, picture, or animal — that people understand to stan
象徵
代表某種特質或概念的具體事物
A thing — such as an object, picture, or animal — that people understand to stand for a general quality, feeling, or concept.
A dove is often used as a symbol of peace around the world.
鴿子在世界各地常被用作和平的象徵。
as a symbol of [quality]
In many cultures, the colour white is a symbol of purity at weddings.
在許多文化中，白色在婚禮上是純潔的象徵。
The Olympic rings are a powerful symbol of unity among different nations.
奧運五環是不同國家之間團結的有力象徵。
Rania gave her friend a heart-shaped necklace as a symbol of their friendship.
Rania 送給朋友一條心形項鍊，作為她們友誼的象徵。
For Kabir, the old family house was a symbol of his childhood memories.
對 Kabir 來說，那棟老房子是他童年回憶的象徵。
文法句型
symbol of [quality/idea]
as a symbol of [something]
用法筆記
The preposition is almost always 'of' — 'a symbol of peace', 'a symbol of hope'. Distinguish from sense 1 (WRITTEN SIGN), where the symbol is a conventional mark; here it is an object or image that carries abstract meaning.
常見錯誤
3. A mark or character whose interpretation is precisely defined within a specialis
記號；代號
數學、音樂、科學等領域的標準記號
A mark or character whose interpretation is precisely defined within a specialised field — for instance, in chemistry, musical notation, or mathematics.
On sheet music, the symbol called a treble clef tells you which notes to play.
在樂譜上，一種叫做高音譜號的記號告訴你要彈哪些音符。
In chemistry, H₂O is the written symbol for the molecule called water.
在化學中，H₂O 是水分子的書寫記號。
symbol for [element/molecule]
The symbol π represents the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter.
圓周率符號 π 代表圓的周長與直徑的比率。
Daichi used the @ symbol in his code to mark email addresses in the database.
Daichi 在他的程式碼中使用 @ 記號來標記資料庫中的電子郵件地址。
Every element on the periodic table has a one-letter or two-letter symbol such as Fe.
週期表上的每一種元素都有一個一或兩個字母組成的代號，例如 Fe。
- notation
a system of symbols rather than one single character
- abbreviation
a shortened form of a word, not always a visual character
- sign
broader; a sign does not have to be standardised across a field
文法句型
chemical symbol for [element]
musical symbol
用法筆記
Unlike sense 1 (WRITTEN SIGN), these symbols belong to a specific technical field and carry a precise, unambiguous meaning within that field. The field is usually named nearby in the sentence.
常見錯誤
4. A physical thing that people think of as representing something larger or deeper
象徵物
因文化聯想而具有深層意涵的物體
A physical thing that people think of as representing something larger or deeper, usually because of shared cultural or historical associations.
The Statue of Liberty became a powerful symbol of hope for new immigrants.
自由女神像成了新移民心中希望的強大象徵物。
became a symbol of [concept]
For many Japanese people, Mount Fuji is a sacred symbol of their country.
對許多日本人來說，富士山是國家神聖的象徵物。
For Harper, the old brass key was a symbol of the home she left behind.
對 Harper 來說，那把舊銅鑰匙是她所離開家鄉的象徵物。
In the ceremony, the burning candle served as a symbol of life continuing after death.
在典禮中，燃燒的蠟燭作為生命在死後延續的象徵物。
The wedding ring that Asher wears every day is a personal symbol of his marriage.
Asher 每天戴著的結婚戒指是他婚姻的個人象徵物。
- emblem
more formal, often officially adopted by a country or group
- representation
broader and more abstract; can refer to art or language as well
- reminder
personal and emotional; a reminder prompts memory, while a symbol carries wider meaning
文法句型
symbol of [abstract concept]
become a symbol of [something]
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2 (REPRESENTATIVE): sense 2 uses conventional symbols (dove for peace) that are widely agreed upon; sense 4 describes a real object that takes on symbolic weight through shared cultural or personal history.
常見錯誤
symbol — 動詞
1. To act as a symbol of something, standing for an idea, quality, or situation thr
象徵；代表
作為某事物的象徵
To act as a symbol of something, standing for an idea, quality, or situation through convention or cultural association.
The white dove symbolises peace in many cultures around the world.
白鴿在世界許多文化中象徵和平。
[thing] symbolises [abstract quality]
For Aylin, the small tree they planted together symbolised a new beginning after the move.
對 Aylin 來說，他們一起種的那棵小樹象徵著搬家後的新開始。
In the novel, the recurring storm symbolises the main character's inner struggles.
在這部小說中，反覆出現的暴風雨象徵主角內心的掙扎。
The flag that flies over the building symbolises the country's unity after the war.
建築物上方飄揚的旗幟象徵國家戰後的團結。
To Ravindra, the empty chair at the table symbolised his father's long absence.
對 Ravindra 來說，桌邊那張空椅子象徵父親長期的缺席。
文法句型
[subject] symbolises [object]
[subject] + be + symbolised + by + [object]
用法筆記
Frequently used in literary and descriptive writing. Rarely used in progressive forms ('is symbolising'). The American spelling is 'symbolize'.