target
target — 名詞
1. a flat surface marked with coloured circles that people shoot at during practice
靶子
射擊練習用的標的物
a flat surface marked with coloured circles that people shoot at during practice, or any physical object or location used as a mark for weapons such as guns or bows
Amihan aimed her bow carefully and hit the centre of the target.
Amihan 小心地拉弓，射中了靶心。
hit the centre of the target — archery context
The sound of targets being hit echoed from the shooting range behind the hospital.
被擊中的靶子發出的聲響，從醫院後方的靶場傳了過來。
passive: targets being hit
Christopher painted a fresh white target on a wooden board for the weekend competition.
Christopher 在木板上畫了一個新的白色靶子，準備週末的比賽。
Beatrix set up cardboard targets along the fence before the archery class arrived.
Beatrix 在圍籬旁擺了好幾個紙板靶子，等著射箭課的學生到來。
The soldiers carried heavy targets to the training ground before the exercise began.
士兵們在演習開始前，把沉重的靶子搬到了訓練場上。
常見錯誤
2. the particular person, group, or audience that a product, advertisement, service
目標對象
產品或活動所鎖定的人群
the particular person, group, or audience that a product, advertisement, service, or message is designed to reach
The new magazine's target is women who enjoy cooking and gardening at home.
這本新雜誌的目標對象是喜歡在家做菜和園藝的女性。
noun: target + is + [group]
Advertisements for baby products clearly identify their target as new parents.
嬰兒用品的廣告很清楚地把目標對象設定為新手父母。
identify their target as [group]
Community leaders were surprised the city's plan did not list them as a target audience.
社區領袖很驚訝市政府的計畫沒有把他們列為目標群眾。
Mert realised his clothing brand's target was much younger than he had assumed.
Mert 發現他服裝品牌的目標對象，遠比他原先以為的還要年輕。
The charity's main target is working parents who struggle with child-care costs.
這家慈善機構的主要目標對象，是在托兒費用上苦苦掙扎的上班族父母。
- audience
broader — anyone who reads, watches, or listens, not necessarily the intended receiver
- demographic
a statistical group of people defined by age, income, location, etc.; more technical and data-driven
- market
focuses on commercial potential and buying behaviour rather than the communication target
用法筆記
Often placed before another noun to form a compound: 'target audience', 'target market', 'target customer', 'target demographic'. In this compound pattern the word functions as an attributive noun (modifier).
3. a person or group that others criticize, make fun of, or treat badly
批評對象
遭受批評或嘲弄的人
a person or group that others criticize, make fun of, or treat badly
After the product recall, the company became the target of angry customers and journalists.
產品召回之後，那家公司成了憤怒的顧客與記者的批評對象。
became the target of [group]
Tamar was an easy target for jokes because of her bright purple jacket.
Tamar 因為她那件亮紫色外套，很容易成為大家開玩笑的對象。
an easy target for [something]
The mayor's plan to cut bus routes made her a target of public anger.
市長刪減公車路線的計畫，使她成了民怨的箭靶。
Camila became the target of online trolls after posting her honest film review.
Camila 在網路上發表了自己對那部電影的真實感想後，成了網路酸民的攻擊對象。
New students are often the target of teasing until they find a group of friends.
新來的學生往往會成為被捉弄的對象，直到他們交到朋友為止。
用法筆記
Frequently appears in the fixed expression 'easy target' (someone who is vulnerable to criticism or attack). Common collocating verbs: 'become a target', 'make someone a target', 'be a target for/of'.
常見錯誤
4. a specific result, level, or number that you plan to achieve within a certain pe
目標
想要達成的結果或水準
a specific result, level, or number that you plan to achieve within a certain period, especially in business, finance, education, or personal development
Élise set a target of reading one book every week for the whole year.
Élise 設下一個目標：一整年每週讀一本書。
set a target of + [gerund phrase]
The sales team reached their annual target three months before the deadline.
業務團隊在截止日期前三個月就達成了年度目標。
reached / missed / exceeded target
Our target is to raise fifteen thousand dollars for the local library by August.
我們的目標是在八月前為當地圖書館募到一萬五千美元。
Anya missed her monthly savings target because of an unexpected car repair.
Anya 因為車子臨時需要修理，沒有達成當月的儲蓄目標。
The government announced a new target for reducing carbon emissions by 2030.
政府公布了新的目標，要在 2030 年前減少碳排放量。
用法筆記
Common verbs paired with this sense: 'set a target', 'reach a target', 'meet a target', 'miss a target', 'achieve a target', 'exceed a target'. A 'target' in this sense is always measurable and concrete, unlike 'goal' which can be more abstract.
常見錯誤
target — 動詞
1. to aim advertising, a product, criticism, or a service at a particular person, g
鎖定
將某物導向特定對象
to aim advertising, a product, criticism, or a service at a particular person, group, or market because you want to reach or affect them
The company targets its online advertisements at students who need part-time work.
該公司將其網路廣告鎖定在需要兼職工作的學生身上。
targets [product] at [group]
The new environmental policy is targeted at reducing plastic waste in coastal areas.
這項新環保政策的目標是減少沿海地區的塑膠廢棄物。
passive: is targeted at + [gerund]
Samir's beginner cooking class targets people who have never boiled an egg before.
Samir 的初級烹飪課鎖定的是那些從來沒煮過蛋的人。
The new educational app targets children between the ages of five and eight.
這款新的教育應用程式鎖定五到八歲的兒童。
The campaign was targeted at young voters who had not registered for the election.
這項宣傳活動的目標是那些尚未登記投票的年輕選民。
文法句型
target + noun phrase + at + noun phrase
be targeted at + noun phrase
用法筆記
Distinguish from verb sense 2 (AIM AT): this sense involves commercial, communicative, or strategic direction (ads, policies, products), never physical weapons. Frequently used in the passive: 'The programme is targeted at teenagers.'
常見錯誤
2. to aim a weapon such as a gun, missile, or bomb at a particular person, place, o
瞄準
將武器對準目標
to aim a weapon such as a gun, missile, or bomb at a particular person, place, or object with the intention of hitting it
The hunter targeted a wild rabbit hiding behind a bush near the riverbank.
獵人瞄準了一隻躲在河岸灌木叢後的野兔。
targeted + [living creature]
The pilots were ordered to target only supply trucks and not civilian vehicles.
飛行員接獲命令，只能瞄準補給卡車，不能攻擊平民車輛。
Inês targeted the farthest flag on the obstacle course with her paintball gun.
Inês 用她的彩彈槍瞄準了障礙賽場上最遠的那面旗子。
The sniper targeted the engine of the armoured vehicle from a hidden position.
狙擊手從隱蔽位置瞄準了裝甲車的引擎。
Jisoo carefully targeted the centre of the paper target with her new air rifle.
Jisoo 小心翼翼地用她的新空氣步槍瞄準了紙靶的中心。
- aim at
focuses on the act of pointing a weapon; 'target' implies the weapon is already directed at a specific object
文法句型
target + noun phrase
用法筆記
This sense is strictly physical — you are pointing a weapon at something that can be hit. For abstract or commercial direction, use verb sense 1 (DIRECT AT). Unlike 'aim', 'target' always implies a specific and identifiable object or person, not a general direction.