tender
tender — 形容詞
1. showing warmth, care, and gentle affection toward someone you love or feel close
溫柔；體貼
表現關懷與溫情的行為或話語
showing warmth, care, and gentle affection toward someone you love or feel close to — the way a parent holds a baby or a person speaks to a sick friend.
Rania gave her grandmother a tender hug before leaving for school.
Rania 在上學前給了祖母一個溫柔的擁抱。
collocation: tender hug / tender kiss
The nurse spoke to the elderly patient in a tender voice.
那位護士用溫柔的聲音對年長病人說話。
collocation: tender voice
Christopher wrote a tender letter to his wife while he was away.
Christopher 在外地時寫了一封溫柔的信給妻子。
There was a tender moment between the father and his daughter at the wedding.
婚禮上父親與女兒之間有一個溫馨的時刻。
- affectionate
more active in showing love through behavior; slightly more formal
- gentle
broader, can describe touch or nature without the emotional warmth
- loving
stronger emotional bond; can describe relationships as well as actions
用法筆記
Describes actions, words, or looks directed at another person. Usually not used to describe a person's general character (use 'kind' or 'gentle' instead).
常見錯誤
2. used when a body part hurts when you press or move it, often after an injury, il
疼痛；酸痛
身體部位按壓或活動時會痛
used when a body part hurts when you press or move it, often after an injury, illness, or overuse — for instance, a bruised arm or tired muscles after a workout.
Greta's shoulder was still tender a week after she fell off her bike.
Greta 摔下腳踏車一週後，肩膀仍然會痛。
The doctor gently pressed the tender area around Liang's ankle.
醫生輕輕按壓 Liang 腳踝周圍疼痛的部位。
collocation: tender area
After the long run, Ishaan's leg muscles felt tender and sore.
長跑結束後，Ishaan 的腿部肌肉又痠又痛。
You should avoid putting weight on that tender knee until it heals.
在膝蓋痊癒之前，你應該避免用那隻疼痛的腳承受重量。
- pain-free
without any hurt or discomfort
文法句型
tender + body part
be tender when touched
用法筆記
Subject is always a body part (or 'area' referring to a body part). Frequently used with 'still' to indicate ongoing pain after an injury.
常見錯誤
3. describing cooked meat or vegetables so soft that you can slice and chew them wi
軟嫩；易嚼
烹調後肉類或蔬菜容易切開咬斷
describing cooked meat or vegetables so soft that you can slice and chew them with little effort — the opposite of tough or hard textures.
The beef was so tender that it fell apart with just a fork.
那塊牛肉嫩到用叉子輕輕一撥就散開了。
pattern: so + tender + that-clause
Romi roasted the chicken until the meat was tender and juicy.
Romi 把雞肉烤到肉質軟嫩多汁。
collocation: tender and juicy
A tender piece of fish should flake easily when you press it.
嫩魚肉用叉子輕輕按壓時，應該很容易剝落。
The carrots were tender after boiling them for twenty minutes.
紅蘿蔔煮了二十分鐘後就變軟了。
Brian prefers his steak tender rather than well-done and tough.
Brian 偏好軟嫩的牛排，而不是全熟又硬的。
- tough
hard to cut or chew; the direct opposite for meat
文法句型
tender + meat / vegetable
用法筆記
Used almost exclusively in cooking contexts. When describing meat, 'tender' contrasts with 'tough'. For vegetables, it overlaps with 'soft' but carries a positive quality judgment.
常見錯誤
4. vulnerable to frost and low temperatures, physical force, or harsh conditions —
脆弱；嬌嫩
植物或幼苗易受寒冷損傷
vulnerable to frost and low temperatures, physical force, or harsh conditions — used especially about young plants, shoots, or seedlings that need protection.
Tender young plants should be brought indoors when frost is expected.
預報有霜凍時，應把嬌嫩的幼苗移到室內。
collocation: tender young plants
Amani covered the tender seedlings with a cloth to protect them from the cold.
Amani 用布蓋住嬌嫩的幼苗來保護它們不受寒。
These flowers are too tender to survive a harsh winter outdoors.
這些花朵太脆弱，無法在戶外度過嚴冬。
The gardener moved the tender herbs into the greenhouse before the storm.
暴風雨來襲前，園丁把嬌嫩的香草搬進溫室。
文法句型
tender + plant / shoot / seedling
用法筆記
Primarily a gardening term. When extended to non-plant contexts, it describes anything that cannot withstand rough treatment or harsh environments.
5. at a young age, especially when the person lacks the maturity or experience that
年幼；稚嫩
年紀尚輕，缺乏經驗與成熟度
at a young age, especially when the person lacks the maturity or experience that comes with being older — often used in the phrase 'at a tender age' to show concern or sympathy.
Sofia left home at the tender age of seventeen to study abroad.
Sofia 在十七歲的幼齡就離家出國留學。
fixed phrase: at the tender age of
The children were sent to boarding school at a tender age.
那些孩子年紀還很小就被送去寄宿學校。
Losing a parent at such a tender age can affect a child deeply.
在如此幼小的年紀失去父母，可能對孩子造成深遠影響。
The pianist had already performed in public at the tender age of nine.
那位鋼琴家年僅九歲就已在公開場合表演過。
- young
neutral; lacks the emotional tone of concern that 'tender' carries
- impressionable
focuses on being easily influenced rather than age itself
- mature
fully grown or developed in age and judgment
- advanced in years
formal; referring to old age
文法句型
tender + age noun (tender age)
用法筆記
Almost always appears in the fixed expression 'at a tender age' or 'at the tender age of [number]'. Carries a tone of sympathy, concern, or mild surprise that someone so young did something.
常見錯誤
tender — 名詞
1. a formal written offer to provide goods, services, or complete a project at a st
投標；報價
正式書面的承包或供貨報價
a formal written offer to provide goods, services, or complete a project at a stated price — usually submitted in response to an invitation in business or government.
Three construction companies submitted tenders for the new hospital project.
三家建築公司為新醫院工程提交了投標書。
collocation: submit a tender
The city council put the cleaning contract out to tender last month.
上個月市議會將清潔合約公開招標。
fixed phrase: put [something] out to tender
Lakan's company won the tender to supply office furniture to the school.
Lakan 的公司成功標下為學校提供辦公家具的合約。
All tenders must be received by the government office before Friday.
所有投標書必須在星期五之前送達政府辦公室。
文法句型
submit a tender
put out to tender
用法筆記
Common in business and government contexts. 'Put out to tender' means inviting companies to bid. 'Win a tender' means your offer is accepted.
常見錯誤
2. a formal proposal to purchase company stock at a set price, typically during a t
收購要約
以特定價格購買公司股票的書面提議
a formal proposal to purchase company stock at a set price, typically during a takeover bid or a share sale.
The board rejected the tender offer of forty dollars per share.
董事會拒絕了每股四十美元的收購要約。
collocation: tender offer
Shareholders can accept the tender and sell their stocks next week.
股東可以接受該收購要約，並於下週出售持股。
Ilhan reviewed the tender document before deciding to sell his shares.
Ilhan 在決定出售持股前仔細審閱了收購文件。
A rival company made a tender offer to buy thirty percent of the firm.
一家競爭對手公司提出收購要約，欲購買該公司三成的股份。
- bid
more general term for an offer to buy; 'tender offer' is the specific legal term
- takeover bid
specifically for acquiring a controlling stake in a company
文法句型
tender offer
用法筆記
Almost always appears in the term 'tender offer' — a specific financial procedure. Not used in everyday conversation about buying or selling shares on the stock exchange.
3. the process of asking companies to compete for a project by submitting prices an
招標；競標
邀請各公司競爭合約的作業流程
the process of asking companies to compete for a project by submitting prices and plans; the system through which contracts are awarded through competition.
The school's kitchen renovation will go out to tender next month.
學校廚房的翻新工程將於下個月公開招標。
fixed phrase: go out to tender
Several firms are preparing their bids after the tender was announced.
招標公告發布後，多家公司正在準備投標。
The government awarded the contract through an open tender process.
政府透過公開招標程序授予了該合約。
Isabela's company decided not to participate in the tender this time.
Isabela 的公司這次決定不參與投標。
- bidding process
less formal; used in both business and everyday contexts
- competitive bidding
emphasizes the competitive nature of the process
文法句型
put [something] out to tender
go out to tender
用法筆記
Often used in uncountable form ('put work out to tender') where it refers to the system or process, not a single document. Countable when referring to a particular instance (e.g. 'the tender was announced').
4. a specially designed vehicle attached behind a steam locomotive that carries wat
運水車；煤車
蒸氣火車或消防隊的載水載煤車輛
a specially designed vehicle attached behind a steam locomotive that carries water, coal, or fuel for the engine; or a fire service vehicle that carries water.
The old steam locomotive pulled a tender loaded with coal and water.
那輛老式蒸汽火車後面拉了一節裝滿煤和水的煤水車。
Railway enthusiasts gathered to photograph the locomotive and its tender.
鐵道迷們聚集在一起拍攝那輛火車頭及其煤水車。
The fire department arrived with a tender carrying several thousand litres of water.
消防隊開來一輛載運數千公升水的消防水車。
Each tender could hold enough coal for a journey of about one hundred miles.
每節煤水車裝載的煤量足以讓火車行駛大約一百英里。
用法筆記
Rare in modern life except in historical railway contexts or specialist fire-service vocabulary. Most learners will encounter this only in reading about steam trains.
5. a vessel used to transfer passengers or cargo between land and a ship anchored o
接駁船；小艇
往來大船與岸邊運送人員物資的小船
a vessel used to transfer passengers or cargo between land and a ship anchored out at sea.
A tender took the passengers from the cruise ship to the island port.
一艘接駁船把乘客從遊輪載到島上的港口。
The cargo ship's tender delivered fresh food and water every morning.
貨輪的接駁船每天早上運送新鮮食物和飲水。
Rania stepped into the tender that would carry her to the yacht anchored offshore.
Rania 踏上接駁船，準備前往停泊在近海的遊艇。
The crew lowered the tender into the water to fetch supplies from the port.
船員們將接駁船放入水中，前往港口運補物資。
用法筆記
Most commonly used in the cruise industry — a 'tender port' is a destination where the ship cannot dock directly, so passengers go ashore by tender boat.
6. a narrow strip of chicken breast, breaded and deep-fried until golden, often sol
雞柳條
裹麵包粉油炸的雞胸肉條
a narrow strip of chicken breast, breaded and deep-fried until golden, often sold as a snack or part of a meal.
The kids ordered chicken tenders with french fries for lunch.
孩子們午餐點了雞柳條和薯條。
collocation: chicken tenders
Sofia dipped her chicken tender into the honey mustard sauce.
Sofia 把雞柳條沾了蜂蜜芥末醬。
The restaurant serves crispy chicken tenders with three kinds of dipping sauce.
這家餐廳供應酥脆的雞柳條，搭配三種沾醬。
Brian made homemade chicken tenders using breadcrumbs and spices.
Brian 用麵包粉和香料自製了雞柳條。
- chicken strip
less common term for the same food item
- chicken finger
another name; sometimes used for larger strips
用法筆記
Almost always used in the plural 'tenders' or the compound 'chicken tenders'. The singular 'chicken tender' is possible but less common. Not the same as 'chicken nuggets', which are smaller and not necessarily strips of breast meat.
常見錯誤
tender — 動詞
1. to make a formal, written offer to do a job or provide services at a particular
投標；競標
正式提出書面報價爭取工程或服務合約
to make a formal, written offer to do a job or provide services at a particular price — usually competing against other companies for a contract.
Three companies tendered for the contract to build the new bridge.
三家公司競標建造新橋樑的合約。
pattern: tender for + contract
Liang's firm tendered two million dollars for the road construction project.
Liang 的公司為道路建設工程投標了兩百萬美元。
pattern: tender + amount + for + project
The deadline to tender for the school extension is next Friday.
學校擴建工程的投標截止日期是下週五。
Several local builders have decided to tender for the hospital renovation.
幾家當地建築商已決定參與醫院翻新工程的投標。
文法句型
tender for [something]
tender [price] for [job]
用法筆記
Intransitive (tender for + work/contract) is the most common pattern. Transitive (tender a price) is possible but less frequent. Used almost exclusively in business and government contracting contexts.
常見錯誤
2. to formally propose purchasing company stock at a stated price, especially durin
出價收購
以特定價格正式提出購買股票
to formally propose purchasing company stock at a stated price, especially during a takeover or share sale.
The investment group tendered fifty-five dollars per share for the company.
該投資集團以每股五十五美元的價格出價收購這家公司。
pattern: tender + price + per share
Shareholders who wish to sell may tender their shares at the offered price.
有意出售的股東可以按所提價格提出出售持股。
collocation: tender one's shares
A large bank has tendered for a significant portion of the tech startup's stock.
一家大型銀行已出價收購這家科技新創公司的大量股票。
Christopher decided not to tender his shares, hoping the price would rise.
Christopher 決定暫不提出出售持股，希望股價還會上漲。
- offer
general term; 'tender' specifically implies a formal, written offer in a competitive context
文法句型
tender [shares] at [price]
tender for [shares]
用法筆記
In finance, 'tender' often works like 'accept a tender offer' — shareholders tender their shares (offer them for sale) to the buyer. The verb can describe either the buyer's offer or the seller's acceptance.
3. to give, present, or offer something in a formal or official way — for example,
提出；遞交
以正式方式給予或提出辭呈、道歉等
to give, present, or offer something in a formal or official way — for example, tendering your resignation, an apology, or a payment.
The manager tendered her resignation after fifteen years with the company.
那位經理在任職十五年後向公司遞交了辭呈。
collocation: tender one's resignation
Ishaan tendered a sincere apology for the mistake during the meeting.
Ishaan 在會議中為那次錯誤正式道歉。
collocation: tender an apology
The ambassador tendered his thanks to the host country for their warm welcome.
大使對主辦國的熱情款待正式表達了感謝。
The contractor tendered payment for the materials that had been delivered.
承包商為已送達的材料支付了貨款。
- withdraw
to take back something formally offered
文法句型
tender [something] to [someone]
tender [something]
用法筆記
Very formal — used in official, professional, or diplomatic contexts. Common fixed collocations: 'tender your resignation' (formal way to quit a job), 'tender an apology', 'tender thanks'. Cannot be used for informal giving (gifts, everyday favors).