terms
terms — 動詞
1. to give a person or thing a particular name or description, especially in a form
稱呼；稱為
用特定名稱或詞語來描述
to give a person or thing a particular name or description, especially in a formal or official context — for example, terming a policy a failure or terming someone a genius
The project was termed a complete success by the board of directors.
該計畫被董事會稱為完全成功。
passive: termed + noun complement
Arjun termed his rival's remarks utterly irrelevant during the debate.
Arjun 在辯論中將對手的發言形容為完全不相關。
active: term + noun + adjective complement
Local residents termed the new stadium an unnecessary waste of public money.
當地居民稱這座新體育館是浪費公帑。
Élise termed the agreement a major step forward for both companies.
Élise 將這項協議稱為兩家公司邁出的重要一步。
The film has been termed a masterpiece of modern cinema by international critics.
這部電影被國際影評人譽為現代電影的傑作。
- call
more common and less formal; used in everyday speech
- label
often suggests a fixed or oversimplified classification, sometimes unfairly
- designate
more official, typically used for naming roles, positions, or categories
- describe as
emphasises the act of explaining rather than naming; requires 'as'
文法句型
term + noun + adjective/noun complement
be termed + adjective/noun complement
用法筆記
Frequently passive; the complement after the object must be an adjective or noun phrase that expresses a classification or opinion. In everyday conversation, call or name is preferred over term.
常見錯誤
terms — 名詞
1. The specific rules, requirements, and promises that each side must follow when t
條款
合約或協議中約定的條件
The specific rules, requirements, and promises that each side must follow when two or more people or organisations make a formal agreement with each other.
Before signing the lease, Lien read every term of the rental agreement.
在簽署租約之前，Lien 仔細閱讀了租賃協議的每一項條款。
The contract clearly states the terms of payment between the two companies.
這份合約清楚說明了兩間公司之間的付款條款。
the terms of [something] — formal agreement phrasing
Under the terms of the treaty, all prisoners must be released within thirty days.
根據這項條約的條款，所有戰俘必須在三十天內釋放。
Nkechi's lawyer told her to read the small-print terms before signing anything.
Nkechi 的律師告訴她在簽任何文件之前要先閱讀細字條款。
Both sides failed to agree on the terms for ending the conflict.
雙方未能就終止衝突的條款達成共識。
- conditions
broader and less formal; can apply to any situation, not just legal agreements
- provisions
more formal; specifically refers to written clauses in a legal document
- stipulations
very formal; emphasises that something is demanded as part of the agreement
文法句型
the terms of [document/agreement]
under the terms of [document]
用法筆記
Usually used in the plural form 'terms'. The singular 'term' exists but is rare in this sense and usually refers to a single clause within a contract.
常見錯誤
2. The agreed price, cost, or method of paying for something, including the schedul
價格；條件
買賣或借貸時同意的價格與付款方式
The agreed price, cost, or method of paying for something, including the schedule, interest charges, and any special conditions involved in the purchase.
The car dealer offered Yan easy payment terms of twelve monthly instalments.
汽車經銷商提供 Yan 輕鬆的付款條件，分十二期繳納。
payment terms — common business collocation
We bought the sofa on very reasonable terms with no interest for two years.
我們以非常合理的條件買了那張沙發，兩年內免利息。
Rafael asked about the loan terms before signing any paperwork.
Rafael 在簽署任何文件之前先詢問了貸款條件。
The store's credit terms let customers pay over six months without extra fees.
這家店的信貸條件讓顧客可以分六個月付款，不收額外費用。
Wren accepted the job because the salary terms were better than her last position.
Wren 接受了這份工作，因為薪資條件比她上一份工作更好。
- conditions
more general; covers the whole arrangement, not just money
- rates
focuses specifically on the price or interest charged, not the full arrangement
文法句型
on [adjective] terms
payment terms
credit terms
terms of sale
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (AGREEMENT CONDITIONS): sense 1 refers to all conditions of an agreement, while sense 2 focuses specifically on price, cost, and payment schedule. Common in shopping, banking, and employment contexts.
常見錯誤
3. The particular choice of words or style that someone uses when talking or writin
措辭；用語
陳述想法或感受時使用的特定用語
The particular choice of words or style that someone uses when talking or writing about something, showing their attitude or making their meaning clear.
The manager described the budget cuts in very clear terms so everyone understood.
經理用非常清楚的措辭說明了預算削減的情況，讓每個人都聽懂了。
in [adjective] terms — expression pattern for describing style of speech
Nikos criticised the decision in the strongest possible terms.
Nikos 以最強烈的措辭批評了這項決定。
in the strongest possible terms — fixed expression
The report was written in technical terms that most readers could not follow.
這份報告使用了技術性措辭，大多數讀者無法理解。
Layla expressed her anger in terms that left no room for doubt.
Layla 以毫不含糊的措辭表達了她的憤怒。
A good teacher explains difficult ideas in simple terms.
好的老師會用簡單的措辭來解釋困難的概念。
文法句型
in [adjective] terms
in the strongest terms
in simple terms
in practical terms
用法筆記
Always appears in the pattern 'in [adjective] terms' or 'in [determiner] terms'. The adjective describes the quality of the language used (clear, strong, simple, technical, emotional). A related use is to give someone a specific label: 'in those exact terms', 'called a genius in those terms' — this still follows the same pattern but assigns a label to a person rather than describing a style of speech.
常見錯誤
4. The general state of how two people or groups get along with each other, describ
關係
人與人之間相處的狀態
The general state of how two people or groups get along with each other, described by an adjective that shows whether the relationship is close, distant, friendly, or hostile.
Tamar has always been on good terms with her neighbours.
Tamar 和她的鄰居一直保持著良好的關係。
on good terms — most common fixed phrase for relationships
The two families remained on friendly terms despite their political differences.
儘管政治立場不同，這兩個家庭仍然保持著友善的關係。
Reema and her cousin are on excellent terms and visit each other often.
Reema 和她的表姐關係非常好，經常互相拜訪。
The company stayed on bad terms with its main supplier for several years.
該公司與其主要供應商多年來一直處於惡劣的關係。
The Watanabe family and their neighbours have always been on close terms.
渡邊一家和他們的鄰居一直保持著親密的關係。
- relationship
more general noun; 'terms' is more about the current state of the connection rather than its history or depth
- footing
more formal; often used to describe professional or social standing with someone
文法句型
be on [adjective] terms with [someone]
keep on [adjective] terms
用法筆記
Frequently paired with the preposition 'with' to specify who the relationship is with. The adjective before 'terms' determines the quality of the relationship: good, bad, friendly, close, civil, speaking, equal.
常見錯誤
5. A willingness or refusal to be polite and friendly toward someone after a disagr
和好；交好
爭吵後願意保持禮貌友善
A willingness or refusal to be polite and friendly toward someone after a disagreement, conflict, or period of silence between them.
Christopher is not on speaking terms with his sister after their bitter argument.
Christopher 和他的妹妹在激烈爭吵之後便不再說話。
not on speaking terms — fixed expression for post-argument refusal
Anthony hopes to get back on good terms with his former business partner.
Anthony 希望能和以前的生意夥伴恢復良好的關係。
get back on good terms — showing desire for reconciliation
After months of silence, the two neighbours agreed to be on civil terms again.
沉默了幾個月之後，兩位鄰居終於同意再次維持禮貌的關係。
The children agreed to stay on friendly terms for the rest of the trip.
孩子們同意在剩下的旅程中保持友善的關係。
- reconciled
more formal and stronger; implies the conflict is fully resolved, not just that people are being polite
- civil
describes polite but distant behaviour, less warm than 'on good terms'
- at odds
indicates active disagreement rather than just distance after a conflict
文法句型
be (not) on speaking terms
get back on [adjective] terms with [someone]
用法筆記
Closely related to sense 4 (RELATIONSHIP), but sense 5 specifically describes the effort or willingness to re-establish a relationship after conflict. Often appears in negative constructions ('not on speaking terms') or with 'back' ('back on good terms').
常見錯誤
6. To finally reach a shared understanding or settlement after a period of discussi
達成協議
經過討論或協商後取得共識
To finally reach a shared understanding or settlement after a period of discussion, argument, or disagreement with someone.
After weeks of negotiation, the union and the management came to terms.
經過數週的談判，工會與資方終於達成了協議。
came to terms — fixed phrase for reaching agreement
The two countries finally came to terms on a new trade agreement.
這兩個國家最終就一項新的貿易協議達成了共識。
Jason and his former partner came to terms and split the profits equally.
Jason 和他的前合夥人達成了協議，將利潤平均分配。
It took several meetings for the committee to come to terms about the new policy.
委員會開了幾次會議才就新政策達成共識。
- reach an agreement
more formal and explicit; 'come to terms' is slightly more informal and implies the agreement was reached after difficulty
- settle
shorter and can be used for both agreements and disputes; 'come to terms' focuses on the mutual decision
- disagree
the opposite; 'come to terms' implies the disagreement has been resolved
文法句型
come to terms (with [someone]) (on/about [something])
用法筆記
Distinguish from 'come to terms with' (sense 7, in noun_b2 chunk): sense 6 means reaching a mutual agreement with someone else ('come to terms with someone'), while 'come to terms with' (sense 7) means accepting an unpleasant situation emotionally.
常見錯誤
7. to slowly reach a point where a painful reality no longer overwhelms you and you
接受；適應
接受困難並學會應對
to slowly reach a point where a painful reality no longer overwhelms you and you can move forward in your life
After months of grief counseling, Aoi finally came to terms with her grandmother's death.
經過數月的悲傷諮商，Aoi 終於接受了她祖母的死亡。
come to terms with + noun phrase expressing loss
Dr. Okafor told us we must come to terms with a disease that has no cure.
Okafor 醫生告訴我們，我們必須接受這個無法治癒的疾病。
come to terms with + the fact that + clause
The Watanabe family had to come to terms with losing their home in the earthquake.
渡邊家不得不接受在地震中失去家園的事實。
Gabriel slowly came to terms with the idea that he would never walk after the crash.
Gabriel 慢慢接受了車禍後再也無法行走的事實。
The company is still coming to terms with the financial damage caused by the flood.
這家公司仍在適應洪水所造成的財務損失。
- accept
more general; lack's 'come to terms' emotional processing component
- come to grips with
more informal, often implies a struggle
- deny
refusing to accept reality
文法句型
come to terms with + noun phrase / gerund
用法筆記
Always used in the fixed phrase 'come to terms with'. The object is typically a difficult situation, a loss, a change, or an unpleasant fact. Cannot be used as a standalone plural noun 'terms' in this sense.
常見錯誤
8. a phrase made of two terms whose core ideas clash, making the expression logical
矛盾說法
兩個相互矛盾的詞組成的短語
a phrase made of two terms whose core ideas clash, making the expression logically impossible to be true
'Militant pacifist' sounds like a contradiction in terms to most people.
「好戰的和平主義者」對大多數人來說聽起來就是一種矛盾說法。
noun + noun as a contradiction in terms
Some students argued that 'jumbo shrimp' is a contradiction in terms, since shrimp suggests something small.
有些學生認為「大蝦米」是自相矛盾的說法，因為 shrimp 暗示體積小的東西。
In the philosophy lecture, the idea of a 'compulsory choice' was called a clear contradiction in terms.
在哲學課堂上，「強迫選擇」這個概念被稱為明顯的矛盾說法。
To Aunt Rosa, the phrase 'silent party' seemed like a ridiculous contradiction in terms.
對 Rosa 阿姨來說，「安靜派對」這個詞聽起來像個荒謬的矛盾說法。
'Business ethics' is not a contradiction in terms, the visiting professor insisted at the forum.
客座教授在論壇上強調，「商業倫理」並非自相矛盾的說法。
文法句型
a contradiction in terms
用法筆記
Always appears in the fixed phrase 'a contradiction in terms'. The two words combined must create a logical paradox, not merely an unusual or surprising pairing.
常見錯誤
9. in a direct, forceful, and completely clear way — especially when expressing dis
明確；直言
以直接強烈的措辭表達
in a direct, forceful, and completely clear way — especially when expressing disapproval, giving an order, or making a firm statement
The landlord warned the tenants in no uncertain terms that smoking was banned inside the building.
房東明確且強硬地警告房客，大樓內禁止吸菸。
warn + in no uncertain terms + that-clause
Dr. Kim told the patient in no uncertain terms to stop eating sugar and fried food at once.
Kim 醫生直言不諱地告訴病人，必須立刻停止吃糖和油炸食物。
The manager stated in no uncertain terms that the company would not tolerate discrimination.
經理毫不含糊地表示，公司絕不容忍任何形式的歧視。
Élise's father informed her in no uncertain terms that she must be home before midnight.
Élise 的父親非常明確地告訴她，必須在午夜之前到家。
The critics described the film in no uncertain terms as a complete waste of time and talent.
影評人以毫不留情的措辭形容這部電影，稱其完全浪費時間與才能。
- unequivocally
more formal; also means 'clearly and without doubt'
- bluntly
similar force, but blunter implies rudeness; 'in no uncertain terms' can be firm but polite
文法句型
tell / inform / warn + someone + in no uncertain terms + that-clause
用法筆記
Always used in the fixed expression 'in no uncertain terms'. Most common with verbs of telling, warning, criticizing, or ordering. The double negative structure adds emphasis. Not used for polite or neutral messages.
常見錯誤
10. used to specify which particular area or viewpoint you are considering when disc
就…而言
談及某話題的特定範疇
used to specify which particular area or viewpoint you are considering when discussing a subject
The new phone is excellent in terms of battery life but disappointing in terms of camera quality.
這款新手機在電池續航方面表現出色，但在相機品質方面令人失望。
in terms of + aspect (battery life, camera quality)
In terms of safety, the Okonkwo family chose a neighbourhood with low crime and good lighting.
就安全性而言，Okonkwo 一家人選擇了犯罪率低、照明良好的社區。
This year's sales look good in terms of total revenue, though profits have stayed flat.
今年在總收入方面表現不錯，但利潤持平。
The two universities are quite different in terms of tuition fees, class size, and campus culture.
這兩所大學在學費、班級規模和校園文化方面有很大的差異。
In terms of cultural influence, few musicians have shaped pop music as deeply as Aretha Franklin.
就文化影響力而言，很少有音樂人像 Aretha Franklin 那樣深刻地塑造了流行音樂。
- with regard to
more formal; similar meaning of specifying an aspect
- regarding
simpler and more direct; does not need 'of' after it
文法句型
in terms of + noun phrase
用法筆記
Used to introduce the specific aspect or viewpoint being discussed. Must always be followed by a noun phrase. Very common in academic writing, business reports, and analytical discussions. Can appear at the beginning or middle of a sentence.
常見錯誤
11. enjoying the same opportunities or levels of treatment as others, so that no ind
同等；公平
享有相同權利或待遇
enjoying the same opportunities or levels of treatment as others, so that no individual or side receives better conditions
The new policy ensures that all employees are hired on equal terms regardless of their background.
這項新政策確保所有員工都能在平等的條件下受聘，不受背景影響。
on equal terms + verb 'hire' + passive
Small shops struggle to compete on the same terms as large stores with much bigger budgets.
小商店很難與預算更大的大企業在同等條件下競爭。
Students from both regions competed on equal terms at the national science fair.
來自兩個地區的學生在國家科學展覽中平等競爭。
After years of talks, both nations finally agreed to trade on equal terms with no special taxes.
經過多年的談判，兩國終於同意在對等條件下進行貿易，不徵收特別關稅。
The scholarship helps girls from rural areas study on the same terms as boys in city schools.
這項獎學金幫助農村女孩與城市男孩在同樣的條件下學習。
- on a level playing field
more informal; same idea of fair competition
- fairly
simpler adverb; less specific about the comparative dimension
- unfairly
without equal treatment or conditions
文法句型
on equal / same terms + (with + noun phrase)
用法筆記
Often used in contexts of fairness, competition, rights, or negotiation. 'On the same terms' is slightly more general than 'on equal terms'; 'on equal terms' emphasises fairness. Always plural — 'terms' cannot be 'term' in this phrase.
常見錯誤
12. in a way that follows the conditions or rules that you choose for yourself, rath
按自己的條件
按照自己決定的方式進行
in a way that follows the conditions or rules that you choose for yourself, rather than accepting what others decide
After thirty years in banking, Grandpa retired on his own terms and moved to a fishing village.
在銀行業工作了三十年後，爺爺按自己的條件退休，搬到了一個漁村。
on + possessive + own terms (his)
Nadia wanted to end the relationship on her own terms rather than wait to be abandoned.
Nadia 想按照自己的方式結束這段感情，而不是等著被拋棄。
The artist insisted on selling her work on her own terms and refused to join any gallery.
這位藝術家堅持按照自己的條件出售作品，拒絕加入任何畫廊。
Dr. Chang schedules his operations on his own terms and will not follow the hospital's rigid timetable.
張醫生按照自己的安排進行手術，不願配合醫院的嚴格時間表。
The rebel leader surrendered on his own terms, securing safety for everyone in his group.
叛軍領袖按照自己的條件投降，確保他所有屬下的安全。
- on one's own conditions
less common; same meaning but more formal
- independently
adverb form; captures the autonomy but not the condition-setting aspect
文法句型
on + possessive + own terms
用法筆記
Expresses autonomy and personal choice. The possessive pronoun changes to match the subject: my, your, his, her, its, our, their. Always plural — 'terms' cannot be 'term' in this phrase.
常見錯誤
terms — 慣用語
1. used in the fixed constructions 'under the terms of' or 'by the terms of' to ref
按合約條款
按照合約或法律的條文
used in the fixed constructions 'under the terms of' or 'by the terms of' to refer to the specific promises and conditions written into a legal agreement that each side must obey
Under the terms of the lease, Niran must pay rent by the first day of each month.
根據租約條款，Niran 必須在每月第一天支付房租。
under the terms of + lease — fixed prepositional construction
By the terms of the settlement, the company must pay Nora five thousand dollars.
根據和解協議的條款，該公司必須支付 Nora 五千美元。
by the terms of + settlement — fixed prepositional construction
Under the terms of the contract, Ezra must finish the work by June.
根據合約條款，Ezra 必須在六月底前完成工作。
Under the terms of the will, Folake inherited her grandmother's house and its furniture.
根據遺囑條款，Folake 繼承了她祖母的房子和家具。
By the terms of the trade deal, both countries will remove taxes on farm products.
根據這項貿易協議的條款，兩國都將取消農產品的關稅。
- conditions
more general; 'terms' is more specific to agreements and contracts
- provisions
more formal, used in legal writing about contracts or laws
文法句型
under the terms of [document/agreement]
by the terms of [document]
用法筆記
Used only in the fixed constructions 'under the terms of' and 'by the terms of' followed by a document name (contract, treaty, lease, will). This idiom points back to the specific written conditions in that document, rather than describing the conditions themselves — that meaning belongs to noun sense 1 (AGREEMENT CONDITIONS).