thoughtfulness
thoughtfulness — 形容詞
- thoughtfulnesspositive
- more thoughtfulnesscomparative
- most thoughtfulnesssuperlative
1. paying attention to what other people need or want, and doing kind things to hel
體貼的
關懷他人需求、為人著想的
paying attention to what other people need or want, and doing kind things to help them or make them comfortable.
It was thoughtful of Nkechi to bring soup when she heard I was sick in bed.
Nkechi 聽說我生病臥床時帶湯來看我，真的很體貼。
pattern: it + be + thoughtful + of + person + to-infinitive
Femi left a thoughtful note on his roommate's desk to wish him luck on the exam.
Femi 在室友桌上留了一張體貼的便條，祝他考試好運。
The elderly woman smiled at the thoughtful gesture of holding the door open for her.
那位老太太對為她開門這個體貼的舉動報以微笑。
Iker thanked his colleagues for the thoughtful messages they sent during his long recovery.
Iker 感謝同事在他長期康復期間寄來的體貼問候。
The wedding gift was a thoughtful choice because it matched exactly what the couple needed.
這份結婚禮物選得很體貼，因為正好符合那對新人需要的東西。
- considerate
very similar; slightly more formal
- caring
broader; describes a general attitude rather than a specific action
- attentive
suggests noticing small needs, often used in service contexts
- inconsiderate
not thinking about others' needs at all
- selfish
focused on one's own needs, ignoring others
文法句型
be + thoughtful + of + noun
it + be + thoughtful + of + person + to-infinitive
用法筆記
This is the most common sense in everyday conversation. Often used to thank someone: 'That's very thoughtful of you.' Distinguish from sense 3 (LOST IN THOUGHT), which describes someone absorbed in their own thinking, not being kind to others.
常見錯誤
2. showing that a lot of careful thinking has gone into something, so that it is we
深思熟慮的
經過仔細思考而產出的
showing that a lot of careful thinking has gone into something, so that it is well-reasoned and well-prepared.
The teacher praised Yara for her thoughtful answer to the difficult science question.
老師稱讚 Yara 對那個困難的科學問題做出了深思熟慮的回答。
collocation: thoughtful answer
João presented a thoughtful analysis of the company's financial problems at the meeting.
João 在會議上對公司的財務問題提出了深思熟慮的分析。
After a thoughtful discussion, the committee decided to fund the community garden project.
經過深思熟慮的討論後，委員會決定資助社區菜園計畫。
Mayumi wrote a thoughtful essay comparing two very different styles of Japanese pottery.
Mayumi 寫了一篇深思熟慮的文章，比較兩種截然不同的日本陶藝風格。
The report offered a thoughtful review of each option, listing both the costs and the benefits.
這份報告對每個選項提供了深思熟慮的評估，列出了成本和效益。
- considered
more formal; emphasises that many factors were weighed
- reasoned
focuses on logical argument rather than thoroughness
- thoughtless
done without care or consideration
- hasty
done too quickly, without proper thought
文法句型
thoughtful + noun
very/extremely thoughtful
用法筆記
Frequently modifies nouns that describe intellectual work: answer, analysis, discussion, essay, review, argument, proposal. Rarely used to describe spontaneous or emotional reactions.
常見錯誤
3. quietly thinking so deeply about something that you do not notice what is happen
沉思的
陷入沉思、專注思考的狀態
quietly thinking so deeply about something that you do not notice what is happening around you.
Eitan stared out the window with a thoughtful expression, watching the rain run down the glass.
Eitan 帶著沉思的表情望著窗外，看著雨水沿著玻璃流下。
collocation: thoughtful expression
Nila stayed thoughtful during the long bus ride and barely touched the book in her lap.
Nila 在漫長的巴士車程中一直沉思著，幾乎沒碰腿上的書。
be + thoughtful for describing a quiet state
The librarian noticed the thoughtful young man staring at the same page for almost an hour.
圖書館員注意到那位沉思的年輕人盯著同一頁將近一個小時。
Feng gave a thoughtful pause before answering, and the teacher waited without rushing him.
Feng 在回答前沉思地停頓了一下，老師也沒有催促他。
- pensive
more literary; suggests sadness or reflection
- contemplative
more formal; implies calm, prolonged thought
文法句型
thoughtful + noun
be + thoughtful
thoughtfulness — 名詞
1. the habit or act of thinking carefully and seriously about something before maki
深思
仔細思考、審慎考慮的狀態
the habit or act of thinking carefully and seriously about something before making a decision or forming an opinion.
After several days of quiet thoughtfulness, Eitan decided to accept the teaching job in Hanoi.
經過幾天的靜默深思後，Eitan 決定接受河內的教職工作。
collocation: quiet thoughtfulness
The project plan showed great thoughtfulness because it addressed every possible problem in advance.
這個專案計畫展現了極大的深思，因為它事先考慮了所有可能的問題。
Tyler reviewed the contract with unusual thoughtfulness, checking each clause twice before signing.
Tyler 以異於常人的深思審查合約，在簽名前仔細檢查了每一項條款。
Feng's thoughtfulness about the budget impressed the whole committee during the quarterly review.
Feng 對預算的深思給季度審查會議上的整個委員會留下了深刻的印象。
- deliberation
more formal; often refers to formal discussion as well as individual thought
- reflection
emphasises quiet, personal thinking rather than analytical reasoning
- thoughtlessness
acting without thinking
文法句型
show + thoughtfulness
with + thoughtfulness
用法筆記
Frequently appears with prepositions like 'about' or 'into'. Unlike 'consideration', which can refer to a single act of thinking, 'thoughtfulness' emphasises a steady quality or habit. Less common than the adjective 'thoughtful'.
2. how someone shows that they notice and care about what other people need or feel
體貼
為他人著想、關心他人感受的特質
how someone shows that they notice and care about what other people need or feel, often through small, helpful actions.
Nila's thoughtfulness was clear from the way she remembered every colleague's birthday with a small card.
Nila 的體貼從她記得每位同事生日並送上小卡片就可見一斑。
collocation: thoughtfulness + possessive
The elderly neighbours thanked the young couple for their thoughtfulness during the power outage last winter.
年長的鄰居感謝那對年輕夫婦在去年冬天停電期間的體貼照顧。
True thoughtfulness means noticing when someone needs help before they have to ask for it.
真正的體貼是在別人開口求助之前就注意到他們需要幫忙。
Yara's thoughtfulness touched her friend deeply during the difficult weeks after the funeral.
Yara 的體貼在葬禮後那段艱難的日子裡深深感動了她的朋友。
- consideration
very similar; 'thoughtfulness' emphasises noticing personal details more strongly
- kindness
broader; can refer to any good deed, not necessarily one that shows close attention
- inconsiderateness
lack of concern for others' needs
- selfishness
focus on oneself at others' expense
文法句型
show + thoughtfulness
thoughtfulness + towards/toward
用法筆記
This is the most common sense of the noun 'thoughtfulness' in everyday language. It overlaps with 'consideration' but 'thoughtfulness' more strongly implies noticing small, personal details. Compare with noun sense 1 (CAREFUL THINKING), which is about intellectual process rather than kindness.
常見錯誤
3. the care and attention that goes into planning or making something so that every
用心
精心規劃、注重細節的用心
the care and attention that goes into planning or making something so that every detail works well and feels right.
The thoughtfulness of the wedding arrangements made every single guest feel welcome and comfortable.
婚禮安排中的用心讓每一位賓客都感到受歡迎和舒適。
pattern: the + thoughtfulness + of
Mayumi's thoughtfulness in preparing the lesson materials saved all the new teachers hours of extra work.
Mayumi 在準備教材上的用心為所有新老師節省了數小時的額外工作。
The gift had been chosen with such thoughtfulness that it showed how well she knew her mother.
這份禮物的挑選充滿了用心，顯現出她多麼了解母親的品味。
I could see the thoughtfulness behind every detail of the exhibition, from the lighting to the labels.
從燈光到標籤，我可以看到展覽每個細節背後的用心。
- care
simpler and more general; lacks the nuance of attentive planning
- attention to detail
more specific; emphasises thoroughness over warmth
- carelessness
lack of attention or effort
文法句型
the + thoughtfulness + of + noun
with + great + thoughtfulness
用法筆記
Distinguish from noun sense 2 (KINDNESS TO OTHERS): this sense focuses on the quality of the preparation or planning, not on kindness toward people. A thoughtfully planned event may also be kind, but the emphasis here is on careful design and execution.