ton

ton — 名詞

1. a standard unit for measuring weight, equal to exactly one thousand kilograms, u

1.名詞B1
釋義

公噸

等於1000公斤的重量單位

a standard unit for measuring weight, equal to exactly one thousand kilograms, used in most countries worldwide for trade, industry, and everyday measurement

例句

Japan imported over two million metric tons of steel last year alone.

日本去年光是鋼鐵就進口了超過兩百萬公噸。

metric tons + of + commodity for trade amounts

The crane at the port can lift a maximum of eighty tons without risk.

港口的那台起重機最多可以安全吊起八十噸。

同義詞
  • tonne

    same as metric ton, but this spelling is preferred in scientific and British English

  • 1,000 kilograms

    the exact metric equivalent, used when precision is important

用法筆記

In technical or scientific writing, the spelling 'tonne' is sometimes used for the metric ton to distinguish it from UK and US tons.

常見錯誤

❌The ship carries 10 long tons.' (when metric is meant)
✅The ship carries 10 metric tons.
💡specify the type of ton to avoid confusion between metric, UK, and US systems.

2. a traditional British measurement for heavy objects and commodities, weighing 1,

2.名詞B2
釋義

長噸

英國傳統重量單位，約1016公斤

a traditional British measurement for heavy objects and commodities, weighing 1,016 kilograms, that was widely used before the metric system became standard

例句

The old mine records showed coal production in long tons until the 1970s.

那份舊礦場記錄顯示，直到1970年代煤炭產量仍以長噸計算。

long tons for historical UK mining records

Adisa discovered that a long ton is about sixteen kilograms heavier than a metric ton.

Adisa 發現一個長噸比一個公噸重了大約十六公斤。

同義詞
  • UK ton

    informal alternative name for the long ton

  • imperial ton

    formal name within the imperial measurement system

  • gross ton

    used in specific shipping contexts to mean the same weight

用法筆記

Now uncommon in everyday use; the metric ton has replaced the long ton in most British industries. You may encounter it in historical documents, older shipping records, or traditional engineering contexts.

常見錯誤

❌The British ship weighed 10,000 metric tons.' (when long tons were used)
✅The British ship weighed 10,000 long tons.
💡older UK records use long tons, not metric tons.

3. a standard American measurement for heavy goods and commodities, weighing 907 ki

3.名詞B2
釋義

短噸

美國重量單位，約907公斤

a standard American measurement for heavy goods and commodities, weighing 907 kilograms (the same as 2,000 pounds), used in domestic trade across the United States

例句

João learned that US farmers measure their corn harvest in short tons.

João 學到美國農民以短噸計算玉米收成。

short tons for US agricultural measurement

The American steel mill produced over two million short tons last quarter.

那家美國鋼鐵廠上一季生產了超過兩百萬短噸的鋼材。

同義詞
  • US ton

    informal name for the short ton, used to distinguish it from other ton measurements

  • net ton

    used in specific US industrial contexts

  • 2,000 pounds

    the exact weight equivalent in the imperial system

用法筆記

Used almost exclusively in the United States. When reading American sources, 'ton' without a qualifier usually means the short ton of 2,000 pounds (907 kg).

常見錯誤

❌The US report said 500 tons of waste, and I assumed metric tons.
✅The US report said 500 short tons of waste.
💡American publications often use 'ton' to mean the short ton, which is lighter than a metric ton.

4. a very large number or quantity of something, used informally to emphasise that

4.名詞A2
釋義

大量

極大的數量

a very large number or quantity of something, used informally to emphasise that there is more than enough — for example, having tons of work, or a ton of emails waiting for you

例句

Saira had a ton of laundry to fold before her guests arrived.

Saira 在客人到達前有一大堆衣服要摺。

a ton of + [uncountable noun] for emphasis

There were tons of empty seats at the theatre on Tuesday night.

星期二晚上劇院裡有好多空位。

tons of + plural noun for a large quantity

同義詞
  • a lot

    the most neutral alternative; less emphatic than 'a ton'

  • heaps

    equally informal, with a slightly more physical image of piled-up items

  • loads

    common in British and Australian informal English

  • masses

    British informal, similar to 'loads'

反義詞
  • a tiny amount

    the opposite end of the quantity spectrum

  • a bit

    informal opposite, suggesting a small quantity

用法筆記

Commonly used in the plural form 'tons of' or the singular 'a ton of' as an intensifier. Considered informal; avoid in formal academic or business writing where 'a large amount of' or 'a great deal of' is preferred.

常見錯誤

❌There was tons of traffic on the highway.' (singular verb)
✅There were tons of cars on the highway.
💡with 'tons of' the verb agrees with the noun after 'of', not with 'tons'.

5. an informal British term for one hundred pounds sterling, used mainly in casual

5.名詞C1
釋義

一百鎊

英國俚語，指100英鎊

an informal British term for one hundred pounds sterling, used mainly in casual conversation about money and purchases

例句

The leather jacket cost him three ton at the Camden Market stall.

那件皮夾克在Camden Market的攤位花了他三百鎊。

number + ton as a slang price

Théo borrowed a ton from his flatmate to cover the electricity bill.

Théo 向室友借了一百鎊來繳電費。

同義詞
  • hundred quid

    more widely understood British slang for £100 than 'ton'

用法筆記

This slang is primarily used in London and southern England. The plural is usually 'ton' not 'tons' — e.g. 'five ton' not 'five tons'. Rarely used in writing except in direct speech or dialogue.

常見錯誤

❌The ticket cost five tons.
✅The ticket cost five ton.
💡the slang plural stays the same as the singular.

6. in cricket, a total of one hundred runs scored by a single batter during one inn

6.名詞C1
釋義

百分

板球中一名打者單局得到100分

in cricket, a total of one hundred runs scored by a single batter during one innings, regarded as a major individual achievement

例句

Asher scored his first test ton against Australia at the Melbourne ground.

Asher 在墨爾本球場對戰澳洲隊時打出了他的第一個測試賽百分。

score a ton in test cricket context

The crowd gave a standing ovation when the captain reached his ton.

當隊長達到百分時，全場觀眾起立鼓掌。

同義詞
  • century

    the formal term for 100 runs in cricket, used in official scoreboards and commentary

用法筆記

Also called a 'century' in formal cricket commentary. 'Ton' is the more colloquial term used among players and fans. The batter who scores a ton is said to have 'made a ton' or 'hit a ton'.

7. an informal British term for a speed of exactly one hundred miles per hour, used

7.名詞C1
釋義

百哩速

英國俚語，指時速100英里

an informal British term for a speed of exactly one hundred miles per hour, used mainly in driving and motor-racing contexts

例句

The sports car was doing a ton on the motorway before the driver slowed down.

那輛跑車在高速公路上開到時速一百英里，後來駕駛才減速。

doing a ton as a fixed expression for driving at 100 mph

Christopher's motorcycle could hit a ton in under twelve seconds.

Christopher 的摩托車可以在十二秒內加速到時速一百英里。

同義詞
  • 100 mph

    the neutral, non-slang equivalent

  • a century

    occasionally used in the same sense but much less common

用法筆記

Almost always used with the verb 'do' in the phrase 'do a ton' (e.g. 'doing a ton'). Refers exclusively to miles per hour, never kilometres. Becoming less common as speed limits and metrication reduce the relevance of 100 mph as a milestone.

常見錯誤

❌The car was going a ton on the autobahn.' (confusing miles with km)
✅The car was doing a ton on the British motorway.
💡'a ton' specifically means 100 miles per hour, not 100 kilometres per hour.