under
under — 形容詞
1. positioned at a lower level directly beneath another thing, often serving as the
下方的
位置直接在某物之下的
positioned at a lower level directly beneath another thing, often serving as the hidden or supporting part of something.
Dahlia peeled away the under layer of old paint to reveal the original wood beneath.
Dahlia 剝掉下方那層舊油漆，露出了原本的木頭。
attributive: under + noun describing position
After moving the shelf, Marta ran her hand along its under surface to check for cracks.
Marta 移動架子後，用手摸了摸架子下方的表面，檢查有沒有裂痕。
under + surface: 'under' before noun, not after verb
The under side of the stone bridge near the park was thick with green moss after the wet spring.
公園附近那座石橋的下方，在潮濕的春天過後長滿了厚厚的青苔。
A small tear in the under panel of Zayd's tent let rainwater drip onto his sleeping bag.
Zayd 帳篷下方面板上的一個小裂縫讓雨水滴到了他的睡袋上。
Rust had formed on the under panel of the car door near the hinge.
車門的下方面板靠近鉸鏈的地方出現了鏽斑。
文法句型
under + noun
用法筆記
Always placed before a noun (attributive position). Unlike the preposition 'under', the adjective cannot follow a linking verb — you cannot say 'the layer is under' to mean it is the lower one.
常見錯誤
2. turned or pointing toward the ground or the lower side of something, rather than
朝下的
面向地面或底部的
turned or pointing toward the ground or the lower side of something, rather than upward.
Christopher bit his under lip nervously while waiting for the test results.
Christopher 緊張地咬著下唇，等待考試結果。
under + lip = the lower edge of the mouth
A small green frog sat on a lily pad, its under jaw pulsing gently as it waited for a fly.
一隻綠色的小青蛙坐在池塘的睡蓮葉上，下巴輕輕地動著，等待蒼蠅飛來。
Hiro noticed a small cut on the under side of the dog's front paw.
Hiro 注意到那隻狗前腳的下方有一道小傷口。
The under parts of the old eagle's wings were nearly bare, with most feathers gone after years of flying.
那隻老鷹翅膀下方幾乎光禿禿的，多年飛行下來大部分羽毛都已脫落。
- upper
positioned above or facing upward
文法句型
under + noun
用法筆記
Most commonly used with body parts (lip, jaw, side) or parts of animals and objects to describe their downward-facing surface.
常見錯誤
3. holding a position or having a level of authority that is below someone else in
下級的
職位或權力較低的
holding a position or having a level of authority that is below someone else in an organisation or group.
The under officers reported directly to the captain during the training exercise.
下級軍官在訓練演習中直接向隊長報告。
under + officer = subordinate rank in a hierarchy
Kemi trains new under staff at the regional office, showing them how to use the company software.
Kemi 在區域辦公室訓練新進下級員工，教他們如何使用公司軟體。
Under managers at the city bank must ask senior directors for approval before they change any budgets.
那間城市銀行的下級經理在更改任何預算之前，必須先徵求資深主管的同意。
The under chief at the fire station managed daily training while the chief planned next year's budget.
消防隊的副主管負責管理日常訓練，而主管則規劃明年的預算。
- subordinate
more formal, describes the relationship explicitly
- junior
focuses on experience or age rather than position
- lower-ranking
more explicit about the hierarchy level
文法句型
under + noun (job title)
用法筆記
Used in job titles and role descriptions to indicate a position one step below the main role. More formal than 'assistant' or 'deputy'.
常見錯誤
4. at a level of amount, quality, or intensity that is below what is expected, prop
不足的
低於正常或期望水準的
at a level of amount, quality, or intensity that is below what is expected, proper, or acceptable.
The factory ran at under capacity for three months after the power failure.
那間工廠在停電後以不足的產能運轉了三個月。
under + capacity = below maximum possible output
The factory inspector rejected the batch because an under temperature during drying had weakened the material.
工廠檢驗員拒收了那批產品，因為乾燥階段的溫度不足導致材料強度受損。
Mia complained about the under quality of the fabric after the first wash.
Mia 抱怨那塊布料品質不足，洗一次就壞了。
An under supply of clean water created serious problems at the mountain clinic.
山區診所因乾淨水的供應不足而面臨嚴重問題。
- insufficient
more general, also used for abstract quantities
- inadequate
suggests failure to meet a required standard
- below-standard
more explicit but less common as a single word
- above-standard
exceeding expected levels
- adequate
meeting the required level
- sufficient
enough for the purpose
文法句型
under + noun (measurable quality)
用法筆記
Used with nouns that denote measurable qualities (temperature, capacity, supply, quality). Often appears in technical or formal reports. Distinguish from the prefix 'under-' which attaches to verbs (undercooked, underpaid) — the adjective remains a separate word.
常見錯誤
under — 副詞
1. in or to a position beneath the surface of water or another substance, so that t
下面；在下
在表面之下，常指水面下
in or to a position beneath the surface of water or another substance, so that the thing is partly or completely covered.
The young seal dove under the icy water and stayed below for nearly two minutes before surfacing.
那隻小海豹潛入冰冷的水中，在水下待了將近兩分鐘才浮出水面。
verb of movement + under for submerging
Christopher pushed the floating leaf under until it was completely wet.
Christopher 把飄著的葉子壓到水面下，直到葉子完全溼透。
push + under (make something go below surface)
The old wooden boat slowly went under in the cold, dark lake.
那艘舊木船在冰冷黑暗的湖中慢慢沉了下去。
Élise held her breath and went under to look for the lost ring.
Élise 憋住氣潛到水面下，尋找那枚遺失的戒指。
Nkechi watched the bright orange fish swim under the rock and vanish from her sight.
Nkechi 看著那條鮮橘色的魚游到岩石下方，從她的視線中消失。
- up
up describes movement toward or position at a higher point, the opposite of going beneath a surface.
用法筆記
Commonly follows verbs describing downward movement or submerging, such as dive, go, sink, push, and slip.
常見錯誤
under — 字首
1. added to verbs or their past-participle forms to mean 'not enough' or 'less than
不足；過少
表示不夠或未達標準
added to verbs or their past-participle forms to mean 'not enough' or 'less than what is needed' — for example, food that is undercooked has not been cooked long enough, or a worker who is underpaid receives too little money for their work.
Xiu put the undercooked chicken back in the oven for ten more minutes.
Xiu 把未煮熟的雞肉放回烤箱，再烤了十分鐘。
undercooked = not cooked enough
Tara felt underpaid for the long hours she worked at the office.
Tara 覺得自己在辦公室長時間工作，卻薪資過低。
underpaid = paid too little
The company underestimated how much the new building would cost to finish.
那間公司低估了興建新大樓所需的費用。
Many children in poor rural areas are undernourished because their families cannot afford enough food.
許多偏遠地區的兒童營養不良，因為他們的家庭買不起足夠的食物。
Ife's math teacher said he was underachieving — he scored low on tests despite finishing all his homework correctly.
Ife 的數學老師說他表現未達應有水準——他考試分數很低，但作業都寫對了。
- insufficiently
adverb used in more formal writing; under- is a prefix, not a separate word
- inadequately
stronger formality; used for serious shortcomings
- over-
the opposite prefix meaning 'too much', as in overpay, overcook
文法句型
under- + [verb]
under- + [past participle]
用法筆記
Frequently attaches to verbs (undercook, underpay, underestimate, underachieve) and their past-participle forms used as adjectives (undercooked, underpaid, undernourished). This prefix does not combine freely with all verbs — for instance, 'undereat' is very uncommon, while its opposite 'overeat' is common.
常見錯誤
2. added to nouns or verbs to mean 'below' or 'beneath something' — for example, an
下方；底下
表示在...之下或低於
added to nouns or verbs to mean 'below' or 'beneath something' — for example, an underground train runs below the ground, and to underline a word means to draw a line underneath it.
The subway train runs on underground tracks beneath the busiest streets in the city.
地鐵列車行駛於城市最繁忙街道下方的地下軌道上。
underground = below the ground
The teacher asked Quinn to underline the most important sentence in each paragraph.
老師要 Quinn 在每段文字中最重要的句子下面畫線。
underline = draw a line below
The navy submarine traveled underwater for three months without once coming up to the surface for air.
那艘海軍潛水艇在水下行駛了三個月，從未浮出水面換氣。
The dog escaped by digging an underground tunnel right under the wooden fence.
那隻狗在木籬笆下方挖了一條地道逃了出去。
The doctor examined Léa's red underarm and said the mild rash would clear up within a week.
醫生檢查了 Léa 發紅的腋下，說那只是輕微的皮疹，一週內就會消退。
文法句型
under- + [noun]
under- + [verb]
用法筆記
Attaches to nouns (ground, water, arm, belly) to form adjectives or nouns describing a physical position lower than something else. The meaning is literal and spatial — compare with sense 1 (NOT ENOUGH), where the prefix indicates a shortfall or deficiency rather than physical position.
常見錯誤
under — 介系詞
1. in a position directly below something, often with the upper thing hiding, prote
在…下面
位置低於某物，常被覆蓋
in a position directly below something, often with the upper thing hiding, protecting, or touching the lower thing
The cat was sleeping under the kitchen table while Ayana made dinner.
Ayana 做晚餐時，那隻貓正在廚房桌子下面睡覺。
under + noun phrase for location
Trang found her keys under a pile of old newspapers on the desk.
Trang 在書桌上一疊舊報紙下面找到了她的鑰匙。
The children hid under their beds during the thunderstorm.
雷雨期間，孩子們躲在床底下。
Takeshi keeps a small safe under the floorboards in his study.
Takeshi 把一個小保險箱藏在書房的地板下面。
We sat under a large umbrella to stay out of the hot sun.
我們坐在一把大傘下面，避開炎熱的陽光。
文法句型
under + noun phrase
常見錯誤
2. describing a stretch of land that has a single crop or native vegetation coverin
種植著…
整片土地長滿某種作物
describing a stretch of land that has a single crop or native vegetation covering its whole surface
The field was under wheat, stretching all the way to the river.
那塊田種滿了小麥，一路延伸到河邊。
under + crop type for land usage
The entire valley floor near the village is under rice paddies that stretch from the road to the hills.
村莊附近的整片谷地都種了水稻，從馬路一直延伸到山腳。
Ten acres of the farm are under organic vegetables this year.
今年農場有十英畝種植有機蔬菜。
Every spring the hills behind the village are under purple wildflowers that bloom for about three weeks.
每年春天，村莊後面的山坡開滿了紫色的野花，花期約三週。
- planted with
more active; focuses on the planting action rather than the state
- covered by
broader; can describe any covering, not just plant life
文法句型
under + [type of plant/crop]
用法筆記
Subject is always an area of land (field, valley, hills, acres). The plant or crop name follows immediately — no article before the crop name.
常見錯誤
3. arranged somewhere inside a classification scheme, so someone searching can loca
歸類於
在列表或書中歸於該標題下
arranged somewhere inside a classification scheme, so someone searching can locate it by that label in a catalogue, index, or collection
You can find all novels by that author under the letter 'M'.
那位作者的所有小說都歸在字母 M 底下。
under + heading for finding in a system
The report is filed under 'Finance' in the office cabinet.
這份報告歸在辦公室檔案櫃的「財務」類別下。
Sofie looked up 'snake bite' under 'First Aid' in the manual.
Sofie 在手冊的「急救」章節下查詢「蛇咬傷」。
All the old photographs are organised under different family surnames.
所有老照片都按照不同的姓氏分類整理。
- within
more general; less specific about following a heading
- in the category of
more formal and explicit
文法句型
under + [category/heading/title]
用法筆記
Common in library, computing, and office contexts. The category label is usually a singular noun in quotes or capitalised. 'Filing under' is a frequent fixed expression.
常見錯誤
4. less than a particular number, amount, price, or age — used when the upper limit
少於；未滿
數量或年齡低於某數值
less than a particular number, amount, price, or age — used when the upper limit is a precise figure
Children under twelve get a free ticket to the zoo.
未滿十二歲的兒童可以免費進入動物園。
under + age for age limit
The whole renovation project cost under five thousand dollars.
整個翻修工程的費用不到五千美元。
Meera finished the ten-kilometer race in under thirty minutes, beating her personal best by two minutes.
Meera 以不到三十分鐘跑完十公里賽事，比個人最佳成績快了兩分鐘。
In Brazil, nobody under the age of eighteen is permitted to vote in any local or national election.
在巴西，未滿十八歲的人不得在任何地方或全國選舉中投票。
文法句型
under + [number/amount/age]
用法筆記
Only for quantities that can be counted or measured precisely (age, price, time duration, distance). Not used for abstract comparisons ('under important' ❌ — use 'less important'). 'Under the age of [number]' is a common fixed structure.
常見錯誤
5. within a specific framework of rules, agreements, or external conditions that sh
受…約束
發生於特定狀況或規則下
within a specific framework of rules, agreements, or external conditions that shapes how an action or situation develops — the noun after 'under' names the environment that influences events
The company has been operating under new management since January.
該公司自一月起就在新的管理團隊下營運。
under + management/leadership
Under the current health law in Japan, smoking is banned in all restaurants and office buildings.
根據日本的健康法，所有餐廳和辦公大樓內都禁止吸菸。
The rescue team worked under extremely difficult weather conditions.
救援隊在極其惡劣的天氣條件下工作。
Kian agreed to help the team write the report under the condition that his name not appear anywhere in it.
Kian 同意幫團隊撰寫報告，條件是報告中不出現他的名字。
Ignacio felt enormous pressure under the circumstances, having lost three staff members in one week.
Ignacio 在這種情況下感到壓力極大，因為一週內就少了三名員工。
- according to
narrower; mainly for rules and agreements, not for circumstances
- during
temporal only; lacks the sense of being affected by the situation
- subject to
more formal; emphasises being bound by conditions
文法句型
under + [condition/law/circumstance]
用法筆記
Distinguish from 'under' sense 9 (controlled by a person/organisation): this sense focuses on situations, rules, or conditions affecting what happens, not direct control by a person or group.
常見錯誤
6. currently being subjected to a particular action or treatment, such as repair, e
進行中
正在經歷某個過程
currently being subjected to a particular action or treatment, such as repair, examination, discussion, or attack — forming fixed expressions with action nouns
The old bridge is under repair, so drivers need to use a different route.
那座舊橋正在維修中，所以駕駛人需要改道。
under repair = being repaired
Several new safety policies for the school are under discussion at the town council meeting this week.
幾項新的校園安全政策，正在本週的鎮議會會議中討論。
The mayor's decision is under attack from local community leaders.
市長的決定正受到當地社區領袖的抨擊。
A proposal to build a new community sports centre is under consideration by the city planning department.
一項興建新社區體育中心的提案，正由市規劃部門審議中。
- being + past participle
grammatically equivalent but less concise: 'being discussed' vs 'under discussion'
- undergoing
more formal; can be used more freely with different nouns
文法句型
under + [action noun]
用法筆記
This sense only works with a fixed set of action nouns: attack, consideration, discussion, investigation, repair, construction, threat, review, etc. You cannot freely create new combinations — 'under eating' or 'under building' are not idiomatic. No article is used between 'under' and the noun.
常見錯誤
7. experiencing a specific medical, legal, or supervisory condition that determines
處於…
處於特定狀態或處理方式中
experiencing a specific medical, legal, or supervisory condition that determines how a situation is handled — the noun after 'under' names the treatment or protocol applying to the subject
The surgery was performed under local anesthesia, so the patient stayed awake.
手術在局部麻醉下進行，因此患者全程保持清醒。
under + medical procedure
Hoa signed the contract under protest, saying she did not agree with the terms.
Hoa 在抗議的情況下簽署了合約，表示她不同意這些條款。
under + protest (fixed phrase for unwilling compliance)
The children were painting under the careful supervision of their art teacher.
孩子們在美術老師的仔細監督下畫畫。
The old building was demolished under a court order after years of legal battles.
那棟舊建築在法院命令下被拆除，經過多年的法律訴訟。
Élise completed her training under the guidance of an experienced chef from France.
Élise 在一位經驗豐富的法國主廚指導下完成了訓練。
- subject to
more formal; implies being affected by a rule or condition rather than a state
- undergoing
used only for processes or treatments, not states like protest
文法句型
under + noun phrase
用法筆記
Common with nouns naming a medical, legal, or supervision condition (anesthesia, protest, court order, supervision). The noun phrase names the state or treatment the subject is experiencing.
常見錯誤
8. having a particular idea or belief about something, especially one that may turn
誤以為
懷有某種（常為錯誤的）信念
having a particular idea or belief about something, especially one that may turn out to be wrong
The school director was under the impression that all parents had been told about the schedule changes.
學校主管誤以為所有家長都已被告知了課程時間的變更。
under the impression + that-clause
Yan bought the old watch under the illusion it was worth a lot of money.
Yan 誤以為那隻舊手錶值很多錢，所以就買了下來。
under the illusion + that-clause (false belief about value)
Shanti was under the mistaken belief that the exam started at ten instead of nine.
Shanti 誤以為考試是十點開始，而不是九點。
Many voters were under the delusion that the new housing policy would fix their rent problems overnight.
許多選民誤以為這項新的住房政策能在一夜之間解決他們的房租問題。
Asher left his job under the impression that he would receive a large payment.
Asher 以為自己會拿到一筆可觀的款項，於是辭掉了工作。
- knowing for sure
implies certainty, not a possibly mistaken impression
文法句型
under the impression / illusion / delusion + that-clause
under the mistaken belief + that-clause
用法筆記
Always followed by a that-clause or a noun complement (e.g. 'under the impression that…'). The most common noun in this pattern is 'impression'; 'illusion' suggests a more obviously false belief, while 'delusion' is stronger still and often implies self-deception.
常見錯誤
9. operating with a person, group, or administrative system having direct authority
歸…管轄
受特定對象或勢力控制或管理
operating with a person, group, or administrative system having direct authority over you — the noun after 'under' names who or what is in charge
The region has been under military control since the conflict began last year.
自從衝突去年爆發以來，該地區一直處於軍方控制之下。
under + military control
The new hospital was built under the direction of the Ministry of Health.
這家新醫院是在衛生部的指導下興建的。
under + direction of [institution]
Caleb runs a small company under the overall management of a parent corporation.
Caleb 經營一家小公司，受母公司的全面管理。
Under the current administration in Mexico, small business tax rules have become much more complicated.
在墨西哥現任政府的管轄下，小型企業的稅務規定變得複雜了許多。
The charity operates under strict government rules to make sure all money is used properly.
這家慈善機構在嚴格的政府法規下運作，以確保所有款項都妥善使用。
- governed by
more formal; focuses on legal or political authority
- run by
informal; emphasizes daily operation rather than authority
- independent of
outside the control or authority of
文法句型
under + noun phrase (person, organization, system)
用法筆記
Frequently used with nouns denoting organizations (government, board, management), authority figures (director, chief), and abstract systems (law, constitution, regulations). The sense focuses on hierarchy and compliance rather than physical position.
常見錯誤
10. having received a command or instruction from someone in authority to do somethi
奉命
接到命令或指示必須做某事
having received a command or instruction from someone in authority to do something
The soldiers were under orders not to leave the base after dark.
士兵奉命天黑後不得離開基地。
under orders + not to (negative command)
Joaquín was under strict instructions to deliver the package before noon the next day.
Joaquín 奉命在第二天中午前將包裹送達。
under instructions + to-infinitive (deadline)
The security guard acted under orders from his supervisor when he asked everyone to leave.
那名警衛是奉命行事，聽從主管指示請大家離開。
The pilot was under orders to turn the plane around because of the storm ahead.
機長奉命將飛機掉頭，因為前方有暴風雨。
Rachid's marketing team is under instructions to finish the quarterly financial report by Friday afternoon.
Rachid 的行銷團隊奉命在週五下午前完成季度財務報告。
- instructed to
less formal; common in everyday work contexts
- commanded to
stronger, military tone; implies strict authority
- free to
no obligation or command
文法句型
under orders + to-infinitive
under instructions + to-infinitive
用法筆記
Typically followed by a to-infinitive clause specifying the required action. 'Under orders' is more common in military and formal contexts; 'under instructions' is more common in workplace settings. The person giving the order can be stated with 'from': 'under orders from the general'.
常見錯誤
11. operating or identifying yourself with a chosen name, often a false one rather t
以…名義
使用特定名稱，尤指非真實姓名
operating or identifying yourself with a chosen name, often a false one rather than your real name
The author wrote novels under a pen name so her family would not find out.
那位作家以筆名寫小說，以免被家人發現。
under + pen name (publishing)
Christopher checked into the hotel under a false name to avoid the reporters waiting outside.
Christopher 以假名登記入住飯店，避開在外守候的記者。
The spy traveled under a fake passport that identified him as a Canadian businessman.
那名間諜持偽造護照旅行，護照上將他登記為加拿大商人。
Pim wrote his political articles under a pseudonym to protect his job at the ministry.
Pim 以化名撰寫政治文章，以保護自己在部會的工作。
Abigail registered for the online platform under a made-up name for extra privacy and safety.
Abigail 以虛構的名字註冊了那個線上平台，以保護隱私和安全。
文法句型
under + a/an + (adjective) + name
用法筆記
The noun phrase after 'under' names the identity being used, typically a pen name, pseudonym, alias, or false name. Common in publishing, entertainment, travel, and online contexts.