variant
variant — 名詞
1. A variant is a thing — a product, design, version, or type — that differs in sma
變體；變種
與同類標準形式略有不同的版本
A variant is a thing — a product, design, version, or type — that differs in small ways from the standard or typical example of its kind.
This design is a variant of the original logo, with slightly thinner lines.
這個設計是原始標誌的變體，線條稍微細了一點。
collocation: variant of [something]
The chef created a vegetarian variant of the classic Italian dish for her new menu.
主廚為新菜單創造了一道經典義式料理的素食變體。
Several variants of the smartphone are sold in different countries around the world.
這款智慧型手機的好幾種變體在世界各國銷售。
Aarav found a rare variant of the butterfly during the school field trip.
Aarav 在學校戶外教學時發現了一種稀有的蝴蝶變種。
Each regional variant of the recipe uses a different kind of spice.
這道食譜的每種地區變體都使用不同的香料。
- version
more general term; a variant is always a version, but not every version is a variant (a version can be identical in kind)
- alternative
emphasises that one option may be chosen instead of another
- variation
often focuses on the degree of difference or the act of varying, rather than the resulting object itself
- standard
the typical or reference form from which the variant differs
文法句型
variant + of + noun
用法筆記
This sense is the most general and works for products, words, designs, or living things. Distinguish from noun sense 2 (VIRUS/DISEASE FORM), which is restricted to viruses and diseases.
常見錯誤
2. When a virus or other disease-causing agent undergoes mutation, the resulting ne
變異株
經由突變產生的病毒或疾病新形式
When a virus or other disease-causing agent undergoes mutation, the resulting new form is called a variant. It may behave differently — for example, by spreading faster or producing milder or more severe symptoms — compared with the original strain.
The new variant of the flu spreads more quickly in cold weather.
這種新的流感變異株在寒冷天氣中傳播得更快。
collocation: new variant of + disease
Scientists are monitoring a variant of the virus that appears to resist the current vaccine.
科學家正在監測一種似乎能抵抗現有疫苗的病毒變異株。
Hospitals prepared for a surge of cases caused by the delta variant last summer.
去年夏天，醫院為 Delta 變異株引發的病例激增做好了準備。
The vaccine was updated to protect against the latest Omicron variant this winter.
今年冬天，疫苗已更新以預防最新的 Omicron 變異株。
Dr. Camila Santos published a study on how the variant affects older patients.
Camila Santos 博士發表了一項關於該變異株如何影響年長患者的研究。
- original strain
the first or reference form of the virus before mutation
文法句型
variant + of + virus/disease
new variant
[Greek letter] + variant
用法筆記
Most commonly heard in news reports and medical discussions. The word can refer to a strain of any infectious agent — bacteria, viruses, or fungi — but is most widely used for viruses. This sense became very common during the COVID-19 pandemic.
常見錯誤
variant — 形容詞
1. A variant form, version, or type is one that differs in small ways from what is
略有不同的
與標準或常見形式有微小差異的
A variant form, version, or type is one that differs in small ways from what is usual, standard, or typical — for example, a colour or spelling that is not the main or original one.
The artist painted a variant version of her landscape, using warmer colours this time.
這位藝術家畫了她的風景畫一個略有不同的版本，這次使用了更暖的色調。
attributive use: variant version
Customers can order the sofa in several variant colours.
顧客可以訂購這款沙發的幾種不同顏色款式。
Sivan's accent is a variant form of Turkish spoken in her home region.
Sivan 的口音是她的家鄉地區所說的一種略有不同的土耳其語。
The company released a variant model of the car with a hybrid engine.
該公司推出了一款帶有混合動力引擎的不同車型。
These variant spellings of the word are both accepted in British English.
這個字的這些異體拼法在英式英語中都是可接受的。
- different
far more common; 'different' does not imply a specific standard being deviated from
- alternative
suggests a deliberate choice between options, not a natural variation
- modified
implies intentional change, whereas 'variant' can be natural or unintentional
文法句型
variant + noun
用法筆記
This adjective is used almost exclusively before a noun (attributive position). It is less common than the noun form. Typical noun partners include 'form', 'version', 'spelling', 'colour', 'type', and 'model'.
常見錯誤
2. Relating to a pathogen that has undergone mutation, resulting in a slightly diff
變異的
（病毒）因突變而與原始型不同的
Relating to a pathogen that has undergone mutation, resulting in a slightly different genetic makeup from the original type. This difference can affect how the pathogen spreads or responds to treatment.
The variant strain of the virus was first detected in South Africa.
這種病毒的變異株首先在南非被發現。
collocation: variant strain
Hospitals are tracking the spread of a variant form of the bacteria that resists antibiotics.
醫院正在追蹤一種具抗藥性的變異細菌的傳播。
Caleb's lab is studying a variant version of the flu virus that emerged last winter.
Caleb 的實驗室正在研究去年冬天出現的一種變異流感病毒。
The WHO named the new variant lineage after a Greek letter.
世界衛生組織用一個希臘字母命名了這個新的變異病毒譜系。
文法句型
variant + [medical noun: strain, form, virus]
用法筆記
This adjective sense is more specialised than the general adjective sense (SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT). It almost always appears before a noun that names a virus, disease, or pathogen — 'strain', 'form', 'virus', 'lineage', 'bacteria'.