a
art. 一(個); 每一(個); 任一(個)
You use a or an when you are referring to someone or something for the first time or when people may not know which particular person or thing you are talking about.
A waiter entered with a tray...
侍者端著托盤進來了。
He started eating an apple...
他開始吃蘋果。
You use a or an when you are referring to any person or thing of a particular type and do not want to be specific.
...expensive make-up that we saw being advertised by a beautiful model...
我們所見的由一位漂亮模特代言的昂貴化妝品
I suggest you leave it to an expert...
我建議你把它留給專家來解決。
You use a or an in front of an uncount noun when that noun follows an adjective, or when the noun is followed by words that describe it more fully.
There was a terrible sadness in her eyes...
她眼神中流露出深深的悲傷。
He did have a real knowledge of the country...
他對該國的確知之甚多。
You use a or an in front of a mass noun when you want to refer to a single type or make of something.
Bollinger 'RD' is a rare, highly prized wine.
博林格RD香檳是一種名貴的備受推崇的葡萄酒。
You use a in quantifiers such as a lot ,a little, and a bit.
I spend a lot on expensive jewelry and clothing...
我花很多錢購買昂貴的首飾和衣服。
I've come looking for a bit of advice.
我特來討教。
You use a or an to refer to someone or something as a typical member of a group, class, or type.
Some parents believe a boy must learn to stand up and fight like a man.
有些父母認為男孩子必須學會像男子漢一樣頂天立地,勇於抗爭。
...the operation a patient has had.
病人做過的手術
You use a or an in front of the names of days, months, or festivals when you are referring to one particular instance of that day, month, or festival.
The interview took place on a Friday afternoon...
採訪是在一個星期五的下午進行的。
It was a Christmas when shoppers passed by expensive silks in favor of more practical gifts.
這是一個購物者不理會昂貴的絲綢衣服而熱衷於更實用禮物的聖誕節。
You use a or an when you are saying what someone is or what job they have.
I explained that I was an artist...
我解釋說自己是個藝術家。
He was now a teacher and a respectable member of the community.
他現在是一位教師,並且是社羣內受人尊敬的一員。
You use a or an in front of the names of people as a way of indicating that you do not know them or anything about them and you are saying their name for the first time.
The full address on a stick-on label was that of a Mrs P. R. Slater of Peterborough...
不乾膠標籤上的完整地址寫的是彼得伯勒的一位P. R. 斯萊特太太。
A Dr Matthew Owens was reported missing while on an expedition to north-eastern Turkey.
據報道,一位叫馬修·歐文斯的博士在前往土耳其東北部考察的途中失蹤了。
You use a or an in front of the names of people when you want to refer to someone else who has the same qualities or character as the person named.
When I listen to her play I can hear a new Nigel Kennedy.
從她的演奏中我聽出了新一代的奈傑爾·肯尼迪。
You use a or an in front of a surname when you want to refer to someone who belongs to the family with that surname.
As far as I can recall, Patti was a Smith.
我記得帕蒂是姓史密斯的。
You use a or an in front of the names of artists to refer to one individual painting or sculpture created by them.
Most people have very little difficulty in seeing why a Van Gogh is a work of genius.
多數人不難理解為什麼凡·高的作品是天才之作。
You use a or an instead of the number 'one', especially with words of measurement such as 'hundred', 'hour', and 'metre', and with fractions such as 'half', 'quarter', and 'third'.
...more than a thousand acres of land.
1,000多英畝地
...a quarter of an hour...
一刻鐘
You use a or an in expressions such as eight hours a day to express a rate or ratio.
Prices start at £13.95 a metre for printed cotton...
印花棉布以每米13.95英鎊的價格起售。
The helicopter can zip along at about 150 kilometres an hour.
該直升機能以每小時150公里左右的速度疾進。
1. the blood group whose red cells carry the A antigen
2. a metric unit of length equal to one ten billionth of a meter (or 0.0001 micron); used to specify wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation
3. any of several fat-soluble vitamins essential for normal vision; prevents night blindness or inflammation or dryness of the eyes
4. one of the four nucleotides used in building DNA; all four nucleotides have a common phosphate group and a sugar (ribose)
5. (biochemistry) purine base found in DNA and RNA; pairs with thymine in DNA and with uracil in RNA
6. the basic unit of electric current adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites;
7. the 1st letter of the Roman alphabet
He brought me a large package.
他給我送來一個大包裹.
He missed the first prize by a whisker.
他和頭獎擦肩而過.
We insist upon a definite answer.
我們一定要得到一個肯定的答覆.
We often read in novels how a seemingly respectable person or family has some terrible secret which has been concealed from strangers for years.
表面上道貌岸然的人或有聲望的家庭,卻有著駭人聽聞,多年不讓人知道的秘密,這樣的事情我們經常在小說裡讀到.
In a pinch, you could get home on foot.
在萬不得已時, 你可以步行回家.