reason I say it's tricky is because we're talking about specific words that are often

之所以會說複雜是因為，我們要談論的這些特定字彙是常常

interchangeable; that are often used in the same situations or same meanings. We're talking

可以互相替換使用的 ; 通常在相同情境下使用或是具有相同意義。我們要談論的

about "small" versus "little", "big" versus "large", "tall" versus "high". Some students

有『 small 』與 『 little 』，『 big 』和 『 large 』， 『 tall 』和 『 high 』的比較。某些學生

asked: what's the difference between them? I'll do my best to explain the difference

會問：這些字的差別在哪？我會盡力解釋這些字彼此間

between these words. First thing and the most important thing that

的不同。首先最重要的，

you need to remember about these words is that yes, they are synonyms -- means they

你需要記住這些字彼此是同義字，代表它們

have almost the same meaning. What makes the difference in how to use them is always going

幾乎具有相同的意思。文章的脈絡是主要造成這些字詞間在使用上產生差異的

to be context. Okay? A lot of the difference in how to use these words depends on the context

原因。好，依照它們所用於的文章脈絡使得這些字的使用上

they are being used in. Some expressions take this word or that word, and not the other,

有著非常多的差異。

for example. In some situations, the meaning is very different depending on which word

舉例來說。在某些狀況，根據你所用的字的不同

you use. Okay? So we're going to start with "small" and "little".

意義就會相去甚遠。好，現在開始討論『 small 』和 『 little 』。

Okay? The main thing to remember and in most cases the biggest difference: when we talk

可以嗎？我們要記住的重點和多數例子中最大的差異：當我們說到

about "small", when we use "small", we talk about size, the size of something or its dimensions

『 small 』，當我們使用『 small 』這個字時，我們在形容大小，某物的大小或它的尺寸

-- dimensions are length, width, height, depth, etcetera -- or intensity. Okay? When we talk

尺寸是指長，寬，高，深度，等等 -- 或者是指強度。好嗎？當我們說到

about the intensity of something. So first of all, the thing to remember about this:

某物的強度。首先，要記住的是：

we're talking about physical size. When we describe something as "small", generally we

我們談論物理上的大小。當我們形容某物『 small 』，一般我們是

mean physically small, something physical is small. But again, sometimes we can use

指它物理上的形態是小的，某些物理量是小的。而，有時候我們可以使用

"little" to talk about the physical size of something.

『 little 』來描述某些物體的物理大小。

So for example: somebody has small hands or somebody has little hands. The nuance is a

舉例：某人有雙 small hands，或某人有 little hands。細微的差異在

little bit different, and this is what you have to be careful about, nuance. If somebody

這裡，且這是你需要注意的地方，小差異。若某人

has small hands, it means generally physical small but if somebody has little hands, it

有雙 small hands，代表物理上的小，如果說某人有 little hands，

has more of the idea that he or she can do less with their hands. True, not true - I

意涵是指他或她用雙手完成的是不需要太多。真，或假 - 我

don't know; I'll leave that up to you. But just remember there's a slight nuance in difference.

不知道 ; 由你判斷。但要記住這裡有細微的差異。

But, if you look at somebody, say: "Oh, he has such little hands." Or if you say: "Oh,

但，如果你看著某人說：『 喔，他有雙好小的手 』或若你說：『 喔，

that person has such small hands." Most people will get the same idea. But again, context

那個人有雙好小的手 』。大多數的人會知道你的意思。但，文章脈絡

might tell you it's a little bit different. Okay. When I talk about intensity, again,

會告訴你其中的不同。好，當談到強度，

usually something physical like somebody has a small voice. If somebody has a small voice,

通常是說某物的物理特性像是某人的聲音很小。若某人有 small voice，

sometimes it's a little bit hard to hear them. Did you hear that? Did you hear my small voice

有時是有點難聽清楚他們說的話。你有聽見嗎？你現在有聽到我的微弱聲音

or do you hear my big voice now? But we'll get to that after.

或聽見我的洪亮的聲音嗎？這我們會在之後討論。

Usually, we use "little" with uncountables; money, time. "I have a little money." Not

通常，我們使用『 little 』來形容不可數名詞 ; 如錢，時間。『 我錢很 little。』不是說

"small money". Small money means like in Canada, we have a dime, 10 cents, it's a very small

『 small money 』。Small money 是指像在加拿大，我們有使用十分錢的幣值。十分小的

coin but that's not what we're talking about. "A little money", when we're talking about quantity.

硬幣幣值但這不是我們談論的重點。

So usually when you talk about uncountables -- things you can't count and you're not talking

所以通常你使用不可數名詞 -- 事物們你無法計數以及無法

about physical size because it's not something physical, physical things you can count -- uncountables,

計算物理大小由於它並非實體物，你可以計數的實體物 -- 不可數名詞

not physical things, you usually use "small". If we talk about someone's stature... Now,

非實際物體，你通常用『 small 』來形容它。若我們談論某人的身材...現在，

what does "stature" mean? It means more or less like how people view this person or this

什麼是『 stature 』? 指的是別人怎麼看這個人或這個東西。

thing. So look at the example. For example: if I say "A small man" versus "A little man".

看個例子。舉例：若我說：『 一個 small man 』和 『 一個 little man 』。

A small man means usually physically small; maybe short, maybe skinny, whatever. A little

一個 small man 通常只身形實際上小 ; 可能是矮小或瘦小。

man is something... we don't care about this person. Right? He's small, I can step on him

一個 little man 是某個...我們不怎麼在乎的人，可以？他很小，我可以把他踩在腳底下

because he's not... doesn't have stature. A big man has a bit more stature. A large

因為他不是...他身材並不巨大。一個 big man 是擁有壯碩身材的人。一個 large man

man is a large man, but we'll get to that in a second.

就是很指身形巨大的人，我們待會就會談到。

When we talk about adjective of degree. When we want... we use "little" almost like an

當我們談論程度的形容詞時。我們幾乎把『 little 』當做

adverb. So: "I'm a little tired." Not small tired, a little tired. Or if you say... and

副詞來用。所以：『 我有點累了 』就不能用 small 而用 little。或你若說...

that means just a little bit. Right? Not a great amount. But if I say: "I'm a little irritated."

就只有一點點的意思，到這可以嗎？數量上不是很多。但我若說：『 我有點被激怒 』。

I'm a little irritated means like ugh, you know, somebody made me irritated.

我有點被激怒就是，你知道的，某人讓我不是很開心。

Again, context will usually tell you that "little irritated" means very irritated.

同樣，文章脈絡通常會告訴你『 little irritated 』就是 『 very irritated 』的意思。

"Ugh, I'm a little irritated." Means I'm pissed off, to be honest, but we use "little" to

『 ㄜ，我有點不爽了 』。意思其實就是我很不爽，但我們用『 一點 』來

make it softer. Okay? But, and another thing, again this usually

讓它聽起來較婉轉，可以嗎？還有一件事，再說一次，這

comes back to countables or uncountables. When we're talking about countables and we

通常用在可數或不可數名詞之後。當我們說到可數時我們會想要

want to talk about the quantity, like how much we have, we say: "We have a small amount

談論數量，就像我們有多少，我們會說：『 我們有一點點的什麼

of something" or "We have a small number of somethings." Again, you usually use amount

東西 』或者 『 我們有少量的某物 』。 一樣，你通常用 amount 形容

with uncountables, you'll use number with countables. But for both, you can use: "A

不可數，用 number 來接在可數名詞前。但這個例子中，兩者都可使用，你可說：『 A

small amount", "A small number of". But you would say "a little" with the uncountables.

small amount 』，『 A small number of 』。但你也可以用 『 a little 』

"I have a little time.", "I have a small amount of time to give you.", "I have a small number

『 我有一點時間 』，『 我有一點點的時間可以給你 』，『 我有一些朋友 』

of friends." But here you won't use "little", you will use "few" for the countables. "I

這邊你不能用 『 little 』，你要用『 few 』來形容可數名詞。『我

have a few friends." Okay? So again, if you mix the two "small" or "little",

有些朋友。』可以嗎？所以再次，如果你把『 small 』和『 little 』搞混

most people will understand the same thing that you want them to understand. But if you

大多數人會聽的懂你想要講什麼。但你若是

want the detailed differences, this is basically it. There are other small various degrees

要知道細節上的差異，這是基本上的用法差異所在。有者其他不同程度的小

of difference; very, very nuanced. But again, context will usually make that clear --which

小差異 ; 非常、非常微小。但，文章脈絡通常能幫助你清楚了解 -- 告訴你

one you should use or which one, or why the one that is being used is being used. Okay?

什麼字該用，什麼不該，或為什麼這裡要用這個字，可以嗎？

It's not as clear when we talk about "big" and "large". Let's look at that now.

對於『 big 』和『 large 』還有點不清楚，我們現在來探討。

Okay, so now we're going to look at "big" and "large". This is a little bit more complicated

好，我們現在來看『 big 』和『 large 』。這裡開始有點複雜了

because "big" and "large" are almost the same... Have almost the same meaning. There're not

因為『 big 』和『 large 』意思幾乎是一模一樣...意義幾乎完全相同。

many situations where you can't interchange them. Okay? Some people think that "large"

兩者在很少的狀況下你不能相互替換使用，了解嗎？有些人覺得『 large 』

is a little bit more formal than "big" but not necessarily. "Big" and "large" can both

比『 big 』稍微正式一點，但不盡然。『 big 』和 『 large 』都可用以

be used to talk about size and dimensions; we mentioned dimensions before. But again,

形容尺寸和大小 ; 之前有提過尺寸了。再次強調

it's all about context. Okay? Then again, the nuances that come from the context will

全都要看上下文的脈絡而定。明白嗎？好，上下文脈絡的細微差異

tell you which one you should or shouldn't use.

會告訴你什麼字該用，什麼不該用。

So for example: if you talk about "the big boss", the big boss is basically like the

舉例：若你談論『 大老闆 』，基本上就是在說

CEO. Right? He's the president, the top guy. He's going to be the big boss, he's at the

總裁。對吧？他是公司總經理，最高領導階級。他即將成為大老闆，他位在最

top, he's the most. If you say: "The large boss", sounds a little bit strange if what

高位，居最要職。若你說：『 the large boss 』，聽起來有一點點怪，因為你

you mean is CEO or president. If you say: "The large boss", I'm thinking the fat one.

在形容的是總裁或總經理的職銜不是指實體大小。若你說：『 the large boss 』，我會以為是他很胖

Okay? There're two or three bosses; there's the CEO, there's a president, there's a COO,

明白了嗎？這有兩個或三個老闆 ; 他是總裁，他是總經理，而他是營運長，

etcetera. You're talking about the "large boss" -- I'm thinking about the big burly

以此類推。你說『 large boss 』的話 -- 我會往這個人很壯碩

guy. Okay? So I wouldn't really say "big boss" if I mean heavy guy. I wouldn't say "large

方面去想。了解？我不會真的說『 big boss 』去形容那個人很胖。或者是『 large boss 』

boss" if I mean top guy. Now, let's look at this one. You're talking

去形容他位高權重。好，我們來看下一個，你形容你的兄弟

about your brother. "My big brother" -- what does that mean? Generally, it means older,

『 我的哥哥 』-- 意思是？一般來說，你只他比你年長，

my older brother, my big brother. Okay? And if you talk about your younger brother, "my

我的哥哥，我的 big brother。明白？你若要說他是你弟弟，『 my little brother 』

little brother". He's not physically small, he's younger. Okay? So it's the same idea.

就是指他比較年輕，而不是身材上較小。了解？這兩是一樣的概念。

If you say: "my large brother", again, you're talking about a big boy, bigger than you anyway

若你說：『 my large brother 』，同樣的，你在談論的是一個體型大比你的男孩，

-- that's why you think he's large. And again, here we go about with amount or

-- 這也是你用 large 形容他的原因。而當我們談論數量多寡或

number describing a quantity. I would say: "A large number of people came to the party.",

用數字來描述數量，我會說：『 有很多的人參加派對 』，

"A large number of stars are in the sky." Whatever, it's not a good example but it's

『 有很多星星在天上 』都會用 large 來形容。這個例子雖然不是很好

an example. I wouldn't say: "A big number" -- it just sounds a little bit strange. It's

但總是個例子。我不會說：『 a big number 』-- 聽起來就有點怪怪的。

not very common to say: "a big number". Again, not wrong. If you say: "A big number of people

我們不常說：『 a big number 』。雖然是沒有錯誤啦。若你說：『 a big number of people

came", everybody will understand. It's fine, but not commonly heard. But if you talk about

會來 』，大家都聽的懂。是沒關係，但不常聽到人這樣說。但若你用 amount

amount, again, more common: "a large amount of whatever", "a large amount of money was

就很常見：『 a large amount of whatever 』，『 花了 a large amount of money 』

spent." But you could say: "a big amount". Most people prefer to say "large"; it just

但你可以說：『 a big amount 』。大多數人偏好用『 large 』; 聽起來

sounds a little bit better for whatever reason. Now, again, here you go: context. "Large business"

就是沒來由的比較順耳。現在，沒錯，文章脈絡。『 large business 』

versus "big business". Okay? "Big business". So you're talking about a big company or a big

對上『 big business 』。可以嗎？說『 big business 』的話，你在談論大公司或者

industry. Okay? "Large business" means you do, it does a lot of traffic, a lot of trading,

龐大的產業，明白？而『 large business 』表示你交易量很大，貨物運送量很大

a lot of sales and incoming/outgoing revenues, etcetera. So I can't tell you exactly there's

，有很多的銷售和輸入或輸出的營收、獲利，等等。我不能確切的告訴你

a difference between "big" and "large", it's about context: which one sounds better? Okay?

『 big 』和『 large 』的差異，完全看上下文章脈絡而定：哪個聽起來比較正確、順耳？明白？

You could say: "a big house", you could say: "a large house", they will mean exactly the

你可以說：『 a big house 』也可以說『 a large house 』，意義完全相同。

same thing. So basically, be careful about the context. If it doesn't feel right, change

所以基本上，要注意上下文脈絡。如果感覺不對，換個

it to the other one but don't worry about using one or the other. And if you're doing

字試試看，不用太過在意用了哪一個字。且你若

a test like TOEFL or IELTS, "big" and "large" in the essay will get you the same points.

參加托福或雅思考試，使用『 big 』或『 large 』在你的小論文中分數會是相同無異的。

"Large" is not a fancy word, it's just another way of saying "big". Okay? So the best I can

『 large 』並不是艱澀的字，就是『 big 』的另一個說法，了解？所以這兩個字

do for you with these two. "Small" and "little", they have some variations, "big" and "large",

我能說的最多就這樣了。『 small 』和『 little 』，有些差異，『 big 』和『 large 』，

not so much. Now, let's take a look at "tall" and "high".

則沒差多少。現在，我們來看看『 tall 』和『 high 』。

Okay, so let's look at our last one here: "tall" and "high". This one should be a little

好的，我們來看最後一組：『 tall 』和『 high 』。這組就比較

bit more straightforward. Okay? When we talk about tall things, generally it's, generally

直觀一點，可以嗎？當我們談論某物很高，就是在說，通常

it's always about physical things. Not always, there are certain exceptions but mostly it's

是說物理上實際的物品。但不全然，有些特定的例外存在，但大多數

about physical things. And if you want to remember, think about things that are standing.

就是說實際的物品。如果你想輕鬆記起來，有個小撇步，想想站立的事物

Okay? So a person, like for example myself, I am standing here and I am this tall.

明白嗎？一個人，拿我來說，我站在這邊兒我很高。

If somebody this tall is next to me, then I am tall. If somebody is here, then I am short.

如果某人站在我身旁，高度是這樣，那我就是高。若某人高度在這，那我就是矮。

But it doesn't matter, by talking about a person and then we're talking about tall or

這不重要，談論一個人時，不管我們在討論高或不高。

not tall. We don't say: "A person is high." If you say: "A person is high", he's probably

我們不諱說：『 a person is high 』。若你這樣說，他可能

doing something very different than studying English.

是在做一些跟學英文差很多的事情。

Anyway, if we talk about "high", generally speaking, we talk about above average, above

總之，若我們談到『 high 』，一般而言，我們在談論平均，高於其他跟它一樣

others like it. Okay? So we're talking about high ground. Okay? So let's say you have,

的東西，明白嗎？比如說高地。了解？我們說你在這兒，

this is sea level, this is called high ground; it's above the other ground around it, above

這是海平面，而這就叫做高地 ; 比周圍的地區還要高，

sea level generally speaking. We also use "high" to talk about ideas, things that are

一般而言就高於海平面。我們也會用『 high 』來形容概念、點子，概念化的事物。

ideas; they're not real, they're not physical. High cost, the high cost of living, a high

他們並不是真實存在形體。高花費，很高的生活開銷，一個很高的價格。

price. We would never say "tall" about these things because there's nothing to compare

我們絕不會用『 tall 』去描述上述那些概念，因為並沒有其他可以比較的

them to. They're just an idea and they're high. Okay?

就只是概念上的高，明白嗎？

Position, for example: an official in government, he's a high official means he has a very high

位置，舉例來說：一個政府官員，他是高層，就是說他的位階很高。

rank. Or we talk about high culture, people who go to the opera and drink champagne and

或我們談論高級文化圈，會去看歌劇或喝香檳

drive in limousines, they live in a slightly higher lifestyle, higher culture, etc.

或開禮車的人們，他們生活在較高消費、水準的生活型態或文化當中，等等。

Something when you're reaching for a peak. So for example: travelling -- the reason you

某事當你達到頂端，舉例而言：旅行 -- 你不想要在

don't want to travel in summer is because it's high season; prices are very high then.

夏天旅行的原因在於夏天是旅遊的高峰季節 ; 那時價格會非常高。

We don't use "tall" for any of these things. Okay?

我們不用『 tall 』來描述上述這些事物。明白嗎？

But, in some situations you can use either one. If you describe something or someone...

但，在某些情況下你可以選擇用兩者其中之一。若你要描述某事或某人...

He, let's say for example: "He is 6 feet high." It sounds a little strange. You would say:

他，舉例來說：『 他六呎高 』。用『 high 』聽起來怪怪的。你會說：

"He is 6 feet tall." But if you're talking about like a wall or a door, "The door is

『 He is 6 feet tall 』。但你若談論一到牆或一扇門，『 這扇門

6 feet high, six feet tall", both are okay. Okay?

6 feet high, six feet tall 』，都可以，了解嗎？

Now, sometimes people mix these up. If we're talking about a building, some people say:

好，有些人會搞混。若我們說的是建築物，也些人說：

"It's a very tall building." Like: the World Trade Center is a very tall building. Some

『那是棟 tall building 』像是：世貿中心是棟非常 tall 的建築物。

people say: "It's a very high building." Again, depends which one you want to use. I, personally,

有人會說：『 那是棟 high 建物 』。但還是一樣，根據你想要怎麼用。我個人

would use "tall building" because a building is standing, somebody built it, it is standing.

會用『 tall 』，因為建物是站立的，某些人建造的，它是佇立的。

If you're talking about a mountain, I would say: "It's a high mountain." You could say:

如果談論山，我會用『 high 』。你可以說：

"It's a tall mountain." But a mountain isn't standing, a mountain is sitting; it's been

『 tall 』mountain。但山並非站立的，山是坐落在那的 ; 它就永遠

there forever, it's sitting there. Nobody put it there, it's not moving so I consider

在那，就坐落在那。沒人把它放在那，它是不會移動的，所以我視其

it sitting and therefore it's high. It's higher than the ground or the other mountains around

為坐落，故我用 high 形容。它比周圍的地區高或者其他環繞在它周圍的山要高。

it. Okay? Again, context. Don't forget that. It's always

明白嗎？老話一句，文章脈絡。別忘了，這是

about context. Although the distinctions here are a little bit more clear. "Big" and "large",

準則。儘管這裡釐清了許多用法差異。但『 big 』 和 『 large 』

not so much; "small" and "little", yes and no; "tall" and "high", more clear cut. Okay?

界線則依然有些模糊 ; 『 small 』和『 little 』，或多或少 ; 『 tall 』和『 high 』，涇渭分明，明白？

But again, if you need more practice go to www.engvid.com. There's a quiz there you can

若想要做更多練習請上www.engvid.com，有很多小測驗供你

try out. Also, don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel, and come back again and

自我評量。也別忘了訂閱我的 YouTube 頻道，且再和我們一起

take some more lessons with us. Thank you.

多上幾堂課喔。謝謝你。