I'm going to tell you something that you can't actually learn. Well, you can learn it, there's

我要告訴你們一些你其實沒辦法學的東西。恩，你可以學，只是這些東西

just no rules for it. I'm talking about specifically some prefixes.

沒有一定的規則。我要講的是某些特定的前綴詞

"Dis-", "un", "in/im-/il/ir-", "non-". Okay?

「Dis-」、「un-」、「in/im-/il/ir-」、「non-」

First of all, let's review a little bit. What is a prefix? A prefix is a little part of

首先，我們來複習一下。前綴詞是什麼？前綴詞是一個單字中

a word that comes before the main word; can come before an adjective, before an adverb,

主要單字前面的一小部分；它會在形容詞前面、副詞前面

before a noun, before a verb. Anything that comes before a word, especially before a root

名詞前面、動詞前面。任何在一個字前面的，尤其是在一個字跟前面的

of a word. We're going to look at an example of that very soon.

都是前綴詞。我們等等就會講到例子了

So, I was asked specifically to talk about these prefixes. All of them basically mean "not".

那麼，有人特地要求我講講這些前綴詞。基本上他們全部都代表「不」的意思

Okay? They negate the word they are added to. Now, generally speaking, you can

ok？這些前綴詞會讓原本的單字變成否定的意思。大體上，你可以

find specific little subtle differences between all of them. For example, "dis" means more

在它們之間發現一些細微的不同。例如，「dis」意思比較像是

like be apart of or away from, separate. "Un" means not or a reversal of something,

與某事物分開或是遠離、分離。「un」意思是不或者某事物的相反

or not having something, a lack of something, a deprivation. And same with these guys, not,

或者沒有某事物、缺乏某事物、一種遭到剝奪的感覺。這些也一樣，表示不

reverse, opposite. "Non" is the most simple one. "Non" basically means not. Okay?

顛倒、相反。「Non」是最簡單的一個。基本上「Non」 意思是不。ok？

But, the problem is that most of these can go with many words, but there's no real rule about

但是問題在於這些都可以跟很多單字搭配，而卻沒有實際的規則

which word takes which prefix. Okay? So, how do you learn which one to use in which situation?

決定哪個單字應該搭配哪個前綴詞。ok？所以你要怎麼學哪個前綴詞應該用在哪種情況呢？

Well, I'll tell you after we look at a few examples. Okay?

恩，等我們看完一些例子之後我再告訴你吧，ok？

So, again, all of these mean not. The only thing you have to worry about the most is

那麼，再說一次，這些詞全部都是否定的意思。你最需要擔心的唯一事情是

the actual word that is being connected to a prefix. Okay? Concentrate on the root or

冠上前綴詞的那個單字本身。ok？你的注意力必須集中在字根上

the word itself before you concentrate on which prefix to join to it.

或者這個單字本身，然後再來看應該要用哪個前綴詞。

Now, you will see that some words will take both prefixes, and be totally okay.

你會發現有些字可以搭配兩種前綴詞，而且完全沒問題

The problem is that their meanings are completely different. So, "to dislike", this is a verb,

問題是他們的意思完全不同。「to dislike」是動詞

"to dislike", it could also be a noun. "I have a strong dislike for certain vegetables", for example.

「to dislike」也可以當成名詞。例如「我特別討厭某些蔬菜。」

But "to dislike" means to not like. Now, if you say: "I don't like Pizza."

但是「to dislike」意思是討厭。如果你說：「我不喜歡披薩」

And you say: "I dislike Pizza." These are a little bit different. Right? "Don't like"

然後你說；「我討厭披薩」這是兩個不太一樣的說法，對吧？「Don't like」

or "not like" means you don't have a good feeling towards. But "dislike" means you actually

或者「not like」意思是你對某事物沒有好感。但是「dislike」意思是你真的

have a bad feeling towards. Right? So, this is a little bit more active. You're away from liking it.

對某事物有不好的感覺。對吧？所以這有點主動意味。你離喜歡它的程度很遠。

You're actually having a bad feeling for it. "Unlike" has absolutely no connection

你其實對它有不好的感覺。「Unlike」跟「dislike」完全沒有關聯

to "dislike". "Unlike" means not similar to. This is the preposition "like", "A" is like "B".

「unlike」意思是與某事物沒有共同點。這是介系詞「like」，A跟B很像

This is the verb "like", means to have a good feeling toward. So, concentrate on

這是動詞「like」，意思是對某事物有好感。所以要注意

the word you have. You have the verb, you have the preposition, and then decide which

單字本身。它可能是動詞也可能是介係詞，然後再決定

prefix you want to join to it.

你要用哪個前綴詞

So, here, I have a few examples of words that can take two prefixes and have different meanings.

這邊我有一些例子，這些字可以搭配兩個前綴詞來表示兩種不同的意思

So, for example: "discover" and "uncover" are two completely different verbs. "To discover"

例如「discover」跟「uncover」是兩個完全不同的動詞。「to discover」

means to find by accident. You're walking along the beach, and you discover the skull,

意思是意外發現。你走在沙灘上發現骷髏

the bone... Head bone of a dinosaur. You didn't look for it. You just found it. Okay?

骨頭···是一隻恐龍的頭骨。你並沒有在尋找它。你只是剛好找到它。ok？

You discovered it. So, it was hidden by nature, by time, and then you took away the cover

你發現它了。所以，它被大自然與時間藏了起來，你拿開蓋住它的東西

and there it is, the skull. "Uncover", on the other hand, means you were looking for

然後就發現它了，這具骷髏。但是「uncover」意思是你一直在找

something and you found it.

某事物然後找到了

So, you're a... I'm a reporter. I work for a major newspaper, and I think that this particular

假設你是···我是個記者。我在一家大報社工作，我認為某位

politician is corrupt; he's lying to the people, he's stealing their money. So, I investigate.

政治人物貪汙，他對人民說謊，他在偷人民的錢。所以我開始調查

And after my investigation, I uncover certain facts that will help the police put him in

經過我的調查之後，我發現可以置他於獄中的某些證據

jail. Not, not, not covered, not covered, means not hidden, but this one by accident,

不、不、沒有蓋住、沒有蓋住，都表示沒有隱藏，但這一個是意外得到

time, nature hit it, I, by accident discovered it; "uncover" means I looked for, I found.

時間或自然把某事物藏起來，我意外發現它；而「uncover」意思是我一直在尋找後找到

This one, or these two, I should say: "disinterested" and "uninterested". These are always mixed

這一個，或這兩個，我要說：「disinterested」跟「uninterested」。它們常常被搞混

up. You cannot use these two interchangeably; you have to use one or the other. I'll start

這兩個字不可互換使用，你只能用其中一個。我先從

with "uninterested". ''Uninterested'' means indifferent, don't care. It's boring. I'm uninterested.

「uninterested」開始說。「uninterested」意思是不感興趣、不在乎。這很無聊，我不感興趣

I don't want to know. Leave me alone. "Disinterested" means impartial, means you're not... You don't

我不想知道。不要告訴我。「disinterested」意思是公平的，意思是你沒有···

have a reason to take one side or the other. Okay? So, again, I'm the reporter. I have

你沒有理由選邊站。ok？所以再舉一次例子，假設我是個記者。我不會

nothing to gain or lose by finding out information about this politician. I am a disinterested

因為發現這位政治人物的事情而得到或失去什麼。我居於中立

party. I am objective. Okay? I am not involved in the situation. I'm just reporting the facts.

位子。我是客觀的。ok？我沒有涉入其中。我只是在報導事實

Here, I don't care; here, I'm not part of the situation.

這個，我不在乎；這個，我不在其中

Now, you also think: "Well, these two are kind of weird. There are two different words here."

你可能會想：「恩，這兩個字看起來很奇怪。它們是不同的字。」

Right? But you have a "discomfort", you are "uncomfortable". That's a little strange.

對吧？但是，你感到「不適」，你「不舒服」。這有點奇怪

This is a noun, this is an adjective. You go to the doctor, you complain of a discomfort in your side.

這是個名詞，這是個形容詞。你去看醫生時會跟醫生說身體內部不適的症狀

But if you sit and somebody left a pen on your chair, oh, a little uncomfortable.

但如果你坐在有人放了一枝筆的椅子上，噢，有點不舒服

You're not... You know, you want to get up and see what's going on there. A discomfort

你不是···就是你想要起來然後看椅子為什麼坐起來不舒服。「discomfort」

is like a real thing, probably inside. Uncomfortable, you can fix somehow.

是真實的東西，可能是內部的。而「Uncomfortable」則是你可以處理修復的

"Disable", okay? We're going to look at the verb, "disable". Means make not able. Take

「disable」，ok？我們看一下這個動詞「disable」。意思是讓某人或物沒有能力做某是。

away the ability of something. So, you have a machine running. You think: "Oh, it's a

去除他或牠做某事的能力。 假設你有台運作中的機器。你想：「好，這

little bit dangerous." You don't want anybody to use it, so you disable it. You disconnect

有點危險」你不希望有人因為用了它而受傷，所以你關掉它。你切斷

the fuse. Now, nobody can come and use this machine. It has been disabled. We say about

電源。現在沒有人可以用這台機器了。它已經不能用了。如果我們說

a person if he or she is disabled, usually they're in a wheelchair, they had an accident

一個人disabled，通常指的是需要坐輪椅的人，他們有過意外

or they were born with a problem. They are not able. "Unable" means can't. I am unable

或他們天生有生理上的問題。他們沒有某種能力。「Unable」意思是不能。我不能

to help you because I just don't know. Okay? "Unable", "disable".

幫你因為我不知道。ok？「unable」、「disable」

We're going to come back to this bottom one, here. So, that's a few things. Oh, a couple

我們等下會再回到下面這組單字。這邊還有些單字要提一下。

more. "Disorganized", "unorganized". Usually, you would say about a person: "He or she is

「Disorganized」、「unorganized」通常你會用來形容人：「他或她

disorganized." He has things everywhere or she has things everywhere; it's a big mess.

有失條理。」意思是他東西亂放或她東西亂放；非常亂

But the office or the room of this person is unorganized. So, we talk about an organization,

但是說辦公室或某人的房間亂是用unorganized。假設我們在說一個組織

or a company, or an association, or a place that is unorganized. We talk about a person

或一家公司、或一個協會、或一個地方環境不整齊。但如果我們是在說一個人

being disorganized. I'm going to come back to these.

就是用disorganized。我等下會再回來講這組

So, now, we know, "dis", "un", depends on the word you're using. Same goes for these

那麼現在我們知道「dis」、「un」，看你是用哪個單字。同理可以了解這邊這幾個前綴詞

ones. Right? For example, "non", "non", there are not that many words. You have a "nonpayment".

對吧？例如「non」，「non」搭配的字不多。有「未付款（nonpayment）」

Okay? You bought something, it's non-refundable. Keep in mind sometimes you will have a hyphen,

Ok？你買了東西，這個東西不可退還（non-refundable）。記住，有時候會用分號連接

sometimes you will not. How do you know? Check the dictionary. Again, not really any rule

有時候不用。你怎麼知道要不要用？查字典就可以了。再說一次，這其實沒有規則可以記

here. Some dictionaries, like American dictionaries will put like a hyphen, British ones won't.

有些字典，像美式字典就會用分號，但英式字典就不會用

Depends what you need, that's what you'll use.

看你需要什麼，那就是你要用的字

"In", "im", same thing, especially with "il", "ir", they're all exact same. They also mean

「in」、「im」是一樣的，還有「il」、「ir」，它們都是一樣的意思。它們也代表

not, or opposite, or lack. We usually use "im" with words that begin with a "b", "m",

不，或相反的意思，或缺乏。我們通常會把「im」用在「b」、「m」

or a "p". Now, the thing about "in" or "im", you have to be careful about it. They don't

或「p」開頭的單字前。現在我們來看「in」、「im」，使用時要小心。它們不只

only mean not; they have other meanings. For example, it could mean to put something into,

代表部的意思；它們還有其他意思。例如，它可以表示把某物放入

or show direction towards the inside of something. Right?

或指出某個方向，指向某事物內部的方向。對吧？

So, for example, "immigrate" means migrate into a country. So, come... Or come into a

舉個例子，「immigrate」代表移民進入某國家。所以，他們來...或進入來到一個國家

country, I should say, sorry. "Migrate" move, "im", into. Move into a country. "Inflame",

抱歉我應該說「migrate」移入，就是「im」。移入一個國家。「Inflame」

so this is another use of the prefix "in". Means to cause, to be, or to make. Right?

這是前綴詞「in」的另一個用法。意思是導致、激怒。對吧？

So, you inflame, you make it... The flame, you make it more of a flame, you intensify it.

所以你點燃，你導致...火，你讓它更大了，你強化它

Sorry, intensify. So, there's a... Somebody's having a fight, you want to inflame it. You

抱歉，強化。所以，假設某人在吵架，你想要激怒他。

give them both reasons to fight more. You inflame the product, the situation. So, "in"

你給他們吵得更兇的理由。你火上加油。所以，「in」

and "im" not only mean "not", they also mean "toward" or "to cause". So, be careful.

跟「im」不只代表不的意思，它們還有「朝向」或「導致」的意思。所以，要注意這點

"Il" and "ir" we use with words that begin with "l" or "r". For example, "illogical",

我們會把「il」、「ir」用在以「l」或「r」開頭的單字前。例如「不合理的（illogical）」

"irrelevant". Going back to "im", "b", "m", "p". "Imbalanced", "immaterial", "impossible".

「不恰當的（irrelevant）」。回來看「im」，「b」、「m」、「p」。「不平衡的（Imbalanced）」、「不重要的（immaterial）」、「不可能的（impossible）」

I'm using adjectives. You're not limited to adjectives. There could be other things. For

我用的都是形容詞。你不用限制於形容詞。也有可能是其他詞性

example, "immigration" is a noun. "Immigrate" is a verb. I'm still using the "im". So be

例如「immigration」是名詞。「immigrate」是動詞。我還在舉「im」的例子

careful about these. And the "non", "nonpayment", "non-refundable".

所以要小心這些字。至於「non」，「未付款（nonpayment）」、不可退還（non-refundable）

Now, there is another situation. "Mis", I know this is not on my list, this is a different

現在我們來看另一個狀況。「mis」，我知道這個前綴詞不再我的列表上，它是個不同的

prefix. But many people think that "mis" means "not". It doesn't. "Mis" means wrongly, in

前綴詞。但是很多人以為「mis」意思是「不」。其實不是。「mis」意思是錯誤地

a wrong way. So, "inappropriate" means not appropriate, not proper, not correct. "Misapproriate",

不對的方法。所以「inappropriate」意思是不適當、不合適、不正確。而「Misappropriate」

"inappropriate", "misappropriate", this word and this word are two different words. This

「inappropriate」和「Misappropriate」這個字跟這個字是兩個不同的字

is an adjective, means correct or proper. "Appropriate" is a verb, means take. If you

這是個形容詞，意思是正確或合適。「appropriate」是個動詞，意思是挪用。如果你

misappropriate, you take something in a dishonest way, in a wrong way. Okay? So, be very careful

盜用（misappropriate），意思是你用不誠實的方式拿走某物，錯誤的方式。ok？所以務必要小心

about "mis". And make sure you understand which word you are using before you add your prefix.

在加上前綴詞之前要先確認你懂你要用的字

Now, we're getting to the gist of the lesson, we're getting to the main point. How do you

現在，我們要進入這堂課的要點了，我們要進入重點部分。你如何知道

know, and what if you don't know which prefix to use? So, for example, "unsecure", "insecure".

以及如果你不知道要用哪個前綴詞時怎麼辦？例如「unsecure」、「insecure」

"Insecure" generally, we talk about a person... A person's attitude toward him or herself.

通常「insecure」是用來形容人的...某人對待自己的態度

If someone is insecure, means they lack confidence; they're not confident. They don't have the

如果某人沒有信心（insecure）意思是他們缺乏自信；他們沒有自信。他們沒有

self-security. "Unsecure" means not safe. Now, if you're talking about a computer that

自我安全感。「unsecure」意思是不安全。如果一台電腦

doesn't have an anti-virus, it's unsecure. It doesn't have a firewall, it's unsecure.

沒有防毒軟體，那它就不安全。它沒有防火牆，它不安全

If you attach a picture to the wall... For example, this, this whiteboard is secured

如果你把一幅畫掛在牆上．．．例如這個白板在牆上

to the wall. If I take out the screws, it might fall over, it would be unsecure.

很安全。如果我拿掉釘子，它可能會掉下來，那它就不安全

But many people feel this word is uncomfortable, it just doesn't sound right, "unsecure". If

但很多人覺得這個字讓人不舒服，聽起來不對，「unsecure」

you're not sure, use the two words. Say: "Not secure". If this word, "unsecure" doesn't

如果你不確定，就用兩個字：「Not secure」。如果你覺得「unsecure」

feel correct, don't use it. Use "not secure". Tell me the meaning of this. Okay? Don't worry

不對就不要用。用「Not secure」就可以了。告訴我這個的意思。如果你不喜歡加上前綴詞

about the word itself if you don't like it.

不要擔心單字本身會有問題

Which, brings us, again, to the main point: how do you know? Well, you have to feel.

這讓我們再度回到主題：你怎麼知道要怎麼用？恩，靠語感

You have to feel the language, you have to feel which word sounds correct or not. Now, this

你必須感受這個語言，你必須感覺哪個字聽起來對或不對。

is especially important in writing. In spoken English, if you say: "Dispossible", people

這對寫作非常重要。口語上，如果你說：「Dispossible」，別人

will look at you a little bit strange, but they will understand what you're saying. In

會覺得你有點奇怪，但他們還是能理解你想說什麼。

writing, they will look at it and try to figure out what's going on; they'll get confused.

在寫作時，他們看到這個字會試著去弄清楚是什麼意思；他們會感到困惑

In writing, it's very important to use the right word, the correct word. You have to feel it.

寫作時，用正確的字非常重要。你必須用心感受

Now, how do you feel which word is correct and which word is not? Read. Read a lot, a

你要如何感覺哪個字是對的，哪個字不對呢？閱讀。要讀很多

lot, a lot, a lot. This is where you get to feel the language. For example, if you read

很多很多很多。這是你培養語感的方法。例如，如果你讀了

100 books by 100 different authors, all of them will use "imbalanced". Nobody will use

100本由100個不同作家寫的書，他們都會用「imbalanced」，沒有人用

"disbalanced". Some might use "unbalanced". Okay? So, you're free to use one or the other.

「disbalanced」，有時候可能會用「unbalanced」，ok？所以，你可以自由選擇兩個的其中一個

Okay? "Immaterial", everybody will use "immaterial" or "not material". "Immaterial", by the way,

ok？「Immaterial」，大家都會用「Immaterial」或是「not material」。順便說一下，「Immaterial」

means not important, not relevant. Same as "irrelevant", "immaterial", synonyms. Okay?

意思是不重要，沒有關係。「irrelevant」、「immaterial」是同義字。ok？

So, now, personally, I recommend reading novels. Why? Because the authors of novels, technically,

現在，我個人建議閱讀小說。為什麼？因為小說作家理論上

should have a very strong command of grammar. They spend a lot of time thinking about every

應該有很強的文法能力。他們花很多時間思考每個

word they use, and they have editors, who also check every word they use. So, novels

他們要用的字，而且他們有編輯可以幫他們校稿。所以，小說

get you... Really play with the language and really help you get this feel for the language.

可以...小說真的是種文字遊戲，而且真的能幫你培養語感

But until you get that feeling, until that time comes, use a dictionary. Like anything

但在你養成語感以前，只能好好運用字典。就像其他的東西一樣

else, if you're not sure, check. The dictionary says like this, use it like that. If you're

如果你不確定就查查看。字典說這樣用 ，你就這樣用。如果你

in the middle of the test and you can't think of... You don't have a dictionary, you have

在考試，你不能....你沒有字典可以用，但你必須

to write something, give it your best guess and hope for the best. But eventually, you

寫些東西，就猜一個你最有把握的字然後希望是對的吧。但最終，你

will know just by looking at it if it's right or wrong.

還是要查查看它是對的或錯的

Okay, if you go to www.engvid.com, I put a quiz there that will test your knowledge of

ok，如果你到www.engvid.com，我放了個小測驗來測測你

some of these words with their prefixes. A couple little surprise ones for you as well.

對今天講到的一些前綴詞認識多少。裡面當然還有一些給你們的小驚喜

Also, don't forget to subscribe to my channel on YouTube. And ask any questions you'd like,

還有，記得訂閱我在Youtube上的頻道。有任何問題都可以提出

and I'll get back to you as soon as I can. Thanks.

我會盡快回覆你們。謝囉。