pray
/ˈpre/KK
/ˈpɹeɪ/IPA
變化形
prays
prayed
prayed
praying
1.
祈禱；禱告
向上帝或其他神祇說話，藉此請求幫助、表達感謝或敬意。
用法：常見句型為 pray、pray to＋祈禱對象、pray for＋人／事情，以及 pray that＋子句。pray for her 是「為她祈禱」，不是「向她祈禱」。
The class prayed for the families who lost their homes in the earthquake.
全班為在地震中失去家園的家庭祈禱。
My grandmother prays every morning before breakfast.
我祖母每天早餐前都會祈禱。
2.
祈求；盼望
強烈希望某件事發生或不要發生，通常帶有焦急、懇切的心情，有時不一定明確涉及宗教信仰。
用法：後面常接 that 子句；在口語中 that 可以省略，例如 We prayed the rain would stop。不要把 pray 直接當成一般的「希望」來使用；平常談願望多用 hope。
We prayed that the typhoon would go another way before the weekend.
我們祈求颱風在週末前改走另一條路。
I am praying that my sister gets home safely tonight.
我很希望我姊姊今晚能平安到家。
3.
懇請；拜託
以非常客氣或懇切的方式請人做某事。這個用法現在多見於正式、文學或刻意帶有老派語氣的表達。
用法：可接受詞與不定詞，例如 I pray you, listen。此結構不適合一般現代英語寫作或日常對話，除非刻意營造正式或古風語氣。
Pray tell, how did you find a quiet coffee shop near the station?
請問，你是怎麼找到車站附近那間安靜的咖啡店的？
I pray you, please think about the rules that keep you safe before you leave.
我懇求你，離開前請想想那些能保護你安全的規則。
常見錯誤
I pray God for my family.
I pray to God for my family.
Please pray me.
Please pray for me.
I hope you pray me good luck.
I hope you pray for my good luck.
I pray that he will passed the exam.
I pray that he will pass the exam.
相關字詞
學習提示
・pray for 的核心意思是「為……祈求」；例如 pray for peace 是「祈求和平」。
・若只是平常地表達願望，I hope it does not rain 通常比 I pray it does not rain 自然。
・餐前祈禱常說 say a prayer 或 pray before a meal。