lock

Vocabulary Word BritishAmerican ★★★★☆ Common Neutral
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Meaning: A device for securing doors, containers, or vehicles; to fasten with a lock

锁;锁上
cerradura; cerrar con llave
錠、ロック;鍵をかける
자물쇠, 잠금장치; 잠그다

As a noun, a lock is a mechanical or electronic device that prevents opening without a key, code, or other mechanism. As a verb, it means to fasten or secure something using such a device. The word extends to figurative uses, such as being 'locked in' to a decision or having information 'locked away'.

作为名词,锁是一种机械或电子装置,没有钥匙、密码或其他机制就无法打开。作为动词,意思是用这种装置固定或锁住某物。这个词也有比喻用法,如被'锁定'在某个决定中或将信息'锁起来'。
Como sustantivo, una cerradura es un dispositivo mecánico o electrónico que impide la apertura sin llave, código u otro mecanismo. Como verbo, significa asegurar algo usando dicho dispositivo. La palabra se extiende a usos figurados, como estar «bloqueado» en una decisión o tener información «guardada bajo llave».
名詞として、ロックは鍵、暗証番号、またはその他のメカニズムなしでは開けられない機械的または電子的な装置です。動詞として、そのような装置を使って何かを固定または施錠することを意味します。「決定にロックされている」や情報を「鍵をかけて保管する」など比喩的な用法にも広がります。
명사로서 lock은 열쇠, 비밀번호 또는 기타 장치 없이는 열 수 없게 하는 기계식 또는 전자식 장치입니다. 동사로는 그러한 장치를 사용하여 무언가를 잠그거나 고정하는 것을 의미합니다. '결정에 묶이다(locked in)'나 '정보를 감추다(locked away)' 같은 비유적 표현으로도 쓰입니다.

Examples

  1. Don't forget to lock the front door before you leave.
    出门前别忘了锁上前门。
    No olvides cerrar la puerta principal con llave antes de salir.
    出かける前に玄関のドアに鍵をかけるのを忘れないで。
    나가기 전에 현관문을 잠그는 것을 잊지 마세요.
  2. She kept her diary in a box with a small brass lock.
    她把日记放在一个带小铜锁的盒子里。
    Guardaba su diario en una caja con un pequeño candado de latón.
    彼女は小さな真鍮の錠前がついた箱に日記をしまっていた。
    그녀는 작은 놋쇠 자물쇠가 달린 상자에 일기를 보관했습니다.
  3. The ice caused the steering wheel to lock in position.
    冰冻导致方向盘锁住了。
    El hielo hizo que el volante se bloqueara.
    氷でハンドルがロックされてしまった。
    얼음 때문에 핸들이 그 자리에서 잠겨 버렸습니다.

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Context: general

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old English 'loc' meaning 'a bolt' or 'a fastening', of Germanic origin, related to Old Norse 'lok' (a lid, cover) and German 'Loch' (hole). From a Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'to bend'.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Story & Trivia

The word 'lock' comes from Old English 'loc' meaning a fastening or barrier. Locks have been used since ancient Egypt, with the first known lock dating back 4,000 years. The pin tumbler mechanism, still common today, was invented by Linus Yale Sr. in the 1840s.

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