office
Meaning: A place of business; a position of authority or responsibility
'Office' refers to a room or building where administrative work is done, or a position of authority ('hold office', 'run for office'). British English uses 'surgery' for a doctor's office. 'Office hours' are set working times. The 'Home Office' and 'Foreign Office' are UK government departments.
Examples
- I'll be at the office until six. 我会在办公室待到六点。Estaré en la oficina hasta las seis.6時までオフィスにいます。6시까지 사무실에 있겠습니다.
- She ran for office and won. 她竞选公职并获胜了。Ella se presentó a las elecciones y ganó.彼女は選挙に出馬して当選しました。그녀는 선거에 출마하여 당선되었습니다.
- Please make an appointment during office hours. 请在办公时间内预约。Por favor, pida cita durante el horario de oficina.営業時間内にご予約ください。업무 시간 중에 예약해 주세요.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: general
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Latin 'officium' meaning 'duty, service, function' (opus 'work' + facere 'to do'). Originally referred to a position of duty or service, not a physical room. The sense of a place where work is done developed in medieval English from the rooms where officials carried out their duties.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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