sub‧ject 1 S2 W1 / sʌbdʒɪkt / 名词 [可数名词]
1 thing talked about the thing you are talking about or considering in a conversation, discussion, book, film etc :
Paul has strong opinions on most subjects.
The subjects covered in this chapter are exercise and nutrition.
subject of
Truffaut’s childhood memories were the subject of his first film.
While we’re on the subject of money, do you have the $10 you owe me? ► Do not say ‘the subject is about … ’: The subject of the poem is war. | The poem is about war. → subject matter
2 at school an area of knowledge that you study at a school or university :
My favorite subject is math.
3 in art the thing or person that you show when you paint a picture, take a photograph etc :
Monet loved to use gardens as his subjects.
4 in a test a person or animal that is used in a test or experiment :
The subjects of this experiment were all men aged 18–35.
5 grammar a 名词 , 名词 短语 , or 代词 that usually comes before a main 动词 and represents the person or thing that performs the action of the 动词 , or about which something is stated, for example ‘she’ in ‘She hit John’ or ‘elephants’ in ‘Elephants are big’ → object 1 ( 6 )
6 citizen formal someone who was born in a country that has a king or queen, or someone who has a right to live there :
a British subject
→ citizen ( 2 ) , national 2
COLLOCATIONS
动词
discuss/talk about a subject Have you discussed the subject with your husband?
change the subject (= start talking about something different ) She tried to change the subject.
mention a subject The subject was not mentioned again.
deal with/cover a subject (= speak or write about it ) The subject is dealt with in great detail in his previous book.
touch on a subject (= say or write a little about it ) In his speech, he touched on the subject of death.
bring up/raise a subject (= deliberately start talking about it ) You brought the subject up, not me.
get onto a subject (= happen to start talking about it ) We somehow got onto the subject of detective stories.
broach a subject (= start talking about a sensitive subject ) She hesitated, wondering exactly how to broach the subject of their sleeping arrangements.
get back to a subject Somehow I just knew in the end we would get back to the subject of money.
drop a subject (= stop talking about it ) To her relief, Julius dropped the subject.
avoid/keep off/stay off a subject (= not talk about it ) I knew he was trying to avoid the subject of drugs. | She hoped that Anna would keep off the subject of Luke for the next few hours.
get somebody off a subject (= make them talk about something else ) It was difficult to get him off the subject of cars.
a subject comes up (= people start talking about it ) The subject of payment never came up.
形容词
an interesting/fascinating subject Fame is a fascinating subject.
a difficult/complex subject (= very complicated ) Immigration is a complex subject.
a controversial subject The content of the curriculum has become a controversial subject.
a sensitive/touchy subject (= one that people may get upset about ) Steer clear of complicated issues or sensitive subjects.
a delicate subject (= one that may be embarrassing ) She carefully avoided discussing the delicate subject of money.
a taboo subject (= one that it is not acceptable to mention ) For them, death was not a taboo subject.
短语
a subject of/for discussion TV is a favourite subject for discussion.
a subject of conversation She searched for a new subject of conversation.
a subject of/for debate (= a subject people discuss and disagree about ) The reason for the increased risk of cancer is still a subject of debate.
a subject of controversy (= a subject people disagree about strongly ) Nuclear power is still the subject of considerable controversy.
a subject area (= a group of related subjects ) He has written a lot in this subject area.
THESAURUS
citizen someone who lives in a particular town, country, or state : In order to become a US citizen, you need to have a Permanent Resident card. | All British citizens have the right to live in the UK. | Good citizens understand that they have a responsibility to the community.
national a citizen of a country who is living in another country : She insisted that foreign nationals were safe in the country. | Russians nationals were ordered to leave. | Her husband is a French national.
resident someone who lives in a particular street or area : There have been complaints by local residents about the building work. | She was a resident of Chicago for many years.
native someone who was born in a particular country but moved to another country – used when describing a person or their life : Picasso was a native of Spain, although he spent much of his life in France.
subject someone who was born in a country that has a king or queen, and has a right to live there : Northern Ireland citizens are British subjects.
alien formal someone who is not a legal citizen of the country they are living or working in - used in official contexts : Employers cannot hire illegal aliens.