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What’s it mean, in English, when native speakers use the word 「change」 by itself? Let’s take, for example, 「It’s time to change.」 Change what? We all know the meaning of change by now. It’s to make or become different (改變), or to replace or exchange (交換).
當英語母語者在單獨使用「change」的時候，到底是什麼意思呢？我們來看一個例子，「是時候要做出改變了。」 那麼到底要改變什麼呢？我們都知道「change」的意思。使事物變得不一樣，或者替代，交換的意思。
But in this simple phrase, 「You need to change,」 for example, it’s not very clear. I could mean to change my mind, change my seat, change my position, change my behavior, change my underwear, change money, change buses, change history, and so on.
但是，以「你需要做出改變」這個簡單地句子為例，表達的意思並沒有很明確。可以指改變主意，交換位置，改變姿勢，改變我的行為，把我的內褲換掉，兌換貨幣，換乘公交，改變歷史... 等等。
It’s the context that's important. Let’s give this sentence some context:
其實最終要的要看上下文。我們來給這個句子一些上下文吧：
Example:
Malloy: You don’t treat Ethel very well, Woodie. You need to change before she leaves you.
馬洛伊：伍迪，你對埃塞爾不是很好。在她離開你之前，你需要做出改變了。
Change what? Well, looking at context, he means the way Woodie treats Ethel – his behavior (obviously not change Ethel!). Sometimes the reason might not be so clear, and you will have to look deeper.
改變什麼？看看上下文，馬洛伊指的是伍迪對待埃塞爾的方式——他的行為（當然不是去改變埃塞爾！）有時候，原因可能不會很清晰，這時候你需要深入探究。比如：
Example:
Ethel:Can you remind me of the steps during the wedding ceremony again?
埃塞爾：你可以再重複一次婚禮的步驟嗎？
Denzel: For sure. Step 1 is walk down the aisle until you reach the groom. Step 2 is the preacher will announce you husband and wife. Step 3 is change for the wedding banquet.
丹澤爾：當然。第一步，走上紅毯，直到你到達新郎身邊。第二步，牧師會宣布你們結成合法夫妻。第三步，換衣服，移步到婚宴上。
What does 「change」 mean here? Native speakers and well-versed English students should know what it means right away. Do you?
這裡的「change」是什麼意思呢？英語母語者和精通英語的學生們，一看就知道是什麼意思。你看出來了嗎？
If you guessed it means 「to change clothes,」 換衣服, then you guessed right! We can see by the context that there are two events: a wedding and a banquet. Also, after 「change」 is the preposition 「for.」 This preposition usually indicates a reason.
如果你剛剛猜是「換衣服」的意思，那你猜對了！我們從上下文中可以得知，這裡有兩個事件：一個是婚禮，一個是婚宴。並且，「change」後面跟了介詞「for」。這個介詞通常後面跟原因。
In this example, the reason 「to change」 is a banquet. Logic should tell us 「change」 is referring to clothes, because it’s the only thing she can do between events… and … well… what else could it possibly mean? Change husbands??? Of course not, don’t be silly!
在這個例子中，之所以要「change」是因為婚宴。邏輯關係告訴我們，「change」與衣服相關，因為這是她在兩個事件中唯一能換的... 要不然還能是換什麼呢？難不成換老公嗎？？？肯定不可能，別傻了！
Fortunately, if you ever hear a single sentence or phrase, and the context doesn’t give you any clues, you can probably guess it will mean to change clothes. Here are some single examples (NOT a conversation):
幸運的是，如果你只聽到一個單一的句子或短語，然而上下文並沒有給你太多線索，你可以大膽地去猜是換衣服的意思。下面是一些單個的例子（並不是對話）：
I’m on the way; I just have to get changed first.
我準備出發了；我要先換衣服。
I』ll meet you after I change.
我換衣服之後就去找你。
She’s changing right now, can I have her call you back?
她正在換衣服，我可以等會讓她給你回電話嗎？
It’s a casual event, there’s no need to change.
那是個很普通的宴會，不需要換衣服。
I’m exhausted, as soon as I get home, I’m going to change and go to bed.
我累死了，一回到家，我就去換衣服睡覺。
OK, I』ve rambled on long enough. It’s getting late and I need to shower, change, and get some sleep. If you understand this article, you should know exactly what I mean. Have a goodnight!
好啦，我已經喋喋不休地說了很多了。天色已晚，我要去洗澡，換個衣服，睡覺去。如果你看懂了這篇文章，你肯定懂我說的是什麼意思。晚安！