1
a [measure noun] of bitumen
bitumen 通常是不可数名词，需要用 layer、coating 等名量短语来表示数量。
The workers applied a layer of bitumen to the roof.
工人们在屋顶上刷了一层沥青。
沥青
先理解核心含义，再看它在真实句子里的用法。
沥青
a naturally occurring impure mixture of hydrocarbons
The workers applied a layer of bitumen to the roof.
工人们在屋顶上刷了一层沥青。
一种粘稠、黑色、高粘度的液体或半固体石油,燃烧时发出明亮火焰；天然产物,广泛存在,如死海和里海沿岸；用于水泥和路面修筑；矿质沥青。
A sticky, black, highly viscous liquid or semi-solid form of petroleum, burning with a bright flame. It occurs as an abundant natural product in many places, as on the shores of the Dead and Caspian Seas. It is used in cements, in the construction of pavements, etc.; Mineral pitch.
天然不纯的碳氢化合物混合物
any of various naturally occurring impure mixtures of hydrocarbons
天然碳氢化合物的一种,包括硬质沥青、半固体软沥青和矿物焦油、油状石油乃至轻质挥发性石脑油。
Any one of the natural hydrocarbons, including the hard, solid, brittle varieties called asphalt, the semisolid maltha and mineral tars, the oily petrolea, and even the light, volatile naphthas.
The road crew spread hot bitumen over the gravel to create a smooth surface.
筑路工人将热沥青铺在碎石上，以形成光滑的路面。
After the rain, the smell of bitumen from the newly paved parking lot filled the air.
雨后，新铺停车场散发出的沥青气味弥漫在空气中。
Workers wear protective suits when handling liquid bitumen because it can cause burns.
工人在处理液态沥青时穿着防护服，因为沥青可能导致烫伤。
bitumen 通常是不可数名词，需要用 layer、coating 等名量短语来表示数量。
The workers applied a layer of bitumen to the roof.
工人们在屋顶上刷了一层沥青。
bitumen 可直接置于名词前作定语，构成复合名词。
Bitumen paint is widely used for waterproofing.
沥青涂料广泛用于防水。
在技术语境中，bitumen 可用复数 bitumens 指不同种类或等级的沥青。
Bitumens vary in hardness and melting point.
不同沥青的硬度和熔点各不相同。
Not this
We need bitumens to pave this road.
Use this
We need bitumen to pave this road.
bitumen 在泛指‘沥青’这种材料时是不可数名词，不能用复数；复数 bitumens 仅表示不同种类的沥青。这里的‘需要沥青’是泛称材料，因此应用单数 bitumen。
Not this
The sand was mixed by bitumen to make the road surface.
Use this
The sand was mixed with bitumen to make the road surface.
被动语态中，by 引出动作的执行者，with 引出所用的材料或工具。沙子不是被沥青混合，而是用沥青（材料）来混合，所以要用 mixed with bitumen。
Focus on the distinctions below. Other candidates are kept compact until a reliable usage note is available.
沥青乳化液
Workers sprayed bitumen emulsion on the gravel before laying the asphalt.
工人在铺沥青前，先在碎石上喷洒沥青乳化液。
沥青涂层
A bitumen coating keeps the steel pipes from corroding.
沥青涂层可防止钢管生锈。
沥青防水
Bitumen waterproofing protects the basement walls from dampness.
沥青防水能保护地下室墙壁不受潮。
油毛毡（沥青毡）
The garden shed roof was covered with a layer of bitumen felt.
花园棚的屋顶铺了一层油毛毡。
天然沥青
Natural bitumen can be found in surface deposits in some regions.
一些地区的表层矿藏中可以找到天然沥青。
沥青路面
New bitumen pavement made the highway much smoother.
新的沥青路面使高速公路平坦多了。
Use bitumen naturally, then get feedback on meaning, tone, grammar, and phrasing.
Revisit a common error or keep this word in your review list.
bitumen 谐音“必涂门”：门前修路必涂的黑色黏稠沥青，又黏又黑难清洗，记住 bitumen=沥青。
语域：formal 常见场景：道路工程、建筑材料、工业技术 bitumen 多用于工程、建筑和工业技术等正式语境，日常口语中较少出现；正式写作或技术资料里比较常见。
通常作不可数名词；表示不同种类或类型时可用复数 bitumens。
Dictionary facts from ECDICT, WIKTIONARY.