1
be deferential to sb
to 后接人；也可用 toward/towards。
She was always deferential to her teachers.
她对老师总是很恭敬。
恭敬的
先理解核心含义，再看它在真实句子里的用法。
恭敬的
showing deference
She was always deferential to her teachers.
她对老师总是很恭敬。
恭敬的；谦恭的
Respectful and considerate; showing deference.
输精管的
Of or relating to the vas deferens.
恭敬的,顺从的
showing deference
依从他人的；顺从他人意愿的
Based on deference; based on the doctrine, ideology, or wishes of others rather than one's own conclusions.
The new employee was always deferential to her manager, speaking softly and agreeing with his ideas.
这位新员工对经理总是很恭敬，说话轻声细语，并赞同他的想法。
He gave a deferential bow before entering the temple.
他在进入寺庙前恭敬地鞠了一躬。
Please be deferential when you speak to the judge.
和法官说话时请保持恭敬的态度。
to 后接人；也可用 toward/towards。
She was always deferential to her teachers.
她对老师总是很恭敬。
deferential 可放在名词前作定语，表示恭敬的态度。
He gave a deferential bow before leaving.
他离开前恭敬地鞠了一躬。
in 后接表方面或方式的名词，说明在某方面表现恭敬。
He is deferential in manner but firm in opinion.
他态度恭敬，但观点坚定。
Not this
He showed deferential to the teacher.
Use this
He showed deference to the teacher.
deferential 是形容词，不能作 show 的宾语；应改用名词 deference，表示“表现出恭敬”。
Not this
She is deferential with her parents.
Use this
She is deferential to her parents.
表达“对某人恭敬”时，deferential 后接介词 to，而不是 with。中文“对”常被误译为 with，但英语搭配是 be deferential to somebody。
Not this
He spoke deferential to the manager.
Use this
He spoke deferentially to the manager.
修饰动词 spoke 应用副词 deferentially，而不是形容词 deferential。形容词只能修饰名词，不能修饰动词。
Focus on the distinctions below. Other candidates are kept compact until a reliable usage note is available.
对…恭敬的
She was always deferential to her elders.
她总是对长辈很恭敬。
恭敬的态度
He spoke in a deferential manner to the professor.
他用恭敬的态度对教授说话。
恭敬的语气
Her deferential tone made a good impression on the interviewer.
她恭敬的语气给面试官留下了好印象。
恭敬的鞠躬
The servant gave a deferential bow before leaving the room.
仆人在离开房间前恭敬地鞠了一躬。
恭敬的对待
The old custom required deferential treatment of guests.
这一旧习俗要求对客人恭敬相待。
Use deferential naturally, then get feedback on meaning, tone, grammar, and phrasing.
Revisit a common error or keep this word in your review list.
把 defer（顺从、退让）记成“让路”，想象学生见老师主动让路并恭敬问候，deferential 就是这种恭敬顺从的态度。
语域：formal 常见场景：formal writing、academic contexts、describing respectful behavior deferential 是比较正式的词，通常用于正式书面语，多出现在描述对上级或长辈恭敬态度的语境中；日常口语里比较少见，更常说 respectful 或 polite。
这些词都以 -ential 结尾，但按给出的目标音标 /ˌdɛfɝˈɛntʃəl/，其最后音节是 /ˈɛntʃəl/，而下列词的常见读音是 /ˈɛnʃəl/（t 不发音或并入 /ʃ/），所以它们是近韵而不是严韵；注意不要在下列词里加出 /t/。
Dictionary facts from ECDICT, WIKTIONARY.