Word · Frequency #9103
preface
前言；序言
An introductory section at the beginning of a book or document that explains its subject, purpose, or background.
- 1.
A beginning or introductory portion that comes before the main text of a document or book, typically serving to contextualize or explain the writing of the book and sometimes to acknowledge others' contributions; especially, such a discussion written by the work's own author.
序言,前言
- 2.
a short introductory essay preceding the text of a book
书本正文前的简短介绍性文章
- 3.
An introduction, or series of preliminary remarks.
引言,开场白
- 4.
A variable prayer forming the prelude or introduction to the Eucharistic Prayer or canon of the Mass, following the Sursum corda dialogue and leading into the Sanctus.
感恩经序祷
- 5.
A title or epithet.
称号,头衔
颂谢词；称号；头衔；序言,前言；书本正文前的简短介绍性文章；引言,开场白
In use
The author wrote a heartfelt preface to thank her family.
In the preface, the historian explains his research methods.
Many readers skip the preface and go straight to the first chapter.
preface to [sth]
表示‘某作品的序言’时，通常用介词to。
She wrote a preface to the second edition.
她为第二版写了一篇序言。
write a preface
The author asked a famous scholar to write a preface for his book.
作者请一位著名学者为他的书写序。
in the preface
常用搭配，表示‘在前言中’。
Connections
Collocations
- write a preface
- 写序言
- She was asked to write a preface for the new edition.她受邀为新版写序言。
- preface to
- ……的序言
- The preface to the book explains the author's motivation.这本书的序言解释了作者的动机。
- in the preface
- 在序言中
- In the preface, the author thanks his family for their support.在序言中，作者感谢家人的支持。
- author's preface
- 作者序
- The author's preface provides insight into the writing process.作者序提供了写作过程的见解。
- brief preface
- 简短的前言
- He wrote a brief preface to introduce the main topics.他写了一个简短的前言来介绍主要话题。
- read the preface
Learner notes
Memory Tip
将preface拆解为pre（前）和face（脸），想象一本书的“脸面”就是开头的序言。
Context & Register
语域：formal 常见场景：books、academic works 「preface」作为名词时，通常用于正式场合，多出现在书籍、学术论文等正式出版物的序言部分。
Grammar Note
通常与介词to连用，表示'...的序言'。
Pronunciation & Spelling
These words share the spelling ending '-ace' but are pronounced with /eɪs/, while 'preface' has /ɛfəs/ in the final syllable. Also, 'preface' has stress on the first syllable, whereas these are all one syllable.
Usage priority
Collins 词频等级为 1，建议结合例句记忆，而不是只背中文释义。
Learn the forms together
页面下方列出了常见词形变化。学习时注意它们在句子中的语法位置。
Dictionary facts from ECDICT, WIKTIONARY.