Word · Frequency #2255
Fully loadedrelative
相对的
Not absolute; considered in relation to something else, or dependent on circumstances.
- 1.
Connected to or depending on something else; comparative.
相对的；比较的
- 2.
Expressed in relation to another item, rather than in complete form.
关系式的
- 3.
Depending on an antecedent; comparative.
依赖于先行词的；比较的
- 4.
estimated by comparison; not absolute or complete
通过比较估计的；不是绝对或完整的
- 5.
Having the same key but differing in being major or minor.
调号相同但大小调不同的
- 6.
Capable to be changed by other beings or circumstance; conditional.
可被他物或环境改变的；有条件的
关系（代词/从句）的；关系（大小调）的；相对的；比较的；关系式的；依赖于先行词的；比较的
In use
The relative humidity is high today, making it feel hotter than it actually is.
In terms of cost, living in the city is relative to your salary.
The importance of this task is relative; it depends on the project's goals.
a relative stranger
relative to sth
表示比较基准。
The value is relative to the market.
该价值相对于市场而言。
relative + noun
作定语，表示相对的。
They live in relative comfort.
他们生活相对舒适。
be relative
作表语，表示并非绝对的。
Connections
Collocations
- relative to
- 相对于；与…相比
- The company is small relative to its competitors.与竞争对手相比，这家公司规模很小。
- relative importance
- 相对重要性
- We need to assess the relative importance of each factor.我们需要评估每个因素的相对重要性。
- relative pronoun
- 关系代词
- In the sentence 'The book that I read,' 'that' is a relative pronoun.在句子“The book that I read”中，that是关系代词。
- relative clause
- 关系从句；定语从句
- A relative clause often begins with who or which.关系从句通常以who或which开头。
- relative humidity
- 相对湿度
- The relative humidity is high in summer.夏季相对湿度较高。
- relative minor
Learner notes
Memory Tip
联想亲戚：relatives 是一家人，所以 relative 表示“有关系的、相对的”，依赖另一个对象才成立，不是绝对的。
Context & Register
语域：mixed 常见场景：academic writing、everyday conversation、technical reports relative 作形容词的核心含义是“相对的、相比较的”，在正式写作（如学术论文）和日常对话中都很自然，整体属于中性偏正式。在语法领域它指“关系（代词/从句）”，在音乐中指“关系大小调”，这些是特定用法，请根据语境灵活选择搭配，通常不会显得过于口语或生硬。
Grammar Note
后接to表示‘相对于’；常置于名词前。
Pronunciation & Spelling
No listed word rhymes perfectly with 'relative' /ˈɹɛl.ə.thɪv/. 'negative' is only a near rhyme despite sharing the '-ative' spelling. 'native' and 'creative' both look similar but use the /eɪ/ vowel. 'active' and 'adjective' only share the final /tɪv/.
High-value vocabulary
该词属于 Oxford 核心词汇，值得优先掌握常见搭配和句型。
Usage priority
Collins 词频等级为 3，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 DICTIONARY_API_DEV, ECDICT, WIKTIONARY.