1
a totem of sth
of 后接表示团体或抽象概念的名词，说明图腾或标志所代表的对象。
The bear is a totem of the tribe.
熊是这个部落的图腾。
图腾；标志物
totems — plural of totem
先理解核心含义，再看它在真实句子里的用法。
图腾；标志物
an animal, plant, or other object that serves as the emblem or symbol of a family or clan, especially among American Indians
The bear is a totem of the tribe.
熊是这个部落的图腾。
作为部落、氏族或家庭标志的任何自然物或生物；这种物体或生物的象征
Any natural object or living creature that serves as an emblem of a tribe, clan or family; the representation of such an object or creature.
以某种物体或生物为亲属关系界定的氏族。
The clan whose kinship is defined in reference to such an object or creature.
象征或化身。
A symbol or personification.
任意选择作为提醒自己是否清醒以帮助做清醒梦的物体。
An arbitrarily chosen object serving as a reminder to check whether one is awake or not, to aid in having lucid dreams.
The eagle is a totem for the tribe, representing strength and freedom.
鹰是这个部落的图腾，代表着力量与自由。
She kept a small wooden totem on her desk as a reminder of her family's history.
她在书桌上放了一个小木制图腾，以提醒自己家族的历史。
In many cultures, animals serve as totems that connect people to their ancestors.
在许多文化中，动物被视为连接人们与祖先的图腾。
of 后接表示团体或抽象概念的名词，说明图腾或标志所代表的对象。
The bear is a totem of the tribe.
熊是这个部落的图腾。
serve as 表示“充当”，for 后接受其象征的群体；totem 为可数名词，复数形式是 totems。
The ancient tree serves as a totem for the village.
这棵古树作为村庄的图腾。
Not this
They saw many totem in the museum.
Use this
They saw many totems in the museum.
totem 是可数名词，复数形式为 totems；many 后要用复数，中文“图腾”没有词形变化，所以容易漏掉 -s。
Not this
The dove is a totem of peace.
Use this
The dove is a symbol of peace.
totem 特指氏族或部落的图腾徽记，与亲属、祖先或信仰关联；抽象概念（如和平）的一般象征应用 symbol，不能把 totem 泛化为任何标志。
Focus on the distinctions below. Other candidates are kept compact until a reliable usage note is available.
图腾柱
The carved totem pole stood at the entrance of the village.
雕刻的图腾柱矗立在村庄入口处。
图腾动物
The bear is the clan's totem animal.
熊是这个氏族的图腾动物。
氏族图腾
The eagle is their clan totem.
鹰是他们的氏族图腾。
图腾崇拜
Totem worship was common among indigenous tribes.
图腾崇拜在土著部落中很普遍。
家族图腾
The dragon is considered the family totem.
龙被认为是这个家族的图腾。
个人图腾
She chose a wolf as her personal totem.
她选择狼作为她的个人图腾。
地位最低的人；最底层的人
He started as the low man on the totem pole at the firm.
他在公司里从最底层做起。
地位高的人；高层人物
She's pretty high on the totem pole at the bank.
她在银行里职位相当高。
步步高升；晋升
It takes years to climb the totem pole in this industry.
在这个行业里步步高升需要多年时间。
在《盗梦空间》中，陀螺是图腾，在梦里永远不倒，而在现实中会停下。
In Inception, Cobb uses his spinning top totem to test whether he is awake or dreaming.
在《盗梦空间》里，柯布用他的陀螺图腾来测试自己是醒着还是在做梦。
Use totems naturally, then get feedback on meaning, tone, grammar, and phrasing.
Revisit a common error or keep this word in your review list.
把totem拆成to+tem，想象部落“to them”（对他们）来说，图腾柱是神圣的标志物。
语域：mixed 常见场景：人类学与文化研究、原住民文化讨论、商业与媒体中的象征性用法 totem 在指具体的图腾制度或氏族象征时，多用于学术、文化或历史讨论，偏正式；但在表示一般性标志或象征物时，也常见于日常和商业语境。整体语域介于正式与中性之间，需视具体使用环境而定。
item、system、custom、bottom、atom 和 totem 都以非重读的 /təm/ 结尾，但它们重读元音不同，因此都与 totem 不押韵。注意 anthem 拼写相似，但读作 /ˈænθəm/，末尾是 /θəm/ 而非 /təm/。
Dictionary facts from ECDICT, WIKTIONARY.