英文字根xen
你知道「xen」這個字根嗎？它來自希臘文「xenos」，意思是「陌生人」或「外來者」。這個字根出現在很多英文單字裡，只要看見它，大多都和「外來、陌生、不同」有關。對語感比較敏銳的人來說，這個字根會讓單字變得有點冷、有點距離感，但也讓人更容易聯想到它的意思。以下這些單字，都是從這個字根延伸出來的，整理成30個單字，每個附上詞彙解釋和三句例句，希望你在學習時能更快掌握用法。
xenophobia（仇外、排外）
I sensed some xenophobia when they rejected the foreign workers without reason.
他們無理拒絕外籍勞工時，我感覺到一點排外情緒。
Xenophobia can sometimes be disguised as patriotism.
排外有時會被偽裝成愛國。
The rise of xenophobia worries many global leaders.
排外情緒的上升讓許多全球領袖感到憂心。
xenophile（喜愛外國文化的人）
She’s a xenophile who watches only foreign dramas and reads translated novels.
她是個熱愛外國文化的人，只看外劇和翻譯小說。
Being a xenophile helped him make friends from around the world.
喜歡外國文化讓他交到世界各地的朋友。
Xenophiles often embrace diversity more openly.
喜愛外國文化的人通常更容易接受多元。
xenial（好客的、對外賓友善的）
The village is known for its xenial traditions toward guests.
這個村莊以對外賓友善聞名。
They showed xenial hospitality during our visit.
我們拜訪時他們展現出熱情的好客態度。
Her xenial manners made the foreign students feel at home.
她友善的態度讓外國學生覺得像在家一樣。
xenogenesis（異種再生、異種繁殖）
The movie explored the concept of xenogenesis in space evolution.
那部電影探討了太空進化中的異種繁殖。
Scientists are still debating the possibility of xenogenesis in biology.
科學家仍在討論異種繁殖在生物學上的可能性。
Xenogenesis challenges our understanding of heredity.
異種繁殖挑戰了我們對遺傳的認知。
xenograft（異種移植）
The surgeon performed a xenograft using pig skin.
那位外科醫生進行了豬皮異種移植手術。
Xenograft technology is advancing rapidly.
異種移植技術正快速發展。
Using a xenograft carries some ethical concerns.
使用異種移植物涉及一些道德爭議。
xenotransplantation（異種器官移植）
Xenotransplantation may help solve the organ shortage crisis.
異種器官移植或許能解決器官短缺的問題。
The risks of xenotransplantation include immune rejection.
異種器官移植的風險包括免疫排斥。
Advances in xenotransplantation have brought hope to many patients.
異種移植的進步為許多病人帶來希望。
xenocracy（由外國人統治的政府）
During colonization, the region was under a xenocracy.
殖民時期，該地區由外國人統治。
Xenocracy often leads to cultural clashes.
外國人統治常導致文化衝突。
People resisted the xenocracy through various movements.
人們透過各種運動反抗外來統治。
xenomorph（異形生物、外星怪物）
The sci-fi series featured a terrifying xenomorph.
那部科幻劇裡出現了可怕的異形生物。
The xenomorph design became iconic in horror films.
異形設計成了恐怖電影的經典。
They encountered a xenomorph on the alien planet.
他們在外星球上遇到一種異形生物。
xenotransfusion（異種輸血）
Xenotransfusion is rarely used due to compatibility issues.
異種輸血因相容性問題而不常使用。
Scientists studied xenotransfusion in emergency cases.
科學家研究在緊急狀況下的異種輸血。
Xenotransfusion poses risks of cross-species infection.
異種輸血可能引起跨物種感染風險。
xenogamy（異花授粉）
Xenogamy helps increase genetic diversity in plants.
異花授粉有助於植物的基因多樣性。
Many fruit trees rely on xenogamy.
許多果樹都依賴異花授粉。
Pollinators play a crucial role in xenogamy.
授粉者在異花授粉中扮演關鍵角色。
xenogenesis（異種創生）
The alien species undergo xenogenesis to adapt.
那個外星種族透過異種創生來適應環境。
The story included elements of xenogenesis and mutation.
故事中包含異種創生和突變的元素。
Xenogenesis makes the creature evolve rapidly.
異種創生讓生物迅速進化。
xenon（氙氣，一種惰性氣體）
Xenon is used in some types of lighting and anesthesia.
氙氣用於某些燈具與麻醉用途。
The lab contained pressurized xenon for experiments.
實驗室裡存有加壓的氙氣。
Xenon gas is heavier than air.
氙氣比空氣重。
xenolith（異質岩塊）
The geologist found a xenolith embedded in lava.
地質學家在岩漿中發現異質岩塊。
Xenoliths tell stories of Earth’s interior.
異質岩塊揭示地球內部的故事。
That rock contained multiple xenoliths.
那塊岩石中含有多個異質岩塊。
xenocracy（外國人統治）
A xenocracy governed the island during the war.
戰爭期間那座島由外國人統治。
They overthrew the xenocracy through revolution.
他們透過革命推翻外來統治。
Xenocracy led to years of unrest.
外來統治導致多年的動盪。
xenoblast（變質岩中的外來晶體）
The xenoblast stood out due to its crystal structure.
那顆外來晶體因結構特殊而突出。
Xenoblasts are often studied in metamorphic rocks.
外來晶體常見於變質岩研究中。
That stone sample had several visible xenoblasts.
那塊樣本中有幾個明顯的外來晶體。
xenodiagnosis（用感染宿主診斷疾病）
Doctors used xenodiagnosis to detect parasites.
醫生用異種診斷法來發現寄生蟲。
Xenodiagnosis is useful for certain tropical diseases.
異種診斷對某些熱帶疾病很有用。
It involves using an animal host in xenodiagnosis.
這種診斷法會用到動物宿主。
xenotropic（喜好寄生於異種宿主的）
The virus was xenotropic and infected only foreign species.
那病毒具異種偏好，只感染外來物種。
Scientists study xenotropic behavior in retroviruses.
科學家研究逆轉錄病毒中的異種偏好。
Xenotropic elements complicate treatment.
異種偏好的病毒使治療變複雜。
xenoglossy（突然會說外語）
The case of xenoglossy shocked the researchers.
那起突然會說外語的案例讓研究人員震驚。
Xenoglossy is often mentioned in paranormal studies.
突然精通外語常出現在靈異研究中。
She spoke fluent French despite never studying it—a classic xenoglossy.
她從未學過法文卻講得流利，是典型的外語通靈現象。
xenagogue（導遊，帶外國人參觀的人）
The xenagogue led tourists through the ancient city.
導遊帶領觀光客遊覽古城。
A good xenagogue makes a trip memorable.
好的導遊讓旅行難忘。
She worked as a xenagogue during summer vacations.
她暑假時擔任導遊。
xenodochium（招待外人的地方，古時旅館）
Monks built a xenodochium near the monastery.
修士在修道院附近建了旅舍招待外人。
The xenodochium provided shelter to travelers.
這旅舍提供旅人住宿。
Ancient towns often had a xenodochium for strangers.
古代城鎮常有接待外人的場所。
xenium（送給外賓的禮物）
They offered a xenium to the visiting diplomat.
他們給來訪的外交官一份禮物。
Xenium was common in ancient diplomatic meetings.
古時外交會議常會贈送禮品。
A small xenium can show great respect.
小小禮物也能表達敬意。
xenagogue（外賓的嚮導）
He was appointed as the official xenagogue for the delegation.
他被任命為代表團的官方導覽員。
The xenagogue explained every cultural site with passion.
嚮導熱情介紹每個文化景點。
Being a xenagogue requires deep historical knowledge.
當一名外賓嚮導需要豐富的歷史知識。
xenocentric（崇尚外國的）
Her xenocentric views often led to criticism.
她崇洋的看法常被批評。
The brand adopted a xenocentric marketing strategy.
那個品牌採用崇外的行銷策略。
Xenocentric thinking can weaken local identity.
崇外思維可能削弱本地文化認同。
xenomania（瘋狂喜歡外國事物）
His xenomania was reflected in his all-imported wardrobe.
他瘋狂喜愛外國事物，連衣櫃都清一色進口貨。
The town experienced a wave of xenomania after the movie release.
那部電影上映後，鎮上掀起一波外國熱。
Xenomania is common among fans of foreign pop culture.
對外國流行文化著迷很常見。
xenoplasty（異種整形手術）
The hospital developed new xenoplasty procedures.
醫院開發了新的異種整形技術。
Xenoplasty could offer solutions in reconstructive surgery.
異種整形可能成為重建手術的新解法。
There are still risks involved with xenoplasty.
異種整形仍有風險存在。
xenobiology（外星生物學）
Xenobiology imagines how life could evolve on other planets.
外星生物學探討其他星球上的生命可能形式。
The course on xenobiology was popular among sci-fi fans.
外星生物學課程深受科幻迷歡迎。
They used xenobiology theories to design alien creatures.
他們利用外星生物學理論來設計外星生物。
xenotropic（只能在外來宿主中複製的病毒）
The xenotropic virus infected only non-native cells.
這種病毒只能感染非本地細胞。
They discovered a xenotropic strain in the samples.
他們在樣本中發現了一種異種偏好的病毒株。
Xenotropic behavior is key to understanding viral spread.
異種偏好行為對於理解病毒傳播非常關鍵。
這些字彙雖然都帶著「外來」的意涵，但有的偏正面、有的偏中性、有的則是帶著負面情緒。用心記住這些例子，你會發現，看到「xen」開頭的單字時，不再那麼陌生了。