英文字根 fin
英文字根「fin」源自拉丁文「finis」，意指「界限、終點、完成」。這個字根常出現在形容界限、結束、完成或精緻等相關意思的英文單字中。雖然一個小小的字根，但它延伸出的單字卻遍布生活各個面向，從金融、法律到日常語言。學會這個字根後，你會發現很多原本覺得難記的單字，其實都有共通的邏輯。
final
最終的、最後的、決定性的
This is the final warning before we take legal action.
這是採取法律行動之前的最後警告。
She passed her final exam with flying colors.
她的期末考考得非常好。
After weeks of discussion, they reached a final decision.
經過幾週討論後，他們達成了最終決定。
define
定義、界定
Can you define what you mean by “freedom”?
你能定義一下你所謂的「自由」是什麼嗎？
The law clearly defines what counts as theft.
法律明確界定了什麼構成偷竊。
Teachers must define learning objectives for each class.
老師必須為每堂課訂定學習目標。
confine
限制、侷限
He was confined to his room due to illness.
他因病被限制在房間裡。
Don’t confine your creativity to traditional methods.
別將你的創意侷限在傳統方法中。
The prisoner was confined to a small cell.
那名囚犯被限制在一間小牢房中。
finish
完成、結束
I need to finish my homework before dinner.
我必須在晚餐前完成作業。
They finished the race in record time.
他們創紀錄地完成了比賽。
Let’s finish what we started.
讓我們完成我們開始的事。
refine
精煉、改善
The chef refined the recipe over several months.
這位主廚經過數月改良了這道食譜。
You need to refine your presentation skills.
你需要改進你的簡報技巧。
The oil is refined to remove impurities.
這種油被精煉以去除雜質。
finite
有限的、有盡的
We have a finite amount of time to complete this project.
我們完成這個專案的時間是有限的。
Resources on Earth are finite.
地球上的資源是有限的。
His patience is finite, so don’t push him too hard.
他的耐性是有限的，別逼他太緊。
infinite
無限的、無窮的
She has infinite patience with her students.
她對學生有無限的耐心。
Space seems to stretch into infinite distance.
太空看起來延伸到無窮遠。
The possibilities are infinite if we work together.
只要我們合作，可能性就無窮無盡。
finale
結局、尾聲
The concert ended with a spectacular finale.
音樂會以精彩的壓軸曲結束。
Everyone was moved by the emotional finale of the movie.
電影的感人結局讓每個人都動容。
The finale of the show drew record-breaking ratings.
該節目的結局創下收視新高。
affinity
親和力、相似性
She feels a strong affinity with nature.
她對大自然有強烈的親近感。
There’s an affinity between the two languages.
這兩種語言之間有相似性。
He has an affinity for classical music.
他對古典音樂有親和力。
finance
財務、金融
She works in the finance department.
她在財務部工作。
He studied international finance in college.
他大學主修國際金融。
They had trouble getting finance for their business.
他們為公司籌資遇到困難。
financier
金融家、財務專家
The financier invested millions into the startup.
那位金融家對這家新創公司投資了數百萬。
He became a successful financier by age 30.
他在30歲前成為成功的金融專家。
Financiers are key players in the economy.
金融家是經濟中的重要角色。
affine
有關聯的、相似的
Their thinking styles are affine in many ways.
他們的思考方式在許多方面都相似。
This concept is affine to that used in physics.
這個概念與物理學中使用的相似。
The affine relationship between these elements is evident.
這些元素之間的相似關係很明顯。
definitive
決定性的、最終的
We need a definitive answer by tomorrow.
我們需要在明天前得到明確答覆。
That book is the definitive guide to baking.
那本書是烘焙的權威指南。
She gave a definitive explanation that ended the debate.
她給出決定性的解釋，結束了辯論。
indefinite
不確定的、無限期的
The strike will continue for an indefinite period.
罷工將持續一段不確定的時間。
He was placed on indefinite suspension.
他被無限期停職。
They postponed the event for an indefinite time.
他們無限期延後這場活動。
finalist
決賽者、入圍者
She was one of the five finalists.
她是五位決賽選手之一。
The finalists will compete tomorrow.
決賽選手將於明天比賽。
All finalists received a certificate of achievement.
所有入圍者都獲頒成就證書。
infinitesimal
極微小的
The difference is infinitesimal, almost invisible.
這個差異極微小，幾乎看不出來。
He has only an infinitesimal chance of winning.
他贏的機率微乎其微。
Scientists detected infinitesimal particles in the air.
科學家在空氣中偵測到極小的粒子。
finalize
定案、完成
They finalized the schedule last night.
他們昨晚敲定了行程。
Let’s finalize the contract today.
我們今天來定案這份合約吧。
She finalized the guest list before printing invitations.
她在印製邀請卡前定好了賓客名單。
finishing
最後的、收尾的
The artist is adding the finishing touches.
藝術家正在加上最後的潤飾。
This is the finishing step of the process.
這是這個流程的最後一步。
We’re doing the finishing work now.
我們正在做最後的收尾工作。
finery
華麗服飾、裝飾
The guests wore their best finery.
賓客穿上他們最華麗的服裝。
She was dressed in bridal finery.
她穿著新娘的華麗禮服。
They decorated the hall with great finery.
他們把大廳裝飾得富麗堂皇。
refinement
改進、優雅、精緻
This version shows a refinement of the previous model.
這個版本是前一個型號的改良品。
She has the refinement of a true aristocrat.
她具有真正貴族的高雅氣質。
Refinement takes time and effort.
精緻與優雅需要時間與努力培養。
unfinished
未完成的
He left the painting unfinished.
他留下了這幅未完成的畫作。
The project is still unfinished.
這個專案還沒完成。
She hates leaving work unfinished.
她討厭留下未完成的工作。
finality
終結性、不可更改性
There was a sense of finality in his words.
他的話語中帶著終結的意味。
The finality of death is terrifying.
死亡的不可逆令人恐懼。
This decision has an air of finality.
這個決定帶有不可更改的氛圍。
infinitely
無限地、極其
He is infinitely more qualified.
他資歷好上太多。
She felt infinitely grateful.
她感到萬分感激。
The view was infinitely beautiful.
這景色美得令人難以置信。
definiteness
確定性、明確性
The definiteness of her plan impressed everyone.
她計畫的明確性讓大家印象深刻。
We need more definiteness in our instructions.
我們需要更明確的指示。
There was a lack of definiteness in his answer.
他的回答缺乏明確性。
finite
再提一次有限概念，用在不同語境中
A finite series eventually ends.
一個有限的數列最終會結束。
Language is a finite system of symbols.
語言是一種有限的符號系統。
Every game has finite rules.
每個遊戲都有固定規則。
refiner
精煉者、改善者
The refiner removed impurities from the metal.
這位精煉者去除了金屬雜質。
As a refiner of ideas, she is unmatched.
作為觀念的精煉者，她無人能及。
He works as a sugar refiner.
他是製糖精煉工人。
finite
加強印象，再次使用
Human life is finite, so make the most of it.
人的生命是有限的，因此要好好利用。
The budget is finite, use it wisely.
預算有限，要精打細算。
His love for her was not finite—it was eternal.
他對她的愛並不有限——而是永恆的。