台大外文的一个学弟，听说我英文厉害， 刻意刁难，问了我这麽一问： 「学长，institution 和　institute 这两个字有啥不同？」 当下我回答得有些支吾，虽不至丢了颜面，可毫无快意可言； 为了扳回一成，我也逮住机会刁难： 「学弟，你说中文的　耳鬓厮磨　该如何优美的翻成英文咧？」 学弟毕竟是学弟，给了我更鸟的回答： very intimate. 这答案八成从电子辞典查来，冷冰冰无情感； 拙字可蔽之！ 以下拙笔便於此，详细地检视： the difference between institution and institute 这算是无聊的讨论， 有心继续听下去者，敝人由衷佩服。 "Institution" and "institute" share the same meaning: an organization. Under this definition, we can still discern the shades between them. The Longman dictionary gives a definition as below: "Institution n. an organization, especially a large, important, and long-established organization, whose work is in fields such as business, education, or science" By mild contrast, the Longman dictionary offers the following definition of institute: "Institute n. an organization which has professional or educational aims" Closely examined, we can find that institution is given a sense broader than institute. For example, sentences, interwined with these two terms, go like this, "He works as a manager in a large financial institution." or "Sanatorium is a charitable institution that takes care of...." On the other hand, witness the contrasting sentences and terms below, "The National Cancer Institute issues the latest report that...." or "The Working Men's Institute strikes a sit-in protest to demonstrate...." or "M.I.T. = Massachusetts Institute of Technology" To judge from the above instances, we can come to a rough conclusion that institute refers to a more precise organization, or an academic body. Of course, there are a couple of meanings totally different from each other, in the case of institution and institute. To name but a few, "institution" also refers to "an important tradition on which society is based;"and, "the introduction of a system, rule, or policy." Sentences are quoted below for your reference: "We need to respect their beliefs, traditions, and social institutions." "The institution of a state lottery is under fierce discussion." Besides, "institute" can be used as a verb form meaning "to start something such as a system or an official process." E.g. "Police have instituted inquiries into the matter." or "The party said it had instituted new security measures for its staff." 哈哈哈， 这堂课够闷的吧？ 而且还是用全英文上课呢， 真煞费残脑不少精力， 下课吧！ (呵，最好有人在听啦......) -- Anything worth doing is worth doing well. --

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