台大外文的一個學弟，聽說我英文厲害， 刻意刁難，問了我這麼一問： 「學長，institution 和　institute 這兩個字有啥不同？」 當下我回答得有些支吾，雖不至丟了顏面，可毫無快意可言； 為了扳回一成，我也逮住機會刁難： 「學弟，你說中文的　耳鬢廝磨　該如何優美的翻成英文咧？」 學弟畢竟是學弟，給了我更鳥的回答： very intimate. 這答案八成從電子辭典查來，冷冰冰無情感； 拙字可蔽之！ 以下拙筆便於此，詳細地檢視： the difference between institution and institute 這算是無聊的討論， 有心繼續聽下去者，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， 這堂課夠悶的吧？ 而且還是用全英文上課呢， 真煞費殘腦不少精力， 下課吧！ (呵，最好有人在聽啦......) -- Anything worth doing is worth doing well. --

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