mate

gb/mˈeɪt/ us/mˈeɪt/

B1 Αγγλικά

~ 6300

Σημασίες

0 σημασίες

Ουσιαστικό informal B1 entity

close friend or companion

A friend, or a way to talk to someone in a friendly way, especially in British and Australian English.

Μοτίβο χρήσης: [someone]'s mate; "[Vocative], mate"

Συχνό λάθος:

Learners sometimes use "mate" in formal writing or with people they must be very polite to (like a boss or stranger in a formal setting). In those cases, "friend", "sir", or the person’s name is better. American English speakers also use "mate" much less than British or Australian speakers, so overusing it can sound unnatural in North America.

Συνώνυμα

friend (Most common neutral word; lacks the strong British/Australian informal flavor of "mate".) | buddy (Informal and friendly, especially in North American English; similar tone but different regional feel.)

Αντώνυμα

enemy (An enemy is someone you strongly dislike or are against, the opposite of a friendly mate.)

Συνδυασμοί λέξεων

Θέματα

Παραδείγματα

I’m meeting a few mates at the pub after work.
He’s an old mate from my school days in Manchester.
Thanks for helping me move house, mate.
Excuse me, mate, is this seat taken?
My flatmates have become some of my closest mates.

Παραδείγματα για μαθητές

He is my best mate at school.
I went to the cinema with my mates.
Thanks, mate. That was very kind.
She is an old mate from university.
Excuse me, mate, can you tell me the time?

Ουσιαστικό B2 entity

husband, wife, or life partner

A husband, wife, or long-term boyfriend or girlfriend, or the partner an animal has babies with.

Μοτίβο χρήσης: a mate for [life]; find a mate; choose a mate

Συχνό λάθος:

Learners sometimes use this sense to talk about ordinary friends, which can sound like they are talking about a romantic or sexual partner. Use "friend" or "mate" in sense 1 for non-romantic relationships.

Συνώνυμα

partner (Very common neutral word for a long-term romantic companion; does not emphasise reproduction as much as "mate" sometimes does.) | spouse (Formal word focusing on legal marriage, while "mate" can be broader and used for animals.)

Αντώνυμα

single (Describes someone who does not have a romantic partner or spouse, the opposite of having a mate.)

Συνδυασμοί λέξεων

Θέματα

family |relationships |biology |animals |core_vocabulary

Παραδείγματα

In many cultures, parents used to help their children find a suitable mate.
These birds stay with the same mate for life.
He hopes to meet a mate who shares his values and interests.
Female wolves are very selective when choosing a mate.
Scientists studied how climate change affects mate choice in this species.

Παραδείγματα για μαθητές

Some people want to find a mate and get married.
These animals stay with one mate for life.
She is looking for a mate who is kind and honest.
In this study, male fish tried to get a mate by showing bright colors.
The bird sings loudly to call a mate.

Ρήμα C1 action

to breed with another individual

For animals (and sometimes people), to have sex in order to produce babies.

Μοτίβο χρήσης: [animal] mates with [another animal]; [animals] mate for life

Συχνό λάθος:

Learners sometimes use "mate" as a verb for human romantic relationships in everyday conversation, which can sound too biological or focused on sex. For people, "go out with", "date", or "be in a relationship" are usually better in casual speech.

Συνώνυμα

breed (Often used for animals producing young; can be slightly broader and less direct than "mate".) | copulate (Technical biological term for the physical act; more formal and clinical.)

Αντώνυμα

sterilize (To make an animal or person unable to reproduce, preventing them from mating successfully.)

Συνδυασμοί λέξεων

Θέματα

biology |science |animals |nature

Παραδείγματα

The frogs return to the pond each spring to mate.
These birds typically mate with only one partner each season.
Zoo staff are trying to get the pandas to mate naturally.
Only the dominant male is allowed to mate with the females in the group.
When the water warms, the fish move upstream to mate.

Παραδείγματα για μαθητές

The lions mate in the rainy season.
These birds mate for life.
The male tries to mate with the female.
Scientists watched the animals mate in the wild.
In this species, only one pair will mate each year.

Ουσιαστικό B2 relation

matching counterpart in a pair

The other thing in a pair that is the same, for example the other shoe or sock.

Μοτίβο χρήσης: the mate to [something]; find the mate of [something]

Συνώνυμα

counterpart (More formal and general; can refer to people or things, not just physical pairs like shoes.) | matching pair (Refers to the relationship of two things together, rather than the single other item.)

Αντώνυμα

odd one out (An item that does not have a matching partner, the opposite of having a mate.)

Συνδυασμοί λέξεων

Θέματα

daily life |objects |daily_life |core_vocabulary

Παραδείγματα

I can’t find the mate to this sock anywhere.
One of the earrings is missing its mate.
These gloves look similar, but they’re not actually mates.
The puzzle game asks children to match each card with its correct mate.
He kept the single shoe, hoping its mate would turn up.

Παραδείγματα για μαθητές

I lost the mate to this sock.
This shoe has no mate.
Can you find the mate to this glove?
These two earrings are not mates.
Put each card with its mate.

Ρήμα technical C1 action

to fit or join matching parts

To put two parts together so their shapes fit exactly, often in machines or tools.

Μοτίβο χρήσης: mate [part] with [part]; [parts] mate together

Συχνό λάθος:

Learners may confuse this technical sense with the biological verb "mate". In engineering texts, it usually means parts fitting together, not animals reproducing.

Συνώνυμα

connect (General word for joining; does not always suggest a precise physical fit.) | couple (Technical term often used for connecting mechanical or electrical components.)

Αντώνυμα

disconnect (To separate parts that were joined, the opposite of mating them.)

Συνδυασμοί λέξεων

Θέματα

technology |engineering |work

Παραδείγματα

The two plastic pieces should mate easily with a gentle push.
Make sure the plug mates correctly with the socket before turning on the power.
These gears are designed to mate without any gaps.
The engineer checked that the metal surfaces mated perfectly along the seam.
If the parts don’t mate tightly, the system could leak.

Παραδείγματα για μαθητές

The two parts mate when you push them together.
This plug does not mate with that socket.
The engineer made sure the pieces mated perfectly.
These two surfaces do not mate well.
The gears mate without a problem.

Ουσιαστικό technical C1 entity

officer below captain on ship

An officer on a ship just under the captain, for example the first mate.

Μοτίβο χρήσης: first mate; second mate; ship's mate

Συνώνυμα

officer (General word for someone with authority on a ship; does not specify their exact rank like "mate" does.) | first officer (Very close in meaning to "first mate"; often used especially in aviation and some nautical contexts.)

Συνδυασμοί λέξεων

Θέματα

work |travel |transport |transportation

Παραδείγματα

The captain asked the first mate to check the cargo.
After years at sea, he was finally promoted to chief mate.
The mate stood on the bridge, watching the harbor lights.
As second mate, she was responsible for navigation during the night shift.
The ship’s mate organized the crew before they set sail.

Παραδείγματα για μαθητές

The first mate helped the captain.
Her dream is to become a mate on a big ship.
The mate told the crew what to do.
He worked as second mate for many years.
The captain spoke quietly with the mate.

Ουσιαστικό technical C2 state

checkmate position in chess

In chess, the final move that attacks the king and makes it impossible to move, so the game ends.

Μοτίβο χρήσης: mate in [number]; deliver mate; forced mate

Συχνό λάθος:

Outside of chess, most people say "checkmate", not "mate". Using "mate" alone for this meaning in general conversation can be confusing unless the chess context is very clear.

Συνώνυμα

checkmate (Standard full form; "mate" is a shorter specialist form often used by chess players.)

Συνδυασμοί λέξεων

Θέματα

games |sports |arts_entertainment |core_vocabulary

Παραδείγματα

If you play carefully, you can force mate in three moves.
He missed a simple mate on the last move and only drew the game.
The commentator pointed out a beautiful mate that the audience had not seen.
White has a forced mate here, even though it looks equal.
She sacrificed her queen to set up a stunning mate.

Παραδείγματα για μαθητές

In this position, black has mate in two moves.
He did not see the mate and lost later.
The players looked for a mate on the board.
The game ended quickly with mate.
She showed her friend a simple mate.

Ρήμα technical C2 action

to checkmate in chess

In chess, to make the move that gives checkmate and wins the game.

Μοτίβο χρήσης: mate [opponent]; mate on [move]

Συνώνυμα

checkmate (Used as a verb, especially in more formal or explanatory contexts; "mate" is shorter and mainly used among players.)

Συνδυασμοί λέξεων

mate your opponent |mate in two |mate with [piece] |mate on move [x] |plan to mate

Θέματα

games |sports |arts_entertainment |core_vocabulary

Παραδείγματα

If you play queen to h7, you mate him immediately.
She mated her opponent with a rook on the back rank.
I almost mated him in four moves, but he found the only defence.
White can mate here by sacrificing the bishop first.
He failed to mate when he had the chance and the game ended in a draw.

Παραδείγματα για μαθητές

He will mate his opponent on the next move.
White can mate with the queen and rook.
She tried to mate but did not see the right move.
If you move your bishop here, you mate him.
Black mated in only ten moves.

Ουσιαστικό B2 entity

South American caffeinated herbal drink

A hot drink from South America made from dried yerba mate leaves, often served in a round cup with a metal straw.

Μοτίβο χρήσης: drink mate; share mate; a cup of mate

Συχνό λάθος:

Learners sometimes confuse this with "mate" meaning friend. In English, if the context is not clear, people often say "yerba mate" or "mate tea" to show they are talking about the drink.

Συνώνυμα

yerba mate (More specific full term naming the plant; often used internationally to avoid confusion with other senses of "mate".)

Συνδυασμοί λέξεων

Θέματα

food |culture |daily life |food_drink |daily_life

Παραδείγματα

We sat in the plaza, passing a gourd of mate around the circle.
In Argentina, many people drink mate several times a day.
She prefers mate to coffee because it makes her feel calmer.
He bought a new metal straw for his mate.
They explained the tradition of sharing mate with guests.

Παραδείγματα για μαθητές

People in Argentina often drink mate.
We shared a cup of mate in the park.
She likes mate more than coffee.
He bought hot mate from a street shop.
They showed me how to drink mate from a gourd.

Γραμματική

Λημματική μορφή

mate

IPA

GB/mˈeɪt/

US/mˈeɪt/

Συλλαβές και τόνος

mate (1 συλλαβή)

Stress on 1st syllable (mate)

Τύποι λέξης

Noun

Base: mate
Plural: mate, mates

Verb

Base: mate
3rd Person Singular: mates
Present Participle: mating
Past: mated

Οικογένεια λέξεων

Forms

mates noun mating verb mated verb

Related words

classmate noun A2 teammate noun roommate noun B1 workmate noun soulmate noun

Εκφράσεις

best mate

/bˈɛst mˈeɪt/

fixed phrase informal

closest friend

Your closest and most important friend.

Παραδείγματα

He’s my best mate; I tell him everything.
She went on holiday with her best mate from school.
My best mate is moving to another country next year.

class mate

/klˈæs mˈeɪt/

fixed phrase

person in your class

A person who is in the same class as you at school or university.

Παραδείγματα

She’s a class mate from my English course.
I met my best friend when we were class mates in primary school.
He invited several class mates to his birthday party.

find a mate

/fˈaɪnd ə mˈeɪt/

fixed phrase

get a romantic or breeding partner

To get a romantic or breeding partner, for people or animals.

Παραδείγματα

Many young adults feel pressure to find a mate.
In spring, the animals travel long distances to find a mate.
The show follows single people trying to find a mate.

first mate

/fˈɚst mˈeɪt/

fixed phrase

officer below the captain

The main officer on a ship who is just under the captain.

Παραδείγματα

The first mate checked the charts before they left the harbor.
As first mate, she was responsible for most of the daily operations on board.
The captain and first mate discussed the change in weather.

G'day, mate

/ɡɪdˈeɪ | mˈeɪt/

fixed phrase informal

Australian casual greeting

A very informal Australian way to say hello to someone.

Παραδείγματα

“G'day, mate,” he said as he walked into the shop.
You’ll often hear people say “G'day, mate” when you visit Australia.
The bus driver smiled and greeted each passenger with a friendly “G'day, mate.”

mate for life

/mˈeɪt fɚ lˈaɪf/

fixed phrase

have only one lifelong mate

To have only one romantic or breeding partner for your whole life.

Παραδείγματα

Swans are known to mate for life.
Some people believe that humans are not meant to mate for life.
In this species, pairs usually mate for life and stay together year-round.

mate with

/mˈeɪt wˈɪθ/

phrasal verb

breed with another animal

For an animal to have sex with another animal in order to have babies.

Παραδείγματα

The male will mate with as many females as he can.
These fish usually mate with the same partner every year.
In captivity, the pandas refused to mate with each other.

old mate

/ˈoʊld mˈeɪt/

fixed phrase informal

long-time friend

A friend you have known for many years.

Παραδείγματα

He’s an old mate from my army days.
We had a drink with some old mates from university.
She ran into an old mate she hadn’t seen for decades.

room mate

/ɹˈum mˈeɪt/

fixed phrase

person sharing your room or home

Someone who lives in the same room or home as you, for example at university.

Παραδείγματα

My room mate and I share the kitchen and bathroom.
I’m looking for a new room mate to share the rent.
She doesn’t get along very well with her room mate.

second mate

/sˈɛkənd mˈeɪt/

fixed phrase technical

officer below first mate

An officer on a ship who is under the first mate in rank.

Παραδείγματα

He worked as second mate before being promoted.
The second mate took over the watch at midnight.
As second mate, his main job was navigation.

soul mate

/sˈoʊl mˈeɪt/

idiom

perfect romantic partner

Someone who is believed to be a perfect match for you in love and personality.

Παραδείγματα

Many people dream of finding their soul mate.
After twenty years together, she still calls him her soul mate.
He felt as if he had finally met his soul mate.

team mate

/tˈim mˈeɪt/

fixed phrase

person on the same team

Someone who plays on the same sports team as you, or is on the same work or project team.

Παραδείγματα

Her team mates congratulated her after she scored.
He’s been a loyal team mate for many years.
You should always support your team mates, on and off the field.

Επιστροφή στη λίστα

Μάθηση

Εργαλεία

Εξερεύνηση

Εταιρεία & Υποστήριξη

mate

close friend or companion

husband, wife, or life partner

to breed with another individual

matching counterpart in a pair

to fit or join matching parts

officer below captain on ship

checkmate position in chess

to checkmate in chess

South American caffeinated herbal drink

best mate

class mate

find a mate

first mate

G'day, mate

mate for life

mate with

old mate

room mate

second mate

soul mate

team mate

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Εργαλεία

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Εταιρεία

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