believes; believed; believing
believes; believed; believing
Learner's definition of BELIEVE
not used in progressive tenses
1 [+ object]
a : to accept or regard (something) as true相信 -
The scientists believed the reports.科学家们相信这些报告。
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Many people seem to believe that theory, but I find it hard/difficult to believe.许多人似乎都相信那个理论，可我却觉得难以置信。
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You shouldn't believe everything you read.不要全信你所读到的东西。
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I knew that he was a liar and so I didn't believe a word he said. [=I didn't believe anything he said]我知道他是个撒谎大王，所以他说的话我一句都不信。
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I did not want to believe (that) it could happen.我不愿意相信会发生这种情况。
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He says he'll help us, but I don't believe what he says.他说他会帮我们，但我不相信他的话。
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They were tricked into believing that he was a doctor.他们被骗了，竟然相信他是个医生。
— opposite disbelieve b : to accept the truth of what is said by (someone)相信…说的话 — opposite disbelieve 2
[+ object] : to have (a specified opinion) : think认为；料想 -
I'm beginning to believe (that) this war will never end.我开始认为，这场战争永远不会结束了。
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I used to believe (that) I was the only one who felt that way but now I know (that) there are others like me.过去，我一直认为只有我一个人有这种感受，但现在我知道还有其他人也和我一样。
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He clearly/firmly/honestly believes (that) it is possible. = He clearly/firmly/honestly believes it (to be) possible.他清楚地/坚定地/的确认为那是可能的。
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He had reason to believe that they would accept his offer. = He had reason for believing that they would accept his offer.他有理由相信他们会接受他的报价。
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She was widely believed to be guilty. [=many people believed that she was guilty]人们普遍认为她是有罪的。
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We were led to believe it was true. [=we heard, saw, or read something that made us think it was true]我们的所见所闻让我们相信那是真的。
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“Has he accepted the job?” “I believe so.” = “So I believe.”“他接受那份工作了吗？”“我想是的。”
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“Has he accepted the job?” “I believe not.” = “I don't believe so.”“他接受那份工作了吗？”“我想没有。”
3
[no object] : to regard the existence of God as a fact : to have religious beliefs信仰上帝；有宗教信仰 4
[no object] : to have trust in the ability, worth, etc., of someone or something相信（能力、价值等） 5
informal —
used for emphasis in phrases that express certainty, surprise, annoyance, etc.在表达肯定、惊讶、气恼等的短语中用于强调 -
“Do you think they can win?” “You/You'd better believe it!” [=yes, I definitely think so]“你认为他们能赢吗？”“那当然！”
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Believe me, he can really play the game. = Believe you me, he can really play the game.相信我，他办事非常公道。
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I can't believe how ugly that dress is. [=what an ugly dress]我真不敢相信，那条连衣裙竟然这么难看。
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You broke the window? I can't believe you guys! [=I'm annoyed and shocked by what you did] How could you do such a thing?是你们把玻璃窗打碎的吧？我真的不敢相信是你们干的！你们怎么可以做这种事呢？
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I can't believe [=I am amazed/surprised] that that terrible restaurant is still in business.我简直不敢相信，那家糟糕的餐馆居然还在营业。
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That terrible restaurant is still in business, if you can believe it/that.你能相信吗，那家糟糕的餐馆居然还在营业。
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Can/Would you believe it?! That terrible restaurant is still in business.你相信吗？！那家糟糕的餐馆居然还在营业。
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You won't believe what I just heard! [=you will be very surprised by what I just heard]你绝不会相信刚才我听到了什么！
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You wouldn't believe how long it took us to get here. [=it took us a surprisingly long/short time to get here]你不会相信我们花了多长时间才到达这里。
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I don't believe it! I swept the floor 10 minutes ago, and it's already dirty again!我简直无法相信！我10分钟前才扫完地，现在又脏了！
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I could not believe my good fortune/luck.我真不敢相信我的运气居然这么好。
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It's hard to believe that he's gone.真难以相信，他居然离开了。
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His latest movie, believe it or not, is a romantic comedy about a group of lawyers. [=it is surprising but true that his latest movie is a romantic comedy about a group of lawyers]信不信由你，他最新的影片是关于一群律师的浪漫喜剧。
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“I hear that their marriage is in trouble.” “Don't you believe it! [=that is completely untrue] They're the happiest couple I know!”“我听说他们的婚姻出了问题。”“千万别信！他们可是我认识的最幸福的一对了！”
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“He says he's going to become a doctor.” “If you believe that, you'll believe anything!” [=it would be very foolish to believe that he is going to become a doctor]“他说他要当医生了。”“你这话也信，真是没有不相信的了！”
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“He says he's going to become a doctor.” “I'll believe that when I see it!”“他说他要当医生了。”“除非亲眼看到，否则我才不信！”
believe in
[phrasal verb] 1 believe in (something)
a : to have faith or confidence in the existence of (something)相信…的存在 b : to have trust in the goodness or value of (something)相信…的益处（或价值） -
She believes in (the value of) regular exercise.她相信经常锻炼是有好处的。
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They believed in liberty for all.他们信奉人人享有自由的理念。
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I believe in working hard to achieve success.我相信取得成功在于努力进取。
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She doesn't believe in using pesticides. [=she doesn't believe that it's right to use pesticides; she believes that pesticides do more harm than good]她认为使用杀虫剂没有任何益处。
2
believe in (someone) : to have trust in the goodness or ability of (someone)相信…的优点（或能力） -
Despite his problems, his parents still believe in him.尽管他有一些毛病，他的父母仍相信他是个好孩子。
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She believes in herself and in her abilities.她相信自己，也相信自己的能力。
can't believe your eyes/ears
◊ If you can't believe your eyes/ears or can hardly/scarcely believe your eyes/ears, you are very surprised at or upset by what you are seeing or hearing.不敢相信自己的眼睛（或耳朵）；对于所见所闻非常吃惊
make believe
: to act as though something that is not true or real is true or real : pretend假装；假扮 -
When we were children we used to make believe (that) we were soldiers fighting in a war.小时候我们常常玩士兵打仗的游戏。
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He isn't really angry, he's just making believe (that he is).他并没有真的生气，他只是假装而已。
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They want to make believe that everything is all right.他们想装出一切都安然无恙的样子。
— see also make-believe
seeing is believing
◊ The expression seeing is believing means that when you actually see something, you have to believe that it exists or is true.眼见为实
— believable
/bəˈliːvəbəl/ adjective [more believable; most believable] — believably
/bəˈliːvəbli/ adverb
— believer
noun, plural believers [count] -
a believer in religion宗教信徒
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devout believers虔诚的信徒
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She's a firm/great/strong believer in adult education. [=she firmly/strongly believes in the value of adult education; she thinks adult education is very useful and important]她坚信成人教育确有裨益。
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I was doubtful that he could run his own company, but he's made a believer out of me. = He's made me a believer. [=he's convinced me that he can run his own company]我曾对他能经营好自己的公司持怀疑态度，结果他让我信服了。