function

Compared meaning: what something is used for (noun).

比较义项：某物的用途／功能（名词）。

• use

  The most general word for what something is used for; casual and concrete, often plural ('several uses') or paired with 'find a use for'.

  最普通的词，指某物可以怎样被利用；比较口语化、具体，常用复数形式（'several uses'）或搭配'find a use for'。

  People have found a clever new use for old tyres as garden planters.

  人们为旧轮胎找到了一个巧妙的新用途，把它们用作花园花盆。

• purpose

  Stresses the goal or reason something was made or done for; more formal and abstract than 'use', usually singular, and common for planned events or designed objects.

  强调某物被制造出来或某件事被做的目的／原因，比use更正式、更抽象，通常用单数，常用于有计划的活动或专门设计的物品。

  The purpose of the fire drill was to prepare everyone for a real emergency.

  这次消防演习的目的是让大家为真正的紧急情况做好准备。

• function 本词

  Highlights the specific role a part plays within a system, machine or organism, so it pairs naturally with body parts, buttons and mechanisms rather than abstract goals.

  强调某个部件在系统、机器或有机体中所起的具体作用，常与身体器官、按钮、装置搭配，而不是抽象的目的。

  The main function of the heart is to pump blood around the body.

  心脏的主要功能是把血液泵送到全身。

Use, purpose, and function describe what something is for, but they differ. Use is the general, casual word. Purpose is formal, about the goal behind a design. Function is a part's role in a system or machine. 'On purpose' is not compared here.

这三个词都可以表示某物是用来做什么的，但语气和搭配不同：use最口语化，常指实际的使用方式；purpose更正式，强调设计或行动背后的目的；function则强调在系统、机器或身体器官中所起的具体作用。这里不比较use作动词「使用某物」、function作动词「运转、起作用」，以及purpose在固定短语「on purpose（故意）」中的用法。

Compared meaning: someone's or something's job in an activity (noun).

比较义项：角色，职责（某人或某物在某项活动、工作或系统中所起的作用）（名词）。

• part

  Informal and typically used for someone's role in a play, story, or shared activity; often collocated with 'play' (play a part) or 'take part in'.

  较为口语化，通常指某人在戏剧、故事或共同活动中扮演的角色；常与 play（扮演）或 take part in（参加）搭配使用。

  During rehearsals, he practiced his part until he knew every line by heart.

  排练时，他反复练习自己的角色，直到记住了每一句台词。

• role

  The most general, neutral word for someone's job, position, or duty in a team, organization, or situation; more formal than 'part'.

  是最通用、较中性的词，指某人在团队、组织或某种情境中的工作、职位或职责；比 part 更正式。

  As a nurse, her role is to support patients as well as treat their injuries.

  作为一名护士，她的职责不仅是治疗病人的伤情，还要给予他们支持。

• function 本词

  Focuses on the actual purpose or way something works, and is commonly used for machines, organs, or systems, not just people.

  强调事物实际发挥的作用或运作方式，除了指人以外，也常用于机器、器官或系统，而不仅限于人。

  The main function of a thermostat is to keep the room at a steady temperature.

  恒温器的主要作用是让房间保持恒定的温度。

Part, role, and function can mean a job or duty in an activity. Part is informal, used for a role in a play. Role is the general, neutral word for a job in a team. Function is the real purpose of something, often a machine.

这三个词都可以表示“角色”或“职责”，但语气和使用范围不同：part 多用于戏剧、故事或团队活动中某人所扮演的角色，语气较随意；role 是最通用、较正式的词，常指某人在工作或团队中的职位或职责；function 强调事物或人实际发挥的作用，除了人以外也常用于机器、系统等非生命事物。这里不比较 part 表示“一部分”的意思，也不比较 function 在数学中表示“函数”的意思。

Compared meaning: to operate correctly, as a machine or system (verb).

比较义项：（机器、器官或系统）正常运转、起作用（动词）。

• function 本词

  Fairly formal; used for complex systems, organs, or institutions operating as designed. Common in technical or institutional contexts, less so in casual talk about everyday objects.

  较为正式；用于复杂系统、器官或机构按预定方式运转。多见于技术或机构语境，日常谈论普通物件时较少使用。

  The kidneys cannot function properly once toxins begin to build up in the blood.

  一旦毒素开始在血液中堆积，肾脏就无法正常运转。

• go

  Informal, especially British; typically describes simple mechanical devices such as clocks, watches, or engines. Often appears in negative statements about something failing to start or operate.

  较口语化，尤见于英式英语；通常描述钟表、手表、引擎等简单机械装置。常出现在否定句中，表示某物无法启动或运转。

  This old clock hasn't gone right since we moved to a new house.

  自从我们搬到新家以后，这台旧钟就没走准过。

• work

  The most neutral, general-purpose choice; used for almost any machine, plan, or method operating as intended, in everyday speech across all registers.

  最中性、最通用的说法；几乎可用于任何机器、计划或方法按预期运作，日常口语各种场合都常用。

  My phone stopped working the moment I dropped it in the pool.

  我的手机一掉进泳池里就不能用了。

• run

  Emphasizes continuous or ongoing operation, especially of engines and appliances, and is often paired with a power source, as in 'run on electricity'.

  强调持续或不断的运转，尤指引擎和电器，常与动力来源搭配使用，例如“靠电力运转”。

  The old fridge has run non-stop for fifteen years without a single repair.

  这台旧冰箱已经连续运转了十五年，没有修过一次。

Function, go, work and run all mean a machine or system operates correctly. Function is formal, for complex systems. Work is the most general word. Go is informal, for simple machines, often negative. Run stresses continuous operation, often with a power source.

这四个词都可以表示“（机器、器官或系统）正常运转、起作用”，但正式程度和典型搭配不同：function较为正式，多用于复杂系统或器官；work最通用，几乎适用于任何机器或方法；go偏口语，常用于钟表、引擎等简单机械，且多见于否定句；run强调持续运转，常与动力来源搭配。这里不比较function作名词表示“功能”的用法，也不比较go的“走、去”义、run的“跑步、经营”义和work的“工作、劳动”义。