A1 noun フォーマル #2,620 よく出る 2分で読める

stimulus

/ˈstɪm.jə.ləs/

A stimulus is the trigger that causes a specific response or action.

30秒でわかる単語

  • A stimulus triggers a reaction or change.
  • It can be physical, mental, or financial.
  • The plural form of stimulus is stimuli.

Overview

The term 'stimulus' originates from biology and psychology but has expanded into economics and daily conversation. At its core, a stimulus is a signal or input that causes an output or reaction. In biology, it might be light or heat; in economics, it might be a government policy designed to boost spending.

Usage Patterns

You will often see the word used with verbs like 'provide,' 'respond to,' or 'trigger.' It is frequently used in the plural form 'stimuli.' For example, a person might respond to various external stimuli, such as noise, bright lights, or sudden movements. In a formal or academic context, it refers to the 'cause' in a cause-and-effect relationship.

Common Contexts

  1. 1Biology: Organisms reacting to their environment (e.g., a plant turning toward the sun). 2. Economics: Government interventions, such as tax cuts or subsidies, intended to encourage economic growth. 3. Psychology: Experimental settings where subjects are exposed to specific sounds or images to measure their reaction time.

Similar Words Comparison: While 'stimulus' is the formal term for an inciting force, 'incentive' is used specifically when the goal is to motivate someone to perform a specific action. 'Impulse' refers more to a sudden urge or feeling rather than an external trigger. Understanding these nuances helps in selecting the right word for the context, whether you are discussing biological reactions or financial policies.

例文

1

The teacher used games as a stimulus to keep the students interested.

everyday

El maestro usó juegos como estímulo para mantener a los estudiantes interesados.

2

The government introduced a new economic stimulus to combat the recession.

formal

El gobierno introdujo un nuevo estímulo económico para combatir la recesión.

3

Bright colors and loud music were a strong stimulus for the baby.

informal

Los colores brillantes y la música fuerte fueron un estímulo fuerte para el bebé.

4

The experiment measured the subject's brain activity in response to a visual stimulus.

academic

El experimento midió la actividad cerebral del sujeto en respuesta a un estímulo visual.

類義語

反対語

deterrent hindrance discouragement

よく使う組み合わせ

economic stimulus estímulo económico
external stimulus estímulo externo
provide a stimulus proporcionar un estímulo

よく使うフレーズ

stimulus package

paquete de estímulo

sensory stimulus

estímulo sensorial

provide a stimulus

dar un estímulo

よく混同される語

stimulus vs Incentive

An incentive is a reward or benefit that encourages someone to do something. A stimulus is a broader term for any trigger that causes a reaction.

stimulus vs Stimulant

A stimulant is a substance, like caffeine, that increases activity in the body. A stimulus is the event or object itself that triggers a response.

文法パターン

provide a stimulus for [noun] respond to a stimulus external/internal stimulus

How to Use It

使い方のコツ

Stimulus is a formal noun that is frequently used in scientific, psychological, and economic discourse. When referring to multiple triggers, always use the plural 'stimuli.' It is less common in casual, everyday speech but is standard in professional environments.


よくある間違い

The most common error is using 'stimuluses' as the plural form. Another mistake is using the noun 'stimulus' when the verb 'stimulate' is required. Always ensure you are identifying the cause (the stimulus) rather than the effect.

Tips

💡

Remember the Latin plural ending

Remember that words ending in -us often take an -i plural. Think of 'stimulus' to 'stimuli' like 'cactus' to 'cacti'.

⚠️

Don't confuse with stimulate

Stimulus is a noun, while stimulate is the verb. Use 'stimulus' for the object and 'stimulate' for the action.

🌍

Economic stimulus in the news

In news headlines, you will often hear about an 'economic stimulus package.' This refers to government money meant to help the economy recover.

語源

The word comes from the Latin 'stimulus,' which literally meant a 'goad' or a pointed stick used to drive cattle. Over time, it evolved to refer to any force that drives or urges an organism to act.

文化的な背景

In modern culture, especially in the U.S., 'stimulus' is strongly associated with 'stimulus checks' sent to citizens during economic downturns. This has made the word highly recognizable to the general public outside of scientific fields.

覚え方のコツ

Think of a 'stimulus' as a 'start-button' for a reaction. If you see a 'stimulus', your body or the economy is about to 'start' moving.

よくある質問

4 問

The plural form of stimulus is stimuli. This is because the word comes from Latin, where the ending '-us' changes to '-i'.

Yes, a stimulus can be either. It simply refers to the trigger itself, which could lead to a pleasant or unpleasant reaction depending on the context.

No, it is widely used in economics and business to describe government actions that encourage spending. It is also used in general conversation to describe anything that motivates progress.

A stimulus is usually an external, immediate trigger or event. Motivation is typically an internal desire or reason that drives someone to achieve a long-term goal.

自分をテスト

fill blank

The bright light acted as a ___ for the plant to grow toward the window.

正解! おしい! 正解: stimulus

We need the singular noun here because it is a single trigger.

multiple choice

The researchers monitored the animals' reactions to various ___.

正解! おしい! 正解: stimuli

The plural of stimulus is stimuli.

sentence building

the / provides / stimulus / a / economy / for / growth

正解! おしい! 正解: B

This sentence structure correctly identifies the economy as the thing being helped by the stimulus.

スコア: /3

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Scienceの関連語

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C1

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C1

実験室で使われる特別な保護膜やシール剤のこと。敏感なサンプルを隔離し、汚染を防ぐために使われる。

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ablabive

C1

ablabive は、融解、蒸発、または外科的切除などによる物質の除去に関連します。

abphobency

C1

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abphotoion

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abpulssion

C1

The forceful driving away or outward thrust of a substance or object from a specific source. It is often used in technical or scientific contexts to describe the sudden rejection of a component or the mechanical discharge of energy.

absorption

B2

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abvincfy

C1

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