A vibrator is an electric device that shakes quickly. The shaking is the whole point of the machine — it is not a fault. There are two very different everyday meanings, and you should know both.

A vibrator一個「vibrator」 is an electric device是一種電子裝置 that shakes quickly會快速震動。 The shaking震動 is the whole point of the machine就是這台機器的重點 — it is not a fault那不是故障。 There are two very different everyday meanings有兩個非常不同的日常意思, and you should know both你應該兩個都知道。

First, in massage and physiotherapy, a vibrator is a small machine you hold against the back, shoulders or legs; the fast shaking loosens tight muscles.

First第一, in massage and physiotherapy在按摩和物理治療裡, a vibrator「vibrator」 is a small machine是一台小機器 you hold against the back, shoulders or legs你貼在背部、肩膀或腿上; the fast shaking快速的震動 loosens tight muscles能放鬆緊繃的肌肉。

Second — and this is much more common in ordinary conversation — a vibrator is a sex toy used for sexual pleasure, usually by women. Because the second meaning is so well known, saying this word in a normal conversation will usually make people think of that meaning, even if you meant the massage machine. So most people now say 'massage gun' or 'massager' for the muscle one.

Second第二 — and this is much more common in ordinary conversation而且這在日常對話裡常見得多 — a vibrator「vibrator」 is a sex toy是一種性玩具 used for sexual pleasure用於性愉悅, usually by women通常是女性使用。 Because the second meaning is so well known因為第二個意思太廣為人知了, saying this word in a normal conversation在一般對話裡說這個詞 will usually make people think of that meaning大家通常會直接想到那個意思, even if you meant the massage machine就算你指的是按摩機器也一樣。 So所以 most people now say現在大家大多會說 'massage gun'「massage gun按摩槍」 or 'massager'或「massager按摩器」 for the muscle one講到按摩用的那種。

There is also a technical use in engineering: a concrete vibrator is a tool that shakes wet concrete so the air bubbles come out. If you are speaking about that, the context makes it clear.

There is also a technical use另外也有一個技術用法 in engineering在工程上: a concrete vibrator「concrete vibrator混凝土振動棒」 is a tool是一種工具 that shakes wet concrete讓濕水泥震動 so the air bubbles come out讓裡面的氣泡跑出來。 If you are speaking about that如果你在講那個意思, the context makes it clear前後文會讓它變得清楚。

This is a normal, non-rude word — it is not a swear word — but it is a private-life topic, so people say it quietly or choose another word in class, at work, or with older relatives.

This is a normal, non-rude word這是一個普通、不粗俗的詞 — it is not a swear word不是髒話 — but it is a private-life topic但它是私人話題, so people say it quietly or choose another word所以大家會小聲說或改用別的說法 in class, at work, or with older relatives在課堂上、職場上,或跟長輩在一起時。