Top 100 Vocabulary for Visiting and Touring America | San Francisco is your practical English and Chinese guide to cable cars, Muni and BART, the Golden Gate, Alcatraz history, waterfronts and neighborhood food. Welcome! Let’s give you the words to ask clear questions, understand more of the city and enjoy those lovely discoveries along the way.
这份旧金山旅行词汇指南为中国旅客、英语学习者及英中双语家庭准备。每个词条都有英文释义、简体中文、汉语拼音、发音提示，以及英中双语例句。先学会实际用得上的词，再用它们读地图、问路、点餐和理解当地历史。
For San Francisco travel vocabulary, begin with the local places and transport names, then explore suspension bridge engineering, coastal structures and navigation and bread, tea and neighbourhood food. This city has its own 100-entry teaching list within the eight-city collection. English-speaking readers can use the Chinese glosses and examples to share discoveries with Mandarin-speaking companions. Example sentences are practice models; consult the linked official resources for current visitor arrangements.
“Top 100” is an editorial teaching selection of words, phrases and proper names, rather than an official frequency ranking. America here refers to United States destinations. CAPITAL letters in the approximate pronunciation cues indicate stress. Pinyin reads the Chinese gloss, not the English word. Use the official links for current services, visitor arrangements, tickets and access.
Begin the 100 vocabulary entries · Read the history and visitor guide · Practise speaking and writing · Visit the eduKate Vocabulary Learning Hub
Choose Your Route Through the 100 Words
- Words 1–40: local places, transport, history and experiences
- Words 41–60: Suspension bridge engineering; Earthquakes and structural preparation
- Words 61–80: Cable machinery and rail operation; Coastal structures and navigation
- Words 81–100: Historic houses and renewed buildings; Bread, tea and neighbourhood food
Local names and the city map: words 1–10
1. San Francisco
English meaning: The California city beside San Francisco Bay.
中文: 旧金山 · Pinyin: jiù jīn shān
Pronunciation cue: san fran-SIS-koh
Example: We are planning a walking day in San Francisco.
例句: 我们计划在旧金山步行游览一天。
2. Bay Area
English meaning: The wider region surrounding San Francisco Bay.
中文: 湾区 · Pinyin: wān qū
Pronunciation cue: BAY AIR-ee-uh
Example: Our next destination is elsewhere in the Bay Area.
例句: 我们的下一站在湾区的其他地方。
3. San Francisco Bay
English meaning: The large bay beside the city.
中文: 旧金山湾 · Pinyin: jiù jīn shān wān
Pronunciation cue: san fran-SIS-koh bay
Example: We watched boats crossing San Francisco Bay.
例句: 我们观看船只穿越旧金山湾。
4. Golden Gate Bridge
English meaning: The suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate strait.
中文: 金门大桥 · Pinyin: jīn mén dà qiáo
Pronunciation cue: GOHL-duhn gayt brij
Example: We checked the weather before visiting the Golden Gate Bridge.
例句: 参观金门大桥前我们查看了天气。
5. Golden Gate Park
English meaning: A large urban park distinct from the bridge.
中文: 金门公园 · Pinyin: jīn mén gōng yuán
Pronunciation cue: GOHL-duhn gayt park
Example: Golden Gate Park is a separate stop from the bridge.
例句: 金门公园与大桥是不同的游览地点。
6. suspension bridge
English meaning: A bridge whose roadway is supported by suspended cables.
中文: 悬索桥 · Pinyin: xuán suǒ qiáo
Pronunciation cue: suh-SPEN-shuhn brij
Example: The display explains how a suspension bridge carries weight.
例句: 展览介绍悬索桥如何承重。
7. strait
English meaning: A narrow passage of water connecting larger bodies of water.
中文: 海峡 · Pinyin: hǎi xiá
Pronunciation cue: strayt
Example: The bridge crosses a strait.
例句: 大桥跨越一条海峡。
8. fog
English meaning: Tiny water droplets suspended near the ground, reducing visibility.
中文: 雾 · Pinyin: wù
Pronunciation cue: fog
Example: Fog changed our view of the bridge.
例句: 雾改变了我们看到的大桥景象。
9. microclimate
English meaning: The climate of a small area that differs from its surroundings, such as a neighborhood with a characteristic pattern of fog, wind or temperature.
中文: 微气候 · Pinyin: wēi qì hòu
Pronunciation cue: MY-kroh-kly-mit
Example: A microclimate can make two neighborhoods feel different.
例句: 微气候会让两个街区感觉不同。
10. windbreaker
English meaning: A lightweight outer garment that reduces wind exposure.
中文: 防风外套 · Pinyin: fáng fēng wài tào
Pronunciation cue: WIND-bray-ker
Example: I brought a windbreaker for the bay.
例句: 我为海湾行程带了防风外套。
Local places, systems and experiences: words 11–20
11. Muni
English meaning: San Francisco’s municipal transport network.
中文: 市营公共交通系统 · Pinyin: shì yíng gōng gòng jiāo tōng xì tǒng
Pronunciation cue: MYOO-nee
Example: Which Muni route serves this destination?
例句: 哪条市营交通路线到这个目的地？
12. SFMTA
English meaning: The agency managing Muni and other city transport functions.
中文: 旧金山交通管理局 · Pinyin: jiù jīn shān jiāo tōng guǎn lǐ jú
Pronunciation cue: ess ef em tee AY
Example: SFMTA publishes current visitor information.
例句: 交通管理局发布最新访客信息。
13. BART
English meaning: The regional Bay Area Rapid Transit rail system.
中文: 湾区捷运 · Pinyin: wān qū jié yùn
Pronunciation cue: bart
Example: Should we use BART or Muni for this journey?
例句: 这段行程应该搭乘湾区捷运还是市营交通？
14. Clipper
English meaning: The regional fare-payment system used by participating services.
中文: 湾区交通支付系统 · Pinyin: wān qū jiāo tōng zhī fù xì tǒng
Pronunciation cue: KLIP-er
Example: We checked which fares our Clipper payment covers.
例句: 我们查看了交通支付方式涵盖哪些车费。
15. cable car
English meaning: A street-running vehicle pulled by a moving underground cable.
中文: 缆车 · Pinyin: lǎn chē
Pronunciation cue: KAY-buhl kar
Example: We want to understand how a cable car works.
例句: 我们想了解缆车如何运作。
16. streetcar
English meaning: A rail vehicle operating along city streets.
中文: 有轨电车 · Pinyin: yǒu guǐ diàn chē
Pronunciation cue: STREET-kar
Example: This streetcar is different from a cable car.
例句: 这辆有轨电车与缆车不同。
17. turntable
English meaning: A rotating platform used to turn certain rail vehicles.
中文: 转车台 · Pinyin: zhuǎn chē tái
Pronunciation cue: TERN-tay-buhl
Example: We watched workers rotate the cable car on the turntable.
例句: 我们看着工作人员在转车台上转动缆车。
18. grip
English meaning: In cable-car machinery, the device that grasps the moving cable.
中文: 缆索夹持装置 · Pinyin: lǎn suǒ jiā chí zhuāng zhì
Pronunciation cue: grip
Example: The museum explains how the grip engages the cable.
例句: 博物馆介绍夹持装置如何夹住缆索。
19. steep
English meaning: Rising or falling at a sharp angle.
中文: 陡峭的 · Pinyin: dǒu qiào de
Pronunciation cue: steep
Example: This street is steeper than we expected.
例句: 这条街比我们预想的更陡。
20. incline
English meaning: A sloping surface or stretch of road.
中文: 斜坡 · Pinyin: xié pō
Pronunciation cue: IN-klyn
Example: Can we choose a route with a gentler incline?
例句: 我们可以选择坡度更缓的路线吗？
History, districts and useful distinctions: words 21–30
21. Fisherman’s Wharf
English meaning: A waterfront visitor district in San Francisco.
中文: 渔人码头 · Pinyin: yú rén mǎ tóu
Pronunciation cue: FISH-er-muhnz worf
Example: Our lunch stop is near Fisherman’s Wharf.
例句: 我们的午餐地点在渔人码头附近。
22. Pier 39
English meaning: A waterfront attraction near Fisherman’s Wharf.
中文: 三十九号码头 · Pinyin: sān shí jiǔ hào mǎ tóu
Pronunciation cue: peer THER-tee NYN
Example: We saved the meeting point at Pier 39.
例句: 我们保存了三十九号码头的集合点。
23. sea lion
English meaning: A marine mammal often associated with the Pier 39 waterfront.
中文: 海狮 · Pinyin: hǎi shī
Pronunciation cue: SEE LY-uhn
Example: We watched the sea lions from the viewing area.
例句: 我们从观赏区观看海狮。
24. Embarcadero
English meaning: The eastern waterfront roadway and surrounding promenade.
中文: 滨海大道 · Pinyin: bīn hǎi dà dào
Pronunciation cue: em-bar-kuh-DAIR-oh
Example: We planned a walk along the Embarcadero.
例句: 我们计划沿滨海大道步行。
25. Ferry Building
English meaning: The waterfront landmark containing food businesses and ferry-related facilities.
中文: 渡轮大厦 · Pinyin: dù lún dà shà
Pronunciation cue: FAIR-ee BIL-ding
Example: We chose a meeting point outside the Ferry Building.
例句: 我们选择了渡轮大厦外的集合点。
26. Alcatraz
English meaning: The island with military, prison and Native American occupation histories.
中文: 恶魔岛 · Pinyin: è mó dǎo
Pronunciation cue: AL-kuh-traz
Example: We read about Alcatraz before booking a visit.
例句: 我们预约参观前阅读了恶魔岛的历史。
27. cellhouse
English meaning: A prison building containing cells.
中文: 牢房楼 · Pinyin: láo fáng lóu
Pronunciation cue: SEL-hows
Example: The audio tour explains life in the cellhouse.
例句: 语音导览介绍牢房楼里的生活。
28. penitentiary
English meaning: A prison, especially in formal historical terminology.
中文: 监狱 · Pinyin: jiān yù
Pronunciation cue: pen-uh-TEN-shuh-ree
Example: The island once contained a federal penitentiary.
例句: 岛上曾有一座联邦监狱。
29. occupation
English meaning: In this historical context, taking and holding a place as an assertion or protest.
中文: 占领行动 · Pinyin: zhàn lǐng xíng dòng
Pronunciation cue: ok-yuh-PAY-shuhn
Example: The exhibit explains the Native American occupation.
例句: 展览介绍了美洲原住民的占领行动。
30. Chinatown
English meaning: A neighborhood associated with Chinese American communities and history.
中文: 唐人街 · Pinyin: táng rén jiē
Pronunciation cue: CHY-nuh-town
Example: We want to learn about Chinatown beyond its shopfronts.
例句: 我们想了解唐人街商店之外的历史。
Travel details, culture and food: words 31–40
31. North Beach
English meaning: A San Francisco neighborhood associated with Italian American and literary histories.
中文: 北滩街区 · Pinyin: běi tān jiē qū
Pronunciation cue: NORTH beech
Example: We planned a café stop in North Beach.
例句: 我们计划在北滩街区的咖啡馆休息。
32. Mission District
English meaning: A neighborhood known for community histories, food and murals.
中文: 米慎区 · Pinyin: mǐ shèn qū
Pronunciation cue: MISH-uhn DIS-trikt
Example: We joined a mural walk in the Mission District.
例句: 我们在米慎区参加了壁画步行游览。
33. mural
English meaning: An artwork made on a wall.
中文: 壁画 · Pinyin: bì huà
Pronunciation cue: MYOOR-uhl
Example: Who painted this mural, and which community stories does it represent?
例句: 这幅壁画是谁画的，它呈现了哪些社区故事？
34. Union Square
English meaning: The downtown plaza and surrounding shopping district.
中文: 联合广场 · Pinyin: lián hé guǎng chǎng
Pronunciation cue: YOON-yuhn skwair
Example: We agreed on a specific entrance near Union Square.
例句: 我们约定了联合广场附近的具体入口。
35. Lombard Street
English meaning: The street with a famously winding section.
中文: 伦巴底街 · Pinyin: lún bā dǐ jiē
Pronunciation cue: LOM-bard street
Example: Which section of Lombard Street are we visiting?
例句: 我们参观伦巴底街的哪一段？
36. switchback
English meaning: A sharp reversing bend on a steep route.
中文: 折返弯道 · Pinyin: zhé fǎn wān dào
Pronunciation cue: SWICH-bak
Example: The road uses switchbacks to manage the slope.
例句: 道路通过折返弯道应对坡度。
37. sourdough
English meaning: Bread associated with fermentation using a sourdough starter.
中文: 酸面团面包 · Pinyin: suān miàn tuán miàn bāo
Pronunciation cue: SOW-er-doh
Example: We shared a loaf of sourdough.
例句: 我们分享了一条酸面团面包。
38. Dungeness crab
English meaning: A Pacific coast crab encountered on regional menus.
中文: 珍宝蟹 · Pinyin: zhēn bǎo xiè
Pronunciation cue: DUN-juh-nis krab
Example: Is Dungeness crab available on today’s menu?
例句: 今天的菜单有珍宝蟹吗？
39. SFO
English meaning: The airport code for San Francisco International Airport.
中文: 旧金山国际机场 · Pinyin: jiù jīn shān guó jì jī chǎng
Pronunciation cue: ess ef OH
Example: Our flight leaves from SFO.
例句: 我们的航班从旧金山国际机场出发。
40. earthquake
English meaning: A shaking of the ground associated with movement in the earth.
中文: 地震 · Pinyin: dì zhèn
Pronunciation cue: ERTH-kwayk
Example: The museum explains how an earthquake affected the city.
例句: 博物馆介绍了地震如何影响这座城市。
Suspension bridge engineering: words 41–50
41. cable
English meaning: A strong rope-like assembly, often made of metal strands.
中文: 缆索 · Pinyin: lǎn suǒ
English pronunciation cue: KAY-bul
Example: The model shows how a cable carries tension.
例句: 这个模型展示了缆索如何承受拉力。
42. suspender
English meaning: A hanging member connecting a bridge’s main cable to its deck.
中文: 吊索 · Pinyin: diào suǒ
English pronunciation cue: suh-SPEN-der
Example: Each suspender helps support the bridge deck.
例句: 每根吊索都有助于支撑桥面。
43. tower
English meaning: A tall structure supporting a bridge’s main cables.
中文: 桥塔 · Pinyin: qiáo tǎ
English pronunciation cue: TOW-er
Example: The tower rises above the roadway.
例句: 桥塔高耸在道路上方。
44. deck
English meaning: The surface structure carrying traffic across a bridge.
中文: 桥面 · Pinyin: qiáo miàn
English pronunciation cue: dek
Example: The deck has space for different types of traffic.
例句: 桥面为不同类型的交通留有空间。
45. anchorage
English meaning: A structure securing the ends of a bridge’s main cables.
中文: 锚碇 · Pinyin: máo dìng
English pronunciation cue: ANG-ker-ij
Example: The diagram shows the cable meeting the anchorage.
例句: 图示展示了缆索与锚碇的连接。
46. tension
English meaning: A pulling force transmitted through a material.
中文: 拉力 · Pinyin: lā lì
English pronunciation cue: TEN-shun
Example: The guide uses a rope to demonstrate tension.
例句: 讲解员用绳子演示拉力。
47. compression
English meaning: The squeezing of a material by forces pushing inward; in structures, it contrasts with tension, which pulls.
中文: 压缩作用 · Pinyin: yā suō zuò yòng
English pronunciation cue: kum-PRESH-un
Example: How does this bridge model show compression in the towers and tension in the cables?
例句: 这个桥梁模型如何展示桥塔受压与缆索受拉的情况？
48. expansion joint
English meaning: A connection allowing structures to move as conditions change.
中文: 伸缩缝 · Pinyin: shēn suō fèng
English pronunciation cue: ik-SPAN-shun joynt
Example: The expansion joint allows small changes in the deck’s length.
例句: 伸缩缝允许桥面长度发生小幅变化。
49. rivet
English meaning: A metal fastener used to join components permanently.
中文: 铆钉 · Pinyin: mǎo dīng
English pronunciation cue: RIV-it
Example: We noticed rows of rivets in the steelwork.
例句: 我们注意到钢结构中有一排排铆钉。
50. steelwork
English meaning: The assembled steel components of a structure.
中文: 钢结构 · Pinyin: gāng jié gòu
English pronunciation cue: STEEL-werk
Example: The photograph highlights the bridge’s steelwork.
例句: 照片突出了桥梁的钢结构。
Earthquakes and structural preparation: words 51–60
51. bedrock
English meaning: Solid rock beneath loose surface material.
中文: 基岩 · Pinyin: jī yán
English pronunciation cue: BED-rok
Example: Does this building’s foundation reach bedrock or rest on another stable layer?
例句: 这栋建筑的基础伸到基岩，还是落在另一层稳固地层上？
52. fault
English meaning: A fracture in rock along which movement has occurred.
中文: 断层 · Pinyin: duàn céng
English pronunciation cue: fawlt
Example: The diagram marks a fault beneath the landscape.
例句: 图上标出了地貌下方的一条断层。
53. seismic
English meaning: Relating to earthquakes or vibrations of the Earth.
中文: 地震的 · Pinyin: dì zhèn de
English pronunciation cue: SYZ-mik
Example: The exhibit describes seismic monitoring.
例句: 展览介绍了地震监测。
54. retrofit
English meaning: To add or alter features in an existing structure to improve its performance.
中文: 加固改造 · Pinyin: jiā gù gǎi zào
English pronunciation cue: RET-roh-fit
Example: The caption explains a retrofit of an older building.
例句: 说明文字介绍了对一栋老建筑的加固改造。
55. tremor
English meaning: A shaking movement, including a small earthquake.
中文: 震动 · Pinyin: zhèn dòng
English pronunciation cue: TREM-er
Example: The instrument can record a slight tremor.
例句: 这台仪器能够记录轻微震动。
56. epicenter
English meaning: The point on Earth’s surface above an earthquake’s origin.
中文: 震中 · Pinyin: zhèn zhōng
English pronunciation cue: EP-ih-sen-ter
Example: The map locates the epicenter of the earthquake.
例句: 地图标出了这次地震的震中。
57. magnitude
English meaning: A measure of an earthquake’s size based on released energy.
中文: 震级 · Pinyin: zhèn jí
English pronunciation cue: MAG-nih-tood
Example: Does a larger magnitude always mean stronger shaking at our location?
例句: 震级更大是否意味着我们所在的位置震感一定更强？
58. aftershock
English meaning: An earthquake occurring after a larger earthquake in the same general area.
中文: 余震 · Pinyin: yú zhèn
English pronunciation cue: AF-ter-shok
Example: The lesson explains why an aftershock can follow a major earthquake.
例句: 这节课解释了大地震后为何可能出现余震。
59. preparedness
English meaning: Planning and preparation before a possible emergency.
中文: 应急准备 · Pinyin: yìng jí zhǔn bèi
English pronunciation cue: prih-PAIR-id-nus
Example: Our family discussed earthquake preparedness before travelling.
例句: 旅行前，我们一家讨论了地震应急准备。
60. evacuation route
English meaning: A designated path for leaving an area during an emergency.
中文: 疏散路线 · Pinyin: shū sàn lù xiàn
English pronunciation cue: ih-vak-yoo-AY-shun root
Example: We located the evacuation route when we arrived.
例句: 到达后，我们找到了疏散路线。
Cable machinery and rail operation: words 61–70
61. conduit
English meaning: A channel or enclosure through which cables or other services pass.
中文: 管道槽 · Pinyin: guǎn dào cáo
English pronunciation cue: KON-doo-it
Example: The diagram shows the conduit beneath the street.
例句: 图示展示了街道下方的管道槽。
62. brake
English meaning: A device used to slow or stop movement.
中文: 制动器 · Pinyin: zhì dòng qì
English pronunciation cue: brayk
Example: The explanation describes how the brake slows the car.
例句: 说明介绍了制动器如何让车减速。
63. lever
English meaning: A rigid bar used to apply force or control a mechanism.
中文: 操纵杆 · Pinyin: cāo zòng gān
English pronunciation cue: LEV-er
Example: The operator moves a lever to control the equipment.
例句: 操作员移动操纵杆来控制设备。
64. pulley
English meaning: A wheel that guides a rope or cable.
中文: 滑轮 · Pinyin: huá lún
English pronunciation cue: POOL-ee
Example: The pulley changes the cable’s direction.
例句: 滑轮改变了缆索的方向。
65. powerhouse
English meaning: A building housing machinery that provides power.
中文: 动力站 · Pinyin: dòng lì zhàn
English pronunciation cue: POW-er-hows
Example: The powerhouse contains equipment for the cable system.
例句: 动力站里装有缆索系统的设备。
66. track gauge
English meaning: The distance between the inside edges of a railway’s rails.
中文: 轨距 · Pinyin: guǐ jù
English pronunciation cue: trak gayj
Example: The diagram marks the track gauge.
例句: 图示标出了轨距。
67. rail
English meaning: A metal track component guiding railway wheels.
中文: 钢轨 · Pinyin: gāng guǐ
English pronunciation cue: rayl
Example: The wheel runs along the rail.
例句: 车轮沿着钢轨运行。
68. traction
English meaning: The force that enables a vehicle to move along a surface.
中文: 牵引力 · Pinyin: qiān yǐn lì
English pronunciation cue: TRAK-shun
Example: The lesson compares different forms of traction.
例句: 这节课比较了不同形式的牵引力。
69. street running
English meaning: Railway operation along a street also used by other traffic.
中文: 沿街行驶 · Pinyin: yán jiē xíng shǐ
English pronunciation cue: street RUN-ing
Example: This photograph shows street running beside cars.
例句: 这张照片展示了轨道车辆与汽车沿街行驶。
70. headway
English meaning: The time between successive vehicles on a service.
中文: 发车间隔 · Pinyin: fā chē jiàn gé
English pronunciation cue: HED-way
Example: Does the headway change in the evening?
例句: 晚上发车间隔会改变吗？
Coastal structures and navigation: words 71–80
71. seawall
English meaning: A wall protecting land or structures from waves and coastal water.
中文: 海堤 · Pinyin: hǎi dī
English pronunciation cue: SEE-wawl
Example: The diagram shows the seawall beside the bay.
例句: 图示展示了海湾旁的海堤。
72. landing stage
English meaning: A platform where people can board or leave boats.
中文: 登船平台 · Pinyin: dēng chuán píng tái
English pronunciation cue: LAN-ding stayj
Example: Which landing stage does our boat use?
例句: 我们的船使用哪个登船平台？
73. jetty
English meaning: A structure extending into water to protect or guide access to a harbour.
中文: 突堤 · Pinyin: tū dī
English pronunciation cue: JET-ee
Example: The jetty projects beyond the shoreline.
例句: 突堤延伸到岸线之外。
74. foghorn
English meaning: A loud warning signal used when visibility is poor.
中文: 雾笛 · Pinyin: wù dí
English pronunciation cue: FOG-horn
Example: The recording lets us hear a foghorn.
例句: 这段录音让我们听到了雾笛声。
75. beacon
English meaning: A signal or light marking a position or warning of danger.
中文: 导航信标 · Pinyin: dǎo háng xìn biāo
English pronunciation cue: BEE-kun
Example: The beacon helps identify the channel.
例句: 导航信标有助于辨认航道。
76. lighthouse
English meaning: A structure with a light used to guide vessels.
中文: 灯塔 · Pinyin: dēng tǎ
English pronunciation cue: LYT-hows
Example: The lighthouse appears on our coastal map.
例句: 我们的海岸地图上标出了灯塔。
77. pilot boat
English meaning: A small vessel transporting maritime pilots to or from larger ships.
中文: 引航船 · Pinyin: yǐn háng chuán
English pronunciation cue: PY-lut boht
Example: The photograph shows a pilot boat approaching a cargo ship.
例句: 照片展示了一艘引航船驶近货船。
78. harbormaster
English meaning: An official overseeing activity and safety in a harbour.
中文: 港务长 · Pinyin: gǎng wù zhǎng
English pronunciation cue: HAR-ber-mas-ter
Example: The sign identifies the harbormaster’s office.
例句: 标牌标出了港务长办公室。
79. tideline
English meaning: A line showing where the water reaches at a particular tide.
中文: 潮水线 · Pinyin: cháo shuǐ xiàn
English pronunciation cue: TYD-lyn
Example: Seaweed lies along the tideline.
例句: 海藻沿着潮水线分布。
80. salt marsh
English meaning: A coastal wetland influenced by salt water.
中文: 盐沼 · Pinyin: yán zhǎo
English pronunciation cue: sawlt marsh
Example: The illustration shows plants growing in a salt marsh.
例句: 插图展示了生长在盐沼中的植物。
Historic houses and renewed buildings: words 81–90
81. Victorian
English meaning: Relating to the period of Queen Victoria’s reign or associated styles.
中文: 维多利亚时期的 · Pinyin: wéi duō lì yà shí qī de
English pronunciation cue: vik-TOR-ee-un
Example: The walking guide identifies a Victorian house.
例句: 步行指南指出了一栋维多利亚时期的房屋。
82. bay window
English meaning: A window projecting outward from a building’s wall.
中文: 凸窗 · Pinyin: tū chuāng
English pronunciation cue: bay WIN-doh
Example: The bay window overlooks the street.
例句: 这扇凸窗朝向街道。
83. gable
English meaning: The upper triangular portion of a wall beneath a pitched roof.
中文: 山墙 · Pinyin: shān qiáng
English pronunciation cue: GAY-bul
Example: The gable gives the roofline a pointed shape.
例句: 山墙让屋顶轮廓呈现尖形。
84. bracket
English meaning: A projecting architectural support beneath a shelf, eave or other feature; it can also be decorative.
中文: 托架 · Pinyin: tuō jià
English pronunciation cue: BRAK-it
Example: Does this bracket support the eave, or is it mainly decorative?
例句: 这个托架支撑屋檐，还是主要起装饰作用？
85. row house
English meaning: A house joined to others in a continuous row.
中文: 联排住宅 · Pinyin: lián pái zhù zhái
English pronunciation cue: roh hows
Example: Each row house has its own entrance.
例句: 每栋联排住宅都有独立入口。
86. stoop
English meaning: Steps leading from a street to a building’s entrance.
中文: 门前台阶 · Pinyin: mén qián tái jiē
English pronunciation cue: stoop
Example: Please avoid blocking the stoop while taking photographs.
例句: 拍照时请不要挡住门前台阶。
87. ornamental trim
English meaning: Decorative finishing around architectural edges or openings.
中文: 装饰线脚 · Pinyin: zhuāng shì xiàn jiǎo
English pronunciation cue: or-nuh-MEN-tul trim
Example: The ornamental trim frames the window.
例句: 装饰线脚围绕着窗户。
88. restoration
English meaning: Work returning something to an earlier condition or appearance.
中文: 修复 · Pinyin: xiū fù
English pronunciation cue: res-tuh-RAY-shun
Example: The panel explains the building’s restoration.
例句: 展板介绍了这栋建筑的修复。
89. adaptive reuse
English meaning: Giving an existing building a new function.
中文: 适应性再利用 · Pinyin: shì yìng xìng zài lì yòng
English pronunciation cue: uh-DAP-tiv ree-YOOS
Example: Adaptive reuse turned the old structure into a new public space.
例句: 适应性再利用把这座老建筑变成了新的公共空间。
90. streetscape
English meaning: The combined visual features of a street.
中文: 街景 · Pinyin: jiē jǐng
English pronunciation cue: STREET-skayp
Example: The trees and houses shape the streetscape.
例句: 树木和房屋共同构成了街景。
Bread, tea and neighbourhood food: words 91–100
91. bakery
English meaning: A place making or selling bread and other baked goods.
中文: 面包店 · Pinyin: miàn bāo diàn
English pronunciation cue: BAY-kuh-ree
Example: We stopped at a bakery after our walk.
例句: 散步后，我们在一家面包店停了下来。
92. starter
English meaning: A culture used to begin fermentation in bread-making.
中文: 酵种 · Pinyin: jiào zhǒng
English pronunciation cue: STAR-ter
Example: The baker explained how the starter is maintained.
例句: 面包师解释了如何养护酵种。
93. proofing
English meaning: Allowing dough to rise before baking.
中文: 面团发酵 · Pinyin: miàn tuán fā jiào
English pronunciation cue: PROO-fing
Example: Proofing gives the dough time to expand.
例句: 发酵让面团有时间膨胀。
94. crumb
English meaning: The inner texture of bread, distinct from its outer crust.
中文: 面包内瓤 · Pinyin: miàn bāo nèi ráng
English pronunciation cue: krum
Example: The crumb has many small air pockets.
例句: 面包内瓤有许多小气孔。
95. tangy
English meaning: Having a pleasantly sharp or acidic taste.
中文: 酸香的 · Pinyin: suān xiāng de
English pronunciation cue: TANG-ee
Example: This bread has a tangy flavour.
例句: 这种面包有酸香的味道。
96. steamed
English meaning: Cooked using steam.
中文: 蒸制的 · Pinyin: zhēng zhì de
English pronunciation cue: steemd
Example: Are these dumplings steamed or fried?
例句: 这些饺子是蒸的还是煎的？
97. dim sum
English meaning: Small Cantonese dishes often served with tea.
中文: 点心 · Pinyin: diǎn xīn
English pronunciation cue: dim sum
Example: We chose three dim sum dishes to share.
例句: 我们选了三款点心一起吃。
98. tea house
English meaning: A place where tea is served as a main focus.
中文: 茶馆 · Pinyin: chá guǎn
English pronunciation cue: TEE hows
Example: The tea house offers several kinds of tea.
例句: 这家茶馆提供几种茶。
99. roasted duck
English meaning: Duck cooked by roasting.
中文: 烤鸭 · Pinyin: kǎo yā
English pronunciation cue: ROH-stid duk
Example: Does the roasted duck come with rice?
例句: 烤鸭配米饭吗？
100. cioppino
English meaning: A seafood stew associated with San Francisco.
中文: 意式海鲜炖汤 · Pinyin: yì shì hǎi xiān dùn tāng
English pronunciation cue: chuh-PEE-noh
Example: Which seafood is included in the cioppino today?
例句: 今天的意式海鲜炖汤包含哪些海鲜？
San Francisco History: An Island Has More Than One Story
San Francisco invites you to look twice. A bay view is also a transport landscape. A cable car is also a working mechanical system. An island associated with a prison can carry histories that reach beyond the cellhouse.
The National Park Service’s Alcatraz history distinguishes military history, the federal penitentiary and Native American occupations. Federal prison use ran from 1934 to 1963. The occupation of 1969–1971 is another major part of the island’s story.
Occupation needs a contextual translation here. It refers to taking and holding a place as a historical action, rather than somebody’s job. The NPS account of the occupations offers a route into the people and claims involved. Read before visiting so that a familiar tourist label does not become your only explanation.
Try this question in a travel notebook: ‘Which part of the history did I expect, and which part was new to me?’ State what changed your understanding. A careful response is more informative than simply writing that the island was interesting.
What to Visit in San Francisco: Separate the Bridge, Park and Bay
The Golden Gate Bridge and Golden Gate Park are different destinations. Put both on a map before choosing how to visit. Bridge viewpoints, park museums and a waterfront afternoon have different journeys and different weather exposure.
An Alcatraz plan needs the actual departure information attached to its booking. Do not assume that any waterfront boat trip includes an island landing. Compare the product description, departure pier and timing. Admission, cruise and guided tour can describe different combinations of services.
The official visitor organisation’s landmark guide offers an overview of the city’s familiar attractions. Use it as a starting point, then choose one or two experiences you want to understand well. A famous name does not tell you how much time to spend there.
Chinatown, North Beach and the Mission District open different routes into neighborhood history, food and community life. In a mural walk, ask who made the work and what the interpretation says. In a food visit, ask about the dish rather than treating a whole neighborhood as a single cuisine.
At Fisherman’s Wharf or the Ferry Building, agree on a precise meeting point. Pier numbers, building entrances and street intersections are useful. ‘I’m beside the water’ is cheerful but difficult to act on in a city with a long waterfront.
San Francisco Transport: Cable Cars, Streetcars and Regional Rail
Muni is the municipal system. BART is regional rail. Cable cars and streetcars are distinct vehicles within the city’s transport landscape. Learning those names helps you find the appropriate map and payment instructions.
The SFMTA cable-car guide explains boarding and current ticket arrangements. Cable cars use a moving cable beneath the street; a historic streetcar is a different kind of vehicle. Do not assume that a pass or accessibility arrangement applies identically to both.
For a journey to or from SFO, consult BART’s airport information and compare the route with your accommodation address. Clipper is a payment-system name. It does not mean that every mode has the same fare rules.
A hill changes the experience of a walking route. Ask, ‘Is there a route with a gentler incline?’ if that matters to your group. Distance and difficulty are different pieces of information. A short map line may still involve a steep climb.
A San Francisco Practice Day: Compare What Moves and What Stays
Begin with the cable car vocabulary. Explain the difference between car, cable, grip and turntable. If you visit a museum display, use its explanation rather than inventing how the mechanism works. A technical word becomes memorable when you understand its role.
At a viewpoint, describe the weather precisely. Fog, wind and clear sky name conditions; they do not guarantee what you will see later. Write one sentence about the visible bridge and another about what was hidden. That distinction strengthens descriptive writing.
During a neighborhood meal, practise sourdough, receipt and total in ordinary conversation. Ask whether a particular menu item is available rather than assuming that a regional specialty appears everywhere or in every season.
Finish with a comparison between a journey and a historical visit. What did the transport help you understand about the city? What did the historical account add? Two connected observations make a much stronger paragraph than a collection of landmarks.
A San Francisco Conversation: Trace the Bridge’s Forces
Follow the bridge vocabulary from deck to suspender to cable, using a diagram that identifies the actual design. Ask, ‘How does the anchorage hold the cable?’ You are tracing a structural relationship. A bridge photograph may show a tower beautifully while hiding the foundation and anchorage details.
Try two questions beside a labelled bridge diagram: “Which cables are under tension?” — “哪些缆索承受拉力？” and “Where does the diagram show compression?” — “图示在哪里显示了受压作用？” Tension pulls; compression squeezes. Use the diagram to identify the relevant members rather than assuming that every part of a bridge carries the same kind of load.
Explain a Cable Car’s Movement
The Cable Car Museum’s mechanical guide explains the moving cable below the street and the grip that engages it. Practise following the sequence: the machinery moves the cable, the grip takes hold, and the car is pulled along.
You already have grip among the local entries. Use the more specific cable grip to explain the mechanism in context, then connect it to lever and brake. Those terms name different parts or functions. For real travel, follow the operator’s instructions rather than treating a museum diagram as permission to handle equipment.
Read the City at Different Scales
Move from bedrock and seismic activity to the details of a bay window or ornamental trim. An earthquake term describes a physical process; an architectural term describes a building feature. Retrofit tells you that work was added to an existing structure, but the word alone does not establish what standard the work meets.
Practise anchorage with the first syllable prominent, then say bay window as two clear words. Check unfamiliar sounds with dictionary audio. Meaning needs context too: in this guide, a starter is the culture used to ferment bread dough. Ask “How does the starter affect this bread?” — “酵种如何影响这种面包？” Here, starter does not mean the first course of a meal.
A San Francisco Observation-and-Question Pair
Model observation-and-question pairs:
“The bay window projects beyond the wall. Does it give the room more space or a wider view?” — “凸窗伸出墙面。它会让房间多一些空间，还是拥有更宽的视野？”
“This bread tastes tangy. How does the starter affect its flavour?” — “这种面包带有酸香味。酵种如何影响它的风味？”
Use a pair only when its observation matches what you actually saw or tasted. The question invites an explanation; it does not prove the answer.
The eduKate Vocabulary Learning Hub supports this movement into usable sentences. With the Fencing Method, hold the observation steady before adding a claim. That habit works for a cable-car note, a building comparison or a fresh travel paragraph.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are a cable car and a streetcar the same?
No. The cable car is pulled by an underground moving cable. A streetcar is a different vehicle. Check the relevant fares and access arrangements.
Are Golden Gate Park and the bridge at the same location?
They are separate destinations. Locate both before arranging your journey.
Does an Alcatraz sightseeing cruise always include landing on the island?
Read the actual booking description. A bay cruise passing an island and an admission product including a landing are different experiences.
Do Chinese translations cover every meaning of the English word?
Read the Chinese gloss in its San Francisco setting. Grip names the cable-car 缆索夹持装置 here, while starter in the bakery group means 酵种, a fermentation culture. The definition tells you the job of the thing; the bilingual sentence shows how to talk about it. Other meanings of the same English word belong to other contexts.
How should I use the pronunciation cues?
Use them as approximate starting points. They are not IPA transcriptions. Listen to dictionary recordings or the official language resources for unfamiliar names and sounds.
How many words should I learn at once?
Pick a small set for the San Francisco journey in front of you: Muni, BART and Clipper, or cable car, grip and turntable for a mechanical display. Try “What does the grip hold?” — “夹持装置夹住的是什么？” Use the entry and a diagram to check your answer, then explain it without translating every word. Add the bridge or bakery group when you have a setting in which to use it.
How can a family turn this trip into better English?
Write a part-and-purpose explanation after a San Francisco visit. A cable-car diagram might help you connect cable, grip and brake; a bridge diagram might help you explain deck, suspender and tension. Use labelled information to support the relationships. Then read your paragraph to a companion and ask which sentence needs clarification. A clear technical explanation can begin with just a few well-used words.
Continue Your America Vocabulary Journey
Continue from San Francisco into a new city and a fresh set of vocabulary. The guides below introduce different target entries, local histories and bilingual practice situations. Revisit an earlier guide whenever you want to use its words again.
- Honolulu — island ecology, royal history and voyaging
- Las Vegas — desert landscapes, stagecraft and water engineering
- Los Angeles — filmmaking, astronomy and coastal recreation
- Washington, D.C. — government, archives and science
- Seattle — coastal ecology, coffee and markets
- Chicago — architecture, music and art
- Boston — civic history, ships and university life
Keep Learning with eduKate
A travel word becomes useful when you can understand it in a new setting, ask a question with it and use it in an original sentence. This guide joins the wider eduKate routes into vocabulary, English, Mathematics and Science through the shared habit of learning clearly and applying what you know.
- Primary, secondary, adult and career vocabulary
- Master SEC English Vocabulary Guide
- American English and UK English compared
- The wider eduKate learning ecosystem
Have a wonderful visit to San Francisco. Ask with confidence, listen with curiosity and leave space for the moment that becomes your favorite story.