conscious
Definitions
Awake and able to perceive what is happening.
清醒的，神志清醒的。
Aware of a particular thing; noticing it. (often: conscious of / conscious that)
意识到的，察觉到的。（常用 conscious of / conscious that）
Done on purpose and with full awareness; deliberate.
有意识的，故意的，自觉的。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedcon- ('together with') + sci ('know') + -ous (adj.) = 'knowing together with oneself.' To be conscious is to have inner co-knowledge: you are aware that you are awake and aware of what you are doing. The same con-+know core also gave conscience — but conscious stayed with awareness in general.
Root sci still carries 10 more wordsUsage Guide
- conscious of (+ noun) / conscious that (+ clause): aware of something — She was conscious of the silence in the room.
- conscious alone (medical): awake, not knocked out — The patient is conscious and stable.
- conscious before a noun (deliberate): a conscious effort, a conscious decision.
Note: don't confuse with conscience (n., your moral sense) — conscious is an adjective about awareness.
Example Sentences
- 1.
He stayed conscious throughout the entire operation.
- 2.
I was suddenly conscious of how quiet the room had become.
- 3.
She made a conscious effort to speak more slowly.
Easily Confused
conscious vs conscience — conscious is an adjective meaning 'aware/awake' (I'm conscious of the risk). conscience is a noun meaning your inner moral sense (my conscience won't let me lie). Same con-+sci root, but one is about awareness, the other about right and wrong.
Synonym Comparison
- conscious — aware and usually deliberate: a conscious choice
- aware — noticing or knowing something; broader and more neutral
- awake — physically not asleep, no sense of deliberateness
- alert — awake and quick to notice; ready to respond
- deliberate — done on purpose, stresses intention over awareness