Plastic Bag - 英语词汇详解

Meaning 1：plastic bag (Plastic Bag)

Plastic Bag 🔊

/ˈplæstɪk bæɡ/

A thin bag made from plastic, often used to carry shopping items. It is light but does not break down easily in nature.

plastic bag 🔊

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/ˈplæstɪk bæɡ/

A thin, flexible container made of plastic, typically used for carrying groceries or goods.

📁 Category：Objects & Materials 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

'Plastic' from Greek 'plastikos' (moldable) + 'bag' from Old Norse 'baggi' (pack).

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'plastic' as moldable material and 'bag' as a container, but this combo never decomposes naturally.

📖 Example

At the checkout, the cashier asked if I needed a plastic bag for my fruits. 🔊 At the checkout, the cashier asked if I needed a plastic bag for my fruits.

🔗 Collocations

carry a plastic bag – to transport items using a plastic bag

single-use plastic bag – a plastic bag designed for one-time use

recyclable plastic bag – a plastic bag that can be processed for reuse

🔄 Synonyms

carrier bag (n.) – a bag with handles, often made of plastic, used for carrying purchases

shopping bag (n.) – a bag provided by stores for customers to carry bought items

📖 Cultural Story

Invented in 1907 by Leo Baekeland (Bakelite), plastic bags became ubiquitous in the 1960s. However, their non-biodegradable nature led to environmental concerns, sparking global movements to reduce usage.