礼节美语127讲

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来自中国的雇员Dana跟同事Charlie聊天儿，说自己要去美国朋友家过圣诞节，请Charlie给她讲讲美国人过圣诞的习俗。

D: Would you say Christmas is the most popular American holiday?

C: Definitely. It`s a really big deal. Most people don`t work on that day, and if you ask someone to work you have to pay them a lot of overtime.

D: Should I bring presents for all of his family members?

C: That`s probably not necessary because you`re a guest. You could bring a small souvenir or something from China for them. But one tradition is to bring a nice bottle of wine.

圣诞节是美国的重要节日。Charlie说，It`s a really big deal. 意思是说圣诞节确实非常重要。大家都放假，让人加班，得付很多加班费。 You have to pay them a lot of overtime. Overtime是加班费的意思。去朋友家过圣诞节，要给每个人买礼物吗？ Charlie认为不用，只要带个中国纪念品就行了。但是美国人去朋友家作客，有带葡萄酒的传统。

D: Is there a lot of drinking during Christmas?

C: It depends on the family, but I`d say most people probably do enjoy alcoholic drinks. Have you ever tried eggnog?

D: No, what`s that?

C: It`s an alcoholic drink that sort of tastes like egg custard. It`s sweet and warm and perfect for the cold winter season.

D: Sounds delightful. What`s the traditional menu?

Charlie说，美国人过圣诞节，most people do enjoy alcoholic drinks, 大多数人都喜欢喝一杯，其中一种很普遍的酒精饮料叫eggnog, eggnog is spelled e-g-g-n-o-g, eggnog, 这种饮料味道甜甜的，温温的，适合天气冷的时候喝。圣诞节有什么传统菜肴吗？

C: Probably roast chicken. During Thanksgiving most people eat turkey. Actually, we Americans eat way too much food during the holiday season. When New Year comes around, everybody makes a resolution to lose weight!

D: Are there fireworks or any kind of public events?

C: Not really. Usually in the town center there`s a huge Christmas tree. All the streets are lined with Christmas lights...it`s really quite pretty.

Charlie说，圣诞节很多家庭会吃烤鸡。他还说，美国人过节总会吃很多东西，we Americans eat way too much food during the holiday season. 所以新年一到，大家都会立志减肥。

Charlie还说，美国人过圣诞节，一般不放烟火，但是市中心往往会有一棵特别高大的圣诞树，街道两边也都是圣诞节的彩灯，充满节日气氛。

美语三级跳 (Go English) 002A讲 - “找房”单元初级课程

各位听众，大家好！今天我们为您播出“美语三级跳”节目“找房”单元的初级课程。

Professor: Jeff is at an apartment building. He`s meeting the landlord to ask about renting an apartment.

Professor Bowman, landlord这个词由是land─土地，和lord─主人组成的，应该就是房主的意思吧？

Professor: That`s right, Winnie. Now listen for the word "vacancy," which means "open" or "available."

Jeff: Hello, do you have any vacancies?

Landlord: Yes, something just opened up.

Jeff: What kind of apartment is it?

Landlord: It`s a one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment.

我知道，"vacancy, v-a-c-a-n-c-y, vacancy"就是指等待出租的空房。Professor: Exactly. "Vacant" means "empty."

哦，vacant 是 vacancy 的形容词，意思是“空的”。现在Jeff 就是要找a vacant apartment. 房主说有一个一室一卫的公寓，听起来不错，可是不知道租金贵不贵。

Professor: Let`s listen and find out.

Jeff: How much is the rent?

Landlord: The rent is $1500 per month.

Jeff: And how much is the deposit?

Landlord: The deposit is $500.

一个一居室的公寓每月要 1500 美元？够贵的！而且，为什么Jeff 还要交一笔deposit“押金”呢？

Professor: Well, if Jeff breaks something in the apartment, the landlord uses the deposit money to fix it. In addition, he may have to pay utilities too. Let`s listen.

Jeff: Are utilities included in the rent?

Landlord: Gas and water are included.

Jeff: Do I have to pay for electricity myself?

Landlord: Yes, electricity is not included in the rent.

哦，看来Jeff 要自己负担一部分utilities, u-t-i-l-i-t-i-e-s,─“水电杂费”，因为房主说，房租里包括煤气费和水费，但是电费要单付。

Professor: Winnie, if the landlord says "all utilities are included," then the cost of gas, water and electricity will all be included in the rent. Remember, you don`t have to say "gas utility" or "water utility." You can just say "gas" or "water."

Jeff: Hmmm ... This apartment seems a little expensive. Do you have any cheap studios?

Landlord: Actually, the one-bedroom is the only vacant apartment right now.

Jeff: Do you think any studios will open up soon?

Landlord: No, not for a few months.

A "studio"? 我知道 Jeff 想找个便宜点的地方，可租这种卧室、起居室合二为一的单间小公寓，把女孩子带回家多没面子！

Professor: I don`t know. You wouldn`t date a guy living in a studio?

找个租 studio 的男朋友？那也没什么不行，但他起码得有辆特别 cool 的车！我们还是言归正传，看看Jeff 租没租那间公寓吧。

Jeff: When can I see the one-bedroom apartment?

Landlord: There`s an open house this weekend.

Jeff: What time does the open house start?

Landlord: It starts at 11AM in the morning.

Professor Bowman, 什么叫open house?

Professor: Winnie, an "open house" is when the landlord opens the apartment and anybody can just walk in and take a look.

Open house 这段时间里什么人都可以随便来看。那要不是open house，就得和房主约时间喽？这个房主也真懒，让人家看一眼不就得了。

Professor: I agree. Maybe Jeff should rent a different apartment because this landlord is not very good. Now Jeff is going to ask how long the lease is.

Jeff: What kind of lease is it?

Landlord: It`s a one-year lease.

Jeff: Can I have a month-to-month lease? I only want to rent the apartment for five months.

Landlord: No, all the leases are for one year. We don`t have month-to-month leases.

Jeff: Well then I don`t think this would be a good apartment for me. Thank you anyway.

Landlord: You`re welcome.

唉，看来是不行了。Jeff只想租5个月，可房主非要签一年的租约。这可怎么办？

Professor: Well, I guess Jeff`s friend Sarah will have to help him look for another apartment. Tune in next time to see what happens!