英语访谈对话 197 The Commute

 　　One of the things that I really like about Japan is Japan has a really good train system. I take the train to work every morning and I take the train home every night. I like the trains because on the trains I can do what I want to do. I can read a book, read the newspaper, listen to music, study Japanese. Um, it's really nice. I see my time on the train as my free-time, to do things that I like to do. Also, the train saves me a lot of money. In Japan it's quite common for companies to pay for their employees train ticket, so I don't have to pay for commuting¹ to work. And because I get to take the train every day, I don't need a car so I don't have to for example pay for gas, car registration², car mantainence, things like that. Also, I don't have to waste time for parking. Um, the worst thing about the trains is that they're very crowded. Very, very crowded, and sometimes it's hard to get a seat so you have to stand for a long time, and sometimes it smells a bit, but overall³ I like the trains and I'm really, really fortunate that Japan has such a good system.

1 commuting   

交换（的）

参考例句：

• I used the commuting time to read and answer my mail. 我利用上下班在汽车中的时间来阅读和答复给我的函电。
• Noncommuting objects are as real to the mathematicians as commuting objects. 对于数学家来说，不可交换的对象与可交换的对象是一样真实的。

2 registration   

n.登记，注册，挂号

参考例句：

• Marriage without registration is not recognized by law.法律不承认未登记的婚姻。
• What's your registration number?你挂的是几号？

3 overall   

n.工作服，工装裤；全面的，全体的

参考例句：

• The shop assistant was wearing a white overall.那店员穿着白色的工作服。
• How much will it cost overall?一共多少钱？