Dialogue 1
Mark: So, Jingjing, are you all set for the holiday to start?
马克：那么，京晶，你做好迎接假期到来的准备了吗？
Jingjing: I wouldn't mind if it had started already. But, on the other hand, I could do with an extra day or two before the break, to get my work done.
京晶：即使假期已经开始了，我都不介意。不过，假期开始前，我还得用一两天时间把手头工作忙完。
Mark: Take a deep breath, and let's get your mind off work for a few minutes.
马克：深呼吸放松一下，把工作的事情忘记，我们先聊点儿别的。
Jingjing: Sure, why don't you tell me what you know about the Spring Festival?
京晶：好吧，那你先说说关于春节你了解多少？
Mark: Umm, I'm sure I know less than you do. It's the lunar new year. And the holiday spans fifteen days or so.
马克：呃，我确信我了解的没你多。春节就是中国的农历新年。假期15天左右。
Jingjing: Can you describe some of the customs and traditions?
京晶：你能描述一些关于它的习俗和传统吗？
Mark: Well, there are temple fairs. Temples open up to the public, and sell food and small toys for kids. I always liked those little pin-wheels you could buy there.
马克：嗯，有庙会。寺庙会对公众开放，还会售卖食品和孩子玩的小玩具。可以在那里买到我一直很喜欢的小玩具风车。
Jingjing: Right. And what do people eat during the Spring Festival?
京晶：没错。那你了解春节期间人们会吃些什么吗？
Mark: Dumplings, dumplings, and more dumplings. I've been avoiding dumplings for the past several weeks, in preparation for the holiday.
马克：饺子、饺子，还是饺子。我过去的几个星期都在避免吃饺子，就是为了春节做准备。
Jingjing: That's a good idea. Come to think of it, I haven't had dumplings in over a month either. Is there anything special about the dumplings during the Spring Festival?
京晶：好主意。仔细一想，我也已经1个多月没吃饺子了。春节期间的饺子跟平时比有什么特别的吗？
Mark: Yeah, people prefer to make them at home. It's something relatives can do together.
马克：有啊，春节时人们更加喜欢在家里包饺子吃。这是一件是亲戚们可以一起来做的事。
Jingjing: Do you know about the coins in dumplings?
京晶：你知道饺子里放硬币是怎么回事吗？
Mark: Of course! People put one or two coins in a batch of dumplings. Then, the person who gets one in a dumpling they start to eat—well, they'll make a lot of money in the coming year.
马克：当然啦！人们会在一批饺子里包一到两枚硬币。吃到有硬币的饺子的人，来年会发财。
Jingjing: Wow, it seems I can't get one by you. I'll think up some more questions for the next time I see you.
京晶：哇，看来我是问不倒你了。我得再多想出几个问题，下次见到你时再问你。
Mark: That'll be sooner rather than later. I'm just going to buy some nuts at the department store.
马克：宜早不宜迟。我马上要去商场买些坚果。
Jingjing: Ok. I'll think quick.
京晶：好嘞，我这就赶紧想。
New words : 习语短语
I could do with 我可以用
I could use, I need
customs 习俗
special behaviors in a culture, like shaking hands with a person you've accidentally bumped into on the pavement
traditions 传统
what people have been doing for a long time in a culture, like visiting relatives in a particular order on a holiday
pin-wheel 玩具风车
a child's toy a stick with a colorful wheel attached by a pin in the middle (when the wind blows, the wheel spins around)
get one by you ask you a question you can't answer (or) do something you'd object to without you noticing
Dialogue 2
Jingjing: Wow, you got a lot!
京晶：哇，你买了好多坚果！
Mark: Figured I would. It doesn't hurt to have lots of nuts. If I have to visit in-laws on short notice, it's something to give them. If not, it's something to eat between meals.
马克：我是想好的。多吃些坚果没什么坏处。如果临时通知要去走访亲戚，送坚果是不错的选择。不送人的话，也可以平时当零食吃。
Jingjing: A snack... right. I know about that. Hey, ready for some more festival questions?
京晶：零食……对。我知道的。嘿，准备好继续回答春节问题了吗？
Mark: Ready as I'll ever be.
马克：随时恭候。
Jingjing: Ok, so what do people do on Spring Festival eve?
京晶：好，那么，人们会在除夕夜做些什么？
Mark: They eat a lot, stay up late and watch the gala on TV. Didn't we talk about that last year?
马克：人们通常大吃一顿、熬夜、围在电视前看春晚。我们是不是去年谈论过这个话题？
Jingjing: Oh, yeah. I was just checking to see if you still remember.
京晶：哦，是的。我就是想看看你还记得不。
Mark: How could I forget? It's been more than a decade of Spring Festivals for me.
马克：怎么会忘了？我已经过了10多个春节了。
Jingjing: So, on to the tough questions. You know, everyone goes to visit their grandparents on the holiday. But, do you know on which days you're supposed to visit which set of grandparents?
京晶：那，我接下来要问个难一点儿的问题了。你知道，每个人都会去自己的爷爷奶奶或姥姥姥爷家过春节。但，你知道春节期间的哪些天去祖父祖母家，哪些天去外祖父祖母家吗？
Mark: Hmm. That's a tough one. I always just went where I was told.
马克：呃。这问题够难。我总是让去谁家就去谁家。
Jingjing: Do you wanna take a guess then?
京晶：那你想猜一猜吗？
Mark: No. I'm stumped. You have to tell me.
马克：不。我被难住了。你还是直接告诉我吧。
Jingjing: Ha ha, got you. Okay, so, on the first day of the new year, people traditionally visit their paternal grandparents. Same with the second day. Then, on the third day, people visit their maternal grandparents.
京晶：哈哈，终于考住你了。好吧，根据习俗，新年的第一天，人们会去祖父祖母家。第二天也一样。然后，第三天，人们会去外祖父外祖母家。
Mark: I'll have to pay attention to that next time I go back.
马克：下次回去时我一定注意一下。
Jingjing: Yeah. See if I'm right.
京晶：对啊。看看我说的对不对。。
Mark: Well, have a good new year, Jingijing!
马克：好吧，京晶，过个好年啊！
Jingjing: I will. See you soon!
京晶：会啦。那回见啦！
New words : 习语短语
It doesn't hurt to (do sth). 也无妨，对某事有利
It's a good idea, most likely a benefit, with little or no risk.
on short notice 临时通知
an appointment to meet someone or do some work, without being told much earlier
stumped 把某人难住，使为难
unable to answer a question (don't know the answer)
paternal grandparents 祖父母
dad's mom and dad (grandparents on your dad's side of the family)
maternal grandparents 外祖父母
mom's mom and dad (grandparents on your mom's side of the family) |