和老外聊天的地道口語第131期:大自然的呻吟 自然災害
M: the news says storms and floods have hit most of the South this summer.
L: yes. There has been tremendous damage and many people are homeless.
M: meanwhile, the northern provinces are suffering drought. It that abnormal?
L: it's a global issue, not just in China.
M: that's true. There are natural disasters in almost every part of the world every year, but this year seems to be the most disastrous year for China.
L: you said it. There have been so many reports of snowstormm floods, earthquakes, sandstorms and landslides claiming people's lives.
M: it's so heartbreaking to see people struggling for help. Have you ever experienced a flood?
L: No, I live in thw northern part of China.
M: you are very lucky. I was in Guizhou three months ago on a business trip when there was a flood.
L: it must have been terrible.
M: I have never seen so many people wandering in water up to their waists through the streets and waiting on rooftops for help.
L: wow, I can't imagine!
M: actually, I would have drowned if the rescue team had not come.
新聞說,今年夏天南方大部分省份遭遇了洪災.
是啊.好像損失很大,好多人無家可歸.
但是北方省份卻遭遇了旱災.那不是反常嗎?
好多國家都這樣,不單單是中國.
是啊,好像每年各個地方都會遭受自然災害,但是今年中國遭受的自然災害最多.
是的.每天都聽到各種各樣的報道,不是雪災,就是洪水和地震,或者是沙塵暴,泥石流,很多人因此喪生.
看見很多人掙扎着喊救命,我心裏特別難受.你經歷過洪水災害嗎?
沒有,我生活在中國的北部.
那你很幸運.三個月之前,我去貴州出差,正好趕上了發洪水.
一定很可怕吧?
是啊,從來沒見過那種場面,水到腰那麼深.有的人在街上,有的人站在屋頂上,到處都有人喊救命.
天啊,真的難以想象.
事實上,如果救援隊不來,我可能都被淹死了.
Drought: a long period of time when there is little or no rain 久旱;災 noun uncountable countable
two years of severe drought 兩年的嚴重旱災
one of the worst droughts on record 有記載以來最嚴重的旱災之一
abnormal: different from what is usual or expected, especially in a way that is worrying, harmful or not wanted 不正常的;反常的,變態的;畸形的 adjective
abnormal levels of sugar in the blood 血糖值不正常
They thought his behaviour was abnormal. 他們認爲他行爲反常.
Heartbreaking: 令人心碎的,悲痛的
There is a heartbreaking news report about starving children. 有一則關於飢餓兒童的令人心碎的新聞報導.
You said it. There have been so many reports of snowstormm floods, earthquakes, sandstorms and landslides claiming people's lives.
"You said it"是很口語的表達,意思就是"一點沒錯,千真萬確",相當於"I agree completely/That is very true.".
A: that was the most boring lecture I've ever heard.
B: you said it!
A: 這是我聽過的最乏味的演講.
B: 一點不假.
一般表達自然災害或事故而引起的傷亡,都用claim,就是"奪走,奪去(生命)"的意思.
The car crash claimed three lives. 那次撞車事故導致三人死亡.
