DIALOGUE
A: have you heard about the Dragon Boat Races to be held this afternoon?
A: 你知道今天下午有龙舟比赛吗?
B: Yes, it is part of a holiday, right?
B: 知道啊,是为了庆祝什么节日对吧?
A: Yup, Duan Wu Festival, but it’s also just simply called the Dragon Boat Festival. It’s among the three major traditional holidays celebrated by Chinese.
A: 是的,是端午节,不过(英文中)通常叫做龙舟节。它是中国三大传统节日之一。
B: Other than the Dragon Boat Races, what’s special about this day?
B: 除了龙舟赛,这一天还有什么特别的活动吗?
A: Traditionally, it was thought to be a time for warding off evil spirits, but now it’s just thought of a time to remind family members to take care of their health.
A: 在传统上,这一天一直被视为是驱凶避邪的日子,不过现在它的意义已经只是提醒家人注意身体健康了。
B: Sounds great! I think I’ll join in on the boat competitions.
B: 听起来不赖!我想我会去参加龙舟比赛。
A: After you’ve worked up an appetite, you can eat Zongzi. Everyone eats them during the Dragon Boat Festival.
A: 等你划船累到肚子饿的时候,就可以吃粽子。端午节的时候大家都会吃粽子。
B: Eating is a really important part of Chinese culture, huh?
B: 吃真是中国文化中很重要的一部分,对吧?
A: Yes, perhaps one of the most important aspect. Don’t worry though; there are no surprises in Zongzi. They are just rice with either meat or sweet red bean paste wrapped inside. They are quite yummy!
A: 没错,或许是最重要的之一。不过别担心,粽子里面没什么特别的东西,只是米饭包着肉或豆沙而已。好吃极了!
NOTES
1. join in on 通常指加入某个已经计划要进行的活动,成为其中的一员。例:
You should join in on our family’s New Year’s celebration.
你应该来跟我们家人一起庆祝新年。
Come join in (on) the fun!
一起来同乐吧!
2. work up an appetite 引起食欲,胃口大增。例:
He worked up an appetite after a long day of chopping wood.
在砍了一天柴后,他食欲大增。
You need to work up an appetite first, then we’ll go to the buffet.
你得先让自己饿得饥肠辘辘,然后我们再去吃自助餐。