輕鬆學英語
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新聞英文解析 陸委會譴責中國包圍台灣演習
On Apr.8, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) condemned that China has "used President Tsai's visit and transits in the United States as an excuse to conduct military exercises, which has seriously undermined peace, stability and security in the region" and lodged a protest against Chinese military drills around Taiwan, saying that Taiwan would not yield to threats. 陸委會於四月八日譴責中國以「蔡總統訪美為藉口舉行軍事演習,嚴重破壞地區和平、穩定與安全」,並抗議中國在台灣附近的軍事演習,稱台灣不會屈服於威脅。 *condemn:(v.)譴責 ☆condemn的本意是責備或非難某人的不良行為,具較強的批評意味。 *transit:(v.)轉機 *conduct:(v.)實施 *military exercise:(n.)軍事活動;演習 *undermine:(v.)破壞 *stability:(n.)穩定 *security:(n.)安全 *region:(n.)區 *lodge:(v.)提出(索賠/投訴/抗議等等) ☆常與lodge配合的有lodge a claim(索賠), lodge acomplaint(投訴), lodge a protest(抗議),用於比較正式的或官方場合。 *protest:(n.)抗議 *yield to :(v.)讓步 *threat:(n.)威脅 Beijing announced three days of military exercises around Taiwan on the day after President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) returned to Taipei from Los Angeles, where she met with US House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy.The "combat readiness patrol" and "United Sword" operations would be conducted around Taiwan for three days as a "serious" warning against pro-Taiwanese independence forces and to safeguard China's territorial integrity, the Chinese People's Liberation Army's (PLA) Eastern Theater Command said in a statement.China's military is rehearsing the encirclement of Taiwan during three days of military drills andwill run until Monday (Apr. 10). 蔡英文總統從洛杉磯會見美國白宮眾議院議長凱文麥卡錫返回台北後的第二天,北京宣佈在台灣周邊進行為期三天的軍事演習。中國人民解放軍(PLA)東部戰區司令部在一份聲明中表示「戰備巡邏」和「聯合利劍」行動將在台灣周邊進行為期三天,作為對親台獨勢力和維護中國領土完整的「嚴重」警告。在為期三天的軍事演習中,中國軍隊正演練包圍台灣的行動。該圍台軍演將持續至星期一(四月十日)結束。 *combat readiness:(n.)戰備狀態 *patrol:(n.)巡邏;偵查 *pro-Taiwanese independence forces:(n.)支持台灣獨立的力量;親台獨勢力 ☆pro-有「支持」或「贊成」的意思,一般來講,pro-independence是「支持獨立」的意思,pro-reunification則是「支持統一」。而pro-American group, 則譯為「親美團體」。 *safeguard:(v.)保護;防衛 *territorial :(a.)領土的 *integrity:(n.)完整 ☆Integrity一字源自拉丁文中的integer,有「完整」或「完全」的意思;若形容人具有integrity,則是指這個人能夠保持「品格上的完整無缺」,無論在什麼情況下,都能夠持守一套做人的核心價值,並且確保思想、言語和行動一致,絕對不會因為任何誘惑或壓力而有所妥協,更不會以利益去決定自己的言行,所以常翻為「正直」或「真善美」。 *rehearse:(v.)排演;試練 *encirclement:(n.)包圍 "The task force will simultaneously organize patrols and advances around Taiwan island, shaping an all-round encirclement and deterrence posture," a report from China's state broadcaster China Central Television said, and it went on to detail the type of weaponry China was using, including "long-range rocket artillery, naval destroyers, missile boats, air force fighters, bombers, jammers and refuelers." 中國國家電視台中央電視台的一篇報導稱,「特遣部隊將在台灣島周邊組織巡邏推進,形成全方位圍堵威懾態勢」,該報導接著詳細說明中國使用的武器類型,包括「遠程火箭炮、海軍驅逐艦、導彈艇、空軍戰鬥機、轟炸機、干擾機和加油機」。 *task force:(n.)特遣部隊,專門執行特定任務的部隊 *simultaneously:(v.)同時地 *advance:(v.)推進 *shape:(v.)使成形 *all-round:(adj.)全面的 *deterrence :(n.)威懾;遏制;制止 *posture:(n.)態度;立場;處理方式 *detail:(v.)詳盡說明 *weaponry:(n.)武器(總稱) The Defense Ministry said that 71 Chinese military aircraft and 9 naval ships were detected in areas around Taiwan as of 4pm on Apr.8, including 45 warplanes that crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, an unofficial dividing line between Chinese and Taiwanese territory,or flew into the southwestern part of Taiwan's air defense identification zone.Taiwan's armed forces are monitoring the situation, and would remain on high alert, while making every effort to defend the country's sovereignty and national security. 國防部表示,截至四月八日下午4點,台灣周邊海域已偵測到71架中國軍機和9艘軍艦,其中45架戰機越過台海中線,此為中國大陸和台灣領土之間的非正式分界線,或飛入台灣防空識別區西南部。台灣武裝部隊正在監視局勢,並將保持高度戒備,同時盡一切努力捍衛國家主權和國家安全。 *naval:(adj.)海軍的;軍艦的 *as of:(prep.)自…起(=from) *unofficial dividing line:(n.)非正式分界線 *territory:(n.)領域;領土;活動範圍 *identification:(n.)識別 ☆Air Defense Identification Zone(縮寫:ADIZ)防空識別區,是一國基於國家安全和空防需要,單方面所劃定的空域,以利軍方迅速定位管制。其範圍大於領空,沒有國際法效力,亦無統一定義。中華民國防空識別區為五邊形,在美國要求下,空軍的活動範圍被限縮在海峽中線以東,為防備中華人民共和國,在中線以東與台灣西部海岸線間畫設R-8、R-9、R-11等數個禁航區。空軍在此區域執行空中巡邏。 *sovereignty:(n.)主權;統治權
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新聞英文解析 文化部起草規則以防止倒賣黃牛票
Minister of Culture Shih Che (史哲) on Monday(Mar.20)said his ministry is drafting an amendment to help curb scalpers who use online purchasing algorithms to buy tickets in bulk and resell them at exorbitant prices. 文化部部長史哲週一表示該部正起草一項修正案以制止黃牛使用線上購買運算法大量購買門票並以過高的價格轉售。 *draft:(v.)起草 *amendment:(n.)修正案;修正條款 *curb:(v.)抑制 *scalper:(n.)倒賣(戲票等)的人;黃牛 *algorithm:(n.)演算法 *bulk:(n.)大團(塊);巨大的東西 ☆in bulk:大量=in huge quantities *exorbitant:(adj.)(價格、要求、收費等)過分的或過高的 ☆at exorbitant price:指離譜的價格,比原價高過數倍的價錢=at several times higher than the original price ____________________ For curbing scalping, Shih said without further elaboration that the MOC will amend the law to impose heavy penalties on people who use online purchasing algorithms to buy vast quantities of tickets and resell them at inflated prices. His comments came after many local fans of the K-pop girl group, Blackpink, recently complained about difficulties finding tickets to the group's concerts in Kaohsiung that wrapped up over the weekend due to scalpers. 為了抑制黃牛轉售的行為,史哲表示該部將對使用在線購買算法購買大量門票並以高價轉售的人處以重罰。此評論為近期K-pop 女子團體Blackpink粉絲抱怨由於黃牛的緣故而難以找到該團體在高雄舉行音樂會的門票之後所發表。 *scalping:(n.)投機買賣 *elaboration:(n.)詳盡說明;闡述 *the MOC:文化部the Ministry of Culture的頭字語縮寫 *amend:(v.)修訂 *impose:(v.)強制實行 *penalty:(n.)懲罰;罰金(款) *vast quantities of:大量的 *inflated:(adj.)指價格、成本、數目等「過高的」 ____________________ Scalping and the use of algorithms to buy tickets in bulk are mentioned under the Social Order Maintenance Act, which stipulates a fine of up to NT$18,000 for "buying transportation or entertainment tickets with no intention for use, and reselling them for profits," but the law does not include provisions regarding prevention. 倒票和使用算法大量購買門票在《社會秩序維護法》中有所提及,該法規定「購買無意圖使用的交通或娛樂門票,並倒賣以牟利」最高可處新台幣18,000元的罰款,但法律並沒有關於預防的規定。 *the Social Order Maintenance Act:《社會秩序維護法》 *stipulate:(v.)規定;明確說明 *transportation:(n.)交通運輸 *entertainment:(n.)娛樂 *intention:(n.)意圖 *profit:(n.)利潤;盈利;好處 *provision:(n.)條款 *prevention:(n.)預防 ____________________ On March 15, various lawmakers of the ruling DPP asked the Development of the Cultural and Creative Industries Act, which governs concert ticket sales, to include punishments for scalping in order to protect the rights and interests of the public. The current fine is too low and is not enough to curb scalping, they added. 3月15日,執政的民進黨多位立法會議員,要求在規管演唱會門票銷售的文化創意產業發展法中,加入倒票行為的刑罰,以保障大眾權益,並補充說明單靠罰款太低,不足以遏制倒票行為。 *ruling:(adj.)統治的,支配的;主導的 *The DPP:(n.)民進黨Democratic Progressive Party的頭字縮寫 *interests:(n.)利益 *fine:(n.)罰金(款) ☆在這篇新聞中出現了penalty及fine這兩個表示「罰金(款)」的字,其中的差別在於:fine這個字被單純用來指「金錢上的處罰」,也就是「罰金(款)」,而penalty這個單字既可以用來指「金錢上的處罰」,比如罰款、罰鍰,也可以指其它「任何形式的處罰」,比如拘役、服勞役等等。 _____________________ In a radio interview, Shih said the MOC will be working to amend the Cultural and Creative Industry Development Act, which expects to be completed by the end of March or early April. 史哲在接受電台採訪時表示,文化部正在著手修訂《文化創意產業發展法》,預計將於3月底或 4月初完成。 *the Cultural and Creative Industry Development Act:《文化創意產業發展法》 ☆有關於「法」,常見的有Act及Law,A其差別為:Act在英美國家是指須由國會經過立法程序通過之成文法律;而Law則不僅指立法機關通過之成文法而已,具有較廣義的概念,包括法理、法律原則、判例、習慣法等在內。
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新聞英文解析 四月起電費將漲11%
The prices of electricity are expected to be increased by an average of 11%, the MOEA said on Friday (March 17), following Taipower's NT$267.5 billion (US$8.74 billion) loss last year amid soaring global energy prices triggered by the Russia-Ukraine war. 繼去年俄烏戰爭引發全球能源價格飆升使台電虧損2675億新台幣(87.4億美元)之後,經濟部(MOEA)於週五(3月17日)表示,電價預計將平均上漲11%。 *the MOEA:(n.)經濟部the Ministry of Economic Affairs的縮寫 *soaring:(adj.)飆升的;驟增的 *trigger(v.)觸發 ☆trigger這個單字特別指在被迫回憶起過去發生的可怕事件時所產生的強烈情緒反應以及情緒被觸發,特別說明trigger的過去和現在分詞triggered都有「觸發的」以及「引發的」意思,但是triggered 特別指被某件事「冒犯到、傷害到」,換句話說,就是某個東西引發了一個人的負面情緒。 The price hikes will be implemented on April 1, and will mainly affect high-use consumers in the industrial and commercial sectors, including three major categories of consumers: residential users, small businesses and industrial users. 此次提價將於4月1日實施,主要影響包括三大類消費範疇:住宅用戶、小型企業和工業用戶在內的工、商業領域的高使用率消費者。 *implement:(v.)實施 *industrial:(adj.)工業的 *commercial:(adj.)商業的 *sector:(n.)部門;行業 ☆sector這個單字有「部門」的意思,但其實sector多用於指「某種國家經濟活動或者社會中的某個行業,比如:金融業就是the financial sector、服務業就是the service sector,所以在這裡我們看到的industrial and commercial sectors就是指工業和商業。 *category:(n.)類別;範疇 ☆category很常跟age連用,age category表示「年齡層」。 【例句】The vaccine is obviously eligible for every age category. 這疫苗明顯適用於各個年齡層。 *residential:(adj.)住宅的 Under the price adjustment plan, households and businesses exceeding the 700 and 1500 kWh thresholds will pay an extra 3% for power, up to 1000 and 3000 kWh respectively. Prices for residential use over 1000 kWh will increase by 10%, while prices for commercial use over 3000 kWh will increase by 5%.Users who consume more than 1,000 kWh per monthwill see their electricity rates rise by double digits. 超過700和1500千瓦門檻的家庭和企業分別在達1000和3000千瓦時將額外支付3%的電費。1000千瓦時以上住宅用電價格將上漲10%,而3000千瓦時以上的商用電價將上漲5%。每月用電量超過1000度電的用戶,電價將出現兩位數上漲。 *adjustment:(n.)調整 *household:(n.)家庭 *exceed:(v:(n.).)超過 *threshold:(n.)門檻;下限 ☆因為threshold有「最低限度」的意思,故也有臨界點及起點的意思,所以,pain threshold就表示「疼痛臨界」,而tax threshold則表示「所得稅起徵點」。 *respectively:(adv.)個別地 *consume:(n.)使用 *digit:(n.)數字 Electricity prices would increase 2.6% on averagefor residential consumers, and 14.2% on average for industrial users; however, the households usingless than 700kWh of electricity per monthand small shops using under 1500 kWh will not be subject to the increases, meaning that 93% of residential buildings and 84% of small businesses will not be affected, saidthe MOEA. 經濟部表示,住宅用電平均漲2.6%,且工業用電平均漲14.2%。用電量低於 700 千瓦時的家庭和用電量低於 1500 千瓦時的小商店不在加價的條件,這意味著 93% 的住宅建築和 84% 的小型企業不會受到影響。 *on average:平均 *be subject to:取決於;以…為條件 The adjustment aims to encourage energy conservation and takes the needs of disadvantaged groupsinto account, said the policymaker.Theministry also addedthat the rate increases would be halved for some heavy users in sectors affected by a downturn in the economy. 政策制定者表示此次調整旨在鼓勵節能並考慮到弱勢群體的需求。該部並補充說明對於受經濟低迷影響的行業的一些重度用戶,加息幅度將減半。 *encourage:(v.)鼓勵 *conservation:(n.)保護;節約;保存 *disadvantaged group:(n.)弱勢群體 *take… into account:考量 *policymaker:(n.)政策制定者 *halve:(v.)減半 *downturn:(n.)衰退;漸入低迷 The fisheries and agricultural sectors will not be affected by the increases as well as the schools, but this will be reviewed in the second half of the year, said Taipower President Yao-Ting Wang (王耀庭) 台電總裁王耀庭表示漁業和農業部門和學校一樣不會受到加價影響,但會在下半年檢討。 *review:(v.)檢討
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新聞英文解析 陸委會宣布與恢復中國10城市航線及新增其他13城市兩岸包機
Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) announced on Thursday that air routes between Taiwan and 10 Chinese cities will be reinstated on Friday, with another 13 Chinese citiesseligible to apply for cross-strait charter flights.Premier Chen Chien-jen has called the move a show of goodwill to China 大陸事務委員會(MAC)週四宣布,將於週五恢復台灣與中國10個城市之間的航線,並選擇其他13個中國城市進行兩岸包機。行政院長陳建仁稱此為對中國釋出之最大善意。 *air routes:(n.)航線 *reinstate:(v.)恢復 *eligible:(adj.)具備條件格的;有資格的 *apply:(v.)應用於;用作 *cross-strait charter flight:(n.)兩岸包機 *goodwill:(n.)善意 Flight routes between Taoyuan, Taipei and Kaohsiung, and the Chinese cities of Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Nanjing, Chongqing, Hangzhou, Fuzhou, Qingdao, Wuhan, Ningbo and Zhengzhouwill resume from Friday. 桃園、台北和高雄與中國深圳、廣州、南京、重慶、杭州、福州、青島、武漢、寧波和鄭州之間的航線將從週五起重新開通。 *resume:(v.)恢復;重新開始 ☆resume當作名詞來使用的時候是指履歷(注意拼字相同但是唸音不同)。履歷有兩種:resume跟CV,簡單來說resume是個人的最佳廣告,也就是一份個人能力、技能與成就的摘要,長度通常只有單面A4 的大小,有點像是汽車的DM,必須要能吸引目光、展現最具競爭力的一面,引起人資的注意而取得面試的機會。而CV也是履歷,但是就比較像是汽車的詳細介紹或者是規格表,較為詳盡且長度比較不受限制。 The resumption of flightswas decidedwith the long-term considerations of Taiwan's people. The decisionwas made after comprehensive evaluation of the risks, airline operating capacity, and the amount of business and travel that traditionally took place between the cities. 恢復航班是為了國人所作的長期考量。該決定是綜合評估風險、航空公司運營能力以及傳統上在城市之間所進行的商務及旅行量所作出的。 *resumption:(n.)恢復 *long-term:(adj.)長期的 *consideration:(n.)考量 *comprehensive:(adj.)全面的;綜合的;包羅萬象的 *evaluation:(n.)評估 *operating:(adj.)營運 *capacity:(n.)能力 *amount:(n.)數量 *traditionally:(adv.)傳統上 *take place:(v.)發生;進行 Meanwhile, charter flights will be allowed between Taiwan and 13 Chinese cities that "have not met the conditions for resumption of flights," including Shenyang, Wuxi, Haikou, Changsha, Xi'an, Jinan, Hefei, Nanchang, Tianjin, Wenzhou, Dalian, Guilin and Xuzhou, and details on how charter flights between Taiwan and the aforementioned Chinese cities will operate will be announced later. 同時,包括沉陽、無錫、海口、長沙、西安、濟南、合肥、南昌、天津、溫州、大連,桂林和徐州在內之13個「不符合恢復航班條件」的中國城市將被允許包機往返台灣,且台灣與上述中國城市間的包機航班如何運作的細節將在稍後公佈。 *aforementioned:(adj.)前述的 *operate:(v.)運作 Travelers who adopttheferry links between coastal Chinese cities and Kinmen and Matsu, which largely resumed on Jan. 7, 2023, will be allowed to use ports which governed by Taiwan as transit stops for trips to Taiwan before and during the Tomb Sweeping Day holiday from Apr. 1 to Apr. 5, details of which will be unveiled next week. 採用中國沿海城市與金門和馬祖之間的渡輪航線(已於 2023 年 1 月 7 日基本恢復)的旅客將被允許使用台灣所轄之港口作為旅行中轉站在 4 月 1 日至 4 月 5 日清明節假期之前和期間前往台灣,詳情將於下周公布。 *adopt:(v.)採取 ☆提醒讀者區辨一下以下容易混淆的三個單字:adopt、adapt以及adept。要特別注意:adapt跟adopt都是動詞,前者表示「適應」,後者表示「採用」而adept是形容詞,表示「熟練的」。 *ferry link:(n.)渡輪航線 *port:(n.)港口 *govern:(v.)治理 *transit stop:(n.)轉運點 *the Tomb Sweeping Day:(n.)清明節 *unveiled:(adj.)揭露 The two sides were notified of the agreement to resume flights and ferry links by the SEF and its Chinese counterpart, the ARATS. 台灣半官方的海峽交流基金會(SEF)以及其對應單位:中國海峽兩岸關係協會(ARATS)已將恢復航班和渡輪聯繫的協議通知雙方。 *agreement:(n.)協議 *the SEF:(n.)海峽交流基金會the Straits Exchange Foundation 的縮寫 *counterpart:(n.)與其作用相同之不同地方或組織;相對應者 *the ARATS:(n.)海峽兩岸關係協會the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait 的縮寫 We hope that cross-strait relations through these means can achieve what the president has requested: healthy and effective cross-strait exchanges, alsosaidby PremierChen Chien-jen. 行政院長陳建仁也表示,我們希望兩岸的關係夠透過這樣的途徑能夠達到總統所要求的:一個健康有效的交流。 *achieve:(v.)達到 *request:(v.)要求 *exchange:(n.)交流
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新聞英文解析 疾病管制中心報告首例台灣本地猴痘病例
Taiwan on Wednesday (Mar.1) reported two cases of locally acquiredMpox(formerly known as monkeypox), the first domestic infections of the viralzoonosis. The Centers for Disease Control(CDC)warned that the risk of local infection has increased. 台灣週三(3 月 1 日)報告了兩例本地猴痘 (Mpox) (舊稱猴痘)病例,這是國內首例病毒性人畜共患疾病感染病例。疾病管制中心(CDC)警告台灣本地感染的風險有所增加。 *acquire:(v.)得到 *Mpox:(n.)猴痘(英語:monkeypox,世界衛生組織稱為「mpox」) ☆Mpox是一種由病毒引起的人畜共通傳染病,潛伏期通常為7至14天或5至21天,症狀持續時間通常為2至4週。早期症狀包括發燒、頭痛、肌肉疼痛、淋巴結腫大、發冷和疲倦,其後身上出現類似水泡的皮疹並癒合。致死率從0%到11%不等,絕大多數患者都能康復。 *domestic:(a.)國內的 *infection:(n.)感染 *viral:(a.)病毒引起的;病毒性的 ☆viral也被用來比喻「像病毒般瘋狂流傳的」或者是「爆紅的」,比如:病毒式營銷是viral marketing,而viral video則是指網路爆紅影片。 *zoonosis:(n.)人畜共通病(複數為zoonoses=zoonoticdiseases),指任何可以經由動物傳染給人或由人傳染給動物的傳染病。 *The Centers for Disease Control (CDC):(n.)疾病管制中心 _____________________ A male in his 40s from Hsinchu County and a male in his 20s from Kaohsiung City started exhibiting symptoms in late February, including fever, itchy rash, blisters, swollen lymph nodes, and lesions on the tongue, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). 據疾病管制中心表示,一名來自新竹縣的四十多歲男性和一名來自高雄市的二十多歲男性在二月下旬開始出現發燒、皮疹、水泡、淋巴結腫大和舌頭病變等症狀。 *exhibit:(v.)顯示 *symptom:(n.)症狀 *fever:(n.)發燒 *itchy:(a.)生疥癬的;癢的 *rash:(n.)皮疹 *blister:(n.)水皰 *swollen:(a.)腫大的;膨脹的 *lymphnodes:(n.)淋巴結,是屬於淋巴系統和適應性免疫系統的腎形器官,由淋巴管連接。 *lesion:(n.)病變;器官損傷 _____________________ The patients tested positive for Mpox on Sunday(Feb. 26)and Monday(Feb. 27), respectively. Two men infected in February have no recent overseas travel history, said the CDC. 患者分別於週日(2月26日)和週一(2月27 日)檢測出Mpox呈現陽性。疾病管制中心說,在二月染疾的這兩名男子近期內沒有出國史。這使得台灣的Mpox病例總數達到 7 例,其中包括 2 例本地病例和 5 例進口病例。 *respectively:(adv.)分別地;各自地 *overseas:(a.)海外的 *imported:(a.)進口的 _____________________ The CDC said there were no connections found between the two localcases, while contacts had been identified.A total of 25 contacts, including 4 family members and 2 intimate contactshave been identified and asked to monitor their health for 21 days. The conditions of the two men would be monitored until March 20, saidPhilip Lo (羅一鈞), theCDC Deputy Director-General. 疾病管制中心表示,這兩起本土病例之間沒有發現任何聯結,同時已經確定了接觸者,總共確定了包括4名家庭成員及2名親密接觸者在內的25名接觸者,並且要求在21天內監測他們的健康狀況。疾病管制中心副主任羅一鈞表示,這兩名男子的情況將被監測到 3 月 20 日。 *connection:(a.)連結;聯繫 *contact:(n.)接觸者 *identify:(v.)確認 *intimate:(a.)親密的 *monitor:(v.)監控 _____________________ A global Mpox outbreak that began in May last year has affected 109 countries with over 86,000 cases, according to the CDC. The WHO on Feb. 15 said that mpox would remain a "public health emergency of international concern." Taiwan has listed Mpox as a category 2 notifiable communicable disease onJune 23, 2022. 根據 CDC 的數據,去年 5 月開始爆發的全球Mpox疫情已影響到 109 個國家,有超過 86,000 起病例。世界衛生組織在 2 月 15 日表示,mpox仍將是「國際關注的突發公共衛生事件」。台灣已於2022年6月23日將Mpox列為第 2 類法定傳染病。 *outbreak:(n.)爆發 *affect:(v.)影響 *concern:(n.)關切 *category:(n.)類別 *notifiable:(a.)(疾病或犯罪)須報當局的;應上報的 *communicable:(a.)傳染性的
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新聞英文解析 主計處對今年度GDP的預測下修之幅度創近8年新低
The Executive Yuan's Directorate-General of Budget,Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS) trimmed its forecast for GDP growth this year to 2.12 percent, down 0.63 percentage points from its previous projection. This year's GDP forecast has been revised down to a near eight-year low. 行政院主計處(DGBAS)將其對今年GDP增長的預測下調至2.12%,比之前的預測下調0.63 個百分點。今年GDP預測的下修幅度已創近8年新低。 *the Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics :行政院主計處,簡稱DGBAS,為中央二級行政機關,主管中華民國政府歲計、會計與統計工作。 ☆trim:(v.)修整:減少,這是一個單音節短 母音的單字,所以必須要重複字尾+ed,所以過去式寫成"trimmed"。 ☆forecast:(n.)預測,預報,通常是指某事件尚未發生之前所做的預先告知動作。 ☆GDP:是Gross Domestic Product的縮寫,指 國民生產毛額。 *GDP(,國民生產毛額)是用來衡量一個國家生產力的重要總經數據,也代表一個國家的經濟成長率。 計算公式為:GDP = C + I + G +(X-M) 也就是,民間消費支出+固定投資+政府消費支出(出口X進口) 成立於國內從事達一年以上活動的生產單位即被認定為本國長住生產單位(Resident Producing Units),生產結果均計入本國GDP。 ☆previous:(a.)先前的 ☆projection:(n.)推測 ☆revise:(n.)修正 ------------------------------- DGBAS attributed to a lingering global economic slowdown constraining demand for goods and services and exports and private investment are expected to weaken amid economic uncertainty, which is unfavorable for Taiwan's export-oriented economy. DGBAS將此歸因於全球經濟持續放緩限制了對商品和服務的需求,出口和私人投資預計將在經濟不確定性的情況下減弱。這對台灣的出口導向型經濟不利。 ☆attribute:(v.)歸因於… ☆lingering:(a.)持續的;長時間的 ☆slowdown:(n.)趨緩;緩降 ☆constraining::(v.)限制;束縛 *constrain特別是指某人由於受外界壓力或環境的影響,而迫使去做某件事,也用於指受到良心、情感或飢餓等方面的內在力量驅使而去做某事。 ☆export:(n.)出口 ☆private investment:(n.)私人投資 ☆weaken:(v.)減弱 ☆amid(prep.)在…當中…;在…中間 ☆uncertainty:(n.)不確定性 __________________________________________ Certainty of a global economic downturn has increased. Private investment is expected to shrink 1.13 percent this year, DGBAS data showed. The electronics industry has been hit hardest, and many manufacturers and semiconductor companies are still clearing inventories. With persistent inflationary pressure, officials say going over the 2% inflation target set by the central bank has become the norm. 全球經濟不景氣確定性增高。DGBAS 數據顯示,今年私人投資預計將萎縮1.13%。電子業衝擊最大,不少製造業及半導體仍在清庫存,加上通膨壓力仍在,衝破2%的通膨警戒線已成常態。 ☆certainty:(n.)確定性 ☆downturn:(n.)衰退;鍵入低迷 ☆shrink:(v.)縮水 ☆manufacturer:(n.)製造業 ☆semiconductor:(n.)半導體製造業 ☆inventory:(n.)存貨 ☆persistent:(a.)持續的;頑強存在的,通常用來指任何連續不斷或重複出現的事物。 ☆Inflationary:(a.)通貨膨脹的 ☆pressure:(n.)壓力 ☆inflation:(n.)通貨膨脹;通膨指物價持續上漲,民眾購買力下降的經濟現象。 ☆target:(n.)目標 ☆norm:(n.)常態 -------------------------------- Although post-pandemic recovery and strong domestic demand have maintained momentum for growth, these factors cannot alter the reality of an overall economic recession. With the economy upended, even experts are finding it hard to make predictions. 雖然疫後復甦,強勢的內需維持成長動能,但這些因素終究無法改變整體經濟衰退現況。經濟何時反轉,連專家都難預測。 ☆post-pandemic:(a.)疫情後的 ☆recovery:(n.)復甦 ☆domestic demand:(n.)國內需求;內需 ☆momentum:(n.)勢頭;推動力 ☆factor:(n.)因素 ☆alter:(v.)改變 ☆reality:(n.)現實 ☆overall:(a.)全面的 ☆recession:(n.)經濟衰退;不景氣 ☆upended:(a.)顛倒的;混亂的 ☆prediction:(n.)預測,包括以事實為基礎做客觀預測以及以個人意見為基礎做的主觀預測。
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新聞英文解析 緩解流行病衝擊的房貸和學貸新補助
The mortgage and student loan subsidies to help ease financial challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemicare announced on Feb.17.Approximately 550,000 homeowners and 546,000 students would be among the beneficiaries of the measures. 政府於17日宣布提供抵押貸款和學生貸款補助以幫助緩解 COVID-19 大流行帶來的財務挑戰。大約 550,000 名房主和 546,000 名學生將成為這些措施的受益者。 ☆mortgage:(n.)抵押貸款(尤指購房的) ☆student loan:(n.)學生貸款 ☆subsidy:(n.)補助 ☆ease:(v.)舒緩 ☆approximately:(adv.)大約 ☆beneficiary:(n.)受益人;受惠者 ☆measure:(n.)措施 __________________________________________ The Executive Yuan approved a Ministry of the Interior proposal to provide one-off mortgage subsidies of NT$30,000 (US$991) to eligible home buyers. 行政院批准了內政部向符合條件的購房者提供 30,000 新台幣(991 美元)一次性抵押貸款補貼的提議。 ☆the Executive Yuan:(n.)行政院 ☆Ministry of the Interior:(n.)內政部 ☆proposal:(n.)提案 ☆one-off:(a.)一次性的 *One-off是指一次性,非常態性的活動。例如一次性的付款叫one-off payment、一次性的工作是one-off job、一次性的買賣是one-off deal。如果我們指的是像免洗筷或者是紙杯等「不可重複使用且在使用後丟棄」的「一次性的」物品,那麼我們所用的字會是"disposable"這個形容詞。 ☆eligible:(a.)有資格的 _____________________ Home buyers with an annual household income of less than NT$1.2 million who are liable for an original mortgage of up to NT$8.5 million in Taipei, or up to NT$7 million in the rest of the country, can apply for the subsidy.The number of eligible applicants has increased from 60,000 to 277,000. About 40 percent of subsidy recipients are underprivileged households, while young adults and newly married couples account for 30 percent. 家庭年收入低於新台幣 120 萬元的購房者,在台北承擔高達新台幣 850 萬元的原始抵押貸款,或在全國其他地區高達新台幣 700 萬元的購房者,可以申請補貼。符合條件的申請人數已從 60,000 人增加到 277,000 人。大約 40% 的補貼接受者是貧困家庭,而年輕人和新婚夫婦佔 30%。 ☆annual household income:(n.)家庭年收入 ☆liable:(a.)可能的 ☆applicant:(n.)申請者 ☆recipient:(n.)接受者 ☆underprivileged:(a.)貧困的;屬於弱勢群體的;底層的 _____________________ The subsidy is not meant to encourage people to buy homes or to subsidize luxury homeowners, Minister of the Interior Lin Yu-chang (林右昌) said, adding that owners of multiple homes would be excluded andlords would not receive the subsidy. 內政部長林右昌表示,該補貼不是為了要鼓勵人們買房或者來補貼豪宅業主,也補充說明多套房主將被排除在外且房東並不會獲得補貼。 ☆subsidize:(v.)補助;補貼 ☆luxury:(a.)豪奢的 ☆multiple:(a.)複合的;多樣的 ☆excluded:(a.)被排除的 _____________________ Meanwhile, students and recent graduates in need of financial assistance would have one year of student loans forgiven, Minister of Education Pan Wen-chung (潘文忠) said.The planwould be implemented in July andis expected to help 546,000 low-income students, recent graduates raising children and recent graduates earning less than NT$40,000 per month on average. 與此同時,教育部長潘文忠表示,需要經濟援助的學生和應屆畢業生將免除一年的助學貸款。該計劃將於 7 月實施,預計將幫助 546,000 名低收入學生、正在撫養子女的應屆畢業生以及平均月收入低於新台幣 4 萬元的應屆畢業生。 ☆recent graduate:(n.)應屆畢業生 ☆forgiven:(a.)被免除的 ☆implement:(v.)實施 ☆average:(n.)平均
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新聞英文解析 台灣對土耳其的援助
More than 20,600 people were killed in Turkey and 3,500 in Syria, according to officials in the region, after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck on Monday(Feb.6).The city of Reyhanli is in a state of anarchy, with power and water shortages. With resources limited, there could soon be a food crisis. 週一發生里氏 7.8 級地震後,據該地區官員稱,土耳其有 20,600 多人喪生,敘利亞有 3,500 多人喪生。「雷伊漢勒市」現在處於無政府狀態,已經開始缺水、缺電,而且在有限資源下,食物也面臨缺乏的窘境。 ☆magnitude:(n.)巨大;重大 *Reyhanli雷伊漢勒是土耳其的城鎮,是臺灣-雷伊漢勒世界公民中心(Taiwan - Reyhanli Centre for World Citizens)所在地,該中心簡稱為土耳其臺灣中心,是一座於土耳其雷伊漢勒活動的臺灣公益性社會團體,該組織由裘振宇於2020年成立,並與土耳其雷伊漢勒市政府、非政府組織以及地方基層團體合作,向敘利亞內戰難民提供人道援助。 ☆anarchy:(n.)無政府狀態;混亂 *anarchy尤其指因政府消亡或垮臺所引起的無政府狀態,混亂狀態。 ☆shortage:(n.)短缺 ☆crisis:(n.)危機 As the death and injury toll in earthquake-struck Turkey rises, cash donations have flowed from across Taiwan. The special disaster relief account set up by the health and welfare ministry had accumulated a total of more than NT$271.77 million (US$9.02 million) on Friday(Feb.10), the Ministry of Health and Welfare said in a statement. An outpouring of sympathy has manifested itself in more than NT$270 million of donations, as well as thousands of boxes of clothing. 隨著土耳其地震災區的傷亡人數上升,台灣各地的現金捐款已從台灣流出,衛福部於一則聲明中指出,衛福部土耳其賑災專戶截至週五已收到超過 2.7177 億元新台幣(902 萬美元)。除了超過2.7億台幣的愛心捐款,也收上千箱衣物。 ☆toll:(n.)傷亡;損失 ☆cash donations:(n.)現金捐款 ☆special disaster relief account:(n.)賑災專戶 ☆the Ministry of Health and Welfare:(n.)中華民國衛生福利部 ☆accumulate:(v.)積聚;積攢 ☆outpouring:(n.)強烈感情的迸發、流露、噴湧;湧現。 ☆sympathy:(n.)同情 ☆manifest:(v.)顯現 The Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation has particularlyhelped collect winter clothing and other cold-weather necessities for displaced earthquake survivors facing freezing weather conditions. 佛教慈濟慈濟基金會特別為面臨寒冷天氣的流離失所地震倖存者募集冬衣和其他禦寒必需品。 ☆particularly:(n.)特別地 ☆displaced:(a.)流離失所的 ☆survivor:(n.)幸存者 ☆freezing:(a.)冰凍的 ☆conditions:(n.)情況 The Turkish Trade Office in Taipeisaid in a statement that it is grateful for the generosity and kindness of Taiwanese who have donated money and goods to assist earthquake victims, with the quantity being more than expected.Meanwhile, the Office in Taipei said that it must stop accepting relief supplies at its office because it has received more than it can handle. It was even forced to announce on Saturday that it would stop accepting non-monetary donations. 土耳其駐台貿易辦事處辦公室在一份聲明中說,感謝捐錢捐物幫助地震災民的台灣人的慷慨和善意,所捐贈的數量遠超過預期。與此同時,辦事處表示必須停止在其辦公室接收救援物資,因為所收到的物資已經超出處理能力。5週六更宣布停止接受非貨幣捐贈。 ☆grateful:(a.)感激的 ☆generosity:(n.)慷慨 ☆kindness:(n.)善意 ☆quantity:(n.)數量 ☆meanwhile:(adv.)在此期間;(與此)同時 ☆relief:(n.)救濟;救濟品 ☆supplies:(n.)供給;供應;生活必需品,日用品 *supply (n.)是供給或供應的意思,所以supplies就被當作生活必需品或日用品使用,比如說camping supplies 就是露營用品。 *例句;The refugees in the regionare urgently in need of food and medical supplies.當地難民急需食品和醫療用品。 ☆non-monetary:(a.)非貨幣的 To alleviate the piles of donated goods, the army will dispatch 10 trucks and 30 troops to take them to the airport on Feb.13.In addition to the military's involvement, private enterprises such as PX Mart, I-Mei Foods, and Lealea Group are dispatching their trucks to help with transporting relief materials to the airport. Both the government and people of Taiwan help Turkey get through the disaster.Taiwan has also sent two search-and-rescue teams totaling 130 members and five search dogs to help find survivors. 為了加快出貨速度,13號國軍將派10輛卡車和30名國軍弟兄協助。除了國軍將出動協助,民間企業像是全聯、義美和力麒也有贊助貨車。台灣官方和民間齊心協力,幫助土耳其度過難關。台灣還派出兩支共130人的搜救隊和五隻搜救犬幫助尋找倖存者。 ☆alleviate:(v.)減輕;緩和,緩解 ☆piles:(n.)疊;垛;堆 *piles of指「成堆的」 ☆dispatch:(n.)發送;派遣 ☆troop:(n.)軍隊,部隊;(尤指)裝甲兵部隊,騎兵部隊 ☆involvement:(n.)涉入 ☆private enterprise:(n.)私人企業 ☆search-and-rescue team:(n.)搜救隊
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新聞英文解析 中港雙方廢除跨境旅行配額及PCR測試
From Feb. 6, most of the travelers crossing the border between mainland China and Hong Kong will no longer need to present a negative PCR test for COVID-19 prior to travel. Only those who have traveled overseas within the past seven days would be required to produce their negative PCR result. 甫自 2 月 6 日起,大多數穿越中國大陸和香港邊界的旅客在旅行前將不再需要針對COVID-19 做PCR檢測。只有那些在過去7天內出國旅行的人才需要出示PCR檢測陰性結果。 ☆border:(n.)邊界;國境 ☆no longer:(adv.)不再 ☆present:(v.)出示;陳列;展現 ☆prior:(adv.)事先;在先 ☆produce:(v.)出示;產生;製造 _____________________ Hong Kong, a business hub reputed as a popular city for tourists,has seen its tourism industry batteredsince 2019 after months of political strife that at times turned into violent clashes between protesters and police, as well as harsh entry restrictions implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. 香港,這個被譽為受遊客歡迎的城市的商業中心,從2019年以來,歷經數月的政治紛爭(有時演變成抗議者與警察之間的暴力衝突)以及疫情期間所實施的嚴厲入境限制,其旅遊業已遭受重創。 ☆hub:(n.)中心;樞紐 ☆repute:(v.)享譽 ☆batter:(v.)連續猛擊;搗毀 *batter可以作及物動詞或不及物動詞使用。這個單字的基本意思是「連續猛擊」、「持續打擊」、「衝擊」或「撞擊」,通常用來指猛烈打擊使人或物嚴重受傷、變形或毀壞,表示嚴重毀損外形但不失去肢體或組成部分,所以常被譯作「搗毀」、「砸爛」或「重創」等。Batter當及物動詞時還可作「使遭受猛烈攻擊或批評」使用,受詞一般為某人、某觀點或某理論,另外還可以表示某物品因不加愛惜而「磨損」或「用壞」,常用於被動語態。 ☆political strife:(n.)政治鬥爭 ☆strife:(n.)廣泛被當作「衝突」的意思,另有爭吵;傾軋及競爭等意。 ☆at times:(adv.)有時;偶爾 *除了at times,常用於表示「有時」及「偶爾」等意的副詞或片語有:sometimes (有時);from time to time (有時); on occasion (=occasionally)(偶爾);once in a while (偶爾地); now and again (時而);now and then (時而) ☆violent clash:(n.)暴力衝突 ☆clash:衝突;牴觸 *clash本作為「撞」、「擊」或「衝撞」來表示,這樣的動作同時會伴有尖利而刺耳的金屬撞擊聲,所以常被引申為表示尖銳的衝突、抵觸或對立等意思,翻為「交鋒」、「衝突」、「不合」或者是「不一致」。 ☆protester:(n.)抗議者 ☆harsh:(adj.)粗糙的;嚴酷的;刺耳的;使人不舒服的;大約的 ☆entry restrictions:(n.)入境限制 ☆implement:(v.)實施 ☆pandemic:(n.)疫情 _____________________ Both Hong Kong and mainland China were among the last holdouts globally to keep entry restrictions including mandatory quarantine periods, thoughthe rest of the world began reopening their borders in 2022. 即使世界其他地區於 2022 年開始重新開放邊界,香港和中國大陸都是全球最後堅持入境限制(包括強制隔離期)的國家之一。 ☆holdout:(n.)抵抗者;堅持者;不讓步的人(組織) ☆mandatory quarantine period:(n.)強制隔離期間 _____________________ China had already eased travel restrictions with Hong Kong on Jan. 8, dropping a mandatory quarantine period required for travelers entering the mainland. However, the number of travelers entering the mainland from Hong Kong via land checkpoints was limited to 50,000 a day. 中國已於1 月 8 日放寬了對香港的旅行限制,取消了進入大陸的旅客所需的強制隔離期。但是,通過陸路檢查站從香港進入內地的旅客數量每天限制在 50,000 人。 ☆ease:(v.)放鬆;放寬 ☆via:(prep.)經由;通過;藉由 ☆land checkpoint:(n.)路檢站 _____________________ From Monday, there will be a full resumption of travel between Hong Kong and the mainland,and quotas for travelers will be scrapped and all boundary checkpoints will reopen next week, saidJohn Lee (Hong Kong leader) at a news briefing on Friday.Travel between Hong Kong and China will no longer require COVID-19 PCR tests nor be held to a daily limit. 香港特首李家超週五在新聞發布會上表示,從周一開始,香港和大陸之間的旅行將全面恢復,並且取消旅客配額,所有邊境檢查站將於下週重新開放。香港和中國大陸之間的旅行將不再需要 COVID-19 PCR 檢測,也不再有每日限制。 ☆resumption:(n.)恢復;重新開始 ☆quota:(n.)限額;配額;定額 ☆scrap:(n.)丟棄;廢止 *scrap當動詞用,指拋棄過時或不再有用的東西,而discard則是指把具體的東西拋掉不要,著重在扔及丟的動作。 ☆boundary:(n.)邊境 ☆news briefing:(n.)新聞發佈會 ☆briefing:(n.)簡要情況;簡介;作戰指示 ☆daily limit:(n.)每日限制 _____________________ A tourism campaign aimed at attracting travelers to Hong Kong that includes 500,000 free air tickets for tourists to visit the semi-autonomous Chinese city was unveiled by Lee the day before the announcement. 宣布此消息的前一日,李特首已宣布了一項以吸引遊客到香港旅遊為目的的活動,其中包括為遊客提供 50 萬張免費機票,讓他們能參觀這個半自治的中國城市。 ☆campaign:(n.)宣傳活動;競選 ☆semi-autonomous:(adj.)半自治的 ☆unveil:(v.)揭露
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新聞英文解析 國防部獎勵志願教召並首度開放女性教召
Starting this year, reservists in Taiwan can voluntarily register for additional training.Each reservist can register only once per year. Under a new register policy,reservists can nowregister for training on their own after finishing four initial training sessions. 從今年開始,台灣已開放「志願」教召。每年每人可登記一次。新國防政策規定役男退伍完成四次義務教召後,便能自行登記參加第五次教召。 *reservist:(n.)後備役軍人;預備役軍人 *voluntarily:(adv.)志願者 *register:(v.)登記;註冊 *initial:(adj.)開始的;最初的 *sessions:(n.)集會;一段時間 ____________________ Starting with the fifth training session, except for anadditional daily stipend, each time a reservist goes for training will be given a NT$5,000 bonus as well. 參加第五次教召者除了每日津貼之外,每次參加教召可領取五千元獎金。 *stipend:(n.)津貼;薪餉;獎學金;養老金 *bonus:(n.)紅利;獎金 ☆Year-end bonus 年終獎金 [例句]:He got a 14-months year-end bonus this year. 他今年拿到14個月的年終獎金。 ____________________ Each year, a reservist can go for a single training session for five to 10 days, or a 14-day training session calculated as two sessions. 每年每名志願教召者可參加為期五到十天的教召,若報名參加十四天的訓練期間則以參加兩次校召計算。 *calculate:(v.)計算 ☆count為「算」,所以數看看有多少(數目),用的是count,但是calculate 指的是有加減乘除的運算。例如,計算機是計算的工具,即為calculator。 ____________________ Those going for 14 days of training are awarded NT$10,000 . That means a reservist will be totally given NT$24,700 for the two weeks of training. 凡參加十四天訓練者,能夠領取一萬元獎金。這表示民眾參加教召十四天再加上教召獎金,總共可領走兩萬四千七百元。 *award:(v.)給予獎勵;頒獎 ____________________ Those with regular jobs are also permitted to request government-mandated paid leave from their employer for the two-week training session. 一般上班族還能夠請「帶薪」公假。 *permit:(v.)允許 ☆permit這個字的過去式要重複字尾t再加上ed,寫成permitted *request:(v.)要求 *government-mandated:(adj.)政府規定的 *paid leave:(n.)帶薪假 ____________________ The defense ministry hopes the new policy will encourage more people to sign up, thereby better preparing the country's defenses for any contingency. 國防部期待此一新政能鼓勵更多民眾參加教召,以取得更佳的國防預備戰力。 *the defense ministry:(n.)國防部 *sign up:(v.)報名登記 *thereby:(adv.)因此;從而 *contingency:(n.)意外事故;偶發事件;可能性;應急措施 ____________________ Those who finished mandatory conscription less than 12 years ago would be the main target of this training. Roughly estimated,400 to 500 men, and 200 women willregister annually in this period. 退伍未滿12年者為主要目標訓練對象。於此年限參加者粗略估開放男性400、500位左右,女生200多位。 *mandatory:(adj.)義務的;強制的;必須履行的;法定的 *conscription:(n.)徵召;兵役 *mandatory conscription:(n.)義務役 *estimate:(v.)評估 *annually:(adv.)一年一度地;每年地 ____________________ "We will implement rolling amendments for the policy."Said byYu Wen-Cheng, theministry of National Defense. 國防部全動署處長俞文鎮表示,「將對此做滾動式修正」。 *implement:(v.)實施 *rolling:(adj.)滾動的 *amendment:(n.)修正 ☆rolling amendment:滾動式修正是指政策先行實施,然後再一邊實施一邊檢討修正作法的意思。有鑒於以往公家機關在實行政策方面常常面臨難以修改的情況,滾動式的作法是保持靈活彈性的折衷作法。