第1课：bummed;chilledout
我们要请大家听Michael 和李华的对话，他们俩都是纽约大学的学生。Michael 是美国人，但是他听得懂中文。他和李华在这个新学期里不约而同地都选了摄影课。现在是清早7:50，俩人在课堂门口碰到了。请注意他们讲话中用的两个常用语：bummed 和chill。M: Hey, Li Hua, what are you doing here? You taking this class too?
L：对，我选了摄影课。可是这节课那么早，我最讨厌起大早。
M: Yeah, I'm really bummed that I have to get up so early! I'm also bummed out that Dr. Johnson is teaching this class. I've heard she's really tough.
L：嗨，Michael，什么是bummed？我记得Bum不是指无家可归的人吗？
M: Yeah, that is true. But here I used bummed and bummed out. They both mean to be unhappy or upset.
L：噢，你看，就这一个字就把我弄糊涂了。原来是bummed，或者是bummed out，意思是不高兴，感到烦恼。嗨，Michael，你刚才说什么来着？
M: I'm really bummed that I have to get up so early! I'm also bummed out that Professor Johnson is teaching this class.
L：现在我清楚了，你是说要那么早起床实在叫你不高兴，Johnson博士教这门课也让你不高兴，因为她很严格。嗨，要是女同学拒绝你的邀请，那你就会更难受，对不对？
M: Ha ha. Very funny. But you are right, if I got turned down for a date I'd be bummed. I'm also bummed that summer vacation is over.
L：嘿，我可了解你，要是遭到女同学的拒绝，你肯定会垂头丧气的。你连暑假结束也会感到烦恼。不过，这个单词很有用。我希望学期结束时，我不会因为分数不好而感到bummed out。
M: Me too. Hey, I got an idea. Let's go to the student center and relax after class.
L：我当然知道Johnson博士有多严格。好吧，下了课我们去学生中心休息一下。
M: Glad class is over! I'm ready to chill for the rest of the morning. I haven't had a chance to chill out these last few days, getting ready for school and all.
L：什么？你说上完课很高兴，但是为什么一上午你会发冷呢？
M: Oh, no! Chill or chill out here means to relax. Chill,
L：噢，chill或者chill out在这里是指休息。刚才你还说开学前没有机会chill out，到底是什么意思？
M: I said: "I haven't had a chance to chill out these last few days getting ready for school."
L：原来你是说：过去几天为了准备开学而没有机会休息。那你能说去打棒球，休息一下？
M: You normally go someplace calm and peaceful where you can relax. I like to chill out at the cafe with a book sometimes. And I know that you like to chill at the museum.
L：打棒球不能说是chill out。不错，要到比较安静的地方才能休息。每个人还不一样，你喜欢坐在咖啡馆里看书，你知道我喜欢到博物馆去。能不能说到酒吧间去chill out?
M: Sure, but we usually only say that if the bar is quiet and not too crowded.
L：对，要是酒吧间人不多，也不闹，那就能这样说。这个单词太好了。谢谢你教我。我想今晚我到我的朋友家去chill out。
M: Sounds great! Ah, look at the time. I need to go meet my friend at the bookstore. Sorry that I have to go, I'm really bummed to have to leave you!
L：得了，你要去书店跟朋友一起买书，你就走吧，别说什么跟我分手很难受这种话。走吧，下回我们到别的地方去玩。
M: Cool. Have fun chilling tonight at your friends'. See you later!
L：我今晚在朋友家肯定会玩得很高兴，Bye!
Michael和李华在对话里用了两个常用语，一个是：bummed或者是bummed out，意思是不高兴，烦恼；另一个是：chill或者是chill out，意思是休息，放松，或者玩。