和老外聊天的地道口語第141期:我最喜歡的運動項目

W: what's your favorite sport?

Z: it's hard to say. Perhaps swimming is my favorite. I like swimming because it helps improve my lung capacity. In the scorching summer days, there's nothing like a cool swim. Currently, I go to the pool twice every week.

W: is the entrance charge expensive?

Z: well, it costs an arm and a leg—30 yuan per person. What a costly sport! That is why I have to refrain from even thinking about it. And I find jogging a very agreeable substitute.

W: haha, jogging? Perhaps it might be a bit too boring?

Z: you know what? You won't get a rush from it until you fully understand it. It is a simple sport and doesn't require skills of any sort. This leaves room for me to enjoy the beautiful suburban scenery while jogging. Fresh air caresses my face and blows into my chest, which translates into inspirations. Inspirations are really good stuff for a writer like me. Sometimes, I even come up with a verse or two.

W: you are really a man who knows how to enjoy being alone.

你最愛什麼運動?
這很難說,也許是游泳吧,可以增大我的肺活量.夏日炎炎,遊幾圈多涼快!目前我每週去遊兩次.
游泳池收費貴嗎?
哦,貴的我心疼---30塊錢,因此我連想都不敢多想了.不過我發現慢跑是個不錯的替代.
哈哈,跑步?不覺得有點無聊嗎?
瞧你說的!你不明白其中的樂趣.跑步當然是項簡單的運動啦,簡單得不需要任何技巧,卻也正好讓我一邊慢跑一邊有空欣賞郊外的美景.清新的空氣撫摸着我的臉龐,吹進我的胸膛,很快又能化爲靈感.靈感對我這樣的作家來說可是個好東西.有時候我甚至能邊跑邊編出幾句順口溜來.
看來,你很懂得享受獨處的樂趣.

ching

hot 酷熱的
a scorching hot day 大熱天
to emphasize how strong, powerful, etc. something is 猛烈的；激烈的；有力的
a scorching critique of the government's economic policy 對政府經濟政策的嚴厲批評
a scorching 6–1 victory 以 6:1 狂勝

ain: to stop yourself from doing something, especially something that you want to do 剋制;節制;避免 V ~ (from sth/from doing sth)

Please refrain from smoking. 請勿吸菸。
They appealed to the protesters to refrain from violence. 他們呼籲抗議者們不要採取暴力行動。
He has refrained from criticizing the government in public. 他剋制住了自己，沒有在公開場合批評政府。

titute: a person or thing that you use or have instead of the one you normally use or have 代替者;代替物;代用品 ~ (for sb/sth)

a meat/milk substitute 代肉╱代乳品
Paul's father only saw him as a substitute for his dead brother. 保羅的父親只是把他當作他死去的哥哥來看待。
a substitute family 收養家庭
The course teaches you the theory but there's no substitute for practical experience. 這門課教的是理論，但沒有任何東西能代替實踐經驗。
The local bus service was a poor substitute for their car. 他們坐當地的公交車，這比坐自己的汽車可差遠了。

: the possibility of something existing or happening; the opportunity to do something 可能性;機會 ~ for sth

He had to be certain. There could be no room for doubt. 他必須確定無誤。不能有任何的猶疑。
There's some room for improvement in your work(= it is not as good as it could be). 你的工作還有改進的餘地。
It is important to give children room to think for themselves. 給孩子們機會讓他們自己思考是很重要的。

e's nothing like: 沒什麼能比得上
There's nothing like a true friend.
沒什麼比得上一個真正的朋友.
There's nothing like a little doze after lunch.
午飯後打一會兒盹是最適意不過了.

an arm and a leg: to cost/pay a lot of money (使)花一大筆錢

up with

1.趕上
We came up with a group of tourists. 我們趕上了一羣旅遊者。

2.(針對問題等)想出;提供
He came up with good ideas for the product promotion. 他想出一個推廣產品的好方法。
He could not come up with a proper answer. 他想不出一個合適的回答。

3.準備好(錢等)
You must come up with the money by tomorrow night. 你明晚之前必須準備好錢。