Afleveringen
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主播：Flora（中国）+ Erin（美国）
音乐：Dying For You
“李华，你都奔五了还不会自己写信？”今天我们要聊的是高考英语作文的常驻主人公——李华。
01. 李华：中国高考的“英语作文明星” China’s Gaokao English Essay Star
每年高考，英语作文里总有一个熟悉的名字——李华（Li Hua）。自（since）1995年首次亮相以来，今年是这位“英语作文明星”陪伴考生们走过的第30年（30th year）。在这期间，李华总是让学生们帮他（prompting students）给他的外国朋友们（foreign friends）写信。
英语作文明星：English essay star
外国朋友：foreign friend
今年的高考英语作文题目中，李华是红星中学（middle school）的高三学生（senior）。他的外国朋友Jim准备向联合国的全球青年倡议（UN’s global youth initiative）提交一份提案（submit a proposal），而李华需要写一封电子邮件，给Jim提建议。
假设你是红星中学高三学生李华。联合国正面向全球青少年开展倡议征集活动。你的外国好友Jim打算参加，为此发来邮件，就倡议内容询问你的建议。请你用英文给他回复，内容包括：
1.提出的建议；
2.建议的理由。
提示词：倡议 proposal
毕业班学生：senior
联合国的全球青年倡议：UN’s global youth initiative
提交：submit
提案：proposal
02. 李华的“朋友圈”又扩大了！Li Hua’s Circle of Friends Has Expanded
今年不少外籍记者和编辑（foreign journalists and editors）也加入了“帮李华写信”的行列，这让他的朋友圈（the circle of friends）显得更加国际化（more international）。
外籍记者和编辑：foreign journalists and editors
朋友圈：the circle of friends
更加国际化：more international
一位外籍记者在信中调侃道：
“Dear Li Hua,
It’s that time of year again—Gaokao. This year, have you once again enlisted (邀请) a new batch of students (新一批学生) to help write letters for us, your foreign friends?”
亲爱的李华，又到了一年一度的高考季。今年，你是否再次邀请了一批新学生来给我们这些外国朋友写信呢？
邀请：enlist
一批：a batch of
“Tell me, my dear friend - after all these years, how is it that you still haven’t learned to write a letter in English?”
how is it : 在这里指带有一种惊讶、质疑的语气，通常是你对某个事特别不理解的时候。
例如：How is it that I always end up cooking for you? 为什么每次都是我给你做饭？
“Over the years (多年来), your life has grown increasingly (越来越) international, and your circle of foreign friends (外国朋友圈) has expanded (扩大).”
例如：My circle of Chinese friends (中国朋友圈) has expanded.
扩大：expand
03. 美国考试也有“李华”吗？ Does the U.S. Have Test Characters Like Li Hua?
In the US, standardized tests (标准化考试) like the SAT might use names like Alex, Taylor, or Jordan - names that are neutral (中性的) and work for any gender (性别). But they don’t have a recurring (反复出现的) “hero” that shows up every year.
标准化考试：standardized tests
SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test)：美国学业能力评估测验,是高中生升入大学必须通过的测验。
中性的：neutral
性别：gender
反复出现的：recurring
04. 中国网友对李华有话要说 Chinese Netizens Have Got Something to Say to Li Hua
网友们对李华的吐槽可谓金句频出：
“李华，你都快50岁的人了，以后自己写！”（Li Hua, you’re almost 50 - write your own emails already）
“李华不要认识那么多外国朋友！”（Li Hua, stop making so many foreign friends!）
“最后一次帮你写了李华，你也是奔5的人了，独立点。”（This is the last time I’m writing for you, Li Hua. You’re almost 50 - be independent already!）
当年李华第一次出现在高考试卷上，是邀请英国朋友Peter去野餐。网友犀利吐槽：“作为好朋友，你不应该亲自去公园门口接吗？还要写信？”（As a good friend, shouldn’t you go to the park gate yourself to pick them up?）更有人玩梗：“Hey Peter, 到门口了call me，我去接你进来。”
独立的：independent
That’s such a silly reference (这个梗真的很好玩)! Silly here - It’s not calling someone stupid. It’s more like saying: “That’s so funny and kind of ridiculous!”——就是我们说的“这个梗太搞笑了！”下次再遇到很好笑的梗，You could say: That’s such a silly reference!
欢迎在评论区分享你与李华的故事：
Have you ever written a letter for Li Hua in an English essay?
你有没有在英语作文中帮李华写过信呢?
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主播：Flora（中国）+ Erin（美国）
音乐：LABUBU之歌
今天我们要来聊一聊最近潮玩界的顶流：泡泡玛特旗下的Labubu，不仅仅是在国内“一布难求”，很多海外名人也是对它爱不释手。
01. Who is Labubu?
Labubu其实是由艺术家龙家升创作的一个北欧森林精灵（Nordic Forest Elf）形象，它有标志性的长尖耳朵（tall pointy ears）、圆脸和9颗小牙齿。It’s that weirdly (古怪地) cute look that people just love.
Labubu是Pop Mart旗下的精灵天团系列成员（Part of “The Monsters” Collection），同系列还有Zimomo、Mokoko等角色。
北欧森林精灵：Nordic Forest Elf
Pop Mart (泡泡玛特)：一家以盲盒玩具而著名的中国公司
盲盒：blind box
02. The Secrets Behind Its Virality 爆火背后的秘密
名人效应（celebrity effect）：像王嘉尔、BLACKPINK等有网络影响力的明星或潮人（internet influencers）都晒过和Labubu的照片或视频，这让Labubu钥匙链（keychain）成为潮流配饰。
爆火：virality
名人效应：celebrity effect
钥匙链：keychain
惊喜体验（unboxing experience）：拆（unbox）盲盒瞬间分泌的血清素（serotonin），让人难以抗拒。并且对于收藏的人来说，买盲盒的时候就会祈祷（pray）它千万不要是自己已经拥有的（not a duplicate）。
拆（盲盒）：unbox
血清素：serotonin
完全一样的东西：duplicate
稀缺性（rarity）：抽到隐藏款（secret figures）的概率很低，能够抽到隐藏款就和中了头彩一样（like hitting the jackpot）。
03. Ugly-Cute Aesthetics 丑萌美学
如果一个玩偶长得特别乖巧、很完美，有些人会觉得太普通了，但是如果它丑得很有个性，反而会很招人喜欢。这种丑萌丑萌的东西我们叫：ugly-cute things。
In today’s high-stress world, opening a toy can feel like a tiny joy. 打开一个个盲盒获得可爱又独具个性的玩偶时会给打开它的人带来一些欢乐，拂去一些压力和疲惫，这恰好符合当代年轻人的情感需求。
A tiny toy, a tiny bit of joy. It shows that our generation is seeking meaning in small things.
丑萌的：ugly-cute
美学：aesthetics
04. The Dark Side of the Trend 热潮下的隐忧
炒价乱象（price speculation）：某些稀有款在二手市场被炒到上千元（resold for over 1000 yuan）
假货泛滥（counterfeit problem）：火爆行情催生了大量仿品（fake products），让收藏者防不胜防。
在这个充满不确定性的时代，或许Labubu正承载着许多人的精神寄托。
欢迎在评论区留言告诉我们：
Do you collect anything like blind boxes?
你有没有类似收藏盲盒的经历？
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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主播：Flora（中国）+ Erin（美国）
音乐：Cruel Summer
今天我们要聊一聊近期轰动音乐界的新闻——Taylor Swift花费3.6亿美元买回了自己早期六张专辑的母带版权。这一消息不仅让全球媒体争相报道，更引发了关于音乐人权益的广泛讨论。
01. 什么是“母带版权”？为什么它如此重要？
母带（master recordings）是歌曲的原始录音文件，拥有者（owner）掌控歌曲的使用，可以选择卖给广告和流媒体平台（sell them to ads and streaming platforms）或者授权给电影（license them for movies）。版权（masters）拥有者才是歌曲真正的主人。
然而，许多音乐人在职业生涯早期与唱片公司（record label）签约时，往往无法保留母带版权。Taylor Swift就是其中之一。她早期的热门歌曲，如Love Story、Shake It Off、Blank Space等，虽然由她创作和演唱，但版权却归属于她的唱片公司。
版权：masters
母带：master recordings
唱片公司：record label
02. The Battle for Masters 版权之战
霉霉之前的唱片公司（her former record label）把专辑（album）的版权卖给了一个叫Scooter Braun的经纪人（sold her masters to Scooter Braun）。因为在英文里“scooter”也有滑板车的意思，所以欧美粉丝戏称他为“scooter”。
而霉霉并未获得优先购买自己版权的机会（the opportunity to purchase them herself）。 Scooter Braun 曾涉及公开攻击她（attacks against her），并拒绝让她买回版权（denied her the chance to repurchase her masters）。
专辑：album
滑板车：scooter
买回：repurchase
面对这一局面，她决定把旧专辑全部重新录制（rerecord）一遍。于是，我们看到了Red (Taylor’s Version)、1989 (Taylor’s Version) 等专辑的诞生。Fans have been streaming (在线收听) the new versions like crazy, showing her that they’ve got her back (用实际行动力挺偶像).
重新录制：rerecord
不过就在2020年，一家美国风险投资公司Shamrock Capital从Scooter手中接手了相关版权。2025年5月，Taylor Swift以3.6亿美元（360 million US dollars）买回了（bought back）自己前六张专辑的母带录音全部版权（full rights），结束了长达6年的版权拉锯战。
03. Soul-Stirring Quotes by Fans 粉丝的戳心语录
消息公布后，全球粉丝激动庆祝，甚至将5月25日定为“Swifties Independence Day（斯威夫特独立日）”，还有人称它为“Taypendence Day（Taylor+Independence）”。
War is over! 这场仗结束啦！我们胜利啦！
一般在中国，一个普通的日子里突然有意外的惊喜发生，我们就会戏称“过年啦”！
She grew wings. 她长出了翅膀——象征彻底自由。
当人们达成目标（when they accomplish their goal）或者取得进步的时候（make good progress），you can say they grew wings!
艺术不该被囚禁，而应自由飞翔。
Art shouldn’t be caged, it deserves to fly free.
关于霉霉的歌曲，Erin最爱Afterglow，Flora最爱Cruel Summer。
欢迎在评论区告诉我们：
你最喜欢霉霉的哪首歌呢？
What’s your favorite Taylor Swift’s song?
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主播：Flora（中国）+ Selah（美国）
音乐：Fire
在最近火热进行的法国网球公开赛上，中国网球运动员“Ace女王”郑钦文虽止步八强，但却让这个特别的称号更加为人所熟知。
01. 网球场上的“Ace”
在网球术语中，Ace指发球者直接得分（the server scores directly）—— 接球方甚至碰不到球（the receiver can’t even touch the ball）。
要打出完美的Ace球，需要三大核心要素：
速度：speed
落点：placement
策略：strategy
因为郑钦文擅长在赛场上打出这种Ace球，因此被网友们称为“Ace女王”（Ace Queen）。
02. “Ace”的逆袭史
这个词源自法语和拉丁语“as”（意为数字“1”），最初在扑克牌（poker）中代表最小的牌，甚至象征“厄运”（bad luck）或“无用”（uselessness）。
但在法国大革命后（after the French Revolution），Ace完成了惊天的意义翻转（people flipped the meaning）：Ace从底层小牌成为了高过（higher than）K（king: 国王）的王牌！
当然，这其中也是有隐喻（metaphor）的，这意味着：
平民崛起：the common people rise up
掌握权利：taking power
现代生活中的“Ace”，已成为“顶尖者”的代名词，代表着赞美的含义，例如：
王牌飞行员：ace pilot
销冠：the ace of sales department
03. “Ace”在英语中的常用表达
Aced it:
You did something extremely well—like passing a test with flying colors (以优异的成绩). 大获成功，做得非常好。
可以用在考试（exam）、表演（performance）、面试（job interview）、体育比赛（sports match）等各种场合。
例如：I aced my job interview! / I aced the exam.
Ace in the hole:
hole是洞的意思，洞中的王牌，实际上就是a secret advantage (隐藏的优势)—something you don’t use right away, but save for just the right moment. 其实就是在“憋大招”。
例如：一个不善言谈的数学天才，有朝一日一场考试让他暴露了自己的天赋，then you can say: he’s the ace in the hole.
Play one’s ace:
Use your best move (绝招) or strongest resource (最强的资源) when it matters most. 也就是中文所说的“使出你的杀手锏”或者“亮出你的底牌”。
例如：In the final round, she played her ace and won (在最后一轮，她打出了王牌，赢得了比赛).
04. A Triple-Threat Word : 一词三用的“Ace”
Ace既可以当名词（Noun）、也可以当动词（Verb）、又可以当形容词（Adjective）—— 简直全能了！
Noun (名词): She’s the ace of the team.
Verb （动词）: He aced the interview.
Adjective（形容词）: She’s an ace player.
无论是在网球场，还是日常生活，please remember: keeping an ace up your sleeve is always a smart move (在袖中藏一张王牌，永远是明智之举)!
你身边有这样的“Ace”人物吗？
快来评论区分享你或朋友的“高光时刻”吧！
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主播：Flora（中国）+ Erin（美国）
音乐：Evie!
今天我们要聊的是一个非常可爱的话题——小猪佩奇（Peppa Pig）！
01 Peppa Pig’s New Chapter: Meet Baby Evie 小猪佩奇的新篇章：认识宝贝伊薇
Peppa Pig is definitely childhood nostalgia (怀旧) for so many people! 近日，佩奇家迎来了全新的家庭成员（a brand new member）——Evie。
It wasn’t just a quiet update (更新). There was a whole celebration episode, like a birth announcement. Peppa Pig制作方非常重视这个“动画角色”的出生，Evie的登场可以说是完全复刻了现实世界里婴儿的出生流程。
Just like in real life—Characters came together, there were decorations, songs. It was almost like a real-life baby shower (婴儿洗礼), just animated. 而且这位新成员是被制作方安排在英国王室御用医院——伦敦圣玛丽医院（St Mary’s Hospital）。威廉王子及王妃凯特三名儿女都是在这个医院出生的。
There’s a photo of Mummy Pig and Daddy Pig standing outside St Mary’s Hospital, holding baby Evie—totally royal-style (皇家风格). It was adorable.
What’s more, Evie has a little heart-shaped blush (心形的腮红) on her cheek. Some Chinese netizens also speculated that it might be related to her birthday on May 20th. 尽管英文中的520并没有因为谐音（homophone）被赋予一些特定的含义，但这仍然是一个可爱的猜测。
Evie was named after Mummy Pig’s aunt—Aunt Evie. Evie is usually a nickname for “Eve” or “Evelyn”. The name “Eve” is actually super old—it’s biblical (有关圣经的), from the story of Adam and Eve. 它象征生命或生命之源（source of life），和Evie这个“新生命”的诞生相匹配。
02 The Secret of Naming Culture 命名文化的秘密
The name Evie sounds really cute. 很多女孩名字都是以“-ie”或“-y”结尾，就像Ellie, Lily, Daisy...... So in English-speaking countries, pronunciation plays a big role in choosing names.
英语国家的人给小孩取名一般会考虑这三个方面：这个名字听起来怎么样（how it sounds）、 是不是致敬或怀念某个人（if it honors someone）、以及这个名字是否特别（if it feels special）。
Sometimes names are passed down (传承下来). For example, a child might be “named after (以...命名)” a grandparent or even a celebrity (名人).
In Western families, reusing family names is kind of a tradition. They see it as a way to show respect for family history and strengthen family bonds (纽带).
But in Chinese culture, especially in the past, people avoid giving kids the same name as their ancestors (祖先). Parents often choose names hoping to bring their child luck or blessings. It’s less about sound, more about intention (意图).
Most parents will flip through (快速翻阅) dictionaries looking for meaningful Chinese characters. Some may ask a fortune teller (算命先生) or use astrology (占卜) to choose a lucky name.
03 The Changing Meaning of a “Good Name” 好名字的时代变迁
Back to Evie—it’s a good name for English learners or Chinese kids to use as their English names. 这个名字简短易读还给人一种亲切感，用在各种场合都很合适。
不过，好名字的定义会随着时代的发展改变。之前的“good name”，现在来看有可能就过时了。 But sometimes these “old-fashioned” names actually come back in style. For example, Emma and Henry are getting popular again.
起一个名字不光是家长的心血，还能看出文化、潮流（trends）甚至时代（times）的变化。A name should reflect one’s personality, or carry a memory or a little story that’s important to someone.
欢迎在评论区告诉我们：
Do you have an English name? Is there a cool story behind it?
你有英文名字吗？在名字背后有什么故事吗？
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主播：翩翩（中国）+ Erin（美国）
音乐：山丘（李宗盛）
最近，“越过山丘，却发现无人等候”，被90后作家刘楚昕带火。
01. 事件回顾
90后作家刘楚昕创作的小说《泥潭》，获漓江文学奖。在发表获奖感言时，他哽咽着分享了和病故女友的故事，感动全网。
歌词： song lyric
爆火：blow up
事件背景： backstory
获奖演说：acceptance speech
他引用了这句话： He quoted that very line. （加very，表示特指那一句歌词）
声音哽咽着：with his voice breaking
已故女友：his late girlfriend（英语中，人际关系前面加上late这个词，表示已经去世的人，这是英语中必学的委婉语。）
比如，已故的诺贝尔奖得主的作品： works of the late Nobel laureate
△刘楚昕和女友
02. 核心语言点解析
“越过山丘，才发现无人等候”
直译：Over the hill, only to find no one waiting.
老外版：Over the hill, only to find no one there.
解析： 首先，“only to find”精准传递意外感；其次，歌词本身传递着功成名就时爱人已逝的遗憾，而“no one waiting”，好像是暂时迟到，会削弱永恒缺席的感觉，而“no one there”更能传递“虚空”的遗憾，更留白隽永。
刘楚昕的感言感动全网，网友说“本来以为是撒狗粮，没想到被刀了”。（At first everybody thought it was just PDA，but bam! The story took a tragic turn that gut-punched us all.）
撒狗粮 ： 英文中非常常用PDA （public display of affection 公开秀恩爱）
被刀了：中文网络热梗，指“扎心了”，被情感暴击了。可以用gut-punch来表达
gut是指内脏，punch是指暴击。gut-punch翻译成扎心非常传神。
gut-punch作为动词，用法非常简单：
The story gut-punched us.（被这个故事扎心了。）
The ending gut-punched audiences. （观众被结尾给扎心了，被刀了。）
03. 西方文化里的 legacy of love
在表达对逝者的致敬方式方面，西方文化流行以逝者名义进行捐赠（donating to charities in their name）。而且，西方人非常流行一个概念，叫做legacy of love：爱的遗产/爱的传承。意思是指：to carry their love forward.
如果说，“I miss her”是个人悲伤，而“Her legacy of love inspires me”则升华到积极影响。实现从“失去”到“传承”的情感转换。
比如：
“Her handwritten recipes are part of her legacy of love — every dish we cook keeps her spirit alive.”
（她的手写食谱是“爱的遗产”——每道菜都让她的精神延续。）
2017年阿黛尔在发布新专辑时致敬她的late teacher（去世的恩师）时说：
This album was his love of legacy.
《寻梦环游记》中的经典台词：
The true legacy of love is being remembered by those you inspired.（真正的爱的遗产是被你激励过的人永远铭记。）
总之，legacy of love是西方文化中的重要概念，指亲人离世后留存的精神遗产——那些被赋予永恒意义的记忆、价值观或行为模式。回头看刘楚昕，那句“回头看看，都是传奇”，正是女友留下的legacy of love。
恰如中文中所说“死而不亡者寿”。
04. 有些失去，连胜利也无法赎回
中英文学中，都有“功成身缺”的主题。
中国的李宗盛说：跨过山丘无人等候，
美国的海明威说：胜利者一无所获。Winner take nothing.
——你能看到对这两句话在echo each other,
中英文在此刻达成共识：有些失去，连胜利也无法赎回。
So that's the story behind the tears and trophies.
Sometimes the deepest love stories aren't about forever — they're about carrying someone's light after they're gone.（这就是眼泪与奖杯背后的故事。最动人的爱，未必是长相厮守——而是当那人离开后，你仍带着他赠与的光芒前行。）
——— We call this the legacy of love.
你的生命中，有人为你留下“爱的遗产”吗？点击评论区分享你的故事！
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主播：翩翩（中国）+ Selah（美国）
音乐：Anywhere Is
近日关于关于法国总统马克龙的一段“打脸”视频火了（go viral）。今天我们要聊的话题就是本次“打脸门”事件（Slapgate Incident）。
01 Macron’s “Slapgate” Incident 马克龙“打脸门”事件
马克龙夫妇乘专机（on a private plane）抵达越南（Vietam）。But right before stepping off the aircraft (下飞机), they appeared to (疑似) have an argument.
And in an awkward moment caught on camera, Brigitte appeared to slap the president’s face. But Macron quickly snapped right back (立刻恢复原状) into a smiling, waving politician (政治家) when he noticed the camera.
视频中马克龙反应非常快，网友调侃其“压力下反应迅速”（quick thinking under pressure）。But the internet went nuts (走红), and every major news outlet (主流新闻媒体) picked it up (报道).
02 Media Headlines and Public Speculation 媒体标题与公众猜测
Some people are low-key wondering (小声嘀咕) if there be trouble in their marriage. Foreign media also speculated (猜测) that there might be trouble in Macron and his wife’s relationship.
low-key wondering：小声嘀咕（欧美年轻人常用的话，吃瓜群众的小心思）
Here is an international headline. International outlet Firstpost wrote:
From student-teacher affair to slapgate: Inside Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron’s scandal-ridden relationship
从师生关系到打脸门：布丽吉特和马纽埃尔·马克龙丑闻缠身的关系内幕
It is called student-teacher affair because Macron met Brigitte when he was 15. She was his teacher—25 years older and already a mom of three. They fell in love. In the end, he married her at 29. They’ve been together ever since.
student-teacher affair: 师生恋（带有负面暗示）
affair: 事情，可引申为风流韵事、不当关系
A sexual relationship between two people, usually when one or both of them is married to somebody else.
Eg. Somebody is having an affair.
某人有婚外情。
scandal-ridden relationship: 丑闻缠身的关系
A scandal-ridden relationship is a romantic connection (情感纠葛) between two people that causes a lot of public shock, criticism (批评), or disgrace (耻辱)—usually because it breaks social rules.
slapgate: 打脸门
It refers to any of various controversies involving a well-known person slapping another person or thing.
英语里面人们会用“-gate”作为后缀来命名丑闻事件，这一用法源自“水门事件（the Watergate Affair）”。从水门事件之后，这个“-gate”后缀变成了一个很有趣的英语语言现象，专门来指各种政治丑闻（political scandal）、科技丑闻（technology scandal）、商业丑闻（corporate scandal）、娱乐丑闻（celebrity scandal）。
Eg. Irangate: 伊朗门
Partygate：派对门（英国首相鲍里斯·约翰逊在新冠封锁期间违规举办派对）
Nipplegate: 胸门
It was when Janet Jackson’s top accidentally came open (上衣不小心开了口) during the Super Bowl show (超级碗场秀) in 2004.
Serious media outlets use the “-gate” for major scandals like Russiagate in a formal context, but when applied to minor incidents (小事件), it often carries a sarcastic tone (调侃色彩). 英文中大事小情都是“......门”，就跟表情包（memes）一样，开玩笑的意味比较重。
有趣的是马克龙登机口被打脸事件称作“slapgate”有一个妙用，就是双关（pun），因为英文中登机口就是gate。
After Macron got slapped, Twitter users came up with the savage nickname (很损的外号) “Smacron”-a brutal combo (一种残酷的组合) of “smack (掌掴)” and “Macron”.
03 Macron’s Explanation and Public Skepticism 马克龙的解释与公众质疑
After the video went viral, Macron was quick to clarify—he said they were just horsing around, nothing serious, definitely not some domestic drama (家庭剧).
horse around: 闹着玩
It means to play in a silly, noisy, or rough (粗鲁的) way.
Eg. We were just horsing around—it wasn’t a real fight!
我们只是闹着玩，不是真的打架！
但外媒报道时，都把“horse around”这个词加了引号。Plenty of media outlets weren’t buying it (不买账). It is basically saying: That’s Macron’s version…(这是马克龙的版本...)
欢迎在评论区告诉我们：
What do you think is going on? 你觉得是怎么回事呢？
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主播：Flora（中国）+ 梅莉（法国）
音乐：All My Life
今天我们要聊的是最近国外比较火的一个挑战——Ice Bucket Challenge （冰桶挑战）！
The Ice Bucket Challenge first originated (开始于) in 2014. But it’s 2025 now—that was over 10 years ago. The Ice Bucket Challenge comes back!
01. Origin & Impact of the Challenge 冰桶挑战的起源和影响
冰桶挑战赛于2014年风靡全球（a global viral campaign），这项活动旨在为罕见疾病渐冻症（ALS, a rare disease）筹集善款并提高公众认知（ raise money and awareness）。
参与者需将冰水浇在自己头上，并点名邀请他人（nominate others）接受挑战。被点名者需要在24小时内完成挑战，或选择向渐冻症研究所捐赠（donate）100美元。
It gained massive participation, including celebrities (名人) like Bill Gates (比尔•盖茨) and Obama (奥巴马), and raised over $200 million—making it one of social media’s most successful charity (慈善) movements.
02. Why Is It Back in 2025? 为什么冰桶挑战在2025年重回大众视野？
Gen Z (refers to people born between 1997 and 2012) 也被称为digital natives (数字原住民) on TikTok has rediscovered (重新发现) the challenge.
如今人们再次发起这项挑战时，加入了戏剧性的慢镜头（dramatic slow motion）、精美的剪辑（aesthetic editing）和配乐，几乎拍出了电影质感（cinematic）。
但不同的是，这次挑战常常缺失了慈善环节。它不再真正关乎渐冻症，而是演变成了一种怀旧（nostalgia）、娱乐和博取关注（get attention）的方式。
03. West vs. China: Different Viral Cultures 中国与西方国家走红文化的不同
In the West, many viral challenges (走红挑战) start with a cause (某个目标) or a message. Whether it’s awareness for a disease, body positivity (身体自信) things like that—这些有趣的活动背后通常都有一个最初的意图 (purpose).
In China, there are viral challenges, too. 比如手指舞挑战、泼水成冰等。But from what we’ve seen, they usually don’t have a deeper purpose. People just do them for fun.
In the West, once something becomes “just for fun” , people often criticize (批判) it. They’ll say that you forgot the point (重点). But sometimes the internet just wants to laugh.
中国网友（Chinese netizens）可能不会太在意它最初的意义，而是更享受“怎么把它玩得不一样（how to put a unique spin on it）”。像最近还流行“冰桶挑战失败合集（Ice Bucket Challenge Fails Compilation）”，就是看大家被泼水之后的搞笑反应（hilarious reactions），完全是为了娱乐（entertainment）。
The original (原始的) challenge had a meaningful goal—raising awareness for ALS. But even now, if it brings people joy, that’s still valuable in its own way.
04. Why Do These Trends Revive? 为什么这些挑战会回归？
The revival (再次流行) of the Ice Bucket Challenge shows that we miss a certain kind of internet—one that was more simple, joyful, and brings people together. And we miss those moments where it felt like the whole world was in on the same thing (全世界都在参与一件事的感觉). 而且是带着幽默、轻松的心态。不需要站队、也不涉及争议。
Even if it’s not “pure (纯粹)”, it’s still creating connection and still has social value. 这些挑战满足了人们“大家一块玩、一起玩”的社交 （social connection）需求。同时它们又带点怀旧感。 It’s rare and special.
挑战本身也在“evolve（进化）”中！Whether for charity or comedy, the Ice Bucket Challenge’s revival shows how social media repurposes content (稍加改变内容) across generations.
欢迎在评论区留言告诉我们：
What is your favorite or most nostalgic internet challenge? 你最喜欢、最怀念的网络挑战是什么？
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主播：Flora (中国) + 梅莉 (法国)
片头音乐：Hold Us Together
片尾音乐：Look At Me Now
今天梅莉来给大家分享一句最近在外媒上特别火、同时也很治愈的一句话："Almost forgot this was the whole point (差点忘了这才是重点)."
This is a simple but powerful phrase that keeps popping up (突然出现) on TikTok and Instagram.
01. The True Meaning of "the Point" “重点”的真正含义
When people say "Almost forgot this was the whole point," it’s like—I got caught up (陷入) in stress or noise, and I needed this moment to remember what really matters.
People will usually see it paired with a quiet, beautiful video. 比如说下班后看看日落（watch a sunset），与朋友们安静地坐一会（sit with friends in silence），摸摸狗（pet a dog），或者是沿着海边走一走（walk by the ocean）。It’s those small, peaceful, super real moments. Nothing loud or dramatic.
It feels like this trend is all about slowing down and reminding ourselves of what really matters. 很像我们说的“松弛感（chill vibe）”、“生活感”的状态。 It’s like saying: "Hey, these small ordinary moments? That’s the good stuff."
That’s the beauty of it—it’s not about doing more, it’s about feeling more.
02. The Reason of its Popularity 受欢迎的原因
It feels like people everywhere—both in China and abroad—are connecting with this.
Maybe because life feels kind of overwhelming (令人不知所措的) right now. With AI, fast news, work stress… people just want to breathe. 现在大家都在追求效率、成功、速度……但同时内心也渴望能感受一些平静且真实的瞬间。People are all craving (渴望) something calmer, something that feels more real.
It’s a reminder to be present. Like—not everything has to be productive or aesthetic (有美感的). 只是简单地坐在那里，在这一瞬间，就足够了。It’s true but hard. Because lots of people constantly worrying about the future, or stuck thinking about the past. 甚至有时候看看别人光鲜亮丽的生活也会引起自己的焦虑。
03. Scroll Less, Live More 少刷屏，多生活
几个周之前梅莉删掉了她的社交媒体软件，比如Instagram、小红书一类的。After that, she started reading more, being more present in her life. It’s like she suddenly had space to breathe again.
Most of us just instinctively (本能地) grab our phones whenever there’s a free second. Not even because we’re looking for something—just trying to escape (躲避) reality a little. And then we will look up and realize—"Wait, I just spent 30 minutes scrolling (浏览) and I don’t even remember what I saw."
Flora也有一个类似的经历。Back then in college, she had to study for a big exam, so she turned off her WeChat Moments for a while. 在这之后，她发现她非常喜欢这种状态。It was like finally paying attention to her life instead of tracking everyone else.
直到现在，Flora的微信还是那样设置的（set that way）。She looks forward to the little things—cooking herself a nice meal, buying flowers, decorating her room... It all feels more meaningful. 这些小事情（tiny things）可以带给她非常多的快乐。
04. Pause & Reflect: What Truly Matters in Life 暂停并反思：生命中真正重要的是什么
This whole "Almost forgot this was the whole point" thing—it’s a trend. A trending sound (一种当下流行的呼声). People are using it to post aesthetic videos of sunsets or quiet mornings… which is kind of ironic (讽刺的).
当每个人都在追求这个潮流的时候，就有些迷失重点了。What really matters is our true feeling. Did we feel relaxed? Free? Peaceful?
The point isn’t to film the moment—it’s to actually live it. We need to ask ourselves: are we watching life happen, or are we living it? 我们要成为生活的参与者，而不是旁观者。
It is about focusing on what really matters—connection, peace, purpose. And finding joy that doesn’t need to be posted to be real. 找到快乐不一定要通过分享来实现，它本身就是真实存在的。
这不该只是一个“治愈滤镜”下的热潮，而是我们真正该思考的问题：What really matters to us in life? 什么才是我们生命中真正重要的东西？
There’s an old saying in Chinese: “不忘初心，方得始终 (If you don’t forget your original intention, you’ll find your way to the end)。”
We hope you can rediscover those small but powerful moments that truly make your life meaningful. And if you ever forget what life is really about… just pause. Breathe. And remember—this is the whole point. This is what life is all about.
欢迎在评论区告诉我们：
What brings you joy—not online, but in real life?
在现实生活中而非网络上，什么事情能带给你快乐呢？
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主播：Flora（中国）+ Selah（美国）
音乐：Bring It All Back
上次两个主播约节目录制时间的时候Selah突然说要推迟，是因为家里要进行全面的pest control——除虫！这到底是怎么回事呢？
经过Selah解释我们才知道，原来她们所在的地区Arizona（美国亚利桑那州），定期除虫已经是家庭日常啦！那么这一期我们就来聊聊美国家庭的“pest control（除虫服务）”。
01. What happened to Selah’s house?
Pest control is super normal in places like Arizona where it's dry and full of "little friends" you don't want inside. That sounds cute but also terrifying.
Selah shared that recently, she and her husband started noticing lots of little bugs in their home. 起初，虫子只有几个，所以他们没有太担心。 But then they got bigger... and multiplied (变多)!
What kinds of bugs did they actually see?
Cockroaches (蟑螂), earwigs(蠼螋), scorpions (蝎子) and termites (白蚁).
That’s a whole squad (简直是虫子小分队)! They look as scary as they sound—especially scorpions and termites, the ones that destroy your house from the inside.
On that day, Selah spotted (发现) a scorpion... and it was like half the size of her hand! They got so jumpy (心惊肉跳) they had to pack up and crash at (投奔) her parents’ house for a few nights.
幸运的是，几天后他们预订了pest control。Professionals (专业人员) came, sprayed everything down (全面喷洒药剂), and they finally felt safe enough to move back in.
They ended up getting professional pest control.
02. What is Pest Control?
Pest control means getting rid of unwanted insects or animals from your home or yard. It helps keep houses clean and safe. 其实就是除虫。
Actually, pest control isn’t just about getting rid of bugs after you see them. A lot of Americans do it ahead of time (提前)—也就是在问题发生之前就预防它! It's like bug insurance, but less paperwork.
给他们灭虫的工作人员用英语怎么说？
Exterminator (除虫人员).
They're like secret heroes—saving people from all the tiny unwanted guests!
03. Why is Pest Control Common in the U.S.?
In the U.S., especially places like Arizona and Florida (美国东南部的佛罗里达州), the warm climate means bugs are active all year (虫子全年都很活跃).
Plus, many people live in houses with yards—more exposure to nature (和自然接触更多) means more contact with pests. 这么看的话，好像有bugs也比较合理了。
这里很多房子都被开阔的草地（open grasslands）甚至沙漠（desert areas）包围着。So it's pretty normal to have some "unexpected visitors (不速之客)" sneaking in from nature!
其实这是其中一个方面，另一方面是他们也特别重视房屋维护（house maintenance--keeping everything clean, safe, and in good shape）。
People want to protect their homes, especially from things like termites that can damage the structure.
所以这已经是很多家庭的日常习惯（routine）了。
04. How Does Pest Control Work?
First, you schedule an appointment (预约一个时间). The exterminator comes to check your home and yard for signs of pests (害虫的迹象).
Then they spray (喷洒药剂) around the outside and sometimes inside if needed.
如果问题比较严重，他们可能会设sticky traps（粘捕器）。For major issues like termites, they might do fumigation—熏蒸处理—but that’s less common.
The cost all depends on what kind of service you need. It can range from $70 a month to $300 a month (约合人民币500-2000元)… it also depends on what kind of house you have and how serious the problem is.
他们大约需要每月或每隔一个月做一次，具体要取决于他们签订的合同（他们通常会和公司签订除虫合同）。But most people will do it to prevent long term problems and having to worry about creatures in your house, especially if you live in places like Arizona.
其实如果除一次虫就能一劳永逸的话也挺好的，至少以后很长一段时间都不用担心虫子的困扰了。
Are the chemicals they spray harmful to people (喷洒的药剂是否对人体有害)?
Most of the time, they tell you to take your pets and stay out of the house for a few hours. 但你可以留在家里，除非他们要彻底熏蒸（fumigate）。
It kills the bugs and pests within 7-10 days but is not harmful for humans. But it would harm pets at first, so they recommend to keep pets away for 5-6 hours.
Just think of it as giving your pets a little vacation.
05. Every Place Has Its “Wild Neighbors(野生邻居）”
It's like Australians having to share their space with kangaroos and giant spiders-- scary but kinda funny!
Every place has its own “wild neighbors.” In Australia, it's kangaroos and giant spiders. In Canada, it's raccoons digging through trash cans. In Arizona, scorpions sometimes show up! 好像每个地方都有自己的害虫问题（pest problems）！
那么大家，尤其是南方的朋友，你们有没有在家里遇到过什么奇怪的小动物或害虫呢？欢迎留言告诉我们！
Share your wild neighbor stories with us—we’d love to hear them!
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主播：Flora（中国）+ Selah（美国）
音乐：Go Again
今天，我们聊聊一个近期引起轰动的话题——tariffs（关税），and how they’re affecting everyday Americans（以及它们是如何影响美国群众的）。
Whether it’s the headlines or people’s conversations, this issue is everywhere! Everyone is wondering—what’s really going on?
So, we thought we’d break it down for you about, first, 关税到底是什么(what exactly are tariffs), and second 它是如何影响人们的日常生活的 (how have they impacted people's daily lives)?
01. A Key Headline and Terms on US Tariffs 一则美国关税的新闻标题和相关关键词
Americans Could Pay More for These Everyday Basics Under Trump's New Tariffs
特朗普政府新关税政策或将导致美国日常必需品价格上涨
——BBC (英国广播公司)
In the article, they mentioned things like clothes, coffee, shoes, alcohol and electronics (酒和电子产品).
When you see headlines like that, it’s helpful to understand some of the key terms that always come up. 它们听起来很 technical (专业)，但却和我们的生活息息相关。
Tariff: 对进口到一个国家的商品征的税
If the U.S. buys something from another country, like China, and puts a tariff on it, that item becomes more expensive.
Trade imbalance (贸易失衡): 当一个国家从其他国家购买的商品比卖给他们的多得多时，这种情况就会发生。
For example, the U.S. imports tons of products from places like China, but doesn’t export (出口) as much in return. It’s kind of like always shopping but rarely selling anything—it adds up over time.
这其实是美国当前的一个现象——进口多于出口。That’s something we hear a lot in the news.
Supply Chain Disruptions (供应链中断) : 商品不能按时到达，或者很难买到某些产品。This can happen when tariffs or other tensions (紧张局势) slow things down.
Basically, when there’s a lot of tariff-related (关税相关的) tension—like if countries start raising taxes on each other’s goods—it messes up the flow of things (扰乱商品流通). Trucks, ships, deliveries... everything gets delayed.
And none of these terms are just words in a textbook. You can feel them in real life. Like when your favorite brand is suddenly out of stock (没有现货), or a product that used to cost $5 now costs $8.
或者当你终于找到你想要的东西时，商店会说“Sorry, it’s on backorder (暂时缺货).” That’s when you know it’s real!
02. Observable Effects on Everyday Americans 对美国群众的明显影响
Selah tells us that one of the most visible (可见的) impacts is the rising prices on everyday goods (日常用品价格上涨). 特别是进口产品，变得越来越贵。
For example, electronics and household items (家用物品) are costing more because of tariffs placed on foreign goods.
Selah has seen stockpiling (屯东西), where people are buying more than usual, fearing that prices will keep climbing. 一般我们屯东西都是怕后面价格上涨 (We’re worried prices will keep going up)。
They’ve even seen out-of-stock signs in stores –– things like food, cleaning supplies (清洁用品), and certain brands of clothing have been flying off the shelves (被抢购一空). From what Selah has seen, people are trying to prepare for what’s to come.
But she is a much more "let’s wait and see (让我们拭目以待)" kind of person. 从她所看到的情况来看，人们只是在为即将发生的事情做准备，更多的只是担心。
03. The "DHgate" Phenomenon (敦煌网现象)
As the tariffs have increased, there’s been a surge in the downloads of China’s DHgate (敦煌网下载量激增).
A lot of people might think that is related to the Dunhuang Museum, but it is actually a Chinese e-commerce platform (电子商务平台). It connects sellers in China with buyers all over the world.
And with tariffs driving up (上涨) the cost of American goods, more and more people in the US are turning to this platform to find cheaper alternatives (更便宜的替代品). 而且在Tiktok你会发现很多中国的商家都在用英文介绍自己的商品。
It’s become a trend, and in some ways, it’s giving American consumers more options to shop for goods at lower prices, even if it means buying from China directly. 他们没有考虑全球贸易政策—they just want affordable, reliable products (价格合理、可靠的产品).
04. The Ripple Effects (涟漪效应) of Tariffs
总之，关税肯定产生了影响。From rising prices to supply shortages (供应短缺), and even leading people to explore e-commerce platforms like the DHgate, we’re seeing big changes in how people shop and what they buy.
And while this situation is still evolving, it’s clear that tariffs are affecting the daily lives of people across the country. 当一个市场发生变化时，它会在全世界产生涟漪（ripples）。
Have you noticed any changes in your area? 你注意到你的地区有什么变化吗？
Let us know your thoughts and experiences.
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主播：Selah (美国) + 梅莉 (法国)
音乐：Hiding In the Blue
In recent years, more and more people have started learning Chinese, and the language has become increasingly popular. Both Maelle and Selah grew up in China and speak fluent (流利的) Chinese.
今天让我们来了解一下，当主播Maelle和Selah在外生活或旅行时，会说中文给他们带来了什么好处呢？
01. Professional Perks 职业福利
Job Opportunities (工作机会)
Maelle once got an internship (实习) because she spoke Chinese on top of (超过) English and French. Companies don’t expect foreigners to speak fluent Chinese—so when Maelle does, it stands out (脱颖而出).
Teaching Edge (教学优势)
Selah在大学时常用中文认识国际生，因为她们校园里有很多中国学生。Selah also uses Chinese to help Chinese students adjust in (适应) English-speaking classrooms, making them feel more comfortable and supported.
Academic Benefits (学术好处)
Selah skipped (跳过) two years of coursework (学业课程) and got a Chinese minor (中文辅修课程) after testing out of the classes. Speaking Chinese saved time and boosted her credentials (提升了她的学历).
test out of the classes 通过考试而免修课程
02. Social & Travel Benefits 社交和旅行妙用
Selah’s family once traveled to Italy, they got lost and could not find the way to their destination (目的地). They used Chinese to ask for directions (方向) at a Chinese-owned barbershop (理发店). It was incredible (不可思议)!
When Maelle was living in Spain, she went to get her nails done (做指甲) in a place. The boss and workers were all Chinese. They spoke Spanish with their clients (客户) but she couldn’t help (情不自禁) but speak Chinese to them.
They were very shocked (特别惊讶), and they ended up (结果是) remembering Maelle every time she went back. Maelle chatted (聊天) with them in Chinese and made many new friends.
Speaking Chinese makes it easier to make friends in many parts of Europe and the Americas, since there are large Chinese communities (华人社区) there. It’s like having a secret superpower (隐藏技能) sometimes!
03. Instant Friendships 迅速建立友谊
Maelle once made a close Chinese friend while in France, all thanks to her language skills. They didn’t know each other at first, but a mutual (共同的) friend mentioned to him that there was a French girl who spoke really good Chinese.
He was a bit skeptical (怀疑的) at first. Later, they met at a party, and Maelle immediately (迅速) started speaking Chinese to him.
He was surprised and impressed. When he told her he was from Shandong, she even switched (转换) to the Qingdao dialect (方言) and joked: “下次来青岛玩儿，我们一起哈啤酒吃蛤蜊(ga la)”.
He was completely shocked—and told everyone at the party about the French girl who could speak Qingdao dialect. It was hilarious (搞笑的), and that moment sparked (点燃) a great friendship. For Maelle, being able to speak the local dialect created an instant (立刻的) connection.
Selah often found opportunities (机会) to use her Chinese when she saw lost-looking (看上去迷路了的) Chinese students on campus. She would walk up to (走上前去) them and say, “你是中国人吗？你需要帮助找地方吗？”—and they were always surprised.
The same thing happened at Chinese markets or restaurants, where she would order in Chinese and consistently (持续不断地) shock people with her language skills.
In conclusion, being able to speak Chinese has definitely given them great advantages—professionally (专业地), socially, and even just for fun. 对于她们来说，会说中文就是秘密武器（secret weapon）！
Hopefully our listeners will feel inspired (受鼓舞的) to keep improving both their Chinese and English. The more languages you speak, the more doors open.
如果你也有因为会说中文而在国外经历的趣事，欢迎在评论区分享给我们！We would love to read them!
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主播：Selah (美国) + 梅莉 (法国)
音乐：Friends
欢迎大家来到《老外来了》特辑“老外请回答！”第2期！
Q1. “你觉得中式英语该被消灭还是被保护？”
"Do you think Chinglish should be protected or gotten rid of?"
Final answer 1: Instead of trying to 消灭 (get rid of) it, we just need to use it in the right context (在恰当的语境中使用)—like seasoning (调味品). A little bit in the right dish makes it even better.
Final answer 2: 在正式场合我们要注意语言的准确性，但在日常交流中，Chinglish真的蛮可爱的！
For people who’ve grown up in a 双语家庭 (bilingual household) —this kind of language mix (语言混用) can feel really natural.
And sometimes Chinglish is super creative, like “add oil” — a direct translation of “加油”. It's like a linguistic inside joke (语言上的“圈内梗”).
But in formal situations (正式场合)—like school essays or business emails—it’s better to use standard English (标准英语).
Q2. “你们国家有饭前先拍照的习惯吗？”
“Does your country have a ‘take a picture before you eat’ kind of habit?”
Final answer 1: In the US, they call this “my phone eats first.” It’s like... you don’t dare touch your food until you’ve gotten the perfect angle (角度), lighting, everything. Especially if it’s something super pretty—like latte art (咖啡拉花) or a fancy dessert (美味的甜点) or if it’s your first time at a famous restaurant. 美美的食物，当然要先拍照啦~
Final answer 2: It’s become part of modern food culture, not just in the US but globally now.
不过有些人也会觉得这样有点烦。Some people even make rules—like, okay, ONE picture, then phones down. That’s a good compromise (折中办法).
But if it’s something homemade (自制的) and you’re really proud of it, post away, Maelle said. 梅莉觉得自己辛苦做的饭尤其值得在朋友圈或者小红书上晒一晒！
Q3. “如果必须选一个，一年不喝奶茶，还是一年不吃炸鸡？”
“Would you go a year without milk tea or a year without fried chicken?”
Final answer 1: This one is easy for Maelle, “I would choose to give up fried chicken. I just love 奶茶 too much. It’s like my emotional support drink.”
Final answer 2: For Selah, she thinks she eats 炸鸡 more often and in more circumstances (在更多时候), so this would be harder to give up!
Fried chicken is so versatile (百搭的)—it can be part of a meal, a snack, comfort food (疗愈系美食)… And there are so many styles too—美式南方炸鸡、韩式炸鸡、台式盐酥鸡......
04. Meme Sentence Challenge 梗图造句挑战
今天的趣味挑战是——用“泰酷辣”来夸一夸英国菜！To say something over-the-top about British food (用夸张的方式“赞美”英国菜).
“This boiled potato with no salt? 泰酷辣! It’s like… flavor went on vacation!” （这土豆也太原味了，味道去度假了吗？）
“Baked beans on toast? 泰酷辣! Michelin stars could never.”（米其林都做不出来的“神级”早餐～）”
“This cucumber sandwich with exactly one slice of cucumber? 泰～酷～辣！It’s giving… invisible luxury (隐形的奢华).”（只放一片黄瓜，低调到极致）
“A proper cup of British tea with milk? 泰酷辣! Smooth. Classic. Basically emotional support in a mug (柔顺、经典，一杯能抚慰灵魂的奶茶).”
And jokes aside, British food does have its charm. 我们只是用“泰酷辣”的语气来玩个梗，其实还是很尊重英国文化的。British friends, we’re just having fun—no hard feelings (别介意哈)!
我们今天从Chinglish聊到拍照文化，再聊到炸鸡奶茶，还有British food 的“泰酷辣”时刻。 If you had fun, don’t forget to follow, leave a comment, and share the episode with your friends!
欢迎大家留言告诉我们你最喜欢的问题，或者你自己的回答。我们可能会在下一期节目读出你的答案哦！
And if you have a spicy question (有趣的问题) you want us to answer…请在留言区告诉我们，我们下期再见！
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主播：Flora (中国) + 梅莉 (法国)
片头音乐：What Makes You Beautiful
片尾音乐：Rather Be
欢迎大家来到我们《老外来了》的全新特辑（brand-new podcast special）——“老外请回答！”
《老外来了》全新特辑——“老外请回答！”
This is not just a regular chat (普通聊天) between the two hosts. We’re taking on YOUR questions (我们要回答网友们的提问)!
每一期节目（each episode），我们会挑选一些超级有趣的问题。Some questions are fun, some are tricky (刁钻的), and some might even make us speechless (语塞的)!
Today Maelle will answer three of them with her own experiences, cultural insights (文化视角), and maybe even some embarrassing stories (让人尴尬的故事) along the way!
This is gonna be fun! Let’s dive into today’s questions!
Q1. 如果必须选一个——一辈子不吃奶酪，还是一辈子不吃火锅？
“No cheese for life or say goodbye to hotpot forever?”
This is such a cruel either/or question (非此即彼的问题). It is like choosing between oxygen (氧气) and WiFi!
We're making her choose between her French identity and her Chinese soul (法国人身份和中国魂)!
Maelle thinks Cheese is part of who she is—they literally have a cheese course (奶酪菜肴) in French meals. It’s sacred (神圣的). They are really fans of cheese (奶酪迷).
Hotpot, for Maelle, is like group therapy (集体心理治疗). Warm, chaotic (热闹嘈杂的), and comforting (安慰的). So it’s hard for her to make the decision.
Final answer: “I pick… CHEESE! Sorry, 火锅!”
Because she just can’t give up cheese. That’s a bold move (非常勇)!
难道法国奶酪真的魅力这么大吗？
In France, they take cheese very seriously—they have over 400 kinds! You could say they are cheese-obsessed (奶酪狂热分子)!
And when winter comes, they love eating raclette (拉克莱特): hot melted cheese poured over potatoes and ham (把融化的芝士倒在土豆和火腿上). It’s like a warm hug from the inside.
拉克莱特（Raclette）是欧洲街头常见的一款地道美食，它的风靡程度在欧洲的大街小巷都能看到。在寒冬来上一份 raclette，拉丝的芝士倒在土豆和火腿上，光听着就让人流口水。现在大家是不是理解他们为什么对芝士这么钟爱了呢？用梅莉的话说：“Good cheese is my ultimate weakness (致命诱惑)！”
Q2. 你们国家有“多喝热水”这种万能建议吗？
“Is 'drink more hot water' just a Chinese thing, or does your country have this magic cure-all (万灵药) too?”
In France, they say things like “Take some paracetamol” (吃点对乙酰氨基酚——一种退烧、镇痛的药), or “Drink herbal tea” (喝点草药茶).
But no one just tells you to drink hot water—this is uniquely Chinese (中国特有)!
When Maelle moved to Australia, she would always use her roommate’s kettle to boil hot water. Her roommates were confused and thought it was weird. Every guest who came over noticed she drank plain hot water (普通热水).
She had to give mini health lectures (健康小讲堂): "It’s good for digestion! It balances your qi...!" (有助于消化，调节气）But no one bought it (没人信).
That’s when she realized she’d officially become that person—the one who recommends hot water to everyone (那个向每个人推荐热水的人). As Maelle says: "Old habits die hard" (旧习难改)—once something becomes part of your lifestyle, it’s really hard to change—even if you move to another country. It’s like muscle memory (肌肉记忆)!
Q3. “第一次用筷子时，最想暗杀哪道菜？”
“Which dish did you want to murder most when you first used chopsticks?”
老粉都知道梅莉是中国长大的，所以她也是从小就用筷子了(She learned chopsticks from a young age)。But still, some dishes are super tricky.
Final answer: “Kung Pao Chicken (宫保鸡丁)!” It’s delicious, but the tiny roasted peanuts? Every time she tries to grab one, it’s like chasing a slippery little ninja (追捕一个滑溜溜的小忍者). They bounce (跳动) around, escape the chopsticks, even fly off the plate!
And when she gets frustrated, she panics (惊慌失措), fumbles (手忙脚乱), and everything just gets worse. It drives her up the wall (让她抓狂)! That phrase means something really annoys you or makes you crazy.
In English, you can use it whenever something keeps going wrong and makes you want to scream. Like, “My chopsticks won’t pick up this peanut—it’s driving me up the wall!”
04.【Fun Challenge】梅莉演技炸裂，一秒变身中国老妈
今天的挑战是——让Maelle模仿中国妈妈的经典语录：“穿上秋裤（Wear your thermal pants）音频10分50秒！”But, she has to do it with the right tone (语气).
Since Maelle has been in China for a while now, we want to test if she can truly capture the essence (精髓) of a Chinese mom! So Maelle needs to summon（召唤） her inner Chinese mother.
Maelle cleared her throat and tried it: “哎呀，孩子！天儿这么冷，赶紧穿上秋裤！”
Go even more dramatic—add some disappointment and worry, like you’re truly heartbroken that your kid won’t listen: “哎呦喂！我真是服了你！不穿秋裤，以后膝盖疼了别哭着来找我！”
That's peak Chinese mom energy (真·中国妈妈精髓)!
Rate Maelle’s performance in the comments! 大家快给梅莉的表演打分吧！
下期我们还会回答更多超有趣的问题，比如——“为什么外国人这么喜欢晒太阳？”
So, make sure to tune in next time! And don’t forget to drop your wildest questions in the comments!
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主播：Flora (中国) + 梅莉 (法国)
片头音乐：阳光彩虹小白马
片尾音乐：Kung Fu Fighting
Nowadays, internet celebrities (网红) are very common. 但是今天介绍给大家的是最近火到出圈的——IShowSpeed！也就是网友口中的“甲亢哥”！
01. Who is “甲亢哥” ? 他是谁？
Speed (“甲亢哥”网名) is a 20-year-old YouTuber from the U.S., who went absolutely viral (走红) during his recent trip to China.
His videos from this trip got millions of views (浏览量)—and not just on YouTube, but also reposted (转发) across Chinese social platforms like Bilibili, Xiaohongshu, and Douyin! One of his livestreams (直播) from China hit three million views, 有一场直播甚至长达6个小时！
People call him “甲亢哥” because he is extremely energetic (活力满满) in front of the camera, always jumping around and shouting. Netizens gave him this nickname as a playful joke (玩笑话) , but it also carries a sense of affection (喜爱). The literal meaning of “甲亢哥” is hyperthyroidism.
Basically, hyper energy + chaotic charm =甲亢哥
hyperthyroidism 甲状腺功能亢进症
02. Speed’s China Tour “甲亢哥”的中国行
Speed has been traveling for a while—Japan, Korea, Portugal (葡萄牙)—but his China trip hits different (有所不同).
He wore a big floral padded jacket (东北大花袄), tried stinky tofu (臭豆腐), danced in public squares (跳广场舞) with kids, walked the streets of Chengdu, got mobbed (围住) by fans...
He wasn’t just a tourist snapping pics (打卡拍照的游客). 他真的不是“走马观花”的那种游客，而是深入体验了中国文化。当尝试臭豆腐时，他说“This smells horrible... but tastes amazing (闻起来臭，吃起来香) !”。
Even though he’s an international star, in China, he was completely natural—zero “celebrity distance.” (完全没有名人的那种“距离感”) 比如他会在街头吃路边摊、跟路人跳广场舞，还会用超搞笑的方式学中文。People find him really down to earth and relatable (接地气又让人有共鸣).
Netizens say he’s “crazy but real (疯得很真实)”. You feel like he’s that hilarious (搞笑的) friend everyone has.
And the way he genuinely explored China made a lot of people think: “Maybe we should be more open to other cultures, too.”
03. Iconic Moments from the Comment Section 评论区名场面
他的评论区有很多人留言。There is a funny comment from his kung fu video, “2% kung fu, 95% bald, 3% screaming”. 意思是他的主要“成分”是秃头和吼叫，还有一点点功夫（视频里他戴了一个光头套——bald cap）。
And here’s another really sweet comment from YouTube:
“China stream has been by far the best stream ever for IShowSpeed. The people. The authenticity (真实). The vibe (氛围). It was all right. Never judge a book by its cover (封面). He went up against a lot of pressure not to go to China, but he did—and it turned out amazing.”
“Organic interactions will always trump forced ones （自然的互动总是胜过被迫的）.”
He’s sincere—you can feel his genuine curiosity and reactions (真正的好奇心和互动).
04. Embassy Notices Speed's Viral Fame! “甲亢哥”火爆出圈，惊动大使馆！
The Chinese Embassy in the U.S. posted about IShowSpeed’s trip on X (原推特). IShowSpeed’s China trip really showed people a different side of China—warm, real, full of life (温暖、真实、充满活力).
IShowSpeed, an American YouTuber, has garnered (获得) immense (巨大的) attention for his travel experiences in China. He not only visited multiple cities but also immersed himself in the local culture (沉浸式体验当地文化).
欢迎在评论区告诉我们：
Have you watched Speed’s China streams? What was your favorite part?
你有没有看过Speed的中国直播，最喜欢哪一段呢？
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主播：Flora（中国）+ Erin（美国）
音乐：Flowers
2025年3月16日，第18届亚洲电影大奖颁奖典礼在香港举行。汤唯凭借其在电影领域的卓越贡献，荣获了“卓越亚洲电影人大奖”，成为全场的焦点。颁奖典礼过后，有记者问起了她与韩国演员金秀贤的关系，汤唯回答：“他之前好像有来过电影首映，见过他，其实我不认识他，sorry。”
那么“和某人不认识、不熟”，在英文中怎么表达呢？
01. “我们不认识。”
I don’t know him.（不认识/不了解）
I’m not familiar with him.（不太熟悉）
I’ve heard of him, but I don’t really know him.（听说过他，但不算认识）
02. “我们仅有过一面之缘或甚至没见过。”
We’ve met once.（只见过一次面）
I’ve seen him before, but we’ve never talked.（见过但没交谈过）
I have no idea who he is.（完全不知道他是谁）
I’ve never met him in person.（我从没和他本人见过面）
03. "I don’t know somebody." 有几个意思？
字面意思：不认识某个人
I don’t know Tom. （我不认识Tom）
不了解某人的性格或做事风格
I don’t really know him that well.（我不是很了解他）
I thought I knew her, but I guess I didn’t.（我以为我了解她，但看来不是）
不理解对方的行为
I don’t know what got into him.（我不知道他怎么回事）
It seems you can express you don’t know someone in many different ways! 下次遇到类似的情况，我们就可以精准表达啦！
请在评论区留言：你知道“熟人”用英语怎么说吗？
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主播：Flora（中国）+ Erin（美国）
音乐：If You Believe
继DeepSeek之后，又一款AI产品火出圈——Manus。
Manus来自拉丁文。It means hand (手)。
下面，我们就外媒关于Manus报道的语言点展开学习一下。
01. 火了（快速传播）：spread like wildfire
Since Manus was launched last week (自从Manus上周推出以来), it has spread online like wildfire.
Something becomes popular very fast.
-The video spread like wildfire.
-The news spread like wildfire.
火了（引起轰动）：cause such a stir
Manus caused such a stir just a few days after its release (刚发布几天之后).
Cause: To make something happen.
Stir: excitement.
Release: to let go or to put out.
-The company released a new app.
02. 使用权: access right
The access right now is really limited. Manus的访问权限很有限。
Access (as a noun): A way to use something.
Access right: Permission to use something.
-You have no access right.
03. 在测试阶段：in beta phase
It is still in its beta phase. Manus现在仍处于测试阶段。
Beta phase: A test version before the real one is ready.
-The chat bot (聊天程序) is still in its beta phase.
04. 通用人工智能代理：General AI Agent
What we know so far is that Manus works like a General AI Agent, so it is important to make a distinction (区分) between what Manus can do and an everyday chatbot.
General AI Agent: A smart AI that works by itself.
Difference: Agentic AI is when the AI tool can act autonomously (自动地) and it's able to make decisions based on the information. In contrast, a chatbot like ChatGPT is human-led (人类主导的).
AI 革命已经悄然到来，它不仅在改变我们的工作方式，也在重塑我们的日常生活。从 DeepSeek 到 Manus，一波又一波的新技术正迅速涌现，给我们带来无限可能。让我们持续关注它的动态，开放使用后，我们再和大家聊聊实际使用体验吧！
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主播：Flora（中国）+ Maelle（法国）
音乐：Greatest Day
最近有这样一条热搜：美国时间3月2日晚，在第97届奥斯卡颁奖典礼上（The 97th Oscars），主持人Conan O'Brien（柯南·奥布莱恩）在主持的时候突然说起了中文，颁奖现场秒变求职现场了。
Conan O'Brien: ... And for those of you watching from China, I am in serious financial debt. Please consider using me in your many films. I beg you. Thank you! (English subtitles)
01. 为何主持人在颁奖典礼飚中文？
Actually the clip (片段) didn't show all of his speech because the host actually greeted people from different countries in three different languages, not only Chinese. But when he spoke Chinese, he was asking for a job.
02. In financial debt 负债
It means owing money to someone or a bank.
For example, if you borrow $100 and you haven't paid it back (还没有偿还) yet, then you are in financial debt.
in serious financial debt 负债累累
For example, if someone lost his job and couldn't pay his mortgage (抵押), his credit card bills (信用卡账单) or his student loan she or she would be in serious financial debt.
debt-free 没有负债
03. Please consider using me! 请考虑聘用我!
Consider means “to think about”. Maybe the host was applying for a job from Chinese film producers.
Please consider my application. (更正式) 请考虑我的申请。
Count me in! (更随意) 算我一个！
If you are actively pursuing an opportunity, you could say:
I’d like to take on this challenge and show what l can do. 我想接受这个挑战，展示我的能力。
I’m ready to take this on- just please give me a chance. 我已经准备好接受这个任务了，请给我一个机会吧！
04. I beg you! “球球了！”- A dramatic way to say “Please”
Maelle personally never uses this. She thinks here Conan O'Brien said “l beg you.” to add to the humor (增加幽默感).
表达请求更常见的说法是：
Would you mind...? 你介意......吗？
For example, would you mind contacting the client for me (你介意帮我联系客户吗)?
I'd really appreciate it if you help me... 如果你能帮我......我非常感激。
For example, I'd really appreciate it if you help me clean the dishes. It’s definitely a good way to ask for help.
As we can see with what happened at Oscars, Conan O'Brien surprised everyone by suddenly speaking Chinese! But he didn’t stop there—he actually greeted the audience in three different languages (他用三种不同的语言向观众问好). What made it even funnier was the way he greeted the Chinese audience—it was full of his classic humor!
But this kind of humor is not common in a Chinese context.
但为什么主持人说中文的时候，风格完全不同于前两种语言的正式问候呢？也许是因为《哪吒2》火出圈了，让海外观众看到了中国电影市场的巨大潜力吧！
自从票房破百亿之后，我们的“小哪吒”目前在全球票房榜排名第七。希望这部作品不仅能在中国市场继续发光发热，也能在全球范围内吸引更多观众，为中国动画电影树立新的标杆！
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主播：Flora（中国）+ Erin（美国）
音乐：《哪吒之魔童闹海》电影角色曲：就是哪吒
上期节目我们聊到了哪吒2的一些台词（《哪吒2》真这么好看？网友：台词共鸣让人泪目...），这一期我们继续聊聊这部电影的台词翻译。
Erin went to see it right after it aired. She had been hearing so much about Nezha.
“Aired” means “people can watch it.” Erin really enjoyed the first movie, so she was very excited for the second one.
Flora would say the second one is definitely a good one.
If you didn't watch the movie right after it aired, but saw it two days later, you can say: “I watched the movie two days after it came out.”
If you've already watched the movie, when did you see it?
Erin went with her friends since she is at college, but her family also went to watch it.
接下来，我们就来聊一聊《哪吒2》中的台词翻译。
01 “急急如律令！”
前段时间有人说《哪吒2》里面“急急如律令”翻译成了“Quickly quickly biu biu biu!” It’s actually a rumor (谣言).
Erin didn’t remember how it was translated, but some viewers shared after watching that. They said that was “swift and uplift.”
“急急如律令”这句咒语意思其实是“立即执行命令，不得有误，违者必究”。
Swift means fast or quick.
Uplift means to make someone or something feel better, stronger.
所以说“swift and uplift”意思是“迅速提高法力、提升能量”，而且还很押韵。
Some say we should just use "Ji Ji Ru Lu Ling" as it is, so English speakers can get used to the original sound of the spell (适应原声咒语).
For example, in Harry Potter, Voldemort’s spell “Avada Kedavra” is hard to say, but Chinese fans still learned it and use it all the time. "Avada Kedavra" is tricky to pronounce, but we still picked it up (掌握) easily. Now, every Harry Potter fan can say“阿瓦达啃大瓜” without thinking twice.
02 打油诗翻译
Another cool example is Ne Zha's little poem. 哪吒的一首打油诗 little poem. It went viral on short videos.
我乃哪吒三太子
I am Nezha, the Third Prince bold!
能降妖来会作诗
I slay the demons, I write in rhyme untold.
今日到此除奸恶
Today I come to rid the evil's breath.
尔等妖孽快受死
You wicked fiends, prepare for death!
That was really catchy! 非常朗朗上口！
The English version is really catchy, too! The rhyming words—like "bold/untold" and "breath/death"—were picked on purpose (选词讲究).
It’s like old-school English poetry(古典英语诗歌) but still keeps the original meaning. It’s a great example of how translation can be both accurate and creative (兼具准确性和创造性). It’s really well done.
03 “一身正气”
Other parts of the movie show the same careful thinking. For example, the phrase “一身正气,” which means someone who’s full of righteousness(正义), got two different translations:
In the full movie: “Giving off a righteous vibe (散发一种正义的气息).”
In the trailer: “He is all about righteousness (完全是正义的化身)!”
Why did they make two versions?
Erin thinks the movie version sounds more poetic (有诗意), while the trailer just focuses on the meaning —both are right, but one might sound cooler or fit better in the scene (更符合场景). One is more catchy, and another one makes more sense in the context (更切合语境).
When Chinese works go global, translation is a huge challenge. It needs to make sense to international audiences while keeping the essence (精髓) of Chinese culture.
Do you remember what these mean?
Come out—— I watch the movie right after it came out.
Swift and uplift！
Catchy—— That was really catchy!
Righteousness——He is all about righteousness!
What’s your favorite translation from Nezha 2?
Share it with us in the comments!
一席英语正在招聘全职英语老师，英语发音地道，英语专业优先（不过非英语专业但英语优秀者也可应聘）。工作内容涵盖教学教研以及一席英语节目录制。
另外，山东一席书院也在招聘国学老师，热爱中华传统文化，并有一定造诣者，或是相关专业优秀毕业生都可应聘，我们会进行系统培养。汉语语言文学、历史专业等国学相关专业者优先。
我们的工作地点在山东省青岛市，招聘详情请查看“一席文化”公众号，期待更多优秀人才加入我们！
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主播：Wendi（中国）+ Selah（美国）
音乐：That’s So True
网络用语已经成为社交媒体、聊天甚至邮件中不可或缺的一部分。在本期节目中我们一起来学一下一些常用的英文网络用语。Let’s dive into some common ones and how they’re used.
LOL
LOL = laughing out loud，有点像我们中文里的“哈哈哈”，在说很搞笑的事的时候可以用 LOL。
LOL isn’t always used literally. Sometimes people use it just to show that they’re being friendly or casual, even if they’re not actually laughing out loud. 有时候在一句话后面加一个“哈哈哈”或者 LOL 只是为了表示友好或者缓解尴尬，并不是真的觉得好笑。
BRB
BRB = be right back，表示“稍等一下，马上回来”。通常在需要暂停对话但很快会回来的时候使用。
BTW
BTW = by the way，相当于我们说的“对了”或者“另外”。例如：“BTW, did you see that new movie?”
OMG
OMG = Oh my God，表示惊讶或者感叹，相当于“我的天哪！”
IDK
IDK = I don’t know，意思是“我不知道”。例如：“IDK what time the movie starts.”
YOLO
YOLO = you only live once，意思是“人生只有一次”，通常用来鼓励别人去尝试新事物或者抓住机会。例如：“Come on, just do it, YOLO!”
贾玲的那部电影《热辣滚烫》的英文名就是用的YOLO。
FOMO
FOMO = fear of missing out，表示“害怕错过某些有趣的事情”。例如：“Wow, you all went on vacation? I had such bad FOMO!”
TBH
TBH = to be honest，意思是“讲实话”。例如：“TBH, I didn’t really like that movie.”
SMH
SMH = shaking my head，表示失望或者不敢相信某件事。例如：“SMH, I can’t believe he said that.”
FYI
FYI = for your information，表示“供你参考”。例如：“FYI, the game starts at 5pm.”
Slay
Slay = 表现得非常出色，相当于“秒杀全场”。例如：“You slayed that presentation!”
No cap
No cap = 真的，不夸张。例如：“No cap, this is the best pizza I’ve ever had!”
Bae
Bae = before anyone else，一般用于称呼伴侣。例如：“I’m going out with my bae tonight.”
Lit
Lit = 很棒，很精彩。例如：“That party last night was so lit!”
Sus
Sus = suspicious 的缩写，表示“可疑的”。
Lowkey
Lowkey = 表示某事并不想让太多人知道，有“悄悄的、暗戳戳的”意思。例如：“I lowkey love this song.”
这些网络用语随着时间不断变化，年轻人也总是在创造新的表达方式。每个时代都有自己的流行语。如果你知道更多有趣的网络用语，欢迎在评论区分享！
欢迎大家到喜马拉雅、网易云和小红书收听我们的新节目《一席双语晚安日历》， 我们下期再见！
See you next time！
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