[圖片來源:Getty Images]
Rob 以為自己撿了便宜,買到了非常便宜的機票。可當菲菲仔細看完購票須知后發現,在票價的基礎上還要繳付一系列必要的稅費。這讓 Rob 感到十分無奈。通過這集節目,學習 “不愿讓其發生但又無法避免的事情” 的英語說法。
(關于臺詞的備注: 請注意這不是廣播節目的逐字稿件。本文稿可能沒有體現錄制、編輯過程中對節目做出的改變。)
Feifei
大家好,我是馮菲菲。歡迎來到 BBC 英語教學的《地道英語》節目。
Rob
And hello I'm Rob.
Feifei
You're looking pleased with yourself, Rob.
Rob
I am. I've just booked these dirt cheap – I mean really cheap – flights to Ibiza!
Feifei
Wonderful!
Rob
Look at the price - 20 pounds return! That means extra money to spend on food, drink and partying.
Feifei
誒,讓我看看。你看這兒,說票價是二十鎊,你還要付燃油附加稅,加起來一百多鎊了。
Rob
Er? Let me see. You're right. Grrr, I hate paying tax.
Feifei
I guess you could say it's a necessary evil.
Rob
Hmm, you could say that – if you mean it's something bad that can't be avoided, and you have to accept it in order to achieve a good result.
Feifei
That's exactly what I meant, Rob. 我們可以用“necessary evil”來描述“不愿讓其發生但又無法避免的事情”,換句話說就是“不得不接受的事情,迫不得已的事情”。因為買飛機票就必須得付燃油附加稅,所以是一個 necessary evil。 Let's hear some examples, shall we?
Examples
For me, exams are a necessary evil – you have to do them to get a place at university.
Sitting in traffic for hours is a necessary evil if I want to drive to the seaside on a public holiday!
Oh, I hate running. But having to exercise is a necessary evil if I want to stay fit and healthy.
Feifei
這里是 BBC 英語教學的《地道英語》節目。我們正在教給大家的英語表達是“a necessary evil 一件不想做但必須做的事情”。And, Rob, that tax on your plane ticket is unavoidable – not so cheap now, is it?
Rob
No. Less money for eating, drinking and partying.
Feifei
Can you get a refund? Stay at home and eat, drink and party?
Rob
I could, but if I stayed at home, there's another necessary evil I'd have to deal with.
Feifei
What's that?
Rob
I'll have to spend more time with you.
Feifei
Hmm! What time is your flight exactly?
Rob
Well, did I say something wrong?
Feifei
Bye.
Rob
Bye.