but ahead of the conference a leaked report seen by the BBC

但在會議召開之前，英國廣播公司看到一份洩露的報告

showed that some countries were trying to get a change made

表明一些國家正在努力爭取做出改變

to a crucial scientific report.

對一份重要的科學報告。

I'm Neil. This is News Review from BBC Learning English

我是尼爾。這是BBC學習英語的新聞評論

and joining me is Roy. Hi Roy.

和我一起的是羅伊。嗨，羅伊。

Hi Neil and hello everybody.

嗨，尼爾，大家好。

If you would like to test yourself on the vocabulary around the story,

如果你想測試一下自己在故事周圍的詞彙量。

head to our website bbclearningenglish.com to take a quiz.

請到我們的網站bbclearningenglish.com進行測試。

But now, let's hear more about this story from this BBC News report:

但現在，讓我們從這篇BBC新聞報道中聽到更多關於這個故事的資訊。

OK. So, the story is this: BBC News has seen some leaked documents

好的。那麼，故事是這樣的。BBC新聞看到了一些洩露的文件

that suggest that some countries are trying to change

這表明，一些國家正在努力改變

a crucial scientific report on climate change.

一份關於氣候變化的重要科學報告。

Well, you've been looking at this story

嗯，你一直在看這個故事

and scanning the various headlines to see how people are talking about it.

並掃描各種頭條新聞，看看人們是如何談論它的。

What three items of vocabulary have you got?

你有哪三條詞彙？

We have 'water down', 'spanner in the works' and 'lobbying'.

我們有'淡化'、'工作中的扳手'和'遊說'。

'Water down', 'spanner in the works' and 'lobbying'.

澆水'、'工作中的扳手'和'遊說'。

So, let's start with your first headline there please, Roy.

那麼，讓我們從你的第一個標題開始吧，羅伊。

OK. So, our first headline comes from Politico and it reads:

好的。是以，我們的第一個標題來自Politico，內容如下。

'Water down' – make something less effective; weaken.

淡化"--使某些東西變得不那麼有效；弱化。

OK. So, this expression is spelt:

好的。所以，這個表達方式是拼寫的。

W-A-T-E-R. Second word: D-O-W-N.

W-A-T-E-R。第二個詞。D-O-W-N。

And like you said, it makes...

就像你說的，它使...

it's the idea of making something weaker or less effective.

它是使某些東西變得更弱或更不有效的想法。

OK. So, I was a little bit confused, Roy,

好的。所以，我有一點困惑，羅伊。

because I assumed because this is a climate change story

因為我認為，因為這是一個氣候變化的故事

that we've got the word 'water' and 'down' here

我們在這裡有 "水 "和 "下 "這兩個詞

because there's increased flooding or raining.

因為洪水或降雨增多。

Is that not the case?

難道不是這樣的嗎？

No, no. That's a more literal meaning.

不，不。這是更直白的意思。

So, for example, water levels can go down or they can go up,

是以，舉例來說，水位可以下降，也可以上升。

but in this sense – first of all, let's talk about...

但在這個意義上--首先，讓我們談一談...

it's more of a figurative meaning, so let's talk about coffee.

它更多的是一種比喻的意思，所以我們來談談咖啡。

Do you like strong coffee?

你喜歡喝濃咖啡嗎？

I do. I do love strong espresso-style coffee, but you know what, Roy?

我是這樣想的。我確實喜歡濃郁的濃縮咖啡，但你知道嗎，羅伊？

It's... sometimes it's a little bit too strong.

這是......有時它有點太強了。

I want something – a bit of a longer drink, so I have an americano.

我想喝點什麼--有點長的飲料，所以我喝了一杯美式咖啡。

OK. So, what... what is an americano then?

好的。那麼，什麼...什麼是美式咖啡？

An americano is an espresso-style coffee,

美式咖啡是一種濃縮咖啡風格的咖啡。

but it's had water added to it – hot water.

但它被加入了水--熱水。

It's been 'watered down' to make it less strong.

它被 "沖淡 "了，使其不那麼強烈。

Yes... So, that's... that's where the expression's from:

是的...所以，那是......那是這個表達方式的來源。

the idea of adding water to something,

加水的想法。

like the espresso, to make it less strong,

像濃縮咖啡一樣，使它不那麼強烈。

to make it weaker, to lessen that impact that it has on you.

以使它變弱，減少它對你的影響。

Now, in the headline, we're not talking about coffee;

現在，在標題中，我們不是在談論咖啡。

we're talking about a document, so we use this meaning...

我們談論的是一個文件，所以我們使用這個意思...

we used this expression in a figurative way.

我們以一種比喻的方式使用這種表達方式。

So, we say 'water down' the impact of a document and it's the same idea:

是以，我們說 "淡化 "文件的影響，是同樣的想法。

to lessen the impact or the importance of something – to 'water it down'.

降低某事的影響或重要性--"淡化 "它。

Yeah, that's absolutely right.

是的，這完全正確。

There is another word which has the same meaning as 'water down':

還有一個詞與 "水落石出 "的意思相同。

'dilute' – so, we have 'dilute' and we have 'water down'.

稀釋'--是以，我們有'稀釋'，我們有'沖淡'。

'Dilute' sounds like a word that has the same meaning

稀釋 "聽起來像是一個有相同含義的詞

in many different, especially Latin, languages,

在許多不同的語言，特別是拉丁語中。

so why can't I just use 'dilute'?

那麼，為什麼我不能只用'稀釋'呢？

Why do I need to use this word 'water down'?

為什麼我需要使用這個詞'沖淡'？

Well, this is a great question

嗯，這是個很好的問題

and you absolutely can use 'dilute' if you wish to use it.

而且如果你想使用'稀釋'，你絕對可以使用它。

And you said it's got a Latin root;

而你說它有一個拉丁文的詞根。

now, quite often these words – these Latin-origin words – they're quite formal.

現在，很多時候這些詞--這些源自拉丁語的詞--它們是相當正式的。

They're more formal than the, kind of, phrasal-verb counterparts.

它們比那種短語動詞的對應物更正式。

Phrasal verbs are much more natural in speech

短語動詞在語音中更自然

or in, kind of, informal English – natural, everyday English.

或在某種程度上，非正式英語--自然的、日常的英語。

So, if you, kind of, want to sound more natural when you're talking,

所以，如果你，有點，想讓你說話時聽起來更自然。

use a phrasal verb: use 'water down'.

使用短語動詞：使用'water down'。

But, obviously if you want to be formal –

但是，很明顯，如果你想正式 --

maybe you're writing a scientific report –

也許你正在寫一份科學報告--

you would use the word 'dilute' and that word 'dilute'

你會使用 "稀釋 "這個詞，而 "稀釋 "這個詞

has the same meaning, both figuratively and literally.

無論是比喻還是字面意思，都有相同的含義。

You can 'dilute' something with water

你可以用水 "稀釋 "一些東西

or you can 'dilute' the impact of a document.

或者你可以 "稀釋 "一份文件的影響。

Absolutely. OK. Let's get a summary:

絕對的。好的。讓我們來總結一下。

If you would like to watch another programme with the topic of coffee,

如果你想觀看另一個以咖啡為主題的節目。

we have the perfect one for you.

我們為你提供了完美的選擇。

Coffee smells great, doesn't it, Roy?

咖啡聞起來很香，不是嗎，羅伊？

But, it never quite tastes as good as it smells. Why is that?

但是，它的味道從來沒有像它的氣味那樣好。這是為什麼呢？

Well, I'm not so sure, but this 6 Minute English

嗯，我不太確定，但這個6分鐘英語

has the answers for you, so grab a biscuit,

為你提供了答案，請拿起餅乾。

dunk it in your coffee like Rob would

像羅伯那樣把它灌進你的咖啡裡

and click the link in the description below to watch it.

並點擊下面描述中的鏈接來觀看。

Absolutely. OK. Let's have a look at your next headline.

絕對的。好的。讓我們看一下你的下一個標題。

OK. So, our next headline comes from Down To Earth and it reads:

好的。是以，我們的下一個標題來自《腳踏實地》，內容如下。

'Spanner in the works' – something that stops a plan from succeeding.

工程中的扳手'--阻止計劃成功的東西。

So, Roy, I know what a 'spanner' is:

所以，羅伊，我知道什麼是 "扳手"。

this – this is a spanner!

這--這是個扳手!

What are we doing, talking about 'spanners'

我們在做什麼，談論 "扳手"？

in reference to this climate change conference?

在提到這次氣候變化會議時？

OK. Yeah, well, that is... that is a 'spanner'. There you go – perfect.

好的。是的，嗯，那是......那是一個 "扳手"。你去那裡--完美。

So, what we use a 'spanner' for – it's an essential tool

是以，我們用 "扳手 "來做什麼--它是一個必不可少的工具

for engine maintenance or working on machines.

用於發動機維修或在機器上工作。

So, for example, you can use it, I believe,

是以，舉例來說，你可以使用它，我相信。

to tighten or loosen nuts and bolts.

擰緊或擰鬆螺母和螺栓。

Now, what happens, Neil, if you... you hold that spanner

現在，會發生什麼，尼爾，如果你......你拿著那把扳手

and suddenly you drop the spanner into the engine? What happens?

而你突然把扳手掉進了發動機？會發生什麼？

Oooh, that's going to be bad, isn't it, Roy?

哦，這將是糟糕的，不是嗎，羅伊？

Because the engine is a very smooth-running machine

因為發動機是一個非常平穩運行的機器

and if you throw this into it –

而如果你把這個扔進去--

this hard piece of metal – it's going to make everything stop,

這塊堅硬的金屬--它將使一切停止。

or not work properly.

或不能正常工作。

So, yeah, basically that's the idea of the 'spanner in the works'.

所以，是的，基本上這就是 "工作中的扳手 "的想法。

Now, we're not talking about the literal meaning.

現在，我們不是在談論字面意思。

Again, we've gone to a figurative meaning,

我們再次進入了一個比喻性的意義。

but the idea of a 'spanner in the works'

但 "工作中的扳手 "的想法

is that same idea of stopping the engine working.

是那種讓發動機停止工作的想法。

So, it's something that is stopping a project,

是以，這是一個正在停止項目的東西。

or for example the impact of a document, from working.

或例如一個文件的影響，從工作。

So, a 'spanner in the works' is a problem that stops a situation

是以，"工作中的扳手 "是一個阻止情況發生的問題。

from fulfilling itself, if you like.

如果你願意的話，從履行自身的職責。

Yeah. Now, you've got an example of a 'spanner in the works', haven't you?

是的。現在，你已經有了一個 "工作中的扳手 "的例子，不是嗎？

Yes, I have and it's a very sad one to be honest, Neil.

是的，我有，而且說實話，這是一個非常悲傷的問題，尼爾。

My wife and my son – we all lived together in Brazil and at...

我的妻子和我的兒子--我們都在巴西一起生活，在...

about two years ago, we decided to move to the UK together.

大約兩年前，我們決定一起搬到英國。

And my wife was getting her visa and everything was organised.

我的妻子正在拿到她的簽證，一切都安排好了。

She went back to Brazil to finalise processes and then tragically Covid hit,

她回到巴西敲定程序，然後悲慘地遭遇了科維德。

which has been tragic for a lot of families around the world,

這對世界各地的許多家庭來說都是悲慘的。

and my wife and child – they couldn't get here.

和我的妻子和孩子--他們無法到達這裡。

So, it really threw a 'spanner in the works' in our plan.

是以，這確實給我們的計劃帶來了 "麻煩"。

It did. It threw a 'spanner in the works'

它確實如此。它在工作中扔了一個 "扳手

and Covid has been throwing a 'spanner in the works' for...

和Covid已經拋出了一個 "扳手"，為...

for everyone really, hasn't it?

對每個人來說都是如此，不是嗎？

Yeah. And I mean in our case, it was a smooth plan that we had,

是的。我的意思是在我們的情況下，這是一個順利的計劃，我們有。

but as it says something came along and it was unexpected,

但正如它所說的，有些東西出現了，而且是意想不到的。

and it threw a 'spanner in the works' there,

並在那裡扔了一個'扳手'。

but obviously, to be positive, our love has got us through this

但顯然，積極地講，我們的愛已經讓我們度過了這個難關

and I'll be seeing her very soon.

而且我很快就會見到她。

Brilliant. Yes. So, we have...

輝煌。是的。所以，我們有...

there are a couple of words that go with 'spanner in the works', aren't there?

有幾個詞可以和 "工作中的扳手 "相提並論，不是嗎？

There's 'throw'.

有'扔'。

Yes. And we also use the word 'put':

是的。我們也使用 "把 "這個詞。

so, you can 'put a spanner in the works'

所以，你可以 "把扳手放在工作中"。

and you can 'throw a spanner in the works'.

而且你可以 "在工作中扔一個扳手"。

OK. Well, let's get a summary:

好的。好吧，讓我們來做個總結。

Well, talking of 'spanners', which are used of course for fixing things,

嗯，說到'扳手'，當然是用來修東西的。

generally, if you don't throw them into machinery,

一般來說，如果你不把它們扔到機器裡。

we have a programme about fixing things, don't we, Roy?

我們有一個關於解決事情的方案，不是嗎，羅伊？

Yes, we do and all you need to watch it,

是的，我們有，所有你需要觀看的。

is click the link in the description below.

是點擊下面描述中的鏈接。

Let's have a look at your next headline.

讓我們看一下你的下一個標題。

OK. So, our next headline comes from here

好的。是以，我們的下一個標題來自這裡

at home, at the BBC, and it reads:

在家裡，在BBC，上面寫著。

'Lobbying' – trying to persuade someone in authority to do something.

遊說'--試圖說服有權力的人做某事。

Yes. So, this word is spelt L-O-B-B-Y-I-N-G

是的，所以，這個詞的拼寫是L-O-B-B-Y-I-N-G

and it means to try and persuade somebody

它的意思是試圖說服某人

to change something or to do something,

改變一些東西或做一些事情。

and it's commonly used to talk about governmental figures or politicians.

而它通常被用來談論政府人物或政治家。

OK. That's interesting. You said it's about changing people's opinions,

好的。這很有意思。你說這是關於改變人們的意見。

or persuading people, but at the beginning of this word

或勸說人們，但在這個詞的開頭

we see another word: 'lobby'.

我們看到另一個詞：'大廳'。

Now, a 'lobby' is a room or a space between other rooms,

現在，"大廳 "是一個房間或其他房間之間的一個空間。

where people might pass each other.

人們可能會在那裡彼此擦肩而過。

What is the connection between a 'lobby' and changing people's opinion?

遊說 "和改變人們的意見之間有什麼聯繫？

Well, that's a really great question.

嗯，這真是個好問題。

Now, in most parliaments around the world, they have these huge entrances...

現在，在世界各地的大多數議會中，他們有這些巨大的入口......

these huge rooms that we know as 'lobbies',

這些巨大的房間被我們稱為 "大廳"。

and politicians would pass through there

和政治家會經過那裡

and people would try and grab them – not necessarily physically

人們會試圖抓住他們--不一定是身體上的

but try and get their attention – to try and persuade them to do things,

但試圖引起他們的注意--試圖說服他們去做事情。

in this 'lobby'. So, that's where the origin of this word probably comes from.

在這個'大廳'裡。是以，這就是這個詞的起源可能來自於此。

Yeah, that's right and a person who does this –

是的，這是正確的，一個人誰做這個 -

it's actually a job – is called a 'lobbyist'.

這實際上是一份工作--被稱為 "說客"。

Absolutely. And also a group of people that are trying to achieve this

絕對的。也有一群人正在努力實現這個目標

or do this are known as 'a lobby' as well, so...

或這樣做也被稱為'一個大廳'，所以...

and one thing that's really important to talk about here

在這裡，有一件事是非常重要的，那就是要談一談

is the propositions that we use after it:

是我們在它之後使用的命題。

you can 'lobby for' something, when you're pro an idea,

你可以 "遊說 "一些東西，當你支持一個想法時。

or you can 'lobby against' something, when your anti.

或者你可以 "遊說反對 "一些東西，當你反。

And also, we use it commonly with the infinitive:

而且，我們還常用它與不定式一起使用。

so, you can 'lobby to change' something or 'lobby to do' something,

所以，你可以 "遊說改變 "一些事情，或者 "遊說做 "一些事情。

or you can 'lobby the government to do' something or to change something.

或者你可以 "遊說政府做 "一些事情或改變一些事情。

Absolutely right. OK. Let's get a summary:

完全正確。好的。讓我們來總結一下。

Time now for a recap of the vocabulary please, Roy.

現在是回顧詞彙的時候了，請羅伊。

Yes. We had 'water down' – make something less effective; weaken.

是的。我們有 "淡化"--使某些東西變得不那麼有效；弱化。

We had 'spanner in the works' –

我們有 "工作中的扳手" --

something that stops a plan from succeeding.

阻止計劃成功的東西。

And we had 'lobbying' – trying to persuade someone

我們有 "遊說"--試圖說服某人

in authority to do something.

有權力做一些事情。

If you want to test yourself, there's a quiz on our website

如果你想測試一下自己，我們的網站上有一個小測驗

bbclearningenglish.com and we're all over social media.

bbclearningenglish.com，我們在社交媒體上到處都是。

Join us again next time. Goodbye.

下次再加入我們。再見。

  Bye.

再見。