5/15/2024

Chunking-21_by comparison (相比之下)


【Basic structure】

A + Comments”;相比之下,“B + Comments”

   ************************************************
  1. (0:01)
    日本东京的房价
    很高,相比之下大坂的房价低多了,因此,住在大坂,压力没有那么大。
    日本東京的房價很高,相比之下大阪的房價低多了,因此,住在大阪,壓力沒有那麼大。
    Rìběn Dōngjīng de fángjià hěn gāo, xiāngbǐ zhīxiàDàbǎn de fángjià dī duō le, yīncǐ, zhù zài Dàbǎn, yālì méiyǒu nàme dà. 
    Housing costs in Tokyo, Japan are very high. In comparison, housing costs in Osaka are much lower. Therefore, living in Osaka is much less stressful.

  2. (1:12)
    以前当律师,为当事人辩护;相比之下,现在当外交官,是为国家服务,更有使命感,也更有成就感。
    以前當律師,為當事人辯護;相比之下,現在當外交官,是為國家服務,更有使命感,也更有成就感。
    Yǐqián dāng lǜshī, wèi dāngshìrén biànhù; xiāngbǐ zhīxià, xiànzài dāng wàijiāoguān, shì wèi guójiā fúwù, gèng yǒu shǐmìnggǎn, yě gèng yǒu chéngjiùgǎn.
    As a lawyer in the past, I defended my clients; in comparison, as a diplomat now, I serve my country. I feel more sense of mission and accomplishment.

  3. (3:03)
    独裁国家的腐败问题
    比较严重;相比之下民主国家有国会制衡,因此,腐败问题没有那么严重。
    獨裁國家的腐敗問題比較嚴重;相比之下民主國家有國會制衡,因此,腐敗問題沒有那麼嚴重。
    Dúcái guójiā de fǔbài wèntí bǐjiào yánzhòng; xiāngbǐ zhīxià, mínzhǔ guójiā yǒu Guóhuì zhìhéng, yīncǐ, fǔbài wèntí méiyǒu nàme yánzhòng.
    Dictatorial countries have more severe corruption problems; in contrast, democratic countries have parliamentary checks and balances, so the corruption problems are not as severe.

  4. (4:28)
    中国
    有严格的新闻审查制度,新闻完全被政府控制;相比之下台湾有新闻自由,一直是亚太地区的榜样。
    中國有嚴格的新聞審查制度,新聞完全被政府控制;相比之下台灣有新聞自由,一直是亞太地區的榜樣。
    Zhōngguó yǒu yángé de xīnwén shěnchá zhìdù, xīnwén wánquán bèi zhèngfǔ kòngzhì; xiāngbǐ zhīxià, Táiwān yǒu xīnwén zìyóu, yīzhí shì Yàtài dìqū de bǎngyàng.
    China has a strict news censorship system, and the news is completely controlled by the government; in contrast, Taiwan has press freedom and has always been a role model in the Asia-Pacific region.

  5. (6:24)
    在处理气候变化问题上,美国民主党比较积极;相比之下共和党保持怀疑的态度,因此,也不太积极。

    在處理氣候變化問題上,美國民主黨比較積極;相比之下共和黨保持懷疑的態度,因此,也不太積極。

    Zài chǔlǐ qìhòu biànhuà wèntí shàng, Měiguó Mínzhǔdǎng bǐjiào jījí; xiāngbǐ zhīxià, Gònghédǎng bǎochí huáiyí de tàidu, yīncǐ, yě bù tài jījí.
    In addressing climate change issues, the Democratic Party in the United States is more proactive; in contrast, the Republican Party remains skeptical and therefore is not very proactive.


5/11/2024

Chunking-20_understatements (保守的说法/保守的說法)

(length: 18'44")

【Understatement】
  • An understatement is a literary device that downplays a situation, making it seem less serious, significant, or large than it actually is. Typically, understatements are employed to subtly emphasize the very qualities they seem to diminish. Thus, a speaker might use understatements to express their opinions while preserving people's dignity.
  • Note: The word order for expressing understatements may differ between Chinese and English. In Chinese, understatement phrases generally precede the speaker's comments. In English, however, some phrases can follow the comment, such as "to a certain extent."
  • Words/phrases of understatement are marked in red; the comments are marked in brown.
     ************************************************
  1. [还算,还算是 / 還算,還算是: can still be considered as]
    (0:01)
    顺利
     
    順利 
    =shùnlì
    还算顺利 
    還算順利 
    =háisuàn shùnlì
    (can still be considered smooth)

    上班的路上车流量比较,不过还算顺利
    上班的路上車流量比較,不過還算順利
    =Shàngbān de lùshang chēliúliàng bǐjiào , bùguò háisuàn shùnlì. 
    Traffic flow is relatively high on the way to work, but it's still smooth

  2. [还算,还算是 / 還算,還算是: can still be considered as]
    (0:52)
    稳定
     
    穩定
    =wěndìng
    还算是稳定 
    還算是穩定 
    =háisuàn shì wěndìng
    (can still be considered stable)

    尽管两岸关系有点紧张,但政治氛围还算是稳定
    儘管兩岸關係有點緊張,但政治氛圍還算是穩定
    =Jǐnguǎn Liǎng'àn guānxi yǒudiǎn jǐnzhāng, dàn zhèngzhì fēnwéi háisuàn shì wěndìng.

    Despite some tensions in cross-strait relations, the political atmosphere is still stable.

  3. [可以说 / 可以說: can de said]
    (1:54)
    重要的力量 
    重要的力量 
    =zhòngyào de lìliang
    已经成为重要的力量 
    已經成為重要的力量 
    =yǐjing chéngwéi zhòngyào de lìliang
    可以说已经成为世界经济重要的力量
    可以說已經成為世界經濟重要的力量
    =kěyǐ shuō, yǐjing chéngwéi shìjiè jīngjì zhòngyào de lìliang
    (can be said to have become an important force in the global economy)

    中国经济快速发展,可以说已经成为世界经济重要的力量
    中國經濟快速發展,可以說已經成為世界經濟重要的力量
    =Zhōngguó jīngjì kuàisù fāzhǎn, kěyǐ shuō, yǐjing chéngwéi shìjiè jīngjì zhòngyào de lìliang.

    China's economy has developed rapidly and can be said to have become an important force in the global economy.

  4. [可以说 / 可以說: can de said]
    (2:50)
    移民的贡献
    移民的貢獻
    =yímín de gòngxiàn
    归功于移民的贡献
    歸功於移民的貢獻
    =guīgōngyú yímín de gòngxiàn
    可以说,美国的各项发展都归功于移民的贡献
    可以說,美國的各項發展都歸功於移民的貢獻
    =kěyǐ shuō, Měiguó de gè xiàng fāzhǎn dōu guīgōngyú yímín de gòngxiàn.
    (It can be said that all developments in the U.S. are attributed to the contributions of immigrants.)
    (*归功于/歸功於guīgōngyú:give credit to, attribute success or achievement to)

    美国是移民社会,可以说,美国的各项发展归功于移民的贡献
    美國是移民社會,可以說,美國的各項發展歸功於移民的貢獻
    =Měiguó shì yímín shèhuì, kěyǐ shuō, Měiguó de gè xiàng fāzhǎn dōu guīgōngyú yímín de gòngxiàn.

    The United States is a society of immigrants; it can be said that all developments in the U.S. are due to the contributions of immigrants.

  5. [多多少少 / 多多少少: more or less; somewhat]
    (4:03)
    有点累
    有點累
    =yǒudiǎn lèi
    多多少少有点累
    多多少少有點累
    =duōduōshǎoshǎo yǒudiǎn lèi
    (somewhat tired)

    上了五个小时的课,多多少少有点累所以现在想轻松一下
    上了五個小時的課,多多少少有點累所以現在想輕鬆一下
    =Shàngle wǔ ge xiǎoshí de kè, duōduōshǎoshǎo yǒudiǎn lèi, suǒyǐ xiànzài xiǎng qīngsōng yīxià.

    After five hours of classes, I'm somewhat tired, so I want to relax a bit now.


  6. [多多少少 / 多多少少: more or less; somewhat]
    (4:53)
    国家之间的关系
    國家之間的關係
    =guójiā zhījiān de guānxi
    影响国家之间的关系
    影響國家之間的關係
    =yǐngxiǎng guójiā zhījiān de guānxi
    多多少少会影响国家之间的关系
    多多少少會影響國家之間的關係
    =duōduōshǎoshǎo huì yǐngxiǎng guójiā zhījiān de guānxi
    (will more or less affect relations between countries)

    意识形态
    多多少少会影响国家之间的关系,因此,我们不能忽视意识形态的因素。
    意識形態多多少少會影響國家之間的關係,因此,我們不能忽視意識形態的因素。
    =Yìshí xíngtài duōduōshǎoshǎo huì yǐngxiǎng guójiā zhījiān de guānxi, yīncǐ, wǒmen bù néng hūshì yìshí xíngtài de yīnsù.

    Ideology will more or less affect relations between countries, therefore, we cannot ignore the factors of ideology.

  7. [在一定程度上 / 在一定程度上: to a certain extent]
    (6:12)
    产生了影响
    產生了影響
    =chǎnshēngle yǐngxiǎng
    对社会产生了影响
    對社會產生了影響
    =duì shèhuì chǎnshēngle yǐngxiǎng
    在一定程度上对社会产生了影响
    在一定程度上對社會產生了影響
    =zài yīdìng chéngdù shàng, duì shèhuì chǎnshēngle yǐngxiǎng
    (it had an impact on society to a certain extent)

    虽然这是传闻,但是在一定程度上对社会产生了影响
    雖然這是傳聞,但是在一定程度上對社會產生了影響
    =Suīrán zhè shì chuánwén, dànshì zài yīdìng chéngdù shàng, duì shèhuì chǎnshēngle yǐngxiǎng.

    Although this is a rumor, it has had an impact on society to a certain extent.

  8. [()一定程度上 / ()一定程度上: to a certain extent]
    (7:12)
    大部分人的意见
    大部分人的意見
    =dàbùfen rén de yìjiàn
    反映了大部分人的意见
    反映了大部分人的意見
    =fǎnyìngle dàbùfen rén de yìjiàn
    一定程度上反映了大部分人的意见
    一定程度上反映了大部分人的意見
    =yīdìng chéngdù shàng, fǎnyìngle dàbùfen rén de yìjiàn
    (it reflects the views of most people to a certain extent)

    这项民意调查的结果,一定程度上反映了大部分人的意见,因此很有参考的价值
    這項民意調查的結果,一定程度上反映了大部分人的意見,因此很有參考的價值
    =Zhè xiàng mínyì diàochá de jiéguǒ, yīdìng chéngdù shàng, fǎnyìngle dàbùfen rén de yìjiàn, yīncǐ hěn yǒu cānkǎo de jiàzhí.

    The results of this public opinion poll reflect the views of most people to a certain extent, therefore, they are of great reference value.

  9. [在某种程度上 / 在某種程度上: to a certain extent]
    (8:56)
    可以代替人工
    可以代替人工
    =kěyǐ dàitì réngōng
    可以代替人工,但是还是有错误
    可以代替人工,但是還是有錯誤
    =kěyǐ dàitì réngōng, dànshì háishi yǒu cuòwù
    在某种程度上可以代替人工,但是还是有错误
    在某種程度上可以代替人工,但是還是有錯誤
    =zài mǒu zhǒng chéngdù shàng, kěyǐ dàitì réngōng, dànshì háishi yǒu cuòwù.
    (can replace human labor to a certain extent, but there are still mistakes.)

    AI
    虽然在某种程度上可以代替人工,但是还是难免有错误
    AI雖然在某種程度上可以代替人工,但是還是難免有錯誤
    =AI suīrán zài mǒu zhǒng chéngdù shàng kěyǐ dàitì réngōng, dànshì háishi nánmiǎn yǒu cuòwù.

    AI can replace human labor to a certain extent, but errors are still inevitable.

  10. [在某种程度上 / 在某種程度上: to a certain extent]
    (10:17)
    有合作的可能性
    有合作的可能性
    =yǒu hézuò de kěnéngxìng
    两国仍然有合作的可能性
    兩國仍然有合作的可能性
    =Liǎngguó réngrán yǒu hézuò de kěnéngxìng
    在某种程度上两国仍然有合作的可能性
    在某種程度上兩國仍然有合作的可能性
    =Zài mǒu zhǒng chéngdù shàng, liǎngguó réngrán yǒu hézuò de kěnéngxìng.
    (to a certain extent, there is still the possibility of cooperation between the two countries.)

    拜习会没有明显的进展,但是在某种程度上,这显示两国仍然有合作的可能性
    拜習會沒有明顯的進展,但是在某種程度上,這顯示兩國仍然有合作的可能性
    =Bài-Xí Huì méiyǒu míngxiǎn de jìnzhǎn, dànshì zài mǒu zhǒng chéngdù shàng, zhè xiǎnshì liǎngguó réngrán yǒu hézuò de kěnéngxìng.

    The Biden-Xi meeting did not make obvious progress, but to a certain extent, it shows that there is still the possibility of cooperation between the two countries.

  11. [在某种意义上来说 / 在某種意義上來說: in a sense]
    (12:17)
    DEIA的重要性
    DEIA的重要性
    =DEIA de zhòngyàoxìng
    体现了DEIA的重要性
    體現了DEIA的重要性
    =tǐxiànle DEIA de zhòngyàoxìng
    从某种意义上来说体现了DEIA的重要性
    從某種意義上來說體現了DEIA的重要性
    =cóng mǒu zhǒng yìyì shànglái shuō, tǐxiànle DEIA de zhòngyàoxìng
    (in a sense, it reflects the importance of DEIA)

    这部电影从某种意义上来说体现了DEIA的重要性
    這部電影從某種意義上來說體現了DEIA的重要性
    =Zhè bù diànyǐng, cóng mǒu zhǒng yìyì shànglái shuō, tǐxiànle DEIA de zhòngyàoxìng.

    This movie, in a sense, reflects the importance of DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility).

  12. [在某种意义上来说 / 在某種意義上來說: in a sense]
    (13:08)
    国内的经济需求
    國內的經濟需求
    =guónèi de jīngjì xūqiú
    反映国内的经济需求
    反映國內的經濟需求
    =fǎnyìng guónèi de jīngjì xūqiú
    外交政策也反映国内的经济需求
    外交政策也反映國內的經濟需求
    =wàijiāo zhèngcè yě fǎnyìng guónèi de jīngjì xūqiú
    从某种意义上来说外交政策也反映国内的经济需求
    從某種意義上來說外交政策也反映國內的經濟需求
    =cóng mǒu zhǒng yìyì shànglái shuō, wàijiāo zhèngcè yě fǎnyìng guónèi de jīngjì xūqiú.
    (in a senseforeign policy also reflects domestic economic needs)

    外交政策国内经济的关系密切从某种意义上来说美国的外交政策反映国内经济需求
    外交政策國內經濟的關係密切從某種意義上來說美國的外交政策反映國內經濟需求
    =Wàijiāo zhèngcè gēn guónèi jīngjì de guānxi mìqiè, cóng mǒu zhǒng yìyì shànglái shuō, Měiguó de wàijiāo zhèngcèfǎnyìng guónèi de jīngjì xūqiú.

    Foreign policy is closely related to domestic economic issues; in a sense, U.S. foreign policy also reflects domestic economic needs.

  13. [或许 / 或許: perhaps]
    (14:49)
    考虑外包
    考慮外包
    =kǎolǜ wàibāo
    可以考虑外包
    可以考慮外包
    =kěyǐ kǎolǜ wàibāo
    或许可以考虑外包
    或許可以考慮外包
    =Nà huòxǔ kěyǐ kǎolǜ wàibāo
    (perhaps outsourcing could be considered)

    如果雇用员工成本太高,那或许可以考虑外包,以降低成本
    如果雇用員工成本太高,那或許可以考慮外包,以降低成本
    =Rúguǒ gùyòng yuángōng de chéngběn tài gāo, nà huòxǔ kěyǐ kǎolǜ wàibāo, yǐ jiàngdī chéngběn.
    If the cost of hiring employees is too high, perhaps outsourcing could be considered to reduce costs.

  14. [或许 / 或許: perhaps]
    (16:17)
    评估中东政策
    評估中東政策
    =pínggū Zhōngdōng zhèngcè
    重新评估中东政策
    重新評估中東政策
    =chóngxīn pínggū Zhōngdōng zhèngcè
    需要重新评估中东政策
    需要重新評估中東政策
    =xūyào chóngxīn pínggū Zhōngdōng zhèngcè
    或许美国需要重新评估中东政策
    或許美國需要重新評估中東政策
    =huòxǔ Měiguó xūyào chóngxīn pínggū Zhōngdōng zhèngcè
    (perhapsthe U.S. needs to reassess its Middle East policy)

    美国的中东政策引起很大的争议或许美国需要重新评估中东政策促进区域稳定
    美國的中東政策引起很大的爭議或許美國需要重新評估中東政策促進區域穩定
    =Měiguó de Zhōngdōng zhèngcè yǐnqǐ hěn dà de zhēngyì, huòxǔ Měiguó xūyào chóngxīn pínggū Zhōngdōng zhèngcè, lái cùjìn qūyù wěndìng.

    U.S. Middle East policy has caused a lot of controversy; perhaps, the U.S. needs to reassess its Middle East policy to promote regional stability.

5/09/2024

Chunking-19_maintain (保持); maintain (维持/維持)


【Basic differences】

保持
  • continuous
  • often an effortless state of keeping sth. as it is
  • ideal for statesemotions, attitudes, straightforward actions
维持/維持
  • often involves effort, adjustments, active management
  • suitable for conditions, systems, or situations that might naturally tend to change or downgrade
     ************************************************
  1. 保持安静。进入图书馆,请保持安静。
    保持安靜。進入圖書館,請保持安靜。
    "Bǎochí ānjìng".  Jìnrù túshūguǎn, qǐng bǎochí ānjìng. 
    "Keep quiet". When entering the library, please keep quiet. 

  2. 保持耐心。不管我说得好不好,我的老师总是保持耐心。
    保持耐心。不管我說得好不好,我的老師總是保持耐心。
    "Bǎochí nàixīn".  Bùguǎn wǒ shuō de hǎobùhǎo, wǒ de lǎoshī zǒngshì bǎochí nàixīn.
    "Keep patient". No matter how I speak, my teacher always keeps patient.

  3. 保持冷静。不论面对什么挑战,我们都保持冷静。
    保持冷靜。不論面對什麼挑戰,我們都保持冷靜。
    "Bǎochí lěngjìng".  Bùlùn miànduì shénme tiǎozhàn, wǒmen dōu bǎochí lěngjìng.
    "Keep calm". Regardless of the challenges we face, we keep calm.

  4. 保持乐观。我对美国经济前景保持乐观。
    保持樂觀。我對美國經濟前景保持樂觀。
    "Bǎochí lèguān".  Wǒ duì Měiguó jīngjì qiánjǐng bǎochí lèguān.
    "Stay optimistic". I remain optimistic about the economic prospects of the United States.

  5. 保持良好的心态。保持良好的心态,有利于身体健康。
    保持良好的心態。保持良好的心態,有利於身體健康。

    "Bǎochí liánghǎo de xīntài".  Bǎochí liánghǎo de xīntài, yǒulì yú shēntǐ jiànkāng.
    "Maintain a good mindset". Maintaining a good mindset is beneficial to health.


  6. 维持和平。维持区域和平
    維持和平。維持區域和平
    "Wéichí hépíng".  Wéichí qūyù hépíng
    "Maintain peace". Maintain regional peace.

  7. 维持优势。维持竞争优势
    維持優勢。維持競爭優勢
    Wéichí yōushì.  Wéichí jìngzhēng yōushì  
    Maintain an advantage. Maintain a competitive advantage.

  8. 维持平衡。维持生态平衡,是非常重要的。
    維持平衡。維持生態平衡,是非常重要的。
    "Wéichí pínghéng".  Wéichí shēngtài pínghéng, shì fēicháng zhòngyào de.
    "Maintain balance". Maintaining ecological balance is very important.

  9. 维持经济增长率。中国要维持5%的经济增长率并不容易。
    維持經濟增長率。中國要維持5%的經濟增長率並不容易。
    "Wéichí jīngjì zēngzhǎnglǜ".  Zhōngguó yào wéichí5%de jīngjì zēngzhǎnglǜ bìng bù róngyì.
    "Maintain economic growth rate". It is not easy for China to maintain a 5% economic growth rate.

  10. 维持现状。谈到两岸关系,我认为,维持现状是最好的选择。
    維持現狀。談到兩岸關係,我認為,維持現狀是最好的選擇。
    "Wéichí xiànzhuàng".  Tándào Liǎng'àn guānxi, wǒ rènwéi, wéichí xiànzhuàng shì zuìhǎo de xuǎnzé.
    "Maintain the status quo". When it comes to cross-strait relations, I believe maintaining the status quo is the best option.

    ************************************************

  11. 保持关系。金正恩说,朝中两国将继续保持合作关系。
    保持關係。金正恩說,朝中兩國將繼續保持合作關係。
    "Bǎochí guānxi".  Jīn Zhèng'ēn shuō, Cháo Zhōng liǎngguó jiāng jìxù bǎochí hézuò guānxì.
    "Keep relationships". Kim Jong-un said that North Korea and China will continue to maintain cooperative relations.

  12. 维持关系。赖清德说,我们会努力跟中国维持良好关系。
    維持關係。賴清德說,我們會努力跟中國維持良好關係。
    "Wéichí guānxi".  Lài Qīngdé shuō, wǒmen huì nǔlì gēn Zhōngguó wéichí liánghǎo guānxi.
    "Maintain relationships". Lai Ching-te said that we will strive to maintain good relations with China. (Lai Ching-te, a Democratic Progressive Party politician, is the new president of Taiwan.  When Taiwan had a DPP president, cross-strait relations were probably not very good.)

  13. 保持平衡。我认为,只要不浪费,就可以保持收支平衡。
    保持平衡。我認為,只要不浪費,就可以保持收支平衡。
    "Bǎochí pínghéng".  Wǒ rènwéi, zhǐyào bù làngfèi, jiù kěyǐ bǎochí shōuzhī pínghéng.
    "Keep balance". I believe that as long as there is no waste, you can keep a balanced budget.
    (收支= 入income + 出expenses)

  14. 维持平衡。对很多美国人来说,维持收支平衡越来越难。
    維持平衡。對許多美國人來說,維持收支平衡越來越難。
    "Wéichí pínghéng".  Duì xǔduō Měiguórén lái shuō, wéichí shōuzhī pínghéng yuèláiyuè nán.
    "Maintain balance". For many Americans, maintaining a balanced budget is becoming increasingly difficult.

5/08/2024

Chunking-18_defend (防卫/防衛); defend (为...辩护/為...辯護)

  1. 防卫国家安全,以及区域安全
    防衛國家安全,以及區域安全
    Fángwèi guójiā ānquán, yǐjí qūyù ānquán 
    Defend national security, as well as regional security

  2. 美国协助台湾,加强自我防卫能力
    美國協助台灣,加強自我防衛能力
    Měiguó xiézhù Táiwān, jiāqiáng zìwǒ fángwèi nénglì.
    The United States assists Taiwan in strengthening its self-defense capabilities.

  3. 美国根据“台湾关系法”,提供台湾防卫性武器
    美國根據“台灣關係法”,提供台灣防衛性武器
    Měiguó gēnjù “Táiwān Guānxi Fǎ”, tígōng Táiwān fángwèixìng wǔqì.
    The United States provides Taiwan with defensive weapons under the "Taiwan Relations Act".

  4. 美菲兩國的海岸防卫队,参加联合军事演习。
    美菲兩國的海岸防衛隊,參加聯合軍事演習。
    Měi-Fēi liǎngguó de Hǎi'àn Fángwèiduì, cānjiā liánhé jūnshì yǎnxí.
    The coast guards of the United States and the Philippines participate in joint military exercises.

  5. 我们必须加强网络安全措施,来防卫黑客攻击
    我們必須加強網絡安全措施,來防衛黑客攻擊
    Wǒmen bìxū, jiāqiáng wǎngluò ānquán cuòshī, lái fángwèi hēikè gōngjī.
    We must strengthen cybersecurity measures to defend against hacker attacks.

  6. 律师在法庭上为“被告”辩护
    律師在法庭上為“被告”辯護
    Lǜshī zài fǎtíng shàng wèi “bèigào”biànhù.
    The lawyer defends the "defendant" in court.
    (N.B. In English, "defend" is transitive, which can directly take an object.  But in Chinese, "辩护/辯護" is intransitiveThe sentence structure should be "为...辩护/為...辯護".)

  7. 作为一名律师,我必须为当事人辩护
    作為一名律師,我必須為當事人辯護
    Zuòwéi yī míng lǜshī, wǒ bìxū wèi dāngshìrén biànhù.  
    As a lawyer, I must defend the client.
    (The "client" in a legal case is neither 客人,顾客/顧客, nor客户, but 当事人/當事人.)

  8. 他在会议上为自己的观点辩护
    他在會議上為自己的觀點辯護
    Tā zài huìyì shàng wèi zìjǐ de guāndiǎn biànhù.
    He defends his views at the meeting.

  9. 政府发言人在记者会上为政策辩护
    政府發言人在記者會上為政策辯護
    Zhèngfǔ fāyánrén zài jìzhěhuì shàng wèi zhèngcè biànhù.
    The government spokesperson defends the policy at the press conference.

5/05/2024

Chunking-17_serious (严重/嚴重); strict (严格/嚴格); severe (严厉/嚴厲); serious (严肃/嚴肅)


  1. 严重的问题;严重的犯罪问题
    嚴重的問題;嚴重的犯罪問題
    (严重/嚴重 adj.)
    "yánzhòng de wèntí"; Yánzhòng de fànzuì wèntí 
    "serious issue"; serious crime issue 

  2. 问题非常严重;雾霾非常严重
    問題非常嚴重;霧霾非常嚴重
    (Topic-Comment)
    "wèntí fēicháng yánzhòng"; Wùmái fēicháng yánzhòng.
    "The problem is very serious"; The smog is very serious.

  3. 受到严重的污染;环境受到严重的污染
    受到嚴重的污染;環境受到嚴重的污染
    shòudào yánzhòng de wūrǎn; Huánjìng shòudào yánzhòng de wūrǎn
    "seriously polluted"; The environment is seriously polluted.

  4. 严重威胁健康;雾霾严重威胁民众的健康
    嚴重威脅健康;霧霾嚴重威脅民眾的健康
    (严重/嚴重 adv.)
    "yánzhòng wēixié jiànkāng"; Wùmái yánzhòng wēixié mínzhòng de jiànkāng
    "seriously threatens health"; Smog seriously threatens public health.

  5. 严格的规定;污染太严重了,政府打算实施严格的规定。
    嚴格的規定;污染太嚴重了,政府打算實施嚴格的規定。
    (严格/嚴格 adj.)
    "yángé de guīdìng"; Wūrǎn tài yánzhòng le, zhèngfǔ dǎsuan shíshī yángé de guīdìng.
    "strict regulations"; The pollution is too severe, the government plans to implement strict regulations.

  6. 严格要求Sb.改善;污染太严重了,政府必须严格要求企业改善问题。
    嚴格要求Sb.改善;污染太嚴重了,政府必須嚴格要求企業改善問題。
    (严格/嚴格 adv.)
    "yángé yāoqiú gǎishàn"; wūrǎn tài yánzhòng le, zhèngfǔ bìxū yángé yāoqiú qǐyè gǎishàn wèntí.
    "strict demands for improvement"; The pollution is too severe, the government must strictly demand companies to improve the issue.

  7. 严厉的惩罚;诈骗太严重了,政府必须实施严厉的惩罚。
    嚴厲的懲罰;詐騙太嚴重了,政府必須實施嚴厲的懲罰。
    (严厉/嚴厲 adj.)
    "yánlì de chéngfá"; Zhàpiàn tài yánzhòng le, zhèngfǔ bìxū shíshī yánlì de chéngfá.  
    "severe punishment"; Fraud is too severe, the government must implement severe punishments.

  8. 严厉打击犯罪;诈骗太严重了,政府应该严厉打击诈骗。
    嚴厲打擊犯罪;詐騙太嚴重了,政府應該嚴厲打擊詐騙。
    (严厉/嚴厲 adv.)
    "yánlì dǎjī fànzuì"; Zhàpiàn tài yánzhòng le, zhèngfǔ yīnggāi yánlì dǎjī zhàpiàn
    "harsh crackdown on crime"; Fraud is too severe, the government should harshly crackdown on fraud.

  9. 严肃的话题:谈一谈严肃的话题
    嚴肅的話題:談一談嚴肅的話題
    (严肃/嚴肅 adj.)
    "yánsù de huàtí": tán yī tán yánsù de huàtí
    "serious topic": Discuss a serious topic

  10. 他很严肃;别太严肃,放轻松。
    他很嚴肅;別太嚴肅,放輕鬆。
    (Topic-Comment)
    "Tā hěn yánsù"; Bié tài yánsù, fàng qīngsōng
    "He is very serious"; Don't be too serious, relax.

Chunking-16_respect vs.obey (尊重vs.遵守)

  1. 尊重民意;有关死刑的问题,政府应该尊重民意。
    尊重民意;有關死刑的問題,政府應該尊重民意。
    "zūnzhòng mínyì"; Yǒuguān sǐxíng de wèntí, zhèngfǔ yīnggāi zūnzhòng mínyì. 
    "respect public opinion"; Regarding the issue of the death penalty, the government should respect public opinion. 

  2. 尊重当地习俗;我们必须理解并且尊重当地的习俗。
    尊重當地習俗;我們必須理解並且尊重當地的習俗。
    "zūnzhòng dāngdì xísú"; wǒmen bìxū lǐjiě bìngqiě zūnzhòng dāngdì de xísú.
    "respect local customs"; We must understand and respect local customs.

  3. 尊重个人隐私;尊重个人隐私,是非常重要的事情。
    尊重個人隱私;尊重個人隱私,是非常重要的事情。
    "zūnzhòng gèrén yǐnsī"; Zūnzhòng gèrén yǐnsī, shì fēicháng zhòngyào de shìqing.
    "respect personal privacy"; Respecting personal privacy is a very important matter.

  4. 尊重大选的结果;中共应该尊重台湾大选的结果。
    尊重大選的結果;中共應該尊重台灣大選的結果。
    "zūnzhòng dàxuǎn de jiéguǒ"; Zhōnggòng yīnggāi zūnzhòng Táiwān dàxuǎn de jiéguǒ.
    "respect the results of the election"; The Chinese Communist Party should respect the results of Taiwan's election.

  5. 尊重人权;美国呼吁中国尊重人权,维护台海稳定。
    尊重人權;美國呼籲中國尊重人權,維護台海穩定。
    "zūnzhòng rénquán"; Měiguó hūyù Zhōngguó zūnzhòng rénquán, wéihù Tái Hǎi wěndìng.
    "respect human rights"; The United States calls on China to respect human rights and maintain stability in the Taiwan Strait.

  6. 尊重主权和领土完整;中国要求美国尊重中国的主权和领土完整。
    尊重主權和領土完整;中國要求美國尊重中國的主權和領土完整。
    "zūnzhòng zhǔquán hé lǐngtǔ wánzhěng"; Zhōngguó yāoqiú Měiguó zūnzhòng Zhōngguó de zhǔquán hé lǐngtǔ wánzhěng.
    "respect sovereignty and territorial integrity"; China demands the United States respect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

  7. 互相尊重;两国必须互相尊重,才能互利共赢。
    互相尊重;兩國必須互相尊重,才能互利共贏。
    "hùxiāng zūnzhòng"; Liǎngguó bìxū hùxiāng zūnzhòng, cáinéng hùlì gòngyíng.
    "mutual respect"; Both countries must respect each other to achieve mutual benefits and a win-win situation.

  8. 遵守規定;如果不遵守规定,可能导致严重后果。
    遵守规定;如果不遵守規定,可能導致嚴重後果。
    "zūnshǒu guīdìng"; rúguǒ bù zūnshǒu guīdìng, kěnéng dǎozhì yánzhòng hòuguǒ.
    "obey the rules"; Failure to comply with the rule may lead to serious consequences.

  9. 遵守法律;抖音 (Tiktok) 在美国,就得遵守美国法律。
    遵守法律;抖音 (Tiktok) 在美國,就得遵守美國法律。
    "zūnshǒu fǎlǜ"; Dǒuyīn (Tiktok) zài Měiguó, jiù děi zūnshǒu Měiguó fǎlǜ.
    "obey the law"; TikTok, in the United States, must comply with U.S. laws.

  10. 遵守国际法;中国表示,各国都必须遵守国际法,没有例外。
    遵守國際法;中國表示,各國都必須遵守國際法,沒有例外。
    "zūnshǒu guójìfǎ"; Zhōngguó biǎoshì, gè guó dōu bìxū zūnshǒu guójìfǎ, méiyǒu lìwài.
    "obey international law"; China states that all countries must abide by international law, without exception.

  11. 遵守停火协议;国际社会呼吁双方遵守停火协议。
    遵守停火協議;國際社會呼籲雙方遵守停火協議。
    "zūnshǒu tínghuǒ xiéyì"; guójì shèhuì hūyù shuāngfāng zūnshǒu tínghuǒxiéyì.
    "obey the ceasefire agreement"; The international community calls for both parties to adhere to the ceasefire agreement.

  12. 遵守安理会的决议;国际社会呼吁各国遵守安理会的决议。
    遵守安理會的決議;國際社會呼籲各國遵守安理會的決議。
    "zūnshǒu Ānlǐhuì de juéyì"; Guójì shèhuì hūyù gè guó zūnshǒu Ānlǐhuì de juéyì.
    "obey the resolutions of the Security Council"; The international community calls on all countries to abide by the resolutions of the Security Council.

Chunking-15_lies in (在于/在於)


  1. 重点在于...;美国国务卿布林肯访问中国,重点在于降低冲突。
    重點在於...;美國國務卿布林肯訪問中國,重點在於降低衝突。
    "zhòngdiǎn zàiyú..."; Měiguó Guówùqīng Bùlínkěn fǎngwèn Zhōngguó, zhòngdiǎn zàiyú jiàngdī chōngtū. 
    "The focus lies in..."; U.S. Secretary of State Blinken's visit to China focuses on reducing conflicts. 

  2. 重点在于...;美国国务卿布林肯访问中国,重点在于保持沟通。
    重點在於...;美國國務卿布林肯訪問中國,重點在於保持溝通。
    "zhòngdiǎn zàiyú..."; Měiguó Guówùqīng Bùlínkěn fǎngwèn Zhōngguó, zhòngdiǎn zàiyú bǎochí gōutōng.
    "The focus lies in..."; U.S. Secretary of State Blinken's visit to China focuses on maintaining communication.

  3. 关键在于...;投资移民美国,成功的关键在于资金,只要资金没有问题,其他都不是问题。
    關鍵在於...;投資移民美國,成功的關鍵在於資金,只要資金沒有問題,其他都不是問題。
    "guānjiàn zàiyú..."; Tóuzī yímín Měiguó, chénggōng de guānjiàn zàiyú zījīn, zhǐyào zījīn méiyǒu wèntí, qítā dōu bù shì wèntí.
    "The key lies in..."; The key to successful investment immigration to the U.S. is funding. As long as there is no problem with the funds, everything else is not a problem.

  4. 关键在于...;投资移民美国,成功的关键在于选择好的投资项目。
    關鍵在於...;投資移民美國,成功的關鍵在於選擇好的投資項目。
    "guānjiàn zàiyú..."; Tóuzī yímín Měiguó, chénggōng de guānjiàn zàiyú xuǎnzé hǎo de tóuzī xiàngmù.
    "The key lies in..."; The key to successful investment immigration to the U.S. is choosing good investment projects.

  5. 问题在于...;节能减碳的目标很明确,问题在于怎么做,才能达到目标。
    問題在於...
    ;節能減碳的目標很明確,問題在於怎麼做,才能達到目標。
    "wèntí zàiyú..."; Jiénéngjiǎntàn de mùbiāo hěn míngquè, wèntí zàiyú zěnme zuò, cáinéng dádào mùbiāo.
    "The problem lies in..."; The goal of energy saving and carbon reduction is clear, the problem is how to achieve this goal.

  6. 问题在于...;节能减碳的目标很明确,问题在于如何降低成本。
    問題在於...
    ;節能減碳的目標很明確,問題在於如何降低成本。
    "wèntí zàiyú..."; Jiénéngjiǎntàn de mùbiāo hěn míngquè, wèntí zàiyú rúhé jiàngdī chéngběn.
    "The problem lies in..."; The goal of energy saving and carbon reduction is clear, the problem is how to reduce costs.

  7. 原因在于...;兩岸关系紧张,台湾认为,原因在于中共一直威胁台湾。
    原因在於...
    ;兩岸關係緊張,台灣認為,原因在於中共一直威脅台灣。
    "yuányīn zàiyú..."; Liǎng'àn guānxi jǐnzhāng, Táiwān rènwéi, yuányīn zàiyú Zhōnggòng yīzhí wēixié Táiwān.
    "The reason lies in..."; Taiwan thinks the tension in cross-strait relations is due to the continuous threats from the CCP.

  8. 原因在于...;兩岸关系紧张,中国认为,原因在于台湾不接受一个中国的原则。
    原因在於...;兩岸關係緊張,中國認為,原因在於台灣不接受一個中國的原則。
    "yuányīn zàiyú..."; Liǎng'àn guānxi jǐnzhāng, Zhōngguó rènwéi, yuányīn zàiyú Táiwān bù jiēshòu yī gè Zhōngguó de yuánzé.
    "The reason lies in..."; China believes the tension in cross-strait relations is due to Taiwan not accepting the "One China" principle.

5/04/2024

Chunking-14_involve, relate to (涉及;牵涉到)


  1. 涉及很多话题;我们的讨论涉及很多话题。
    涉及很多話題;我們的討論涉及很多話題。
    "shèjí hěn duō huàtí"; Wǒmen de tǎolùn shèjí hěn duō huàtí. 
    "involves many topics"; Our discussion involves many topics. 

  2. 涉及政治问题;核能发电是能源问题,但是也涉及政治问题。
    涉及政治問題;核能發電是能源問題,但是也涉及政治問題。
    "shèjí zhèngzhì wèntí"; Hénéng fādiàn shì néngyuán wèntí, dànshì yě shèjí zhèngzhì wèntí.
    "involves political issues"; Nuclear power is an energy issue, but it also involves political issues.

  3. 涉及敏感问题;美中谈判涉及一些敏感问题。
    涉及敏感問題;美中談判涉及一些敏感問題。
    "shèjí mǐngǎn wèntí"; Měi-Zhōng tánpàn shèjí yīxiē mǐngǎn wèntí.
    "involves sensitive issues"; US-China negotiations involve some sensitive issues.

  4. 涉及敏感的种族问题;这起案件涉及敏感的种族问题,所以很麻烦。
    涉及敏感的種族問題;這起案件涉及敏感的種族問題,所以很麻煩。
    "shèjí mǐngǎn de zhǒngzú wèntí"; Zhè qǐ ànjiàn shèjí mǐngǎn de zhǒngzú wèntí, suǒyǐ hěn máfan.
    "involves sensitive racial issues"; This case involves sensitive racial issues, so it is problematic.

  5. 涉及贪污腐败的案子;这个官员涉及贪污腐败的案子,因此被逮捕了。
    涉及貪污腐敗的案子;這個官員涉及貪污腐敗的案子,因此被逮捕了。
    "shèjí tānwū fǔbài de ànzi"; Zhègè guānyuán shèjí tānwū fǔbài de ànzi, yīncǐ bèi dàibǔ le.
    "involves a corruption case"; This official is involved in a corruption case, therefore he was arrested.

  6. 涉及个人隐私;涉及个人隐私的问题,我们得小心处理。
    涉及個人隱私;涉及個人隱私的問題,我們得小心處理。
    "shèjí gèrén yǐnsī"; Shèjí gèrén yǐnsī de wèntí, wǒmen děi xiǎoxīn chǔlǐ.
    "involves personal privacy"; Issues involving personal privacy must be handled carefully.

  7. 牵涉到个人隐私;牵涉到个人隐私的问题,我们得小心处理。
    牽涉到個人隱私;牽涉到個人隱私的問題,我們得小心處理。
    "qiānshè dào gèrén yǐnsī"; Qiānshè dào gèrén yǐnsī de wèntí, wǒmen děi xiǎoxīn chǔlǐ.
    "relates to personal privacy"; Issues related to personal privacy must be handled carefully.

  8. 涉及国家利益;南海涉及很多国家的利益,因此特别复杂。
    涉及國家利益;南海涉及很多國家的利益,因此特別複雜。
    "shèjí guójiā lìyì"; Nán Hǎi shèjí hěn duō guójiā de lìyì, yīncǐ tèbié fùzá.
    "involves national interests"; The South China Sea involves the interests of many countries, therefore it is particularly complex.

  9. 牵涉到国家利益;南海牵涉到很多国家的利益,因此特别复杂。
    牽涉到國家利益;南海牽涉到很多國家的利益,因此特別複雜。
    "qiānshè dào guójiā lìyì"; Nán Hǎi qiānshè dào hěn duō guójiā de lìyì, yīncǐ tèbié fùzá.
    "relates to national interests"; The South China Sea relates to the interests of many countries, therefore it is particularly complex.

Chunking-13_produce, create (制造vs.创造;製造vs.創造)


  1. 制造产品;制造苹果手机;制造电动车;
    製造產品;製造蘋果手機;製造電動車;
    "zhìzào chǎnpǐn"; zhìzào píngguǒ shǒujī; zhìzào diàndòngchē; 
    "making products"; manufacturing Apple iPhones; manufacturing electric vehicles; 

    制造业;美国的汽车制造业
    製造業;美國的汽車製造業
    zhìzàoyè; Měiguó de qìchē zhìzàoyè
    manufacturing industry; America's automobile manufacturing industry

  2. 製造衝突製造邊界衝突
    制造冲突制造边界冲突
    "zhìzào chōngtū"; zhìzào biānjiè chōngtū
    "creating conflicts"; creating border conflicts

  3. 制造问题;制造社会问题
    製造問題;製造社會問題
    "zhìzào wèntí"; zhìzào shèhuì wèntí
    "creating problems"; creating social problems

  4. 制造产品;制造不少麻烦;给别人制造不少麻烦;他是麻烦制造者
    製造麻煩;製造不少麻煩;給別人製造不少麻煩;他是麻煩製造者
    "zhìzào máfan"; zhìzào bùshǎo máfan; gěi biéren zhìzào bùshǎo máfan; tā shì máfan zhìzàozhě
    "creating trouble"; creating quite a bit of trouble; causing quite a bit of trouble for others; he is a troublemaker

  5. 创造机会;创造就业机会;创造发展的机会
    創造機會;創造就業機會;創造發展的機會
    "chuàngzào jīhuì"; chuàngzào jiùyè jīhuì; chuàngzào fāzhǎn de jīhuì
    "creating opportunities"; creating job opportunities; creating opportunities for development

  6. 创造条件;创造有利的条件;为双边关系创造有利的条件
    創造條件
    ;創造有利的條件;為雙邊關係創造有利的條件
    "chuàngzào tiáojiàn"; chuàngzào yǒulì de tiáojiàn; wèi shuāngbiān guānxi chuàngzào yǒulì de tiáojiàn
    "creating conditions"; creating favorable conditions; creating favorable conditions for bilateral relations

  7. 创造纪录;创造新高纪录;创造历史新高纪录
    創造紀錄;創造新高紀錄;創造歷史新高紀錄
    "chuàngzào jìlù"; chuàngzào xīngāo jìlù; chuàngzào lìshǐ xīngāo jìlù
    "setting records"; setting new high records; setting historical new high records

  8. 创造利润;创造最大的利润
    創造利潤;創造最大的利潤
    "chuàngzào lìrùn"; chuàngzào zuìdà de lìrùn
    "making profits"; generating the highest profits

4/23/2024

Chunking-12_find a balance (在X和Y之间找到平衡点)


  1. 我们需要工作生活之间找到平衡点
    我们需要工作生活之間找到平衡點
    Wǒmen xūyào zài gōngzuòshēnghuó zhījiān zhǎodào pínghéngdiǎn.
    We need to find a balance between work and life.


  2. 人权利益之间找到平衡点,这并不容易。
    人权利益之間找到平衡點,這並不容易。
    Yào zài rénquánlìyì zhījiān zhǎodào pínghéngdiǎn, zhè bìng bù róngyì.
    Finding a balance between human rights and interests is not easy.
    It's not easy to find a balance between human rights and interests.

    (N.B. Whether using "it sentence" in English or not, the Chinese sentence structure is the same. ) (要=if you want to)

  3. 如何人权利益之间找到平衡点,这并不容易。
    如何人权利益之間找到平衡點,這並不容易。
    Rúhé zài rénquánlìyì zhījiān zhǎodào pínghéngdiǎn, zhè bìng bù róngyì.
    It's not easy to find a balance between human rights and interests. (如何=how; how to)

  4. 经济发展和环保都很重要,政府必须经济发展环保之间找到平衡点
    經濟發展和環保都很重要,政府必須經濟發展環保之間找到平衡點
    Jīngjì fāzhǎn hé huánbǎo dōu hěn zhòngyào, zhèngfǔ bìxū zài jīngjì fāzhǎnhuánbǎo zhījiān zhǎodào pínghéngdiǎn.
    Economic development and environmental protection are both important; the government must find a balance between economic growth and environmental protection.

  5. 经济发展和环保都很重要,政府必须两者之间找到平衡点
    經濟發展和環保都很重要,政府必須兩者之間找到平衡點
    Jīngjì fāzhǎn hé huánbǎo dōu hěn zhòngyào, zhèngfǔ bìxū zài liǎngzhě zhījiān zhǎodào pínghéngdiǎn.
    Economic development and environmental protection are both important; the government must find a balance between the two.

  6. 没有事情是完美的,我们需要理想现实之间找到平衡点
    没有事情是完美的,我们需要理想现实之间找到平衡点
    Méiyǒu shìqing shì wánměi de, wǒmen xūyào zài lǐxiǎngxiànshí zhījiān zhǎodào pínghéngdiǎn.
    Nothing is perfect; we need to find a balance between ideals and reality.

Chunking-21_by comparison (相比之下)

【Basic structure】 “ A + Comments”; 相比之下 ,“ B + Comments”    ************************************************ (0:01) 日本东京的房价 很高, 相比之下...