And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.
欢迎收听VOA慢速英语《词汇掌故》节目。
On this program, we explore words and expressions in the English language.
在本节目中,我们探讨英语中的单词和短语。
We give you definitions, examples, notes on usage, and sometimes we even use them in a conversation.
我们给出释义,例子并对用法进行解释说明,有时我们还会在简短的对话中使用它们。
Valentine's Day is February 14.
2月14日是情人节。
Because it is close to that day that celebrates lovers, we talk today about a romantic idiom: tie the knot.
因为临近情人节,所以今天我们来讨论一个浪漫的习语:tie the knot(结婚)。
To tie the knot is an informal term for getting married.
tie the knot是结婚的非正式用语。
In some marriage ceremonies, a knot is actually tied around the couple's hands with a piece of cloth or ribbon.
在一些结婚仪式上,结实际上是用一块布或丝带绑在新人的手上。
This is done as a symbol of unity.
这样做象征着团结。
This wedding tradition can be called a handfasting ceremony.
这种婚礼传统可称为绑手礼仪式。
Several websites claim that this is an ancient Celtic wedding tradition.
一些网站称,这是一种古老的凯尔特人的婚礼传统。
The couple holds hands while someone else ties their hands together with material.
夫妇俩手牵着手,而另一个人用材料把他们的手绑在一起。
This represents the two people being physically and spiritually tied to each other.
这代表着两个人在身体和精神上彼此联系在一起。
But let's go back to the word "knot."
但让我们回到“结”这个词上来。
A knot is an interlacing of string, ribbon, rope, or similar material that forms a connection between two, or more, loose ends.
结是由线、丝带、绳子或类似的材料交织而成,在两个或多个松散的末端之间形成连接。
The word "knot" can also describe a mass or lump of disordered material that is tangled.
“结”这个词也可以用来形容一团缠结在一起的杂乱物质。
Some knots are hard to untangle.
有些结很难解开。
For example, if your hair has knots, the ends have become tangled together, and it cannot be straightened or combed.
例如,头发打结,即发梢缠在一起,无法梳顺。
When talking about hair, having knots is not a good thing.
说到头发,打结可不是一件好事。
Knowing how to tie knots is important in many activities including sailing.
知道如何打结在包括航行在内的许多活动中都很重要。
For example, rope is used to secure sails.
例如,绳子被用来固定帆。
While sailing, you might want ropes to stay knotted at times, but you also need to be able to release knots quickly, at a moment's notice.
在航行中,你可能希望绳索有时保持打结状态,但你也需要能够在一瞬间迅速解开绳结。
With a marriage, you want to stay knotted together.
在婚姻中,你想要保持紧密的联系。
You do not want the bond to be easily broken.
你不希望这种联系很容易被打破。
There are other ways to say to tie the knot.
还有和“tie the knot”意思相同的短语。
In a formal situation, you can say two people have been wed.
在正式场合,你可以说两个人已经结婚了。
A very informal expression is to get hitched.
一个非常非正式的短语是get hitched(结婚)。
Now, let's hear two friends use the expression "to tie the knot."
现在,让我们来听一下两个朋友是如何使用短语“to tie the knot”。
Hey, I have a wonderful secret about our good friends Finn and Polly. They are tying the knot next month!
嘿,我有一个关于我们的好朋友芬恩和波莉的秘密。他们下个月就要结婚了!
What? Finn and Polly? Are you sure?
什么?芬恩和波莉?你确定吗?
Yes! Polly told me last week while we were bowling. She's on my bowling team.
是的!波莉上周在我们打保龄球的时候告诉我的。她是我们保龄球队的。
I cannot believe that.
我真不敢相信。
Well, believe it. But she made me promise not to say a word. So, don't tell anyone.
好吧,相信我。但她让我保证别告诉别人。所以,不要告诉任何人。
I am shocked.
我很震惊。
Why? Finn and Polly have been dating for years.
为什么?芬恩和波莉已经交往多年了。
I'm not shocked about that. Polly … bowls?? I had no idea.
我对此并不感到震惊。波莉……保龄球??我不知道。
And that's all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories.
以上就是本期《词汇掌故》节目的全部内容。
Until next time … I'm Anna Matteo.
下次见……我是安娜·马特奥。
译文为可可英语翻译,未经授权请勿转载!