内容简介
公司餐厅的新设备出了问题,Phil 说 “they're having some teething problems”。这是什么意思?设备出问题为什么被称为 “teething problems”?听节目,跟主持人菲菲和 Phil 学习表达 “teething problems” 的意思和用法。
文字稿
(关于台词的备注: 请注意这不是广播节目的逐字稿件。本文稿可能没有体现录制、编辑过程中对节目做出的改变。)
Feifei
Hello and welcome to Authentic Real English, where we explain expressions used by fluent English speakers so that you can use them, too! I'm Feifei.
Phil
And I'm Phil. Have you had lunch yet, Feifei?
Feifei
No, not yet. Why?
Phil
They've got a new system in the canteen, and I think they're having some 'teething problems'. Nothing was cooked properly.
Feifei
Oh no, I hope it wasn't too bad. Let's look at that expression you just used, 'teething problems'. You didn't hurt your teeth, did you?
Phil
No, no, 'teething problems' usually means something different. Literally, 'teething' is when babies are getting their first teeth. It can be a difficult time for them, and their parents, but we often use the expression to talk about the temporary problems that you have with something new.
Feifei
If you change the way you do something at work, for example, you can have 'teething problems' at first. New technology often has 'teething problems' when it's introduced. The good thing is that they are usually only temporary – as you get used to things, the 'teething problems' go away.
Phil
Let's listen to some examples of other people talking about 'teething problems'.
Examples
I've just got a new phone, and I really like it, but there are a few teething problems. I don't really understand all of the settings.
The managers have got me to work with some new people at the office and we haven't really got used to each other yet. There's been a few teething problems.
I know you're having some problems with your new software, but I believe they're just teething problems.
Feifei
你正在收听的是 BBC 英语教学的 “地道英语” 节目。刚刚我们一起学习了表达 “teething problems” 的用法。这个表达的字面意思是 “婴儿出牙时的问题”。“Teething” 指的是 “婴儿长出第一颗牙齿的过程”,这通常会让婴儿感到很难受,而其父母也会为此担心。这就引出了 “teething problems” 现在的含义,就是 “在做新事情的早期阶段出现的暂时性问题或困难,初期困难”。
Phil
Because teething problems are often seen as just temporary, and almost inevitable, you'll often hear adverbs like 'just' and 'only' used with the expression.
Feifei
是的,“teething problems” 通常都是 “暂时的、几乎不可避免的初期问题”,所以它常与 “just” 和 “only” 等副词搭配使用。比如,“They're just teething problems” 或 “Don't worry, they're only teething problems”。
Phil
So, in this programme, we've learnt about 'teething problems', which are temporary problems you have when you introduce something new, and we'll see you next time.
Feifei
See you next time! Bye.
Phil
Bye!