Talking about Family


It must be nice to be so close to your mother. 和你妈妈关系这么密切一定很好。

        A: I really appreciate my mother. I feel telling her everything.
        B: It must be nice to be so close to your mother. My mother tries to control me and never listens to my opinion.
        A: My mother and I have always been able to communicate well with each other. We really try to understand each other.
        B: I'd like to be close to my mother, too. Maybe, I can learn from you.

        A: 我真喜欢我妈妈，我觉得什么都能和她讲。
        B: 与妈妈关系那么密切一定很好。我妈妈总是想控制我，她从来不听我的意见。
        A: 我妈妈和我一直沟通得很好，我们总是想办法理解对方。
        B: 我也想和妈妈这么好，也许我该向你学学。


East, west, home is the best. 金窝银窝不如自己的草窝。

        A: How long were you away from Shanghai?
        B: All told three years, one year in Singapore and two in England.
        A: Which place do you like best?
        B: Of course, Shanghai. East, west, home is the best.

        A: 你离开上海有多久了？
        B: 一共三年，一年在新加坡，两年在英国。
        A: 你最喜欢哪儿？
        B: 当然是上海了，金窝银窝不如自己的草窝。


There are more and more nuclear families nowadays. 现在小家庭越来越多了。

        A: People used to admire the life of three generations under one roof.
        B: Yeah, but there are more and more nuclear families now.
        A: Yes, and people used to believe in “the more sons, the more happiness”.
        B: But now very few people want more than two children.

        A: 人们过去羡慕三代同堂的生活。
        B: 可不是，不过现在小家庭越来越多了。
        A: 是啊。还有，人们过去相信“多子多福”。
        B: 可是现在很少有人愿意生第三胎了。


You might feel left out. 你也许会觉得受了冷落。

        A: How are you getting along with your step-father?
        B: We're OK, but they, I mean he and Mum, always take me along wherever they go. But I'm not interested, you know.
        A: They're afraid you might feel left out.
        B: No, I won't. I'd rather they leave me alone.

        A: 你和你继父处的还好吗？
        B: 还行吧。不过他们，就是他和我妈妈，老是走到哪儿都带着我。我是一点兴趣都没有。
        A: 他们怕你感到受了冷落。
        B: 我才不会呢，我宁愿他们让我自己待着。


I don't want to let him down. 我不想让他失望。

        A: Why don't you come with us to the beach on Saturday? Everyone in the office is coming.
        B: I promised my son I would take him to the zoo. I don't want to let him down.
        A: You sure are a good father.
        B: A father should spend as much time with his kid as possible.

        A: 星期六跟我们一起到海边去吧？ 办公室同事都去。
        B: 我答应儿子带他去动物园的，我不想让他失望。
        A: 你真是个好父亲。
        B: 父亲应该尽量多和孩子在一起。


I never talk back. 我从不顶嘴。

        A: Have you been a good boy?
        B: Yes. I always do what Mummy says and I never talk back.
        A: Good boy. Here is a nice Christmas present for you.
        B: Thank you, Father Christmas!

        A: 你是个乖孩子吗？
        B: 是的。妈妈让我干什么我就干什么，而且我从来也不顶嘴。
        A: 好孩子，这是给你的圣诞礼物。
        B: 谢谢圣诞老人！


We must have a house-warming. 我们一定要为你庆祝乔迁之喜。

        A: You've just bought a new flat, haven't you?
        B: Yes, I'm having it remodeled now.
        A: When do you plan to move in?
        B: Probably in July.
        A: We must have a house-warming.
        B: Thank you. I'll let you know when I settle down.

        A: 你刚买了套新的公寓房是吗？
        B: 对啊，现在正在装修呢。
        A: 你打算几时搬进去住啊？
        B: 应该在七月份吧。
        A: 我们一定要为你庆祝乔迁之喜哦。
        B: 谢谢，我搬进去了一定告诉你。