Interactive transcript · 235 lines
Hello, hello everyone!
你好，大家好！
Welcome back to another episode of TalkCast Speaking, your favorite spot to level up your everyday English.
欢迎回到新一期的 TalkCast Speaking，这里是提升你日常英语的首选之地。
I am your host, Caleb.
我是你们的主持人，Caleb。
Today we are diving into a super practical topic that almost everyone has to face at some point,
今天我们要探讨一个非常实用的话题，几乎每个人在某个时刻都会遇到，
especially if you love shopping online or sending gifts to your loved ones abroad.
尤其是如果你喜欢网购或给国外的亲朋好友寄送礼物的话。
Yes, we are talking about going to the post office and specifically weighing a package.
是的，我们要聊的是去邮局，特别是给包裹称重这件事。
And joining me today is a very special guest.
今天加入我们的是一位非常特别的嘉宾。
Please welcome Amelia, a creative entrepreneur who has just started her own handmade candle business.
请大家欢迎 Amelia，她是一位富有创意的创业者，刚刚开启了自己的手工蜡烛事业。
Welcome, Amelia.
欢迎你，Amelia。
Hi, Caleb.
嗨，Caleb。
Thanks for having me.
感谢邀请我。
And hello to all the lovely listeners out there.
也向各位可爱的听众朋友们问好。
Oh my goodness, you have no idea how timely this topic is for me.
天哪，你根本不知道这个话题对我来说有多么及时。
I am actually super stressed out today because my very first batch of lavender candles is ready to
我今天其实压力特别大，因为我的第一批薰衣草蜡烛已经准备好
be shipped to customers in the US and Canada.
邮寄给美国和加拿大的客户了。
But to be honest, I am absolutely terrified of going to the post office and having to explain
但老实说，我真的非常害怕去邮局并且不得不
everything in English.
用英语解释一切。
What if I say the wrong thing and get charged a fortune?
要是我说错了话被收取巨款怎么办？
Oh, I completely understand that feeling, Amelia.
哦，我完全理解那种感觉，Amelia。
The post office can feel like a stressful place, especially when there's a long line of people
邮局确实会让 人感到是个充满压力的地方，尤其是当你身后排着长队
waiting behind you and you're trying to figure out the right words.
等待，而你正努力琢磨合适的用词时。
But don't worry, by the end of today's episode, you'll be handling those shipping counters like an
不过别担心，到了今天节目结束时，你就能轻松应对那些寄件柜台，像个
absolute pro.
绝对的专业人士一样。
Let's start with the basics, shall we?
让我们从最基础的内容开始，好吗？
Before you even step foot in the post office, you need to know the basic terms.
在你踏进邮局之前，你就需要了解一些基本的术语。
Amelia, what do you call the thing you are sending?
Amelia，你把你正在寄送的东西称为什么？
Well, I usually just call it a box or maybe a gift.
嗯，我通常就叫它箱子或者礼物。
Is there a more official word for it?
有更正式的说法吗？
Great start.
非常好的开端。
Yes, box is perfectly fine.
是的，说 box 是完全没问题的。
But in the shipping world, we use two very common words, package and parcel.
但在快递界，我们使用两个非常常见的词，package 和 parcel。
A package is the standard term used in American English.
Package 是美式英语中的标准表达。
In British English, they often say parcel.
在英式英语中，他们经常说 parcel。
So you can say, I'd like to mail this package, please.
所以你可以说：请帮我邮寄这个包裹。
Simple, right?
很简单，对吧？
Now, how about the machine we use to find out how heavy it is?
那么，我们用来测量物品有多重的机器叫什么呢？
Do you know what that's called?
你知道那个叫什么吗？
Oh, I know this one.
哦，这个我知道。
It's a balance.
是天平。
No, wait, is it a ruler?
不，等等，是直尺吗？
No, that's for measuring length.
不，那是用来测量长度的。
Ah, what is that word?
啊，那个词叫什么来着？
Close guess with balance, but the word we're looking for is scale, usually used in the plural form,
猜天平很接近了，但我们要找的词是 scale，通常使用复数形式，
scales, or just singular scale.
即 scales，或者单用单数形式 scale。
So the postal worker might say, please put your package on the scale.
所以邮局工作人员可能会说，请把您的包裹放在秤上。
Let's focus on the pronunciation here.
让我们关注一下这里的发音。
It has a long A sound, like in pale or sail.
它包含长音 A 的发音，就像 pale 或 sail 一样。
Can you try saying that? Scale.
你能尝试念一下吗？Scale。
Ah, that's easy to remember because it rhymes with sail, and I want to make a lot of sails with my candles.
啊，那很好记，因为它和 sail 押韵，而且我希望能靠我的蜡烛大卖。
But Caleb, here is where I always get confused.
但是 Caleb，这正是我总是感到困惑的地方。
What is the difference between weigh and weight?
weigh 和 weight 之间的区别是什么？
I always mix them up and my tongue gets tied.
我总是把它们搞混，舌头都打结了。
I am so glad you brought that up.
我很高兴你提到这个问题。
This is actually the number one mistake that English learners make.
这实际上是英语学习者最常犯的第一个错误。
Let's break it down simply.
让我们简单地分解一下。
Think of it like the difference between sing and song.
把它想象成 sing 和 song 之间的区别。
Sing is the action, right?
Sing 是动作，对吧？
It's a verb.
它是一个动词。
Song is the noun, the thing you sing.
Song 是 名词，也就是你唱的东西。
In the same way, weigh without a T is the verb.
同样，不带 T 的 weigh 是动词。
It is the action of putting something on the scale.
它是把东西放在秤上的动作。
For example, I need to weigh this package.
例如，我需要给这个包裹称重。
The spelling is W -E -I -G -H, but the G -H is completely silent.
它的拼写是 W-E-I-G-H，但 G-H 是完全不发音的。
It sounds exactly like the road, weigh.
它的发音与道路（way）完全一样。
Let me say that again, weigh.
我再说一遍，weigh。
Wow, that is such a helpful analogy.
哇，这个类比太有帮助了。
Weigh is the action, like sing.
Weigh 是动作，就像 sing 一样。
And what about weight with a T at the end? Exactly.
那么末尾带 T 的 weight 呢？完全正确。
Weight with a T spelled W -E -I -G -H -T is the noun.
末尾带 T、拼写为 W-E-I-G-H-T 的 weight 是名词。
It's the physical heaviness of the object.
它是物体物理上的重量。
It sounds like the word weight, as in wait a minute.
它的发音听起来就像 wait a minute 里的 wait。
So you would ask, what is the weight of this package?
所以你会问，这个包裹的重量是多少？
Or say, the weight is five pounds.
或者说，重量是五磅。
Do you see the difference now?
你现在明白其中的区别了吗？
Oh, I see.
噢，我明白了。
Let me try to make a sentence to test myself.
让我试着造个句子来测验一下自己。
Can you weight this package for me, please?
你能帮我 weight 这个包裹吗？
Aha, I love that you tried.
啊哈，我很赞赏你作出的尝试。
But let's look at that sentence.
但我们来看一下那个句子。
You used weight with a T as an action.
你把带 T 的 weight 当作动作来用了。
Remember, weight is the noun, but you need the verb there.
记住，weight 是名词，但你那里需要的是动词。
Let's do a quick three -step correction.
我们来进行一个快速的三步修正。
Your original sentence, can you weight this package?
你的原句是：你能帮我 weight 这个包裹吗？
The mistake, using the noun as a verb.
错误在于：把名词当成了动词用。
The correction, swap weigh with weigh.
纠正方法：替换为 weigh。
So the correct sentence is, can you weigh this package for me, please?
所以正确的句子是：请问你能帮我称一下这个包裹吗？
Ah, of course, because weigh is the action.
啊，当然了，因为 weigh 才是动作。
Let me try again.
让我再试一次。
Can you weigh this package for me, please?
请问你能帮我称一下这个包裹吗？
How was that? Perfect.
感觉怎么样？完美。
Flawless pronunciation.
无可挑剔的发音。
Now, let's build on that.
现在，让我们在此基础上进一步延伸。
What if you want to ask about the weight yourself?
如果你自己想询问重量该怎么问？
How would you ask that?
你会怎么问呢？
Hmm, maybe how many weight is it?
嗯，也许是 how many weight is it？
That's a very common Chinese -English translation mistake, because in Chinese, we say, you'll do
这是一个非常常见的中式英语翻译错误，因为在中文里，我们会说：有
chong, or duoshao zhong liang.
重，或者多少重量。
But in English, weight is an uncountable noun, so we don't say how many weight.
但在英语中，weight 是一个不可数名词，所以我们不说 how many weight。
Instead, we have two very natural ways to ask this.
相反，我们有两种非常自然的询问方式。
The first one uses the verb, how much does it weigh?
第一种使用了动词：how much does it weigh？
Let's practice that.
我们来练习那个吧。
How much does it weigh?
它有多重？
How much does it weigh?
它有多重？
Oh, that flows really nicely.
哦，说得真顺畅。
Yes, it does.
是的，确实如此。
And the second way uses the noun.
第二种方法使用的是名词。
What is the weight of this package?
这个包裹的重量是多少？
Or more simply, what's the weight?
或者更简单地说，有多重？
Okay, got it.
好的，明白了。
What's the weight?
它的重量是多少？
That seems much easier to remember when I'm feeling nervous at the counter. Absolutely.
当我在柜台感到紧张时，这似乎更容易记住。确实如此。
Keep it simple.
保持简单。
Now, speaking of being at the counter, let's do a quick role play to put this into context.
现在，说到在柜台前，让我们做一个快速的角色扮演，将这融入实际情境中。
Imagine you walk into a cozy post office in Boston.
想象一下，你走进波士顿一家温馨的邮局。
I'm the postal clerk, and you want to send your beautiful candle package.
我是邮局的营业员，你想寄出你那漂亮的蜡烛包裹。
Let's see how it goes. Ready? Go. Ready.
让我们看看效果如何。准备好了吗？开始。准备好了。
Let's do this.
让我们开始吧。
Next in line, please.
请下一位排队者过来。
Hi there.
嗨，你好。
How can I help you today? Hi.
今天有什么我可以帮您的吗？嗨。
I would like to mail this package to Toronto, Canada, please.
我想把这个包裹寄到加拿大多伦多，麻烦了。
Sure thing.
当然可以。
Can you put the package on the scale for me, please? Sure.
请把包裹放在秤上好吗？好的。
Here you go.
给您。
Um, how much does it weigh?
嗯，它有多重？
All right, let's see.
好的，让我们看看。
It weighs exactly 2 .5 pounds.
它恰好重2.5磅。
Since it's over 2 pounds, it might cost a bit more for international shipping.
因为超过了2磅，国际运费可能会稍贵一些。
Would you like to send it via standard or express?
您想按普通快递还是特快寄送？
Oh, standard is fine.
哦，普通平邮就行。
How much is the shipping fee?
运费是多少？
And scene.
表演结束。
That was absolutely amazing, Amelia.
那太绝对令人惊叹了，阿米莉亚。
You handled that beautifully.
你处理得非常出色。
You used mail this package on the scale, and how much does it weigh? Perfectly.
你正确使用了“寄这个包裹”、“在秤上”以及“它有多重”，用得完美。
How did it feel?
感觉如何？
Actually, it felt much less scary once I knew the words.
实际上，一旦我知道了这些词，感觉就没那么可怕了。
But wait, Caleb, you mentioned pounds.
但是等等，凯莱布，你提到了磅。
In my country, we use kilograms and grams.
在我的国家，我们使用千克和克。
Do post offices in English -speaking countries always use pounds?
讲英语的国家的邮局总是使用磅吗？
That is a fantastic question and a major cultural difference.
那是个棒极了的问题，也是一个重大的文化差异。
In the U .S., they use the imperial system, so they weigh packages in pounds, abbreviated as LBS, and
在美国，他们使用英制单位，所以包裹以磅计重，缩写为LBS，并且
ounces, OZ.
盎司，OZ。
There are 16 ounces in a pound.
一磅有16盎司。
But in the U .K., Canada, and Australia, they use the metric system, so they will use kilograms, kg,
但在英国、加拿大和澳大利亚，他们使用公制系统，所以他们会使用千克（kg），
and grams, g.
和克（g）。
So if you are in New York, you might hear, this weighs 12 ounces.
所以如果你在纽约，你可能会听到：这重12盎司。
But if you are in London, you'll hear, this weighs 300 grams.
但如果你在伦敦，你会听到：这重300克。
It's good to be prepared for both. Wow.
对这两者都有所准备是件好事。哇。
Ounces and pounds?
盎司和磅？
I need to do some math before I go to the U .S.
去美国之前，我需要做一些数学计算。
post office.
邮政局。
Speaking of which, what if my package is too heavy?
说到这个，如果我的包裹太重了怎么办？
Is there a limit?
有限制吗？
Yes, there usually is.
是的，通常是有的。
If a package is extremely heavy, they might call it oversized or overweight.
如果包裹极其沉重，他们可能会称之为超大或超重。
But here's a secret tip for you, Amelia, especially for your online business.
不过阿米莉亚，我这里有个秘密诀窍要告诉你，特别是对于你的线上生意。
Have you ever heard of flat rate shipping?
你听说过统一费率快递吗？
Flat rate?
统一费率？
Does that mean the package has to be flat, like an envelope? Nope.
那是不是意味着包裹必须是扁平的，就像信封一样？并不是。
That's a very common misunderstanding. No.
那是一个非常常见的误解。不。
Flat here means constant or unchanging.
这里的 Flat 意思是恒定或不变的。
Flat rate means if it fits, it ships.
统一费率的意思是，只要装得下，就能寄。
The post office provides special boxes of different sizes.
邮局提供不同尺寸的专用盒子。
As long as your items fit inside that specific box, the price is the same, no matter how much it weighs.
只要你的物品能装进那个特定的盒子里，无论有多重，价格都是一样的。
Well, up to a very high limit, usually like 70 pounds.
不过，有一个非常高的上限，通常是70磅左右。
Oh, that is incredible.
噢，那真是难以置信。
So even if my candles are super heavy because of the glass jars, I would pay the same price? Exactly.
所以即使我的蜡烛因为玻璃罐而超级重，我也付一样的价格？正是如此。
It's a lifesaver for businesses shipping heavy items.
对于运输重物的商家来说，这简直是救星。
You can just ask the clerk, do you have flat rate boxes or is it cheaper to use a flat rate box?
你只需问店员，‘你们有统一费率盒吗？’或者‘用统一费率盒会更便宜吗？’
This is a great transition to some advanced vocabulary and idioms related to weight.
这是一个很好的过渡，可以引出一些与重量高级词汇和习语。
Since we are on the topic, did you know that the word weight is used in many common English idioms? Really?
既然说到这个话题，你知道 weight 这个词被用于许多常见的英语习语中吗？真的吗？
Like what?
比如什么？
I only know heavy.
我只知道 heavy。
Well, since you were so stressed about shipping these candles, once you finally drop them off at the
好吧，既然你之前为邮寄这些蜡烛感到如此焦虑，一旦你终于把它们送到了
post office and walk out, you will feel a huge sense of relief.
邮局并走出来，你就会感到无比的轻松。
In English, we say, that is a weight off my shoulders.
在英语里，我们会说，‘那真是卸下了我肩膀上的重担’。
Oh, I love that.
噢，我喜欢这句话。
A weight off my shoulders.
卸下了肩头的重担。
It perfectly describes the feeling of relief, like physical weight leaving my body. Precisely.
它完美地描述了松了一口气的感受，就像身体上的重量离开了肉体一样。一点也没错。
Another great one is worth its weight in gold.
另一个很棒的表达是‘价值等同于等重的黄金’（极其宝贵）。
If something is extremely valuable or useful, we say it is worth its weight in gold.
如果某物非常有价值或有用，我们就说它 worth its weight in gold。
For example, Amelia, your handmade lavender candles are so relaxing, they are worth their weight in gold.
例如，阿米莉亚，你手工制作的薰衣草蜡烛令人非常放松，它们简直无比珍贵。
Oh, Caleb, you are too kind.
噢，凯莱布，你太客气了。
I hope my customers think so too.
我希望我的顾客也这么想。
I am definitely going to use that idiom in my marketing now.
我现在肯定要在我的营销中使用那个习语了。
You definitely should.
你绝对应该这么做。
Now, Amelia, let's do one more quick practice.
现在，阿米莉亚，让我们再做一次快速练习。
Imagine you want to ask if the weight of the packaging materials, like the bubble wrap and the
想象一下，你想询问包装材料的重量，比如气泡膜和
cardboard box, is included in the total weight.
硬纸板盒，是否包含在总重量中。
How might you ask that?
你会怎么询问呢？
Hmm, let me try.
嗯，让我试试。
Does the weight include the box in wrapping? Bingo!
重量包括盒子和包装吗？答对了！
That is incredibly natural.
那说得极其自然地道。
In the shipping industry, we also have a technical term for the weight of an empty container or
在运输行业中，对于空容器或包装的重量，我们也有一个专业术语，
packaging, which is called tear weight.
包装，被称为皮重。
But in daily life, exactly what you said is perfect.
但在日常生活中，你刚才说的就非常完美。
Does the weight include the box?
重量包含盒子吗？
You've got this down, Amelia.
阿米莉亚，你已经完全掌握了这个。
Thank you so much, Caleb.
非常感谢你，凯莱布。
Honestly, this lesson has been worth its weight in gold.
老实说，这一课简直价值连城。
See what I did there?
明白我刚才的双关含义了吗？
Look at you using the idioms already.
瞧你，都已经开始使用习语了。
I am so proud of your progress today.
我今天为你的进步感到非常自豪。
You went from being terrified of the post office to masterfully using shipping terms.
你从害怕去邮局，变成了能娴熟地使用各种邮寄术语。
And that brings us to the end of today's main discussion.
这也标志着我们今天的主要讨论告一段落了。
Wow, time flies when you're having fun and learning.
哇，在边学边玩的时候，时间真过得飞快。
Can we do a quick recap for the listeners? Absolutely.
我们能为听众 做个简短的回顾吗？当然可以。
Today, we learned some incredibly useful points.
今天，我们学习了一些极其实用的要点。
First, remember the difference between the verb weigh, the action, sounds like weigh, and the noun
首先，记住动词 weigh（动作，发音像 weigh）和名词之间的区别
weight, the physical heaviness, sounds like weight.
weight（实际的重量，发音像 weight）。
Second, remember the phrase put it on the scale when placing your package.
其次，放置包裹时要记住“把它放在秤上”这句话。
Third, ask how much does it weigh or what's the weight to check the heaviness?
第三，可以通过询问“它有多重？”或“重量是多少？”来确认重量。
Fourth, look out for cultural differences, pounds in the U .S.
第四，注意文化差异，在美国用磅，
and kilograms in other countries.
而在其他国家用千克。
And finally, when you finish a stressful task, you can say, that's a weight off my shoulders.
最后，当你完成了一项高压的任务时，你可以说“我如释重负了”。
That is a perfect summary.
这是一个非常完美的总结。
To all our listeners, my challenge for you this week is to try making your own sentences using weigh
对我们所有的听众来说，我这周给你们的挑战是尝试用 weigh
and weight.
和 weight 造句。
Write them down, or even better, practice saying them out loud.
把它们写下来，或者更好的是，练习大声说出来。
That's a wonderful suggestion, Amelia.
这是一个极好的建议，阿米莉亚。
Thank you so much for joining us today and sharing your candle journey.
非常感谢你今天加入我们并分享你的蜡烛创业历程。
Best of luck with your shipping.
祝你的运输一切顺利。
And to our listeners, if you enjoyed today's episode, please consider joining our TalkCast
各位听众，如果您喜欢今天的节目，请考虑加入我们的 TalkCast
membership for exclusive learning materials.
会员以获取独家学习资料。
Subscribe to our show and share it with your friends.
订阅我们的节目并与你的朋友分享。
Your support means the world to us.
您的支持对我们至关重要。
Yes, please subscribe and leave a comment.
是的，请订阅并留下评论。
We would love to hear from you.
我们非常乐意听到您的声音。
Tell us in the comments, what is your biggest challenge when speaking English in public?
在评论区告诉我们，你在公众场合说英语时最大的挑战是什么？
We might just make it the topic of our next episode.
我们可能就会把它作为我们下一期的话题。
Until next time, keep practicing, keep speaking, and have a wonderful day.
下期见，坚持练习，坚持开口，祝您度过美好的一天。
Bye -bye.
再见。
Bye, everyone.
再见，大家。
Happy shipping.
祝您发货愉快。
