对话文本


L: hey Ella. I was wondering if you could do me a favor.

E: sure. What is it?

L: it's kind of a big favor. I quit my job last week and I'm hunting for a new one now. Could you introduce me to your company?

E: I'd love me, but we're not hiring at the moment. However, I will ask around in case there is one.

L: thanks. I asked for a pay rise last Friday, but my boss refused.

E: so you decided to leave?

L: yes. I really like working there, but my salary just isn't enough to cover the basics. Living expenses keep going up, but my salary stays the same. I can hardly afford food and rent.

E: I see. When is your contract up on your apartment?

L: next month. My landlady said I could either move out then or renew my contract for another 6 months.

E: I'd love to help you out, but I'm a bit short on cash this month as well. If you need you can move in with me when your contract is up. There is an extra room in my apartment.

L: that's very generous of you. I can share the meal bills.

E: it's okay. These are tough times, but I guess we'll just have to learn to live frugally.

L: definitely. That will save us a lot of money.

参考翻译


嗨,艾拉,我正想问你能不能帮我个忙?
当然了.什么事啊?
可能是个大忙.我上周把工作辞了,现在正在找工作呢,你能把我介绍到你们公司吗?
我很愿意,但是我们现在好像不招人.但我还是问问吧,说不定有空职位.
谢谢了!我上周向老板提出涨工资,但是他拒绝了.
所以你决定走人?
是的.我很喜欢在那儿工作,但是工资不够维持我的基本生活.现在生活费每天都在涨,可我的工资就是没变,几乎不够吃饭租房了.
哦,知道了.你的租房合同什么时候到期啊?
下个月.我的房东说我要么搬出去,要么再续6个月的合同.
我很想帮你,但是这个月也比较紧张.如果你觉得可以,你房子到时候到期,可以搬来和我一起住,我的公寓里还有一个空房间.
你真是太好了.我会分摊伙食费.
没关系,现在大家日子都比较艰难,我想我们还是省着点过日子吧.
是啊,那样会省很多钱的.

核心词汇词组


1.Hunt: to look for something that is difficult to find 搜寻;搜索 V ~ (for sth)

I've hunted everywhere but I can't find it. 我到处都搜遍了,就是找不到它.
She is still hunting for a new job. 她还在找新工作.

2.ask around: to speak to a number of different people in order to try and get some information 四处打听;多方询问

I don't know of any vacancies in the company but I'll ask around. 我不知道公司有没有空缺,不过我会打听打听.

3.Basics: the simplest and most important things that people need in a particular situation 基础设施;基本需要 plural

Some schools lack money for basics like books and pencils. 有些学校缺少资金购买书本、铅笔之类的基本工具.

4.Renew: to make something valid for a further period of time 使继续有效;延长…的期限 VN

to renew a licence/lease/subscription/contract 延长执照／租约的期限;续订;续签合同
How do I go about renewing my passport? 我该如何去续签护照?
I'd like to renew these library books(= arrange to borrow them for a further period of time). 我想续借这几本图书馆的书.

5.Frugal: using only as much money or food as is necessary (对金钱、食物等)节约的,节俭的

a frugal existence/life 俭朴的生活
He has always been hard-working and frugal. 他一向勤俭.

句子讲解


I'd love to help you out, but I'm a bit short on cash this month as well.

'be short on cash'就是手头紧的意思.在这里,short有"不足,短缺"之意.

Short: not having enough of something; lacking something 不足;短缺 not before noun ~ (of sth)

I'm afraid I'm a little short(= of money)this month. 这个月我恐怕手头有点紧.

She is not short of excuses when things go wrong. 事情出了差错,她老有借口.

还有一种说法是"be strapped for cash",也很常见.

I'm strapped for cash at the moment─can I pay you later? 我眼下现金紧张--以后付你可以吗?