【双语对话】

Taylor: Hey Coco are you okay? You don't look well.

嘿可可你还好吗？你看起来不太好。

Coco: It shows? Well, my workload has significantly increased this month. And my building just raised the rent.

表现出来了(明显吗)？我的工作量这个月增加了不少。而且我的大楼(房租)刚涨价了。

Taylor: Eh they always do that. By how much exactly? If it's a ridiculous amount, you should negotiate.

额他们总是这样。具体涨了多少？如果涨得太离谱，你应该交涉。

Coco: Yeah, I pay $1900 now for a one-bedroom with a roommate. They just increased it to $2200.

我现在租一个有室友的一室一厅一厕的房子付1900刀一个月。他们刚涨到了2200刀。

Taylor: How shameless especially during COVID when people are struggling.

真不要脸，尤其对在人们都很挣扎的疫情期间。

Coco: I don't know. Maybe I should just take it. Finding a new place and moving out gives me headache.

我不知道。也许我应该接受(涨价)。(一想到)找新住处和搬出来我头疼。

Taylor: You should negotiate with the building. State your case and make your financial difficulties clear, and they may offer a lower price to keep the old residents.

你应该和大楼交涉。说明你的情况，并清楚交代你的经济困难，他们也许汇给老住户一个低点儿的价格。

Coco: I never thought of that. I will email them tomorrow. Could you review it for me before I send it out?

我从没想过(可以这样)。我明天给他们写邮件。在我发之前你能帮我看一眼吗？

Taylor: Sure thing!

没问题！

【重点笔记】

1.significant n. 大量的，重要的，显著的

例 There is significant evidence pointing at the suspect.

有大量证据指向嫌犯。

This is my significant other.

这是我的伴侣(重要的另一人)。

I don't see a significant difference between the two.

我看不出二者间明显的区别。

2.exactly adv. 具体地，完全

例: What did you say to her exactly？

你具体对她说了什么？

That's exactly how I felt when I heard the story!

这完全就是我听到故事时的感受！

3.ridiculous adj. 离谱的

例: Don't be ridiculous! I have tolerated you enough.

别开玩笑了！我已经很迁就你了。

4.negotiate v. 协商，交涉

例: Maybe your landlord is open to negotiation?

也许你的房东愿意协商(房租)？

5.state your case 说明你的情况

例:I will state my case first, and then I am open to your ideas.

我先说明我的情况，然后你可以讲你的想法。