原来老外用“香草vanilla”来形容普通、无趣的事丨BBC听英语

内容简介

“Vanilla（香草）” 很普通吗？如果你喜欢冰淇淋，“vanilla 口味” 是个很不错的选择！但如果一部手机、一辆车或一个人是 “vanilla”，那意思可就不同了。听菲菲和 Rob 的对话，学习 “vanilla” 的另一个意思。

Feifei
大家好，欢迎收听 BBC英语教学的 “地道英语” 节目。我是冯菲菲。

Rob
…and hello, I’m Rob.

Feifei
It’s very hot today, Rob. What a good idea to present this programme outside in the lovely sunny weather!

Rob
Oh! Yes, it is – and what a great suggestion that I buy you an ice cream!

Feifei
Thanks, Rob!

Rob
Ah… so, come on then. What flavour do you want? Chocolate, strawberry, salted caramel?

Feifei
Oh, vanilla for me, please. 我最喜欢的冰淇淋口味就是 “vanilla”!

Rob
Vanilla! Oh, Feifei, that’s a bit boring… a bit ordinary!

Feifei
It’s just ice cream, Rob. 单词 “vanilla” 不仅可以指 “香草味的食品”，它还可以用来描述一个产品或服务是普通的、基本的。So, vanilla ice cream is very popular because it is delicious, but your taste in clothes is just….

Rob
…vanilla? Oh, thanks! I think we should hear some examples…

Examples
I thought his performance in the movie was very vanilla. He’s normally amazing.

I’m just looking to buy a vanilla car. Nothing fancy, no extras – just something to drive to the shops in.

I wanted to go skydiving with my friend, but he’s so vanilla he’d never do anything risky!

Feifei
这里是 BBC英语教学的 “地道英语”。以上我们给大家举例讲解了如何用 “vanilla” 来描述某个产品、服务或事情是 “普通的、基本的”。我们还可以用 “vanilla” 来形容人是 “乏味的，无趣的”。So, come on then, Rob. If my vanilla ice cream is so ‘vanilla’, what flavour are you going for?

Rob
It’s got to be salted caramel.

Feifei

That’s so vanilla! Everyone’s eating salted caramel flavoured things these days.

Rob
Well, luckily for you, I’ve forgotten to bring any money! So, no ice cream for either of us.

Feifei
Oh, well, back to work then.

Rob
That’s vanilla too. It’s such a lovely day! Shall we stay in the park a little longer?

Feifei
Yeah, good idea! See you, everyone.

Rob
Bye-bye!

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