和老外聊天的地道口语第131期:大自然的呻吟 自然灾害

M: the news says storms and floods have hit most of the South this summer.

L: yes. There has been tremendous damage and many people are homeless.

M: meanwhile, the northern provinces are suffering drought. It that abnormal?

L: it's a global issue, not just in China.

M: that's true. There are natural disasters in almost every part of the world every year, but this year seems to be the most disastrous year for China.

L: you said it. There have been so many reports of snowstormm floods, earthquakes, sandstorms and landslides claiming people's lives.

M: it's so heartbreaking to see people struggling for help. Have you ever experienced a flood?

L: No, I live in thw northern part of China.

M: you are very lucky. I was in Guizhou three months ago on a business trip when there was a flood.

L: it must have been terrible.

M: I have never seen so many people wandering in water up to their waists through the streets and waiting on rooftops for help.

L: wow, I can't imagine!

M: actually, I would have drowned if the rescue team had not come.

新闻说,今年夏天南方大部分省份遭遇了洪灾.
是啊.好像损失很大,好多人无家可归.
但是北方省份却遭遇了旱灾.那不是反常吗?
好多国家都这样,不单单是中国.
是啊,好像每年各个地方都会遭受自然灾害,但是今年中国遭受的自然灾害最多.
是的.每天都听到各种各样的报道,不是雪灾,就是洪水和地震,或者是沙尘暴,泥石流,很多人因此丧生.
看见很多人挣扎着喊救命,我心里特别难受.你经历过洪水灾害吗?
没有,我生活在中国的北部.
那你很幸运.三个月之前,我去贵州出差,正好赶上了发洪水.
一定很可怕吧?
是啊,从来没见过那种场面,水到腰那么深.有的人在街上,有的人站在屋顶上,到处都有人喊救命.
天啊,真的难以想象.
事实上,如果救援队不来,我可能都被淹死了.

Drought: a long period of time when there is little or no rain 久旱;灾 noun uncountable countable
two years of severe drought 两年的严重旱灾
one of the worst droughts on record 有记载以来最严重的旱灾之一

abnormal: different from what is usual or expected, especially in a way that is worrying, harmful or not wanted 不正常的;反常的,变态的;畸形的 adjective
abnormal levels of sugar in the blood 血糖值不正常
They thought his behaviour was abnormal. 他们认为他行为反常.

Heartbreaking: 令人心碎的,悲痛的
There is a heartbreaking news report about starving children. 有一则关于饥饿儿童的令人心碎的新闻报导.

You said it. There have been so many reports of snowstormm floods, earthquakes, sandstorms and landslides claiming people's lives.

"You said it"是很口语的表达,意思就是"一点没错,千真万确",相当于"I agree completely/That is very true.".

A: that was the most boring lecture I've ever heard.
B: you said it!
A: 这是我听过的最乏味的演讲.
B: 一点不假.

一般表达自然灾害或事故而引起的伤亡,都用claim,就是"夺走,夺去(生命)"的意思.

The car crash claimed three lives. 那次撞车事故导致三人死亡.