入夏以來,南方出現了大雨天氣,並導致了洪澇災害。長江流域更是屢現破堤險情。以往,一些城市一旦下暴雨,就會「看海」(sea view)的景觀。今年,超級厄爾尼諾(super El Nino)現象,讓越來越多的城市有了「看海」的機會。
例如,在2015年,就有媒體對這種」觀海「景象進行了報導:
In recent years, many Chinese cities, including metropolises such as Beijing and Shanghai, have frequently been flooded during the summer rains partly because of their poor drainage systems. Heavy rain means streets and communities are awash, with people joking the residents get to enjoy "sea views".
近年來,我國很多城市,包括北京、上海這樣的大城市,在夏季降雨期間頻繁出現內澇,部分原因是城市排水系統落後。強降雨導致街道和居民區被淹,人們戲稱可以「看海」。
從氣象上來說,24小時降水量(precipitation)為50毫米或以上的雨稱為「暴雨」(rainstorm/ downpour/ torrential rain)。特大暴雨是一種災害性天氣(disastrous weather),往往造成「洪澇災害」(flooding),在山區還會引發「山體滑坡」(landslide)和「泥石流」(debris flow)。Landslide(山體滑坡)是暴雨使山體不堪重負,由山體薄弱地帶斷開整體下滑,而debris flow(泥石流)是暴雨使沙土石達到水飽和,在重力的作用下液化的泥沙石向低洼處流動。
其他常見的表示雨水的詞彙還有:drizzle(毛毛雨)、shower(陣雨)、thundershower(雷陣雨)等。
對於這樣的天氣狀況,我們來看看具體的例句:
The hiking is cancelled since it's raining cats and dogs.
徒步旅行被取消了,因為下著傾盆大雨。
Because of the heavy rain, he was late for school.
由於下大雨,他上學遲到了。
I'm saying that it's pouring outside.
我是說外面在下大雨。
If it rains hard we have to put off the match.
如果下大雨,比賽只有延期。
Heavy thundery rain fell throughout Thursday.
星期四下了一整天的雷暴雨。
The climbers were trapped by a fierce storm which went on for days.
登山者被一連幾天的強風暴雨給困住了。
The River Frome had burst its banks after torrential rain.
暴雨過後弗羅姆河決堤了。
其實,最讓翻吧君印象深刻的是2011年夏天的一場暴雨。那一年的《中國日報》是這樣描述的:
An airport spokesman said the torrential downpour caused 144 flights to be canceled and 93 flights delayed for more than an hour at the Beijing Capital International Airport by 9 pm Thursday.
首都國際機場一位發言人稱,截至周四(6月27日)晚9點,這場傾盆大雨導致144架航班被取消,93架航班延誤超過一小時。
現在的北京,雨也是一直下,成為今年截止目前最大的一場雨。猶如張宇最為著名的一首歌《雨一直下》裡說的那樣,」雨一直下,氣氛不算融洽「。
確實如此,當一些句子裡出現rain的時候,會讓整個人變得不好起來:
1. It never rains but it pours
you say this when something bad that happens is followed by other bad things
當壞事接連發生的時候可以用這句表達
Tim: 「Not only did he lose his job, his car was stolen together with his laptop and iPhone
蒂姆:「他不僅丟了工作,他的車,筆記本電腦和手機都被偷了。
Charlie: 「Oh no. It never rains but it pours「。
查理:「不是吧,真是禍不單行。」
2. Rain on Someone『s Parade(also AmE):to spoil someone『s pleasure
指破壞某人的興致。
I『m having such fun, so please don『t rain on my parade。
我正享受著呢,別破壞我的興致。
3. Rain Check (AmE)
Something you say to someone when you cannot accept their invitation but would like to accept it at a later date.
當你沒法接受別人的邀請但是願意改天再約的時候可以使用這句表達。
「I『d love to go for dinner, but I can『t tonight. Can I take a rain check and get back to you?
「我很想和你一起吃晚餐,但是今天晚上不行。可以改天再約嗎?
4. Come rain or shine (also AmE):whatever happens
指無論發生了什麼
「Don『t you worry. I『ll be there for you on Thursday, come rain or shine「。
「別擔心,無論發生什麼,周四我都會去見你的。
5. Save money for a rainy day:Save money for difficult times
存錢以備不時之需
「My father always told be to save money for a rainy day. I『m so glad I took his advice.」
「我的父親總是提醒我存點錢以備不測。幸虧我聽從了他的建議。」
或許正是這樣的自然現象讓我們的語言更加豐富,也讓我們對於自然的認知更進一步。
只是,真正希望不要再下更多的雨了,不然的話,翻吧君整個人都會黴變的!