【英语趣味课堂】泡温泉-Onsens

 Akane: Hi, Ruth!

 

Ruth: Oh, hi.

 

Akane: So, what did you do today?

 

Ruth: That's a good question. Actually, today, I went to the onsen.

 

Akane: Oh, the onsen. What's an onsen?

 

Ruth: An onsen is a public bath and people go there, basically¹ just to sit in hot water, and it's, it's a bit like a spa and it's really relaxing. You just sit there and don't do anything really because it's so warm. It's really nice.

 

Akane: Oh, OK. Well, what did you think about it?

 

Ruth: I really enjoyed myself. I'd never been to an onsen before, so today was my first experience and I am quite British and you have to go in with no clothes on so I was a little bit concerned about that, but it went OK.

 

Akane: Oh, OK. Well, are you going to tell your friends and family that you did that?

 

Ruth: Um, I think probably I will tell them, and I think they might listen to this actually, so

 

Akane: And how do you think they'll feel about that?

 

Ruth: They'll probably think it's really funny. Yeah, I think they'll laugh.

 

Akane:OK, well, actually, I've been to an onsen too before.

 

Ruth: Oh, really!

 

Akane:Yes I have. I actually, do really enjoy it. I think it's very relaxing. If you go to the big onsens, they have lots of different kinds of baths and one of them is called the "Electric Bath" and when you go into it you feel little tiny electric shocks and it's supposed to be good to increase your blood circulation², apparently³.

 

Ruth: Does it hurt?

 

Akane:When I went into that one I was very little, so I thought it hurt and I didn't really like it

 

学习内容：

 

public bath

 

An onsen is a public bath, and people go there basically just to sit in hot water. 

 

A 'public bath' is a communal⁴ place where people can go to relax in hot water. Notice the following:

 

Public baths are very popular here.

Did you go to public bath in Turkey?

spa or relaxing

 

An onsen is a bit like a spa and it's really relaxing. 

 

You go to a 'spa' to relax or get a massage⁵.  When something is 'relaxing,' it helps you reduce stress.  Notice the following:

 

For my birthday he got me a day at the spa.

A hot bath sounds really relaxing right now.

concerned about

 

You have to go in with no clothes on, so I was a little bit concerned about that. 

 

If you are 'concerned about' about something, it makes you feel a little bit worried or nervous.  Notice the following:

 

She always gets really concerned about everything when she travels.

You seem very concerned about him.

electric shocks

 

The big onsens have different kinds of bath, including one where you feel little tiny electric shocks. 

 

An 'electric shock' is like a flash of electricity into your body.  It usually doesn't hurt too bad, but scares⁶ you and makes you move away from what shocked you.  Notice the following:

 

When I use this machine, you will feel little electric shocks on your back.

The air is really dry today.  I keep getting little electric shocks when I touch things.

blood circulation

 

Apparently, the "Electric Bath" is supposed to be good to increase your blood circulation. 

 

Your 'blood circulation' is the movement of blood through your body. Notice the following:

 

This medicine will help you with blood circulation.

She has a lot of problems with blood circulation in her legs.

1 basically   

adv.基本上，从根本上说

参考例句：

• His heart is basically sound.他的心脏基本上健康。
• Basically I agree with your plan.我基本上同意你的计划。

2 circulation   

n.循环，流通，传播，发行，发行量

参考例句：

• There is a large circulation in the musical public.在音乐界销路很广。
• The ideas have been in circulation for some time.这些想法已经流行了一段时间。

3 apparently   

adv.显然地；表面上，似乎

参考例句：

• An apparently blind alley leads suddenly into an open space.山穷水尽，豁然开朗。
• He was apparently much surprised at the news.他对那个消息显然感到十分惊异。

4 communal   

adj.公有的，公共的，公社的，公社制的

参考例句：

• There was a communal toilet on the landing for the four flats.在楼梯平台上有一处公共卫生间供4套公寓使用。
• The toilets and other communal facilities were in a shocking state.厕所及其他公共设施的状况极其糟糕。

5 massage   

n.按摩，揉；vt.按摩，揉，美化，奉承，篡改数据

参考例句：

• He is really quite skilled in doing massage.他的按摩技术确实不错。
• Massage helps relieve the tension in one's muscles.按摩可使僵硬的肌肉松弛。

6 scares   

n.煤中黄铁矿薄片v.恐吓，使惊恐( scare的第三人称单数 )；受惊吓，感到害怕

参考例句：

• The horse scares easily. 马容易受惊。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• He scares people away by being so brash. 他狂妄自大把别人都吓跑了。 来自辞典例句