VOA慢速英语2014 What's the Matter?

 

What's the Matter?

Now, the VOA Learning¹ English program, Words and Their Stories.

The English language has a number of hard-working words. People use these words in many different ways and in many different expressions.

One such example is the word matter. As a matter of fact, matter can mean just about anything. When talking about science, matter is the material or substance² that things are made of.

In fact, matter could be one of the most useful words in the English language. But that is just a matter of opinion. Actually, it is more than that. Matter is one of those words that matter a lot.

Let us take a minute and really get to the heart of the matter – in other words, let’s get to the most important part. Or it could be what we call a matter of principle.

Let’s say someone claims that you owe³ them $50. But you don’t. A friend might say, “Well, you could pay him the $50. It’s not that much money. Then you won’t have to hear him complain anymore. But if you do not owe him the money, do not pay him the money. It’s a matter of principle.”        

Your friend raises a good point. It’s not the amount of money that is important. It’s a matter of principle.

Now, let us get back to two more scientific meanings of matter. Scientists say that dark matter makes up most of our universe. And when people talk about gray matter, they are talking about the brain.

Be Careful How You Ask, "What's The Matter With You?"

There is another way to use the word matter. But be careful with your choice of words.

If you ask someone “What’s the matter?” it shows you are concerned about the other person. You usually ask someone “What’s the matter?” if the person looks angry or worried.

But saying, “What’s the matter with you?” has a completely⁴ different meaning. And it usually sounds rude or offensive⁵.

In fact, when you say, “What’s the matter with you?” you are not really asking what is wrong with the person. You are suggesting that the individual did something wrong or stupid. So be careful with that one!

Another expression that could sound rude is to say, “It doesn’t matter to me.” Here, it depends on the context⁶, or situation, and how you say it.

Here are two examples. Let’s say you tell someone that a friend just got a big raise at work and will be making a lot more money. That person answers with, “It doesn’t matter to me.” Here, it means⁷ he or she does not care. And it sounds rude.

But saying, “Oh, you pick where we eat dinner. It doesn’t matter to me.” does not sound rude or offensive.

In this context and tone⁸ of voice, “it doesn’t matter” shows you are easy-going⁹ and are willing¹⁰ to do what the other person wants.

No matter how you slice it … no matter how you look at it … no matter what you say … matter is a very hard-working word.

Now, it is time to take matters into your own hands. Try using these expressions with the word matter.

It’s only a matter of time before you will become an expert on the use of matter. And as for this program … this matter is closed.

1 learning   

n.学问，学识，学习；动词learn的现在分词

参考例句：

• When you are learning to ride a bicycle,you often fall off.初学骑自行车时，常会从车上掉下来。
• Learning languages isn't just a matter of remembering words.学习语言不仅仅是记些单词的事。

2 substance   

n.物质，实质，主旨

参考例句：

• There isn't anything of real substance in her book.她的书中没有任何真正实质性的内容。
• How long will the substance take to salt out?这种物质需要多长时间来盐析？

3 owe   

vt./vi.欠（债等）；感激；把……归功于某人

参考例句：

• We still owe one hundred dollars for the car.为这部车我们还欠着100美元。
• We owe it to society to make our country a better place.把国家建设得更美好是我们对社会应尽的责任。

4 completely   

adv.完全地，十分地，全然

参考例句：

• She never completely gave up hope.她从不完全放弃希望。
• I feel completely in the dark on this question.这件事使我感到茫然。

5 offensive   

adj.令人不快的，侮辱的，攻击用的；n.进攻

参考例句：

• His mode of doing business is offensive to me.他干事情的方式叫我很不喜欢。
• If all else fails,I will take the offensive.如果其他方法不行，我将采取攻势。

6 context   

n.背景，环境，上下文，语境

参考例句：

• You can always tell the meaning of a word from its context.你常可以从上下文中猜出词义来。
• This sentence does not seem to connect with the context.这个句子似乎与上下文脱节。

7 means   

n.方法，手段，折中点，物质财富

参考例句：

• That man used artful means to find out secrets.那人使用狡猾的手段获取机密。
• We must get it done by some means or other.我们总得想办法把它干完。

8 tone   

n.语气，音调，气度，色调；vt.（up）增强

参考例句：

• There was a tone of mockery in his voice.他说话的语气含有嘲笑的意味。
• Holmes used an informal,chatty tone in his essays.霍姆斯在文章中语气轻松随便。

9 easy-going   

adj.随和的；轻松的

参考例句：

• She is an easy-going girl.她是一个随和的女孩子。
• The students considered Mrs.Smith an easy-going teacher.学生们认为史密斯夫人是一位宽容随和的老师。

10 willing   

adj.愿意的，自愿的，乐意的，心甘情愿的

参考例句：

• We never lack food and clothing if we're willing to work.如果我们愿意工作,就不会缺吃少穿。
• He's quite willing to pay the price I ask.他很愿意照我的要价付钱。