Donny在北京学汉语，他的中国朋友要是遇到了不知道用美语怎么说的词，就会来请教他。今天是吴琼要问的：菜鸟。

WQ: Donny! 我买了最新的 iPhone耶！

Donny: Wow, you got the latest iPhone? How do you like it?

WQ: 很喜欢啊！就是不太会用。我还是个菜鸟。咦？菜鸟英文怎么说？

Donny: 菜鸟的英文是 newbie.

WQ: Newbie? New是新的，所以newbie就是菜鸟的意思。

Donny: That's right. But don't worry. Everyone has to start out as a newbie.

WQ: 我需要有个人指点我一下， give me...eh....give me....

Donny: A few pointers?

WQ: 没错，就是这个词。pointer is spelled p-o-i-n-t-e-r, pointer 是指点，建议的意思。I need someone to give me a few pointers on how to find the coolest iPhone apps. 我想知道怎么去找最酷的iPhone应用。

Donny: I have an iPhone. I can show you the ropes.

WQ: 你就有iPhone?太好了。不过，你刚刚说 You can show me the ropes. 意思是你可以教我对不对？

Donny: You guessed right! To show someone the ropes means to explain to someone how to do a job or activity.

WQ: 可是，这跟 rope 绳子又有什么关系呢？

Donny: A long time ago sailors had to learn how to control the ropes to set sail. Learning the ropes was a beginner's lesson for sailors. So to show someone the ropes means to show someone the basics of doing something.

WQ: 我明白了，以前新水手第一个要学会的就是如何操控绳子。所以，to show someone the ropes 就是教导新手做某件事情。

Donny: Yup! OK, now let's see what you've learned today.

WQ: 第一，菜鸟叫 newbie;

第二，指点某人是 to give somebody a few pointers;

第三，教初学者做某事可以说 to show someone the ropes!