Todd: So, Ruthie, what did you do today?
托德：鲁斯，你今天做什么了?
Ruth: Well, I got up quite early this morning, actually, to go shopping.
鲁斯：我今天早上起得很早，然后去购物了。
Todd: Oh, yeah! (Yeah) Ooh, shopping.
托德：哦，是吗?(是啊)哦，购物!
Ruth: I really like shopping.
鲁斯：我特别喜欢购物。
Todd: That's true but you're on a budget. You're trying to save money.
托德：这是没错，可是你不是在节省开支嘛。你在存钱啊。
Ruth: I know, but is was my brother's birthday. Well, it is my brother's birthday in a week so.
鲁斯：我知道，可是我哥哥的生日快到了。我哥哥一周后过生日。
Todd: Oh, no kidding.
托德：哦，不是开玩笑吧。
Ruth: Yeah.
鲁斯：没有。
Todd: So, what did you get your brother for his birthday?
托德：那你为你哥哥买什么生日礼物了?
Ruth: Well, it was quite difficult to find something that I thought he would like, but I got him some cakes in the end, some Japanese cakes.
鲁斯：我认为很难找到他会喜欢的礼物，不过我最后给他买了蛋糕，一些日式蛋糕。
Todd: Japanese cakes?
托德：日式蛋糕?
Ruth: Yeah, they're in like a special presentation box.
鲁斯：对，蛋糕装在特别的包装盒里。
Todd: So, how are you going to get the cakes to your brother? Just through the post office?
托德：那你怎么把蛋糕给你哥哥呢?去邮局寄给他吗?
Ruth: Yes, I sent them in the post this morning.
鲁斯：对啊，我今天早上寄给他了。
Todd: Oh, did you send them express or just regular mail?
托德：哦，你寄的是快递还是平邮?
Ruth: No, regular mail because it was cheaper.
鲁斯：平邮，因为便宜。
Todd: But, don't you want it to hurry and get there for his birthday?
托德：可是你不想缩短时间，赶在他生日的时候寄到吗?
Ruth: I've got one week. I think it will get there in time.
鲁斯：我有一周的时间。我想蛋糕会及时寄到的。
Todd: So, what do you think your brother will think of the cakes?
托德：那你觉得你哥哥会怎么看那些蛋糕?
Ruth: I don't think he'll like them actually.
鲁斯：我想他不喜欢。
Todd: No?
托德：为什么?
Ruth: Well, he likes chocolate cake, and they look like they've got kind of chocolate inside but it's bean paste. I think he'll be disappointed.
鲁斯：因为他喜欢巧克力蛋糕，那些蛋糕看上去好像里面有巧克力，可是实际上那是豆沙。我想他会失望的。
Todd: So what did your brother get you for your last birthday?
托德：那之前你过生日的时候你哥哥送你什么了?
Ruth: That's a good question. He always gives me money, and he often gives me chocolate as well. He's very generous.
鲁斯：这是个好问题。他一般都给我钱，还有巧克力。他非常大方。
Todd: Actually, I'm the same way. Guys like to give money. Money is so easy. No shopping involved.
托德：实际上我也是这样的。男生都喜欢送钱当礼物。给钱很简单嘛，也不用去购物。
Ruth: It's practical, though, it's good.
鲁斯：虽然很实际，不过挺好的。
Todd: Now, I've been told that when you give money for a gift, it's actually very impolite.
托德：可是有人跟我说给钱当礼物其实非常不礼貌。
Ruth: Really?
鲁斯：真的吗?
Todd: Is that true? Yeah!
托德：真的吗?是啊!
Ruth: Why is that?
鲁斯：为什么呢?
Todd: I don't know. Some people say it's just really impersonal. That you should take the time to get a gift.
托德：我也不知道。有些人说那种做法很不礼貌。你应该花时间去买个礼物。
Ruth: Really! I really think if anybody gave me money I would be so pleased. It's a good present.
鲁斯：真的吗?可是我认为如果有人给我钱当作礼物我会很高兴的。那是个很好的礼物。
Todd: Exactly, that's what I think. (Pause) Hey, um, actually, when are you going to see your brother next?
托德：没错，我也是那么想的。(停顿了一下)嘿，你下次什么时候见你哥哥?
Ruth: Probably, I will see him in August of September.
鲁斯：大概八九月的时候吧。
Todd: Oh, that's quite a way away.
托德：哦，那还好长时间呢。
Ruth: Yes, about four months is that.
鲁斯：是啊，大概还有四个月。
Todd: So is this a younger brother or older brother?
托德：你说的是你弟弟还是哥哥?
Ruth: He's older. He's twenty-six.
鲁斯：是哥哥，他今年26岁了。
Todd: Oh, he's twenty six.
托德：哦，他26岁了。
Ruth: He's going to be twenty-six soon.
鲁斯：他马上就要26岁了。
Todd: Ok, well, if you happen to e-mail him, tell him happy birthday.
托德：好的，如果你给他发电子邮件的话，替我跟他说一声祝他生日快乐。
Ruth: Oh, certainly will do. Thanks.
鲁斯：哦，我当然会的。谢谢你。
