英语早间课堂:跟老外聊春节 贴春联（二）

短文回顾：The Spring Couplet, also called “couplet” or“a pair of antithetical phrases” is a special form of literature in China. The Spring Couplet is composed of two antithetical sentences on both sides of the door and a horizontal scroll bearing an inscription, usually an auspicious phrase above the gate. The sentence pasted on the right side of the door is called the first line of the couplet and the one on the left the second line. On the eve of the Spring Festival, every household will paste up on doors a spring couplet written on red paper to give a happy and prosperous atmosphere of the Festival. In the past, the Chinese usually wrote their own spring couplet with a brush or asked others to do for them, while nowadays, it is common for people to buy the printed spring couplet in the market. What's more , spring couplets which express good wishes is one of the house decorations. They are usually posted in pairs because even numbers are connected with good luck and auspiciousness in Chinese culture.

1. antithetical [ˌænti'θetikəl] adj.对偶的, 对立的

Eg . Antithetical couplet is a kind of traditional literature form, which has a long history. 对联是一种传统的文学形式，有着悠久的历史渊源。

2. horizontal [ˌhɔri'zɔntl] adj.水平的, 横的

Eg . The vertical line meets the horizontal one here. 垂直线与水平线在此相交。

3. scroll [skrəul] n.(供书写用的)羊皮纸卷, 纸卷. 画卷

Eg . My friend was much pleased with my explanation and left for home with the scroll. 我的朋友对我的解释非常的高兴，拿着画卷就离开回家了。

4. inscription [inˈskripʃən] n.铭文，碑文，题字

Eg . The ring bears an inscription. 这个戒指上刻有字。The inscription on the coin had worn away. 铸造在硬币上的文字已经磨损。

5. auspicious [ɔ:'spiʃəs] adj.吉利的, 幸运的

Eg . The publication of my first book was an auspicious beginning of my career. 我的第一本书的出版是我事业吉祥的开始。I' m pleased that you' ve made such an auspicious start to the new term. 你新学期开门红使我很高兴.

6. prosperous ['prɔspərəs] adj.繁荣的, 兴旺的

Eg . The city at one time must have been prosperous for it enjoyed a high level of civilization. 这座古城在一个时期准是很繁荣的，因为它曾享有高度文明。At no time has the country been more prosperous than at present. 我国任何时候都没有现在这样繁荣。

7. atmosphere ['ætməsfiə]

Eg . There is an atmosphere of peace and calm in the country, quite different from the atmosphere of a big city. 在乡间有一种和平宁静的气氛，和大城市的气氛截然不同。The people are in a festal atmosphere. 各族人民都沉浸在节日的气氛之中。

8. paste [peist] 裱糊,粘贴

用法(1)~ sth (on) to sth; ~ sth on (sth) 用浆糊把......贴在......上面

Eg. She pasted posters onto the wall. 她把海报贴在墙上了

用法(2)~ A and B together 用浆糊把......粘在一起

Eg .My naughty nephew pasted pieces of paper together. 我那淘气的侄儿把纸粘在一起了。

9. bear 显示(某事物); 明显地带有

Eg. The ring bears an inscription.这个戒指上刻有字. I saw a tombstone bearing the date 1602. 我见到一块刻有1602年字样的墓碑。He was badly wounded in the war and still bears the scars. 他在战争中受了重伤, 现在仍有伤疤.