やさしい英語会話 (217) New Year's in New York

早いもので2014年最後の更新となりました。リスナーの皆様にとって今年はどんな一年だったでしょうか。



日本の年越しと言えば、年越しそばに除夜の鐘。アメリカでは、ニューヨーク・タイムズスクエアでのカウントダウンが有名ですね。今回の会話の男女は、このカウントダウンに参加しているようです。それでは皆様、よいお年を…5…4…3…2...1!



Image credit: Phier via Wikipedia. CC BY-SA 3.0.



※パソコンのブラウザでお聞きの方は、下に表示されている緑色のプレーヤーで、セクション単位での頭出し・巻き戻しができます。

（オープニング→スロースピードの会話→解説→ナチュラルスピードの会話→エンディング）



Download MP3



スマートフォン用



（15:21　7.6MB　初級〜中級）*** It's a Good Expression ***

（今回の重要表現）



The anticipation is killing me!

= I'm really excited!

※直訳すると「期待で私は死んじゃいそう！」



This crowd sure is something!

= This crowd is really big/great!

※ここでのsomethingは「大したもの」



to fret over

〜にやきもきする（worry about）



stuff

もの



lively

にぎやかな



chilly

寒い



prospects

= opportunities, chances



to work on

〜に取り組む





*** Script ***

(Slow speed) 02:40-05:20

(Natural speed) 10:00-12:15



New Year's in New York



Situation: Michihiro and Lisa are in Times Square waiting for the ball to drop



W: Isn't this great, Michihiro? Everyone in the nation is watching Times Square, waiting for the ball to drop! The anticipation is killing me!



M: This crowd sure is something! I can't even see where it ends!



W: Yeah, there are always about 1 million or more people here.



M: One million!? Hey, I think somebody stole my wallet!



W: Oh, stop fretting over such small stuff! You're in Times Square on New Year's Eve! It's a great day to be alive, isn't it?



M: Ha ha. Yeah, it's pretty lively here. Wow, it's so chilly outside and I am sure everyone must be tired from standing for so long, but they're all so happy!



W: Of course, it's only one of the biggest celebrations of the year!



M: Is that why so many people have champagne bottles? I thought public drinking wasn't allowed?



W: It's not typically allowed, but it IS for special events like this. Everyone wants to drink to celebrate the new year. There are parties everywhere. They also brought noisemakers to party with when it hits midnight.



M: I don't think I've ever experienced something so fun!



W: Well, there's a lot to look forward to. A new year brings new prospects. Speaking of which, have you made your New Year's resolutions?



M: New Year's… resolutions?



W: It's when you make a promise to improve yourself or do some good. It can be as small as holding the door open for everyone you meet, or drinking less.



M: Oh, I know what those are. But I don't think this is the best place to promise yourself you will drink less!



W: Ha ha. That's OK. You have the rest of the year to work on it!



M: Oh, look the ball is dropping!



W: Let's count down together Michihiro! Ready?



Both: 5... 4... 3... 2... 1...!  Happy New Year! 



(Written by Glen-Andrew Beardsley)