My first visit to a Taiwanese night market was a big culture shock. It took place shortly after I arrived in Taiwan about five years ago, and the experience has stuck in my mind ever since. The heat, the noise, the crowds, and the peculiar odors came together to create a sensory experience that seemed to have plunged me into a totally different world. Sally, my Taiwanese friend, dragged me around from stall to stall, urging me to try this dish and that. The whole evening was pretty overwhelming, and, with my fresh-off-the-boat outlook, I had trouble taking it all in.
我第一次造訪台灣夜市是一大文化衝擊。這件事發生在大約五年前當我剛到台灣不久的時候，從那時起，那段經驗就在我腦中揮之不去。炎熱、噪音、群眾、怪異的味道混在一起，創造了一種感官經驗，似乎讓我到了完全不同的世界。我的台灣朋友 Sally 拉著我一攤一攤逛，要我試吃這個那個的。整個晚上相當震撼，再加上我初來乍到的觀點，我很難全盤接受。
As I adapted to life on this island, I came to realize what a central role night markets occupy in the local culture. I've been around the world, and I've seen similar street scenes from Bangkok to Bogota. Yet in Taiwan, night markets are a unique cultural phenomenon that embrace old traditions while providing a picture of modernity with the fast-moving and fashionably dressed young people that visit them in large numbers.
當我適應在這島國的生活，我漸漸了解夜市在傳統文化中扮演的重要角色。我曾到過世界各地，我也看過類似的街景，從曼谷到波哥大。然而在台灣，夜市是個非常獨特的文化現象，它擁抱了舊傳統，同時也提供了現代化的景象，有許多匆忙、穿著流行的年輕人穿梭其中。
Aside from a few very large sites, most night markets cover a relatively small area. Yet they offer an amazing array of food choices. If you decide to eat there, it's advisable to take your time sampling the xiaochi (little eats). Making up your mind which food stall to eat at may not be easy, so just go to one that has plenty of customers, a clear indication of good quality food. Bear in mind that you might have to endure a fair amount of waiting time in order to quieten your rumbling stomach.
除了一些很大的地點，大多數的夜市涵蓋了相對較小的範圍。然而，它們提供了驚人的食物選擇種類。如果你決定在那裡吃，建議你最好慢慢地品嚐小吃。也許要決定在哪一個小吃攤吃東西不太容易，所以只要選擇有很多顧客的攤子，就是一個美食的清楚指標。要牢記為了讓你咕嚕咕嚕叫的肚子安靜下來，你可能必須忍受相當的等待時間。
Whichever night market you visit, there are sure to be many delicious snacks to make your mouth water. Some of the more popular dishes, such as pearl milk tea and oyster omelets, can be sampled almost anywhere. For the more adventurous types, there are attention-grabbing specialties like pig's blood cake. Back on my first night market adventure, Sally had persuaded me to try a portion of "stinky tofu." I was relieved to find that it tasted a whole lot better than it smelled. Now I make a beeline for the stinky tofu seller almost every time I go. My other favorite night market specialty is a bowl of shaved ice with sliced mango and a scoop of mango ice cream. Trust me, there's no better way to cool down on one of Taiwan's sticky summer evenings.
不管你拜訪哪一個夜市，一定有許多美食讓你流口水。有一些比較受歡迎的美食，像是珍珠奶茶或蚵仔煎，幾乎哪裡都品嚐得到。對於那些比較具有冒險精神的人，還有能吸引他們注意力的特別小吃，像是豬血糕。我回想第一次夜市冒險，Sally 勸我嚐一塊「臭豆腐」。我發現它嚐起來比聞起來好太多了，讓我鬆了口氣。現在我幾乎每次到夜市都會直奔臭豆腐攤。我最愛的另一個夜市美食，就是一碗加了芒果丁和一球芒果冰淇淋的芒果剉冰。相信我，在台灣濕熱的夏季夜晚，沒有比這個更棒的消暑方式了。
There is so much more to a night market than eating. Many of them have fun games to play, such as throwing darts at balloons to win prizes. And they are fantastic places for those who are on the hunt for clothing bargains. Speaking of bargains, if you are a fan of haggling over prices, you'll definitely be in your element at a night market. Finally, when all the walking around gets too much for your poor worn-out feet, a wonderful way to end the evening is with an indulgent foot bath followed by a relaxing foot massage in a comfortable armchair. You can even specify precisely how much pressure you'd like the masseur to apply.
除了吃，夜市裡還有許多其他的東西。許多夜市有好玩的遊戲可以玩，像是擲飛鏢射氣球來贏得獎品。夜市對於那些想要找便宜衣服的人是很棒的地方。提到討價還價，如果你非常喜歡討價還價，你在夜市一定能如魚得水。最後，當走來走去讓你可憐又筋疲力竭的腳不堪負荷時，結束夜晚最好的方式，就是來個令人享受的足浴，接著坐在舒服的躺椅上，來個令人放鬆的足部按摩。你甚至可以精確地指示你想要按摩師用多少的力道。
A visit to a night market is a must on any trip to Taiwan. As far as I'm concerned, you haven't been to the real Taiwan until you've made at least one trip to a night market. Best of all, there's no need to worry about the language barrier if you can't speak Chinese. Night markets in Taiwan are becoming very tourist friendly, and there are signs and menus in different languages. Anyway, you can always resort to smiling and pointing to get what you want, and Taiwanese people will be more than happy to help you out. For the visitor from overseas who wants to acquire a deeper understanding of local culture, there's no more suitable place than a night market. Once you have gotten over the culture shock, that is.
逛夜市是到台灣旅遊的必備行程。對我而言，如果你沒有至少去逛一次夜市，等於沒有真正來過台灣。最棒的是，如果你不會講中文，也不必擔心語言隔閡。台灣的夜市逐漸變得對觀光客非常友善，有不同語言的標示和菜單。無論如何，你總是可以採取微笑的方式，和用指的來得到你想要的東西，台灣人會非常高興幫你的忙。對於來自海外、想要對台灣當地文化有更深了解的人，沒有地方比夜市更合適了。確切來說，在你克服文化衝擊之後。
- peculiar [pɪˋkjuljɚ] adj.
奇怪的
George looks very peculiar with that crazy new hairstyle.
George 頂著那頭瘋狂新髮型，看起來很奇怪。 - odor [ˋodɚ] n.
氣味，臭氣
As soon as I opened the fridge, a terrible odor of bad meat came out.
我一打開冰箱，就有一股肉壞掉的可怕氣味傳出。 - stall [stɔl] n.
攤位
My uncle bought fresh herbs from a stall in the local market.
我叔叔從當地市場的一個小攤位上買了新鮮的藥草。 - urge [ɝdʒ] v.
力勸，敦促
My parents are always urging me to make good use of my time.
我爸媽總是督促我要好好利用時間。 - urge [ɝdʒ] n.
衝動，迫切的要求
When she graduated from college, Amy felt an urge to travel and see the world.
Amy 大學畢業時，她有股衝動想去旅行、看看世界。 - outlook [ˋaʊt͵lʊk] n.
觀點，看法
Sophia has a very positive outlook on life and is always smiling and happy.
Sophia 的人生觀相當正向，她總是掛著微笑、快快樂樂的。 - adapt [əˋdæpt] v.
適應；改編，改寫
Don't worry. It won't take you long to adapt to life at your new school.
別擔心。你很快就會適應新學校的生活。
I think this film is more interesting than the novel it was adapted from.
我認為這部電影比它改編自的小說有趣。 - occupy [ˋɑkjə͵paɪ] v.
佔用（時間，空間）；佔領，佔據
All the seats in the hall were occupied, so we had to stand at the back.
大廳裡所有的座位都坐滿了，所以我們必須站在後面。
Taiwan was occupied by the Japanese from 1895 until 1945.
台灣在 1895 年至 1945 年間被日本佔領。 - embrace [ɪmˋbres] v.
欣然接受（提議等）；擁抱
Like many other countries, Taiwan has embraced many advanced technologies.
和許多其他國家一樣，台灣也採用了許多先進技術。
Joshua embraced his parents as he said goodbye to them at the airport.
Joshua 在機場跟爸媽道別時擁抱了他們。 - embrace [ɪmˋbres] n.
擁抱
Grandma always takes me in a warm embrace every time I visit her home.
我每次去奶奶家時，她總是給我一個溫暖的擁抱。 - fashionably [ˋfæʃənəblɪ] adv.
隨著流行，趕時髦地
Annika arrived at the party with her hair cut fashionably short.
Aninika 抵達派對，她的頭髮剪得很短時髦。 - fashionable [ˋfæʃənəb!] adj.
流行的，時尚的
Lots of celebrities have been seen at this fashionable restaurant recently.
這間時尚餐廳最近可以看到許多名人。 - relatively [ˋrɛlətɪvlɪ] adv.
相對地，相當
I was pleased that the injection the doctor gave me was relatively painless.
我很開心醫生打的針相對而言沒那麼疼。 - relative [ˋrɛlətɪv] adj.
相對的，比較的
Jodie was glad she had moved to the city, where the relative living standards are higher.
Jolie 很開心搬到了生活水平相對較高的城市。 - indication [͵ɪndəˋkeʃən] n.
跡象，顯示
Although Will didn't say anything, the expression on his face was a clear indication of his disappointment.
雖然 Will 什麼都沒說，但他臉上的表情清楚顯示出他的失望。 - indicate [ˋɪndə͵ket] v.
顯示，指出
The dust on the windows indicated that the house had been empty for some time.
窗戶上的灰塵顯示這間屋子已經空了一段時間。 - endure [ɪnˋdjʊr] v.
忍耐，忍受；持久，持續
While waiting for her operation, Grandma had to endure weeks of pain.
等待手術期間，奶奶必須忍受數週的疼痛。
The side effects of taking this medicine may endure for up to 24 hours.
服用這種藥的副作用可能會持續高達 24 小時。 - endurance [ɪnˋdjʊrəns] n.
忍耐
Alicia was driven beyond endurance by the terrible behavior of her young son.
Alicia 被她小兒子的惡劣行為逼得忍無可忍。 - rumble [ˋrʌmb!] v.
發出隆隆聲，發出轆轆聲
We decided to return home quickly when we heard thunder rumbling in the distance.
當我們聽到遠處雷聲隆隆，決定趕快回家。 - adventurous [ədˋvɛntʃərəs] adj.
喜歡冒險的
For those who are brave and adventurous, this new sport will be a thrilling experience.
對那些勇敢又喜歡冒險的人來說，這種新型運動會是個很刺激的體驗。 - adventure [ədˋvɛntʃɚ] n.
冒險，歷險
I am reading a novel about the adventures of four teenagers on a mysterious island.
我正在讀一本小說，書中內容是四個青少年在一個神祕島嶼上的歷險記。
Edward's love of adventure led him to travel all over the world.
Edward 對冒險的熱愛讓他走遍全世界。 - specialty [ˋspɛʃəltɪ] n.
（食物等的）一份；（一）部分
You should try the grilled fish; it's a specialty of this restaurant.
你應該試試烤魚；這是這家餐廳的特產。 - portion [ˋporʃən] n.
（食物等的）一份；（一）部分
Rather than having large meals, it's healthier to eat smaller portions more often.
比起大吃一頓餐點，少量多餐會更健康。
Cut the pizza into six pieces so that everyone gets a portion.
把披薩切成六片，這樣每個人都可以拿到一份。 - sticky [ˋstɪkɪ] adj.
（天氣）濕熱的；黏的
It was a sticky afternoon and the air conditioning had broken down, so the classroom was very uncomfortable.
這是個濕熱的午後，而且冷氣壞掉了，所以整個班級都覺得很不舒服。
The keyboard on my laptop is sticky because I spilled juice on it.
我筆電的鍵盤黏黏的，因為我把果汁灑在上面了。 - fantastic [fænˋtæstɪk] adj.
極好的；驚人的
Alice and Don had a fantastic time on their honeymoon trip to Hawaii.
Alice 和 Don 在夏威夷蜜月之旅度過了很美好的時光。
Barry told us a fantastic story about being caught by aliens, and of course nobody believed him.
Barry 告訴我們一個自己被外星人抓走的驚人故事，當然，沒有人相信他。 - bargain [ˋbɑrgɪn] n.
便宜貨；協議
At two for the price of one, the T-shirts I bought at the market were a real bargain.
我在市場用一件的價格買到兩件 T 侐，真是划算。
I struck a bargain with my sister to do her chores in return for help with my homework.
我跟我姊姊協商，她如果教我寫功課，我就幫她做家事。 - bargain [ˋbɑrgɪn] v.
討價還價，達成協議
Melissa and I had great fun bargaining with some night market vendors last night.
Melissa 跟我昨天在夜市跟一些小販討價還價，我們覺得很有趣。 - definitely [ˋdɛfənɪtlɪ] adv.
肯定地，當然
With your qualifications, you will definitely get the job if you show confidence during the interview.
以你的條件，只要你在面試中展現自信，絕對能得到工作。 - definite [ˋdɛfənɪt] adj.
明確的，肯定的
Please take your time to think about it, but I'll need a definite answer by Friday.
請花點時間好好考慮一下，但我星期五之前需要一個明確的答案。 - massage [məˋsɑʒ] n.
按摩
Linda goes to her health club every day and gets a massage there once a week.
Linda 每天都去健身俱樂部，而且一個禮拜在那邊做一次按摩。
Massage is a very effective way of relaxing muscles.
按摩眼周可以讓你痠痛的眼睛放鬆一下。 - massage [məˋsɑʒ] v.
按摩，推拿
You can relieve sore eyes by massaging the sides of your head.
按摩眼周可以讓你痠痛的眼睛放鬆一下。 - specify [ˋspɛsə͵faɪ] v.
具體說明，明確指出
The report didn't specify the precise number of people hurt in the accident.
這份報告並沒有明確指出確切的事故受傷人數。 - barrier [ˋbærɪr] n.
障礙，障礙物
We were worried about the language barrier before our trip abroad, but we had very few problems in the end.
我們出國之前很擔心語言障礙，但最後其實沒遇到什麼問題。 - acquire [əˋkwaɪr] v.
獲得，學到
Over the years, Professor Stone acquired a huge quantity of books for his private library.
這幾年，Stone 教授獲得了巨量書籍，並提供給自己的私人圖書館。 - stick in someone's mind
銘刻在（某人的）腦海裡
The last words Grandpa spoke to me before he died have always stuck in my mind.
爺爺去世前對我說的最後一番話我一直深深記著。 - plunge ... into ...
使⋯⋯陷入
The news of his father falling sick plunged Oliver into shock
爸爸生病的消息使 Oliver 陷入震驚的狀態。 - aside from
除此之外
Aside from Sarah and Jack, everyone in our class will be coming on the trip.
除了 Sarah 跟 Jack 之外，我們班上每個人都會來這次旅行。 - make up one's mind
下定決心，拿定主意
There were so many delicious dishes on the menu, and Susan just couldn't make up her mind.
菜單上有太多好吃的菜，Susan 拿不定主意。 - bear in mind
記住
If you plan to go to Thailand in July, bear in mind that it is the rainy season.
如果你計畫七月去泰國，記住那是雨季。 - speaking of
說到⋯⋯
Speaking of lunch, there's a new restaurant I'd like to try out.
說到午餐，有一間我很想試試看的餐廳。 - be in one's element
如魚得水，適得其所
Jerome swims like a fish and is in his element in a pool, a lake, or the sea.
Jerome 像條魚般地游泳，不管是在游泳池、湖裡或海裡游泳都得心應手。 - as far as ... be concerned
就⋯⋯而言
As far as I'm concerned, it doesn't matter whether you or Dad drives me to the airport.
對我來說，你或爸爸載我去機場都沒差。 - best of all
最棒的是
The hotel is clean, comfortable, and, best of all, very reasonably priced.
這個旅館很乾淨、舒服，最棒的是，價格很合理。 - resort to
依靠，訴諸於⋯⋯
To stay alive, the lost explorers resorted to eating insects they found in the forest.
為了要活命，迷路的探檢家靠吃森林裡發現的蟲撐過去。
