英文導覽,如鑽石般美麗的歐洲古城布拉格

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布拉格(Prague)是捷克共和國(Czech Republic)的首都(capital),也是舊時波希米亞(Bohemia)的古都。它是歐洲最迷人的城市之一,有句俗話說,如果歐洲城市是條項鍊,布拉格就是珍珠之間的鑽石。以下文章就來帶你探訪美麗的布拉格吧!

Located in the heart of Central Europe, Prague was spared much of the destruction of WWII. Consequently, many impressive structures survive there today. Standing at the highest point of the left bank of the Vltava, Prague Castle, the world’s largest, offers gorgeous views of the red-tiled roofs and golden towers below. The Charles Bridge, which connects Old Town with the Lesser Quarter, is a bustling, colorful place filled with musicians, painters and vendors.

位於中歐的心臟地帶,布拉格所幸未受二次世界大戰猛烈摧殘,因此許多令人嘆為觀止的建築屹立至今。坐落於烏塔瓦河左岸最高處的布拉格城堡是世界最大的,有絕佳視野可飽覽腳下的紅瓦屋頂和金色塔樓。連接舊城和小區的查爾斯大橋,是個熙來攘往、多采多姿的地方,到處都見得到音樂家、畫家和攤販。

Long a European cultural center, Prague is home to countless museums, galleries, concert halls and cinemas. For music lovers, attending a performance at the Estates Theater—where the premiere of Mozart’s opera Don Giovanni was held in 1787—is a must. And lovers of literature won’t want to miss Franz Kafka’s house, which is now a museum. Born and raised in Prague, the famous author had this to say about his hometown: “Prague never lets you go—this dear little mother has sharp claws.”

長期為歐洲文化重鎮的布拉格,是無數博物館、美術館、音樂廳和戲院的所在地。音樂愛好者一定要去愛斯特劇院看場表演,那裡正是一七八七年莫札特歌劇《唐喬凡尼》首演之地。文學愛好者則不會想錯過現改為博物館的法蘭茲卡夫卡故居, 這位在布拉格出生、成長的知名作家曾這麼形容他的故鄉:「布拉格絕對不會放你走的,這位親愛小媽的爪子可利了。」

When it comes to transportation, Prague’s metro and tram system make getting around easy. Prague is also very walkable, and self-guided walking tours are a great way to explore the city. Just download a user-friendly Use-It map, and you’re good to go. Now all you need to do is book a flight!

說到交通運輸,布拉格的地鐵和輕軌系統可以讓人輕鬆遊遍各地。布拉格也非常適合漫步,自助徒步旅遊是探索該城的好方法。只要下載便於使用的 Use-It 地圖,你就可以上路了。現在,你只需要訂機票就行囉!

【單字字彙】

spare (v.)(使)免於遭受⋯⋯
destruction (n.) 破壞,消滅
consequently (adv.) 必然地,結果
gorgeous (a.) 燦爛的,華麗的
tile (n.) 瓦,瓷磚
premiere (n.) 初次上演
must (n.) 必做的事,不可或缺的事物
literature (n.) 文學,文學作品
get around (phr.) 到處移動
walkable (a.) 適合步行的
download (v.)(電腦)下載

【用語解說】

historical 和 historic 有何不同?
historical 純粹指「有關歷史的,基於史實的」,而 historic 則是「歷史上著名的、有重大意義的」。

● We went to see a historical play.
我們去看了一齣歷史劇。
● The town is filled with historic buildings.
這座城鎮充滿了具歷史意義的建築。

good to go 準備好了

想表達「準備就緒,做好準備」,除了最基本的 be ready for sth.,也可說 be good to go,尤指「準備好要出發前往某地」。

A: Are you all packed for the camping trip?
這次露營的東西你都打包好了嗎?
B: Yep. I’m good to go.
有啊。我都準備好了。

本文取材自《一生必去的世界都市:EZ TALK 總編嚴選特刊 (1書1 MP3)

圖片來源:pixabay