Jay:   So, I've heard traf? c in Taiwan is a little crazy.
Catherine: I hate to say it, but that's a bit of an understatement.
Jay: Oh no, really !?
Catherine:   No, just kidding... It's actually not that bad,
especially here in Taipei.
Jay: When is it the worst?

Catherine:   During rush hours, of course.
Jay:        Thanks, good to meet you, too.
Jay:   What's best to take at those times?
Catherine:   You had a long ? ight, you must be tired.
Catherine:   Uh, doesn't matter much. You're going to be
Jay:        Yes, and the food was horrible!
waiting in line and getting squished no matter
Catherine:   what!Oh, sorry to hear that. But, don't worry! Taiwan
has plenty of great things to eat. First, let's get
Jay:   Oh, sounds great!

ay:        Great! How will we be getting there?
杰： 　　 我听说台湾的交通有点糟。
Catherine:  凯瑟琳：  喔，我实在不想说破，但这样形容有点太客气了。My car is in the parking lot, let's go this way. Let
杰：         喔， 不会吧？！me help you with your bags.
凯瑟琳：  没有啦，开玩笑的。其实没有那么严重，尤其是在台北。
杰：         什么时候情况最糟呢？
凯瑟琳：  当然是尖峰时刻啰。
杰：         这些时段搭什么交通工具最好？
凯瑟琳： 这个嘛……其实没什么差别。不管搭什么，你都得在大排
队长龙中等待，在人群中挤来挤去。
杰：         哇，听起来还“真不赖”。

单词与短语
understatement 不充分的陈述 the worst 最糟糕的
rush hour 上下班尖峰时间 to get squished 被挤扁

1.   I hate to say it …
我不想这样说……／我不想说出来……
此句通常用于要抱怨某事之前，或者宣布一件坏消息之前；但也可以用
来开玩笑，比如此对话当中的用法。
近义用语   I hate to break it to you...
我不想说破……
Sorry to inform you...
很抱歉通知你……

2.  That's a bit of an understatement.
那样说有点太客气了。
这是一个惯用的俚语，当你认为他人对于某事物的评价或描述低于实际
情况时，就可以这么说。
近义用语   Yeah, you can say that again.
是啊，你说的一点也没错。
  That's putting it lightly!
这样说有点太过了！
通运输相关用法  Saying that some Americans are overweight is a bit of
  an understatement!
有些美国人过度肥胖这个说法有点儿太客气了。
  George Bush tends to understate the need for a new
  economic plan.
布什对于新经济计划需求的说法太保守了。

3.  Uh, doesn't matter much.
Jay:        Thanks, good to meet you, too.
喔，没什么太大的差别。
Catherine:   You had a long ? ight, you must be tired.
此句通常用以表示某件事在任何情况下都不会有太大的差别，并不会造
Jay:        Yes, and the food was horrible!
成任何严重的后果；也可以用以表示深深的遗憾。
Catherine:  近义用语  It doesn't make much difference what you take.Oh, sorry to hear that. But, don't worry! Taiwan
不管你搭什么车都没什么太大的差别。
has plenty of great things to eat. First, let's get
  It doesn't really make a difference what you take.
you to the hotel.
不管你搭什么车都没什么太大的差别。
Jay:         Great! Which one you take is of little signiHow will we be getting there? ? cance.
不管你搭什么车都没什么太大的差别。
Catherine:   My car is in the parking lot, let's go this way. Let
相关用法  It doesn't matter much what I do; she doesn't love me
me help you with your bags.
  anymore.
我做什么都没有用了，因为她不再爱我了。
  At this point, it doesn't matter much if I do a good job;
  I'm already ? red.
此时不管我是否把工作做好都无所谓了，因为我已经被炒鱿
鱼了。