Neil:This is Real English from BBC Learning¹ English. I’m Neil.

Helen:嗨，大家好，我是 Helen。

Neil:Today we’re going to look at words and phrases that have recently become part of the English language.

Helen:在地道英语这个节目中，我们来一块儿学习英语中出现的新鲜词汇短语和习惯表达。那 Neil，今天我们学习的新词是什么呢？

Neil:Today’s new expression is trophy² wife.

Helen:Trophy wife，在 wife 前面加个 trophy，这是什么意思呢？

Neil:Well, we all know what wife means.

Helen:Wife 我敢肯定，人家都知道这就是妻子，老婆的意思。

Neil:And a trophy is a medal, something you can show off to your friends and family.

Helen:嗯，trophy 的意思也挺简单的，就是奖章，奖杯的意思。但是它和 wife 一起说的话，又代表什么呢?

Neil:A trophy wife is a beautiful, young wife that proves you have been successful, as a businessman, for example.

Helen:哦，我明白了。A trophy wife 就是一个年轻漂亮姑娘嫁给了一个很有钱的男人。那不就是我们常说的绑大款嘛？！那么对男人来说，这样的老婆也只不过是个花瓶罢了。那一般我们都在什么场合用这个词呢？

Neil:Well, it’s an informal word, and it is a negative thing to say about somebody.

Helen:这是个贬义词，一般用在非正式场合。

Neil:Yes. Don’t say "Ah, this is Helen. She’s my trophy wife".

Insert

A: Have you seen his wife? She’s very pretty, but she must be 20 years younger than him!

B: At least! But you know John – he’s a millionaire. He wanted a trophy wife to show off at parties, and she just wanted his money!

Neil:In the USA, many rich businessmen have trophy wives.

Helen:真的吗？在美国很多有钱的商人都有个象花瓶一样的老婆。

Neil:Yes. In Beverly Hills you need a sports car, a big house and a trophy wife.

Helen:I see. So could you see yourself having a trophy wife, then, Neil?

Neil:I don’t think so!

Helen:Why not?

Neil:I want a woman who loves me. It shouldn't matter if I’m rich or poor.

Helen:贫穷或者富有都不重要的，最重要的是拥有一个爱你的人。

Neil:Anyway, let’s recap – trophy wife – means a young, attractive wife married to a successful, rich, often older man.

Helen:那么 trophy wife 就是那些很有钱的大老板娶回家的漂亮年轻的妻子，这些有钱人一般年纪都很大。

Neil:You’ve been listening to Real English from BBC Learning English. Join us again soon for more up-to-the-minute Real English.

Helen:See you next time.

Neil:Bye.

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