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

Zoë: 欢迎收听今天的地道英语，我是刘佳。

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

Zoë: 在今天的节目里，我们一起来学习和熟悉一些现代英式英语里新出现的词汇和新说法。

Helen: English has a very large vocabulary, and new words and phrases are entering it constantly. It’s important to keep up to date with real English.

Zoë: Helen, 我们今天要学的新词是？

Helen: Today’s word is infrastructure².

Zoë: Infrastructure. 这个词的意思是？

Helen: Well, infrastructure means all the basic systems a country – or an organisation³ – needs, such as water, power supplies, roads and buildings.

Zoë: 哦，这个单词的意思就是指所有的基础设施或者系统，比如说一个国家中的能源还有水力，道路，或者建筑。

Helen: That’s it. In most of Europe and the USA, the infrastructure is very good. You have excellent roads and trains. You have a choice of power supplies and good water.

Zoë: 那在其他国家呢？

Helen: Well, many countries – in Africa for example – are still developing and don’t have very infrastructure.

Zoë: 原来是这样。所以，你可以说 the infrastructure is not good in Africa.

Example:

A: So, are we going to build the new factory in Bolivia or Brazil?

B: I think it should be in Brazil. The infrastructure is better.

Helen: So, do you think the infrastructure is good in China?

Zoë: It is getting better. The infrastructure is improving all the time.

Helen: That’s very good news.

Zoë: Yes, it is. We now have better roads and schools.

Helen: In Europe the infrastructure is very good. They have excellent roads, good train systems, good public hospitals and schools.

Zoë: Yes, I have heard that.

Helen: It’s time for us to recap, so what does infrastructure mean?

Zoë: Infrastructure 指的就是一个国家的基础设施，比如说水资源，道路交通建设，或者是建筑。

Helen: You’ve been listening to Real English from BBC Learning English. Bye for now.

Zoë: See you next time.