「農曆」七月一到，家家戶戶都會開始祭拜「好兄弟」，
擺設「供品」、燒「香」和「紙錢」，
也有許多的「禁忌」要注意‧‧‧‧‧‧
這些民俗傳統你可能很熟悉，但英文該怎麼說呢？
VoiceTube 教你如何向老外介紹「鬼月」！
The 7th month on Lunar Calendar is known as “Ghost Month” in Taiwan. On 7/1, the gate to the Underworld will be opened at 11 PM and all of the ghosts and spirits will rush to the world of the living.
在台灣，農曆七月稱為「鬼月」。7月1號晚上11點時，陰間大門會敞開，所有的鬼魂會蜂湧進人間。
Lunar Calendar 農曆
lunar 是「月亮相關的」的意思。
Even during total lunar eclipse, the lunar disk is not completely dark.
即使是在月全蝕期間，月球表面也不是完全黑暗的。
Ghost Month 鬼月
the gate to Underworld 鬼門
People honor their ancestor with offerings of food, drinks, and fruits during Ghost Month. Besides, we light incense and burn praying cash for those spirits. Praying cash is their currency in the Underworld.
鬼月時人們會以食物、飲料和水果祭拜祖先，另外我們也會點線香和燒紙錢給鬼魂，他們在陰間可以使用這種貨幣。
ancestor 祖先
Tom’s ancestors came to America during the 1800s.
Tom 的祖先在80年代來到美國。
offering 祭品、供品
incense 線香
praying cash 紙錢
currency 貨幣
Furs were once traded as currency.
毛皮有一度做為交易用的貨幣。
“Hungry Ghost Festival” is on the 15th day of Ghost Month. This is when “Zhongyuan Pudu” is held in temples all over Taiwan, offering feasts and entertainment to the wandering ghosts.
鬼月15號是「中元節」，在這天前後全台灣的廟宇會舉辦「中元普渡」，擺設筵席、提供食物和娛樂給孤魂野鬼們。
Hungry Ghost Festival 中元節
temple 廟宇
Devotees flock to the temples to perform the ritual.
信徒湧入廟宇進行儀式。
Zhongyuan Pudu 中元普渡
wandering 遊蕩的
In addition, families and companies also make offerings to the wandering ghost. It’s believed that people are supposed to please ghosts so that they won’t be harassed. Offerings are placed on tables outside of the house, in case the ghosts and spirits enter their homes.
除此之外，一般家庭和公司也會提供供品給孤魂野鬼。人們普遍相信應該要取悅這些鬼魂，他們才不會騷擾人。供品通常放在屋外的桌子上，以防鬼魂進入家裡。
please 取悅
He arranged a luxurious trip to please his son.
他安排了一次奢華的旅行好讓兒子高興。
harass 騷擾
If someone is being harassed at work because of their sexuality, they should contact the police.
如果有人因為性傾向而在職場上被騷擾，他可以聯繫警察。
in case (that) 以防萬一
We put on thick coats in case it’s cold outside.
我們穿上厚大衣以防萬一外面很冷。
taboo 禁忌
Talking about sex is a taboo in traditional society.
談論性在傳統社會是禁忌。
good brothers 好兄弟
According to the tradition, it’s not appropriate to have weddings or travel plans during this month. Besides, you should avoid whistling because it could attract ghost to your home, which is dangerous. You had better not go swimming because you could be drown by ghosts in water.
根據傳統，這個月並不適合舉行婚禮或出門旅行。另外，應該要避免吹口哨，因為口哨會吸引鬼跟著回家。你也最好不要去游泳，因為水鬼可能會害你溺水。
appropriate 適合
This isn’t the appropriate time to discuss this.
現在不是適合討論這個的時間。
whistle 吹口哨
drown 溺水
Three fishermen were drowned when their boat sank.
三個漁民在沉船時溺水。
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文/ Ruby Lu
圖/ Canva CC license
作者簡介/ VoiceTube 看影片學英語
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