Chat attack

minor 

未成年人

(wèichénɡnián rén) 

A: Every time I see news about minors committing crimes, it really makes my heart hurt.

每次看到青少年犯罪的新闻,我都会觉得很痛心。

(měicì kàndào qīnɡshǎonián fànzuì de xīnwén, wǒ dōuhuì juédé hěn tònɡxīn.)

B: Are you talking about that horrible case in Dalian?  I wish they could severely punish the murderer.  

你是说大连的那起惨案吗？希望能够严惩凶手。

(nǐ shìshuō dàlián de nàqǐ cǎnànma? xīwànɡ nénɡɡòu yánchénɡ xiōnɡshǒu.)

A: The internet is talking about whether or not they should lower the age of criminal responsibility for minors. I personally think there is a need. If we do not strengthen the law soon, this could easily become a serious social danger. 

最近网上在讨论是否要降低未成年人刑事责任年龄。我个人觉得有必要。如果不加强立法, 很容易成为社会隐患。

(zuìjìn wǎnɡshànɡ zàitǎolùn shìfǒu yào jiànɡdī wèichénɡnián rén xínɡshìzérèn niánlínɡ. wǒ ɡèrén juédé yǒubìyào. rúɡuǒ bù jiāqiánɡ lìfǎ, hěn rónɡyì chénɡwéi shèhuì yǐnhuàn.)

B: Yeah. Sometimes, these young children are as cold-blooded as adult criminals. Family is one reason, but I feel that possibly they are born with a tendency toward breaking the law. 

是啊。有时候这些青少年和成年罪犯一样冷血。家庭是一部分原因, 但我觉得他们先天或许就有犯罪倾向。

(shìa. yǒushíhòu zhèxiē qīnɡshǎonián hé chénɡnián zuìfàn yīyànɡ lěnɡxuè. jiātínɡ shì yībùfēn yuányīn, dàn wǒ juédé tāmén xiāntiān huòxǔ jiùyǒu fànzuì qīnɡxiànɡ.)

Illustration: Xia Qing/GT