Illustration: Hang Dachuan/Global Times

Chat attack

bird-watching event / 观鸟活动 / (ɡuānniǎo huódònɡ)

A: I participated in a small-scale bird-watching event on Sunday. We discovered 13 different species of birds under the instructions of our guide, which are noramlly difficult to spot in city center.

我上周日参加了一个小型观鸟活动。在向导的指引下,我们发现了13种不同种类的鸟,平时在市中心很难看到。

(wǒ shànɡzhōurì cānjiāle yīɡè xiǎoxínɡ ɡuānniǎo huódònɡ. zài xiànɡdǎode zhǐyǐn xià, wǒmén fāxiànle shísānzhǒnɡ bùtónɡ zhǒnɡlèi de niǎo, pínɡshí zài shìzhōnɡxīn hěnnán kàndào.)

B: Sounds interesting, where was the location?

听上去挺有意思,地点在哪里呢？

(tīnɡshànɡqù tǐnɡyǒu yìsī, dìdiǎn zàin ǎlǐ ne?)

A: It's in the suburbs of the northeastern corner of Beijing, where the wetlands are very well-protected. It is one of the main gathering places for hundreds of species of birds in Beijing.

就在北京东北角的郊区,那里的湿地保护的非常好,是北京几百种鸟类的主要聚集地之一。

(jiùzài běijīnɡ dōnɡběijiǎo de jiāoqū, nàlǐde shīdì bǎohùde fēichánɡhǎo, shì běijīnɡ jǐbǎizhǒnɡ niǎolèide zhǔyào jùjídì zhīyī.)

B: I also want to join in next time. What should I prepare?

我下次也想参加,应该准备些什么呢？

(wǒ xiàcì yěxiǎnɡ cānjiā, yīnɡɡāi zhǔnbèixiē shénme ne?)

A The suburbs now are very cold, so remember to wear warm clothes, bring your binoculars, and be prepared for long walks. Mastering medical techniques is also very important.

郊区现在很冷,记得穿暖和的衣服、带上望远镜,做好长途步行的准备。掌握医疗技巧也非常重要。

(jiāoqū xiànzài hěnlěnɡ, jìdé chuān nuǎnhé de yīfú、dàishànɡ wànɡyuǎnjìnɡ, zuòhǎo chánɡtú bùxínɡ de zhǔnbèi. zhǎnɡwò yīliáo jìqiǎo yě fēichánɡ zhònɡyào.)