Annual reviews: A formal meeting where your boss rates your work for the year—also known as the “please don't fire me” meeting.

Conversation 1

A: So, annual reviews are coming up. What do you think?

年终总结快到了，说两句啊？

B: Honestly, I’m not sure if they really matter. It’s always the same: I say I’ve done great, and they say, "Good job, here’s your bonus."

说实话，我觉得其实没什么意义。每年都是一样的：我自吹自擂完了公司表示“干得不错，奖金给你”。

A: Ha, right? It feels more like a formality than an actual review. Like, do they even remember what I did last month?

哈哈，对吧？感觉只是个形式，根本没什么实质性评估。我都怀疑他们是否记得我上个月干了什么

B: Exactly! I think it’s just a way to make us feel like we’re actually accomplishing something.

可说呢！我觉得就是一种让我们觉得一年到头干了点什么的办法而已。

Self-evaluation reports: A report where you get to brag about your achievements... and maybe hide your mistakes.

Conversation 2

C: Have you started your self-evaluation yet?

你开始写述职报告了吗？

D: Oh, please! It’s basically just an opportunity to inflate my own ego. I’ll be like, "I’ve exceeded expectations!"—even if I’ve barely made it through some days.

害！这基本就是一个自吹自擂的机会。我一般都写“我超额完成目标！”但其实有的时候都感觉挺不过去了。

C: Same! I always end up writing stuff like, “I’m constantly improving my communication skills,” when really I’ve just been replying to emails all day.

我也是！我写的是“我在不断提高沟通技巧”，其实就是整天回回邮件而已。

D: Haha, exactly! I think the real goal is to sound like we’re doing more than we actually are.

一模一样！我觉得述职报告的目的就是听起来让人觉得我们干的比实际的多。

corporate slave: This term refers to someone who is excessively overworked in a corporate environment, often to the point of feeling exploited, with little regard for their personal time, health, or well-being.

Conversation 1
A: I’ve been feeling like a corporate slave lately. Every day, it’s just endless meetings and emails.

最近我感觉自己像个牛马，每天就是无休止的会议和邮件。
B: That sounds rough! Is there any way to break the cycle or find a balance?

听起来好惨！有没有什么办法打破这种循环找到平衡呢？
A: Honestly, I’ve been trying to set boundaries, but it’s hard when the expectations are so high. It feels like the more you give, the more they take.

说实话我一直在试着设定界限，但当期望太高时，真的很难。感觉就是能者多劳。

Conversation 2
C: I know how you feel. I’ve been working nonstop lately too—my boss expects me to be available 24/7.

我懂你，最近我也一直在不停地工作，老板总是要求我随时待命。
D: It’s like we’re becoming corporate slaves, aren’t we? No time for ourselves, just constantly at the company’s beck and call.

我们越来越像牛马了，没有自己的时间，随时听公司的召唤。
C: It’s unhealthy, but sometimes it feels like there’s no way out unless we start setting firmer limits.

太阴间了，但有时候感觉如果不强硬点设定更明确的界限，就是死胡同。

ring in the new year: meaning to celebrate or welcome the new year, often with festivities or special traditions. It’s commonly used to refer to how people mark the transition from the old year to the new one.

Conversation 1

A: I’m excited to ring in the new year with a fireworks display!

我很期待迎接新年，打算看烟花表演！
B: That sounds fun! I think I’ll ring in the new year with a cozy dinner and some good music.

听起来很有趣！我打算和家人一起吃顿温馨的晚餐，放些好听的音乐。
A: Sometimes it’s the simple things that make New Year’s Eve memorable.
有时候，简单的庆祝方式才是让更让跨年夜难忘。

Conversation 2

C: I’m thinking of ringing in the new year with a trip to the mountains.

我在考虑去山区旅行来迎接新年。
D: That sounds amazing! I think I’ll ring in the new year by staying local and having a small gathering with close friends.

听起来好酷！我打算在老家庆祝，和一些好朋友举办一个小型聚会。
C: It’s great to have different ways of celebrating—whether you’re traveling or just enjoying a cozy evening.
有不同的庆祝方式真好，不管是旅行还是享受一个温馨的晚上。

Over-the-top: This phrase describes something excessive or exaggerated, often in a way that's unnecessary or showy. It's commonly used to talk about decorations, behavior, or spending during holidays or celebrations.

Conversation 1
A: Christmas feels so different now compared to when we were kids, doesn’t it?

你有没有觉得圣诞节和我们小时候相比，真的感觉很不一样了？

B: Totally. It used to be all about family and simple joys, but now everything’s so over-the-top, like a competition to outdo everyone else.

完全同意。以前更注重家庭团聚和简单的快乐，现在一切都太夸张了，好像在比赛看谁更夸张。
A: Yeah, especially with those extravagant light displays. Sometimes I feel like the meaning of Christmas gets lost in all the excess.

是啊，特别是那些华丽的灯光秀。有时候感觉圣诞节的意义都被这些浮华淹没了。
Conversation 2
C: I miss the Christmases when we spent time baking cookies and just being together.

我怀念那些一起烤饼干、随便聚聚的圣诞节。
D: Same here. Now it’s all about over-the-top gifts and parties, but I like that some people are returning to simpler, more sustainable traditions.
我也是。现在礼物和派对都特别夸张，但也已经有人开始回归更简单、更可持续的传统方式，还不错。

defying expectations: It means going beyond what people commonly assume or breaking stereotypes. This can refer to surpassing societal norms, roles, or prejudices that limit a person's potential. 

Conversation 1

A: Zhang Weili’s win as Female Fighter of the Year is such a powerful statement. She’s showing that women can be unapologetically strong.

张伟丽被评为年度UFC最佳女拳手，真是一个有力的宣言。她展示了女性可以毫无歉意地追求强壮。

B: Absolutely. She’s defying expectations about women’s roles, especially in physically demanding sports.

完全同意。她打破了人们对女性角色的传统期待，特别是在需要身体强度的运动中。

A: Right. It’s about owning strength in every form and showing that power isn’t limited by gender.

没错。这是在展示力量的多种形式，并说明力量并不受性别限制。

Conversation 2

C: Women embracing physical strength is such a great way of defying expectations.

女性拥抱力量是挑战传统观念的一种绝佳方式。

D: Totally. Watching more women train hard, lift weights, and challenge norms is inspiring.

完全赞同。看到越来越多女性努力训练、举重、挑战规范，真的令人鼓舞。

C: It’s a great reminder that strength—physical or mental—has no gender boundaries.
这很好地提醒了我们，无论是身体还是精神上的力量，都不应有性别界限。

bundle up: practical for the colder weather, symbolizing preparation and care as temperatures drop

Conversation 1

A: Winter’s really setting in. It’s Major Snow today—did you bundle up before heading out?

冬天真的来了，今天是大雪节气——你出门前穿暖了吗？
B: I did! I even pulled out my thick scarf and gloves. Major Snow always reminds me to prepare for the deeper chill ahead.

穿了！我还特意戴上厚围巾和手套。大雪总让我想到要为更冷的天气提前准备。

A: Same here. It’s not just about staying warm but about embracing the season with the right mindset—like slowing down and enjoying hot drinks.

我也是。这不仅是为了保暖，也是一种心态，慢下来，享受热饮的温暖。
Conversation 2
C: The forecast says it’s going to snow tonight.

天气预报说今晚可能下雪。
D: Really? Time to bundle up, then! I’ll dig out my winter boots just in case.

真的吗？那得多穿点！我去把冬靴找出来以防万一。
C: Good idea. Major Snow always sneaks up on us—better to be over-prepared than underdressed.
好主意。大雪节气总是让人措手不及，穿多总比穿少强。

quality of life: discussing end-of-life care, including hospice options and personal decisions about dignity in aging

Example 1:

A: Did you hear about that famous writer’s passing? It’s so heartbreaking, but it raises questions about how we as a society handle quality of life in the later stages of life.

你听说那位著名作家去世的消息了吗？真的很让人难过，但也让人反思我们作为一个社会是如何应对人的晚年生活质量的。

B: Definitely. We need better systems in place—like making hospice care accessible and educating families about how to support a loved one’s dignity in their final days. It’s not just about medicine but about compassion.

确实。我们需要更好的制度，比如普及临终关怀服务，教育家人如何在亲人最后的日子里维护他们的尊严。这不仅是医疗问题，也是关怀问题。

A: Agreed. Policies could also focus on better training for caregivers and funding palliative care programs to ensure people have real choices at the end of their lives.

是啊。政策也应该关注更好的护理人员培训和对临终关怀项目的资助，这样人们在生命尽头才有真正的选择。

Example 2:

C: You know, I’ve been thinking about how society treats the elderly. Quality of life shouldn’t just be an individual concern.

我一直在想社会是如何对待老年人的。晚年生活质量不应该只是个人需要考虑的问题。
D: Exactly. Governments and communities could develop more programs that prioritize mental health, social connection, and proper care for seniors. It’s about making the last chapter meaningful, not just prolonged.

完全同意。政府和社区可以通过更多关注老年人心理健康、社会关系和更好的护理等方面来做出改变。关键是让生命最后的篇章有意义，而不仅仅是延长时间。
C: And encouraging conversations about these issues—so families and healthcare providers can really work together on a plan that respects the wishes of older people.
而且要鼓励更多关于这些问题的讨论，这样家庭和医护人员才能真正合作，制定尊重老年人意愿的计划。

detached from reality: describing something that is unrealistic, disconnected, or impractical compared to how things actually are in the real world.

Example 1

A: Have you seen those "domineering CEO" micro-series everyone's watching lately? 

你最近看过那些“霸总”短剧吗？大家都在讨论呢。

B: Oh, you mean those where some super-rich, overbearing executive falls for an ordinary person in the most unrealistic way. 

“霸总”？哦，你是说那些霸道总裁的故事吧？就是那种超级有钱、专横的总裁以最不现实的方式爱上一个普通人的情节。

A: Yeah! The plots are so detached from reality, it’s hard to take them seriously. 

对啊！这些剧情太脱离现实了，真是浮夸。

B: Exactly. They’re not just silly—they’re teaching young women the wrong lessons about relationships and power.

没错。这些剧情不仅傻，而且还在向年轻女性传递错误的关于爱情和权力的观念。

Example 2

C: These "domineering CEO" micro-series are getting out of hand. Every episode just feels more ridiculous than the last.

这些“霸总”短剧真的太夸张了，每一集都比上一集更荒唐。

D: I agree. The storylines are so detached from reality, and they’re setting awful expectations for relationships.

完全同意！这些情节严重脱离现实，还让人对感情产生不切实际的期待。

C: Right? They glorify controlling behavior instead of encouraging women to expect equal partnerships.

对啊！它们美化了控制欲，而不是鼓励女性去追求平等的关系。

Example 1:

A: This week has flown by! Before you know it, the weekend will be here.

B: Can’t wait! I’m ready for some relaxation.

这一周过得好快！眨眼间周末就要到了。
太好了！我已经准备好放松一下了。

Example 2:

C: Start practicing now, and before you know it, you’ll be a pro at playing guitar.

D: That’s encouraging—I’ll give it my all!

现在开始练习，很快你就会成为吉他高手。

听着真有动力——我会全力以赴！

Example 1:

A: The uproar over low-quality sanitary pads is a reminder that women need to take a stand for better health protections.

B: Totally. When we stand together, change becomes possible.

Example 2:

C: This debate should push women to take a stand and demand stricter quality control.

D: Exactly. It’s time to prioritize women’s health and safety.