Everyday Sentence-0904

You may not like him, but you have got to admire his persistence. 
你可以不喜欢他，但不能不佩服他的坚忍不拔。

1.语法：

这个是由but连接的两个句子，表示转折，这里的but和之前一句"He seems never to know what tiredness is, and he's really an eager beaver"的and一样不可以漏掉哦

have got to do=have to do，是"必须去做"的意思，记住这个短语跟的是动词原型就行

persistence是名词"坚持不懈"，名词前加上one's来表示"某人所拥有的什么东西"是常见用法，而它们所组成的整体是名词结构（就是还可以看作是名词）。所以这里的his persistence就是"他所拥有的坚持不懈（的精神）"的意思啦

2.句子意思：

may 表示语气很弱的"可能"，说话者也不肯定对方是不是不喜欢"他"，而只是要表达"你可以不喜欢"的意思罢了，所以用may。（By the way：要注意猜测意味非常浓的must用在这种结构上时，并不表示猜测的意思哦，例如you must not like him，就是"你一定不能喜欢他"啦，注意分清楚）

admire是一个及物动词，后面就直接跟"his persistence"这个名词结构，表示"佩服他的坚持不解的精神"

还有个要注意的地方，用but作为连词的时候，句子强调的都是but后面所接的部分哦，所以这句话的重点是"他坚韧不拔的精神很值得敬佩"，而不是"你喜不喜欢他"。

这句话在赞扬某个人的坚韧不拔的精神时可以用，加上"you may not like him"，有种加强语气的味道（即使你不喜欢他，但你还是要佩服这个人，就说明这个人真的有值得敬佩的地方^_^）。

---讲解者：hyymaggie  查看更多详解》》》

You have to balance the advantages of living in a big city against the disadvantages. 
你必须权衡生活在大城市的利与弊。

balance:平衡
balance the advantages against disadvantages:平衡利弊
这个词组用途比较广。
对于本句，只要把需要权衡的东西用英语替换living in a big city 就可以更广泛的适用于各种语境 ，例如：You have to balance the advantages of studying abroad against the disadvantages. 你必须权衡出国留学的利与弊。

---讲解者： pat0331  查看更多详解》》》

He always put the interests of others before his own.  
他总是把别人的利益放在第一位。 

put the interest of...把...的利益放在，用的是put，interest 可以解释为"兴趣，利益，或者是利息"。

这句话一般出现在那些一直在做好人好事的人身上，比如有人一直在为别人考虑，做别人的事情考虑周到，或者把集体的利益放在首位，这样的人都应该可以用这句话来形容。希望大家都能做这样的人。

一词多义

interest
n.
兴趣; 趣味; 关心; 注意
感兴趣的事, 爱好

interests[常用复]利益; 利害关系; 权利; 股权
重要性; 影响; 势力
利息; 息金
行业, 同业者

find no interest in such things
对这样的事不感兴趣

a question of common interest
共同关心的问题

have an interest in a business
在某企业中享有股权

the public interests
公共利益

a matter of considerable interest
相当重要的事情

have interest with sb.
对某人产生影响

annual interest
年利pay 5

percent interest on a loan
借款付五分息

the shipping interest
航运界

She has two great interests: music and painting.
她有两大爱好:音乐和绘画。

She returned our favour with interest.
她加倍地报答我们的恩惠。

He obtained a government position through interest with a cabinet minister.
他靠内阁中一部长的力量而谋得一公职。

习惯用语：

draw interest 产生利息; 提供利息
bear interest 产生利息; 提供利息
give back with interest 连利息一起偿还某人; 加重回敬某人; 加倍还击某人
give back to sb. with interest 连利息一起偿还某人; 加重回敬某人; 加倍还击某人
have an interest in 对...有兴趣[关心] 在...中有股份、权益等
have no interest for 对...没有兴趣
have no interest to 对...没有兴趣
hold sb.'s interest 吸引住某人的兴趣
in the interest(s) of 为...利益; 为...起见, 对...有利
life interest (死后不得转移的)终身财产所有权
lose interest 不再感兴趣; 不再引起兴趣
make interest with sb. (因利害关系)对某人施加影响
show (an) interest in 对...表示关心 (有兴趣)
sink one's own interests 不考虑自已的利益, 不顾个人得失
take (an) interest in 对...感兴趣
have no interest in 对...不[不太]感兴趣
feel no interest in 对...不[不太]感兴趣
take no interest in 对...不[不太]感兴趣
have not much interest in 对...不[不太]感兴趣
feel not much interest in 对...不[不太]感兴趣
take not much interest in 对...不[不太]感兴趣
vested interests 依法享有的利益, 既得利益 既得利益集团
with interest 有兴趣地, 津津有味地; 附加利益; 加重地, 加倍地
interest sb. in sth. 使某人注意, 关心或参入某事; 使某人对某事感兴趣

---讲解者：jeffy0121 伊水心 查看更多详解》》》

He is blind to the probable results of his behavior. 
他不知道他的行为会造成什么后果。

1.be blind to： 对…视而不见，忽视
通常用在表达无视某事会引起不好的结果，如句子：
To be blind to this point will lead to the gravest error

2.the result of  ……的结果，如句子：
Rashness is the result of ignorance

3.probable 很可能的, 大概的; 或有的，如句子：
The probable outcome of the talks is a compromise

---讲解者：louchenji  查看更多详解》》》

Don't complain without good cause.  没有充分的理由就不要抱怨。 

1.complain 指抱怨，叫屈，控诉 例如：complain to sb. of sth. 向某人抱怨某事   complain about /against /of 控告，申诉

2.good cause 指充分的理由，正当的理由，表示导致某事的原因.

3.双重否定表示肯定的含义

4.用来劝告人们不要经常抱怨，要懂得珍惜.

---讲解者：AI~irene  查看更多详解》》》

We may lose a lot of support, but that's a chance we'll have to take.
我们也许会失去很多支持，但这个机会我们一定要抓住。 

句子很简单，主要情况可以用来打气，鼓励士气。当公司或者团体或者国家在关键时刻要做出决定时，我们的选择不一定是看起来最好的，但是机遇总是和风险并存。不妨说：We may lose a lot of support, but that's a chance we'll have to take.

这句话一般是领导在大会上或者是动员会上要说的话,当要作出重大决策的时候,总要考虑多方面,而这时总会有所得有所失去,在权衡利弊之后,总会得出一个好的结论,这时就可以说We may lose a lot of support, but that's a chance we'll have to take.相信自己的员工听到这样的话以后也会有无穷的动力来为公司的发展努力.

---讲解者：pat0331 jeffy0121  查看更多详解》》》

He cheered up at the thought of seeing her again. 
他一想到能再次见到她，心里就很高兴。 

★cheer up
1. sb cheer up 振作起来
2. cheer up sb 使高兴起来
e.g. Cheer up. Life is not that bad. （振作起来，生活不是那么糟。）
    He is in trouble now, and only we can help him and cheer him up.（他遇到了麻烦，只有我们才能帮他解愁。）

★at the (very) thought of.....（一）想到......
类似的有at the (very) sight of......（一）看到......
注意翻译时，将短语中名词转化为动词，符合汉语表达习惯。
e.g. He is filled with enthusiasm at the thought of the word "love". （一想到"爱情"两个字， 他的心里就会涌起一股内火。）
    The baby stopped crying at the sight of his mum. （看到妈妈，婴儿停止了哭泣。）

★原句用于表达分别许久的朋友即将再次相聚时的激动心情，更多用于恋人场合。

 

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Everyday Sentence-0903

This is an emergency. I need to get in contact with him right now. 
我有急事，我需要马上联系到他。

★ emergency
n. (C) 突然事件，紧急情况
in an emergency 在紧急情况下
adj. 应急的，紧急的，备用的
e.g.
1. The emergency service is on a 24-hour run.
应急服务24小时不间断。
2. Within minutes of the tornado happening, an emergency rescue team left the station to help.
龙卷风来袭仅几分钟，一支紧急救援队就离开兵站前去救援。

★ contact
n. 联络
to get in contact with sb 与某人取得联络
to be in contact with sb 与某人有联络
to lose contact (with sb) (与某人)失去联系
vt. 联系
to contact sb 联系某人

★ 该句用于某人有紧急情况，需要联系或求助别人。

---讲解者：apple_edu  查看更多详解》》》

The product you sent to me is not what I ordered. 
你们发给我的东西不是我订的。

该句就是主系表的句型，不过主语后面带有定语从句（you sent to me），表语部分（what I ordered）虽是个句子，相当于名词的功能，语法上称为表语从句（名词性从句中的一种）。

1. the product  （that/which）you sent to me
      先行词        关系代词省略   定语从句
当引导定语从句的关系代词在定语从句中做宾语时，可以省略关系代词。原句中省略的关系代词做动词sent的宾语，所以省略了。

2. what I ordered中的what有两个功能，即引导表语从句和在表语从句中做ordered的宾语。此句可以改写为以下定语从句结构来理解：
the product （that/which） I ordered或者
the one （that/which）I ordered

当你收到的商品与你原来订购的不一样时，可以使用此句。

---讲解者： apple_edu 　查看更多详解》》》

I'm calling about an order I placed a month ago. It hasn't arrived yet.
我打电话时想问一下我一个月前下的订单，但现在东西还没有到。

第一句是定语从句，I'm calling about an order （which）I placed a month ago.I placed a month ago.是用来修饰an order
第二句是It hasn't arrived yet. 是完成时态语句。意思是它现在还没到。

---讲解者： hang388  查看更多详解》》》

You can come over and I'll buzz you in. 
你可以过来了我会给你开门的。

"帮你开门"这个动作许多人不经思考就会说 "open the door for you"。但严格说来，"open the door for you"指的是你亲自去把门打开。现在许多公寓通常都是对讲机的按钮一按外面的门就开了，而这个"开门让访客进来"的动作英文里就叫 "buzz someone in"。为什么用 "buzz"这个字呢? 因为按按钮的时候通常可以听到"唧唧"的声音。这个声音在英文里就叫"buzz"。所以记得了，下次要帮别人开门时就可以说"I'll buzz you in."反过来如果你去拜访别人则可以说"Could you buzz me in?"。

---讲解者：wilfa  查看更多详解》》》

The car behind us really annoys me. I don't know why the driver keeps riding on the horn. 
后面那辆车真让人受不了，我不明白那司机为什么一直按喇叭。

keep doing sth.一般解释为一直做某事,这句话一般都出现在马路上，可能是乘工交车,可能是自己开始,当路上的交通开始拥挤的时候,有些司机就会按喇叭,你讨厌这种声音的时候,就可以这样说,不过最好是不要发生这样的事情.

ride on sth.
意思是"依靠某事，某东西"
eg:
He knew he had to win - his reputation was riding on it.
他知道他必须得赢，因为这关系到他的名声。
There's a lot riding on this match.
这场比赛事关重大。
这个"riding on the horn" 应该是指司机凭借着喇叭，是"利用喇叭"的意斯，即按喇叭。

---讲解者：jeffy0121 jessielan820 查看更多详解》》》

I've tried everything, but nothing's worked. I'm at the end of my rope. 
所有的方法都试过了，都没用，现在我是无计可施了。

用于对某种情况或者某个问题，尝试过多种办法依然不能解决，表达无计可施的状态。
短语：at the end of my rope 喻指江郎才尽 无计可施
例句：
After using the bench but nothing changed， the manager now is at the end of his rope.
在使用替补球员依然不见起色后，主教练现在也是无计可施。

---讲解者：chance98  查看更多详解》》》

He would rise fast in the world if he weren't such a shrinking violet. 
他要不是畏首畏尾早就出人头地了。

此句为典型的虚拟语气的用法，表示与事实相反的一种状态， 此处带有一种"恨铁不成钢"的情感。此would + v原型 + if +were/were't 句型表与事实相反的状态，有惋惜之意。

a shrinking violet:畏首畏尾的懦夫；
rise in the world ：发迹（飞黄腾达之意），有出息。

such此处是强调作用。就像"Don't be such a baby."中的such一样。

---讲解者：aaronyao  查看更多详解》》》

 

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"There" is no better than "Here"知足常乐

Many people believe that they will be happy once they arrive at some specific goal they set for themselves. However, more often than not, once you arrive " there" you will still feel dissatisfied, and move your " there" vision to yet another point in the future. By always chasing after another "there," you are never really appreciating what you already have right "here." It is important for human beings to keep soberminded about the age-old drive to look beyond the place where you now stand. On one hand, your life is enhanced by your dreams and aspirations. On the other hand, these drives can pull you farther and farther from your enjoyment of your life right now. By learning the lessons of gratitude and abundance, you can bring yourself closer to fulfilling the challenge of living in the present.
Gratitude
To be grateful means you are thankful for and appreciative of what you have and where you are on your path right now. Gratitude fills your heart with the joyful feeling and allows you to fully appreciate everything that arises on your path. As you strive to keep your focus on the present moment, you can experience the full wonder of "here."
There are many ways to cultivate gratitude. Here are just a few suggestions you may wish to try:
1. Imagine what your life would be like if you lost all that you had. This will most surely remind you of how much you do appreciate it.
2. Make a list each day of all that you are grateful for, so that you can stay conscious daily of your blessings. Do this especially when you are feeling as though you have nothing to feel grateful for. Or spend a few minutes before you go to sleep giving thanks for all that you have.
3. Spend time offering assistance to those who are less fortunate than you, so that you may gain perspective.
However you choose to learn gratitude is irrelevant. What really matters is that you create a space in your consciousness for appreciation for all that you have right now, so that you may live more joyously in your present moment.
AbundanceOne of the most common human fears is scarcity. Many people are afraid of not having enough of what they need or want, and so they are always striving to get to a point when they would finally have enough.
Alan and Linda always dreamed of living "the good life." Both from poor working-class families, they married young and set out to fulfill their mutual goal of becoming wealthy. They both worked very hard for years, amassing a small fortune, so they could move from their two-bedroom home to a palatial seven-bedroom home in the most upscale neighborhood. They focused their energies on accumulating all the things they believed signified abundance: membership in the local exclusive country club, luxury cars, designer clothing, and high-class society friends. No matter how much they accumulated, however, it never seemed to be enough. They were unable to erase the deep fear of scarcity both had acquired in childhood. They needed to learn the lesson of abundance. Then the stock market crashed in 1987, and Alan and Linda lost a considerable amount of money. A bizarre but costly lawsuit depleted another huge portion of their savings. One thing led to another, and they found themselves in a financial disaster. Assets needed to be sold, and eventually they lost the country club membership, the cars, and the house. It took several years and much hard work for Alan and Linda to land on their feet, and though they now live a life far from extravagant, they have taken stock of their lives and feel quite blessed. Only now, as they assess what they have left -- a solid, loving marriage, their health, a dependable income, and good friends -- do they realize that true abundance comes not from amassing, but rather from appreciating.
Scarcity consciousness arises as a result of the "hole-in-the-soul syndrome." This is when we attempt to fill the gaps in our inner lives with things from the outside world. But like puzzle pieces, you can't fit something in where it does not naturally belong. No amount of external objects, affection, love, or attention can ever fill an inner void. We already have enough, so we should revel in our own interior abundance.

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How to chasing a girl?

情人节刚过，你是否把玫瑰花送到她的手里，抱得美人归？还是"我本将心向明月，奈何明月照沟渠"？别气馁，下面奉上宝典，为广大男同胞们造福。别一味多愁善感，开始鼓起勇气、脚踏实地行动吧！

Every girl is different--if they were all alike, you wouldn't be interested in this one in particular, now would you? There are as many different ways to get a girl as there are girls, so let's go over some basic rules that'll win over any girl worth getting.

每个女孩都不一样，要是她们都一样的话，你肯定没理由就只对这个感兴趣，你说是吧？世上有多少女孩，咱就有多少让她们喜欢咱的招儿。我们先来缕一缕一些基本思路，然后你就能战无不胜。

Steps 步骤

1. Have your own life. 好好过自己的日子。

If you tend to fall into the "friend zone", this is especially important. Girls don't like guys who have no lives, and who cling to them like plastic wrap. Actually, some girls do like that, but usually for all the wrong reasons--either they're insecure and needy for attention, or they're control freaks who like to dominate guys. Unless you want to sign up for either of those scenarios, focus filling your time with your own friendships, interests, and goals.

这一步对"想和她先做朋友"的同胞们尤其重要。姑娘们不喜欢没有自己生活的男生，更不喜欢像塑料包装一样黏糊着她们的家伙。虽说现实中有些女孩儿喜欢被男生黏着，但她们喜欢被黏的理由都不太正常：要么就是她没安全感，需要别人的注意；要么就是控制狂，总想操纵咱老爷们。除非你想学周瑜打黄盖，她愿打你愿挨，否则你最好投入更多精力去搞好自己的友谊、兴趣和人生理想。

2. Make an impression. 留给她印象。

There's no one-size-fits-all solution here. What impresses one girl might make another roll her eyes. Your best bet is to be yourself. Demonstrate a unique skill or talent that you're proud of, something that sets you apart from the crowd. Not only will this make her feel good about you, but it can boost your confidence, too.

没有放之四海皆准的做法。也许你做的事情能让这个女孩回味，却让另一个反胃。最好的方法就是做你自己。给她瞧瞧你的绝活，或者你引以为豪的卓尔不群的才华。这可不只会叫她对你印象良好，你也会因此信心倍增。

3. Flirt. 巧妙地调情。

When you see or meet a girl you like, make brief eye contact. Smile. Strike up a casual conversation. Most importantly, relax. Don't think of her as the girl of your dreams; don't worry about what will happen if you make a bad joke, or you've got something stuck to your teeth. Enjoy interacting with this attractive, friendly girl whose path crossed yours. Live in the moment.

遇着你喜欢的女孩时，蜻蜓点水一般和她来个眼神接触。微笑。制造一个轻松的对话。最重要一点：别紧张。别把她当成你的梦中女神；别去想笑话讲冷了会怎样；哪怕牙缝里塞了东西也不要紧。重要的是享受和她，和这个与你生命产生交集而又魅力非凡的她，你来我往两相交流的过程。活在当下才是王道。

4. Talk to her. 对话。

Tell her what you really enjoy in life, what gets you excited and what you want to leap out of bed to pursue. Ask her what she really loves in life and what gets her excited. Be positive. If you have had a bad day, still greet them with pleasure and a big smile. Most importantly, listen.

告诉她你生命的热情所在，告诉她是什么事情能让你从床上一跃而起去追求。也问问她对什么感到兴奋。展示给她你积极的人生态度。即便你倒了一天霉，也要微笑豁达着面对。记住，认真地倾听她说的话。

5. Be romantic. 要浪漫。

The stereotypical icons of romance (roses, candles and chocolate) can only go so far. Think about what really gets that special someone excited. Recognize what makes her unique, and find/do things for them that only they would appreciate. What are her quirky (perhaps secret) interests, obsessions and fantasies? Whenever she's shopping, talking, or watching a movie, what makes her eyes light up? Pay attention! Being romantic means acknowledging how special a person is, and that means demonstrating that you know--better than anyone else in the world--what makes her unique.

浪漫的代表性事物都老套无比，它们（玫瑰啊、烛光啊、巧克力什么的）不会帮你在玩浪漫的路上走得更远。好好想想怎么才能真正点燃你的她。你得学会发现使她的独特之处，为她找出只有她能欣赏的东西。什么是她特别的（或者秘密的）的兴趣；什么使她着魔；什么让她成天做着白日梦？在她购物、聊天、看电影时，什么东西叫她双眼放光？你得注意这些！浪漫就是承认一个人是特别的。浪漫意味着你懂她，比别人都懂，懂她与众不同。

6. Break the touch barrier. 碰碰她，别害怕。

There are several ways to touch a girl without being sleazy. Hold her coat while she puts it on. Offer her your hand when she's stepping on an uneven surface. Hold out your elbow so she can link arms with you as you walk together. Hold out your hand so you can lead her through a crowd. Rub her hands when they're cold. These are all polite ways to get a little closer without being creepy. Still, if you see any signs of discomfort, stop! Otherwise, she'll probably enjoy the affection.

我们有很多法子能叫咱正大光明毫不猥琐的碰一个女孩。她穿衣服时，为她擎着外套；在她走颠簸路时，伸出你绅士的手；一起走时，为她留一个臂弯，这样她才好挽着你。还有，你能勇敢的牵着她在人群中开路，你能冷天帮她搓手。这些都能让你俩走得更近，却不会惹她生厌。当然了，要是察觉她对身体接触感到别扭，你还是住手为妙。否则，她就是很享受这亲密关系了。

7. Compliment her. 表扬她。

If you really like this girl, you probably appreciate a lot of things about her. Why not let her know? If anything is different or new (her hairstyle, nail polish color, shirt), make note of it. The more unique the compliment, the better received it will be, unless she's shallow. Most girls like being complimented on something that makes them distinct, not something that plenty of other girls have. If you compliment her appearance, try to be original. Better yet, compliment her personality or skills.

你若真喜欢她，你会喜欢她的许多地方，为什么不叫她知道呢？如果她有了小小的变化或新鲜之处（发型啦，指甲油啦，衬衫啦），你得夸一夸。你的赞美越独特，效果越好，除非她很肤浅。大部分女孩子都喜欢那些让他们觉着自己与众不同的赞美，而不是什么一堆一堆的女孩儿都有的特点。如果你想表扬她的外表，尽量原创。如果你会赞扬她的性格或者才能就更好了。

8. Make her laugh. 逗她开心叫她笑

Telling jokes or funny stories is the classic way to make a person laugh, but not the only one. Find out which are her favorite comedians, funny movies, or sitcoms. Watch them with her. Be bold and think of some antics that'll make her laugh. Tell her to dare you to do something, then do it (as long as it's not dangerous or illegal, of course).

讲笑话或者趣闻轶事无疑是经典的逗乐方法，不过绝不是只有这些办法。找出她最喜欢的喜剧、搞笑片或者肥皂剧，陪她看。要勇敢点，想个滑稽的动作逗她开心。让她准你做些傻事，然后当真去做（当然啦，既不能危险也不能违法~）。

9. Ask her out. 约她出来。

Invite her to go somewhere or do something with you--make sure it's something that you're both interested in. If you want, show her your world. Bring her somewhere that you feel comfortable and preferably, where you have or do something that you're proud of. Or, express interest in seeing her world. Is she a musician? Ask if you can see her perform. Is she a mathematician? Ask to read her report or thesis. Or, just go out for lunch or a cup of coffee and get to know her better.

约她一起去什么地方，或者约她和你一起做些事――确保你俩对此都有兴趣。如果你想的话，向她展示你的世界。带她去个你觉着舒服并且爱去的地方，讲给她在那里你拥有或做过的让你引以为豪的事。或者，你让她知道你对她的世界感兴趣。比方说她是个音乐家，那么你问问她许不许你去看她的演出。如果她是搞数学的，向她要她的研究报告和理论读读。或者，简单的，你只需要请她吃个晚餐喝杯咖啡什么的，这样你也能了解她多一点。

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The Lantern Festival“元宵节”佳话

The Lantern Festival or Yuanxiao Jie is a traditional Chinese festival, which is on the 15th of the first month of the Chinese New Year. The festival marks the end of the celebrations of the Chinese New Year.

Chinese started to celebrate the Lantern Festival from the Han Dynasty (206 BC - 221 AD). Like most other Chinese festivals, there is also a story behind the Festival. It is also believed that the festival has Taoist origins.

This is a festival for people having fun. On the night of the festival, people go on streets with a variety of lanterns under the full moon, watching lions or dragon dancing, playing Chinese riddles and games, and lighting up firecrackers. There is really a lot of fun for the young and the old.

Yuanxiao (glutinous rice ball) or Tangyuan is the special food for the Lantern Festival. It is believed that Yuanxiao is named after a palace maid, Yuanxiao, of Emperor Wu Di of the Han Dynasty. Yuanxiao is a kind of sweet dumpling, which is made with sticky rice flour filled with sweet stuffing.

Yuanxiao is sticky, sweet and round in shape, symbolizing family unity, completeness and happiness.

You can find Yuanxiao in oriental food stores. If you enjoy cooking, here is a recipe of Yuanxiao for you.

Ingredients

4 1/2 cups (500 g) sticky rice flour

butter 7 oz (200 g)

black sesame powder 7 oz (200 g)

sugar 8 oz (250 g)

1 tsp wine

Methods

1. Mix the butter with sesame powder, sugar and wine together. You need to heat a little bit. Make small balls about 0.3-0.4 oz (10 g)each.

2. Take 1/2 cup of sticky rice flour. Add water into the flour and make a flatten dough. Cook it in boiled water and take out until done. Let it cool down. Then put it in the rest of the sticky rice flour. Add water and knead until the dough is smooth.

3. Make the dough into small pieces about 0.3-0.4 oz (10 g) each. Make it like a ball using hands first and then make a hole in the ball like a snail. Put the sesame ball into it and close it up.

4. Cook them in boiled water. Make sure to keep stirring in one direction while cooking. When they float on the water, continue to boil for about one minute using less heat.

"灯节"或者叫做"元宵节"是中国的传统佳节，在每年的农历正月十五这一天庆祝。元宵节的到来也标志着春节的结束。

元宵节的传统可以追溯到西汉时期，像其他的传统节日一样，关于元宵节也有一个美丽的传说。据说，与道家的传统有关。

按中国民间的传统，在这天上皓月高悬的夜晚，人们要点起彩灯万盏，以示庆贺。出门赏月、燃灯放焰、喜猜灯谜、共吃元宵，合家团聚、同庆佳节，其乐融融。

元宵（黏米团子）或者叫做汤圆是元宵节这一天必吃的食物。相传汉武帝时宫中有一位宫女，名叫"元宵"，长年幽于宫中，思念父母，终日以泪洗面。大臣东方朔决心帮助她，于是对汉武帝谎称，火神奉玉帝之命于正月十五火烧长安，要逃过动难，唯一的办法是让"元宵姑娘" 在正月十五这天做很多火神爱吃的汤圆，并由全体臣民张灯供奉。武帝准凑，"元宵姑娘"终于见到家人。此后，便形成了元宵节。元宵这种食物实际上是甜馅"饺子"的一种，用粘糯米和甜的馅料制成。

元宵口感粘糯，口味香甜，外观浑圆，象征着一家人团圆、美满和幸福。在一般的中国店铺都可以买到。这里就向您介绍一个做元宵的食谱：

原料：

500克黏糯米面

200克黄油

200克黑芝麻粉

250克白糖

一茶匙酒

方法：

1、将黄油、黑芝麻粉、白糖和酒混合，加热一会，搓成10克左右的小团。

2、取约100克黏糯米面，加水和成面团，放在开水中煮熟。晾凉后加入到剩余的糯米面中，揉捏到平滑。

3、将面团分成10克左右的小团，用手搓成球形，再在中间刺出一个蜗形，再把之前做好的芝麻馅填充进去。

4、在开水中煮熟，在煮的过程中要始终顺着一个方向搅拌，汤圆全部浮起在水面后小火再煮一分钟，即可。

（来源：爱词霸沙龙 英语点津姗姗编辑）

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