"Know your worth" means understanding your value, believing in yourself, and not letting others underestimate you. It’s a reminder to have confidence in your abilities and stand up for what you deserve.Conversation 1:Person A: I’m thinking about applying for the team leader position, but I’m not sure if I’m good enough.Person B: Of course, you are! You’ve worked hard and have great leadership skills. Know your worth and go for it!Person A: You’re right. I should believe in myself more!A: 我在考虑申请团队领导的职位，但我不确定自己够不够好。B: 当然够好！你一直很努力，还有很好的领导能力。要认识到自己的价值，勇敢去试试吧！A: 你说得对，我应该更相信自己！Conversation 2:Person A: My teacher suggested I enter the science competition, but I don’t think I can win.Person B: You never know unless you try! You’re smart and capable—know your worth and give it your best shot.Person A: Maybe you’re right. I should at least try!A: 我的老师建议我参加科学竞赛，但我觉得自己赢不了。B: 不试试怎么知道呢？你很聪明，也很有能力。要相信自己的价值，尽力去做吧！A: 也许你说得对，我至少应该试试！

to have too much on one's plate: means to have more tasks, responsibilities, or problems than one can handle. It’s often used when someone is feeling overwhelmed or stressed by all the things they need to do.Conversation 1:A: I heard you're working on a new project. How's it going?我听说你有一个新项目, 进行得怎么样？B: Honestly, it's tough. I’ve got so much going on right now. I feel like I have too much on my plate.说实话，很难。我现在有太多事情要做，感觉我的任务太重了。A: Maybe you should ask for some help or delegate some tasks.也许你应该寻求帮助或者分一些任务出去。Conversation 2:A: You look really stressed. Is everything okay?你看起来压力很大，还好吗？B: Not really. I’ve got a ton of deadlines and personal stuff going on. I just have too much on my plate right now.不太好。我有很多deadline要赶，还有一些生活琐事。现在真的有太多事情要做了。A:That sounds overwhelming. You should try to take a break and recharge.听起来都压力山大，你应该试着休息一下，恢复一下精力。

Foul Play: The act of breaking the rules in a sport or competition, especially when it is done deliberately.Conversation 1: A: “Did you see the short track speed skating race at the Asian Winter Games? There was some serious foul play during the event!”你看今天亚冬会的短道速滑比赛吗？比赛中发生了严重的犯规！B: “Yeah, I saw that! It’s crazy how the pressure of international competition can sometimes push athletes to cross the line.”看到了！真的很疯狂，国际比赛的压力有时候让运动员突破底线。A: “Exactly. While the pressure to win is intense, it’s still disappointing to see foul play. It really takes away from the spirit of the game.”没错。尽管赢的压力很大，但看到犯规还是很失望。这样会破坏比赛的精神。Conversation 2: C: “I heard about that foul during the short track speed skating race at the Asian Winter Games. It made me think—foul play just ruins the integrity of the sport.”我听说了短道速滑比赛中的犯规事件。我觉得犯规真的破坏了比赛的公正性。D: “Absolutely. In any sport, fair play should always be the priority, especially in international competitions. Winning through foul play isn’t real victory.”确实。无论什么运动，公平竞赛应该是最重要的，尤其是在国际比赛中。通过犯规赢得比赛不算真正的胜利。C: “Exactly. It’s not just about winning; it’s about respecting the game and the other athletes.”没错。比赛不仅仅是为了赢，更是为了尊重这项运动和其他选手。

Reverse Culture Shock: The feeling of disorientation or discomfort a person experiences when returning to their home country or living in a foreign country, where they are exposed to cultural norms or practices that are vastly different from what they are used to.Conversation 1A: I saw on Xiaohongshu that drinking hot water is a huge thing in China. Isn’t that fascinating?我在小红书上看到喝热水在中国真的很普遍。太有意思了B: Totally! When I first came here, it felt like reverse culture shock—everyone was so passionate about it.是的！我刚到这里的时候，感觉像是经历了一场反向文化冲击，人人都喝。A: Same here. But now I kind of like it. It's surprisingly comforting, especially in winter!我也是，不过现在我也有点喜欢了喝热水了。尤其冬天的时候，喝热水特别舒服！Conversation 2C: I learned how to cook eggs with tomatoes from Xiaohongshu. Such a simple yet iconic dish!我从小红书上学会了怎么做番茄炒蛋。这道菜简单又经典！D: Classic! But making it must’ve been a bit of a reverse culture shock, huh?确实经典！不过做这道菜时，是不是有点像经历了反向文化冲击？C: A bit, yeah! But now I can see why it’s a favorite here—it’s delicious and easy.有一点！不过现在我明白为什么它这么受欢迎了，真的又好吃又好做。

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 1A: 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 2C: 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 1A: 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 2C: 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 1A: 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 2C: 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 1A: 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 2C: 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 1A: 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 2C: 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 dropConversation 1A: 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 2C: 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。