時尚雙語:辦公桌上的搶眼小植物

【中英文對照】

Nobody listens to you in the office or at home? A little potted friend will be there for you, always nodding to you with encouragement.
在辦公室或家中無人聽你傾訴嗎？有位盆栽小友會在此陪伴你，它總是頻頻點頭，給你鼓勵。

The Pekoppa toy, which looks like a small plant just starting to sprout from a pot, flutters its two leaves or bends its stem as if it is reacting to someone who is speaking nearby.
這款名爲Pekoppa的小玩具看上去像是一株剛剛從盆中冒出新芽的植物，輕輕搖擺着它的兩片嫩葉，或是彎彎莖幹，彷彿在向身邊說話的人做出迴應。

Japan's Sega Toys Co. Ltd. has already sold 50,000 of the toys over three months since it was launched in Japan in late September, company spokeswoman Minako Sakanoue said.
日本世嘉玩具有限公司發言人阪上美奈子稱，這款玩具自從在日本上市以來，三個月內已經售出五萬件。

The toy can serve as "a communication tool" for the young and old, she said.
她說，該玩具可謂老少咸宜的“溝通工具”。

"If you have no subordinates who would listen to your grumbling in the office or no children who would talk with you, Pekoppa will be by your side, gently nodding," she said.
“如果你沒有下屬在辦公室裏聽你發牢騷，或是沒有孩子與你談心，Pekoppa會陪在你身邊，溫柔地點頭示意。”她說。

Sakanoue said workers could also set the toy on their desks for encouragement as they make a sales pitch by telephone.
阪上表示，上班族也可以將它放在辦公桌上，在進行電話營銷時得到些許鼓勵。

Pekoppa, literally meaning a nodding leaf in Japanese, is priced at 2,310 yen (26 dollars).
Pekoppa在日語中意爲“點頭的葉子”，它的售價爲2,310日元（合26美元）。

The company will release flower versions, called Hanappa, in early June in Japan, for 2,625 yen each.
公司還將推出花朵版，取名爲Hanappa，售價2,625日元。

The toys use thin metal wires that move flexibly like muscles when sensing sound.
這款玩具使用了一種細金屬線，當感應到聲音時，就能像肌肉一樣靈活地彎曲扭動。

【詞彙講解】

1. potted adj. 盆栽的，瓶或罐裝的，濃縮的

Potted plants should be hardened off before planting out.
盆栽植物應經耐寒鍛鍊才能移植到室外。

2. sprout vi. 發芽，抽芽，長出

We can't use these potatoes; they've all sprouted.
這些土豆兒不能吃了, 都出芽了。

3. flutter vi. 飄動

The coloured flags are fluttering in the breeze.
彩旗在微風中飄揚。

4. subordinate adj. 級別或職位較低的，下級的

A private is subordinate to a corporal.
列兵的級別低於下士。

5. sales pitch 〈非正〉推銷員的宣傳腔調

【詞組講解】

Nobody listens to you in the office or at home? A little potted friend will be there for you, always nodding to you with encouragement.
在辦公室或家中無人聽你傾訴嗎？有位盆栽小友會在此陪伴你，它總是頻頻點頭，給你鼓勵。

nod to 表示“向……點頭”

He nodded to me in a friendly way.
他友好地向我點點頭。