人生有选择，一切可改变
Having Choices in Life Makes Change Possible
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Zhai Feng decides to change his life through sailing.
41 new words
人生rénshēnglife
稳定的待遇让亲友羡慕，可两人常在下班后发愁：人生是不是只能沿着一条轨道走？
Their secure benefits made relatives envious, yet after work they often worried: was life meant to follow only one set of tracks?
工人gōngrénworker
十年前，周海和太太都在铁路上当工人。
Ten years ago, Zhou Hai and his wife were both railway workers.
稳定wěndìngstable
稳定的待遇让亲友羡慕，可两人常在下班后发愁：人生是不是只能沿着一条轨道走？
Their secure benefits made relatives envious, yet after work they often worried: was life meant to follow only one set of tracks?
待遇dàiyùpay and perks
稳定的待遇让亲友羡慕，可两人常在下班后发愁：人生是不是只能沿着一条轨道走？
Their secure benefits made relatives envious, yet after work they often worried: was life meant to follow only one set of tracks?
发愁fā chóuto worry
稳定的待遇让亲友羡慕，可两人常在下班后发愁：人生是不是只能沿着一条轨道走？
Their secure benefits made relatives envious, yet after work they often worried: was life meant to follow only one set of tracks?
平静píngjìngquiet; peaceful
他们住的海边小城很平静，只有港口的帆船一次次提醒他们，时代也许正在给人另一种未来。
Their small coastal town was calm, but the sailing boats in the harbour repeatedly suggested that the times might offer another future.
帆船fānchuánsailing boat/ship
他们住的海边小城很平静，只有港口的帆船一次次提醒他们，时代也许正在给人另一种未来。
Their small coastal town was calm, but the sailing boats in the harbour repeatedly suggested that the times might offer another future.
撞zhuàngto bump against
一次饭还没做好，炉子忽然着火；另一次下大雨，船顶漏水，海浪撞着船身，雷声在海上滚动，闪电几乎击中桅杆。
艘sōum. used for boats/ships
夫妻俩把多年的积蓄交给船商，换来一艘旧帆船；这条二手帆船名叫彩虹。
航行hángxíngto sail, to navigate by air or water
他们却说，航行并不等于逃走，而是学习驾驶自己的生活，包括承认害怕、处理麻烦和继续向前。
积蓄jīxùsavings; to save
夫妻俩把多年的积蓄交给船商，换来一艘旧帆船；这条二手帆船名叫彩虹。
二手èrshǒusecond-hand
夫妻俩把多年的积蓄交给船商，换来一艘旧帆船；这条二手帆船名叫彩虹。
彩虹cǎihóngrainbow
夫妻俩把多年的积蓄交给船商，换来一艘旧帆船；这条二手帆船名叫彩虹。
包括bāokuòto include
他们却说，航行并不等于逃走，而是学习驾驶自己的生活，包括承认害怕、处理麻烦和继续向前。
疯fēngto be crazy, to go mad
家人觉得他们疯了：小船怎么能经得住风浪？
辞职cízhíto quit a job
办妥手续后，两人辞职。
驾驶jiàshǐto drive, to pilot
他们却说，航行并不等于逃走，而是学习驾驶自己的生活，包括承认害怕、处理麻烦和继续向前。
轮流lúnliúto take turns
在海里航行时，周海负责检查帆和发动机，夫妻轮流掌舵，太太也学着钓鱼。
钓diàoto fish with a hook and line
在海里航行时，周海负责检查帆和发动机，夫妻轮流掌舵，太太也学着钓鱼。
顿dùnm. used for meals
傍晚，他们把钓到的鱼做成一顿海鲜；白天不航行时，两人各自在船上干活儿、读书或修理东西。
海鲜hǎixiānseafood
傍晚，他们把钓到的鱼做成一顿海鲜；白天不航行时，两人各自在船上干活儿、读书或修理东西。
傍晚bàngwǎntowards evening; at dusk
傍晚，他们把钓到的鱼做成一顿海鲜；白天不航行时，两人各自在船上干活儿、读书或修理东西。
舒适shūshìcomfortable, cozy
陆地远了，船舱反而显得舒适，他们盼望的不是豪华，而是能一起安排时间。
干活儿gàn huórto work
傍晚，他们把钓到的鱼做成一顿海鲜；白天不航行时，两人各自在船上干活儿、读书或修理东西。
盼望pànwàngto look forward to
陆地远了，船舱反而显得舒适，他们盼望的不是豪华，而是能一起安排时间。
陆地lùdìland
陆地远了，船舱反而显得舒适，他们盼望的不是豪华，而是能一起安排时间。
各自gèzìpron. each; respective
傍晚，他们把钓到的鱼做成一顿海鲜；白天不航行时，两人各自在船上干活儿、读书或修理东西。
勿wùadv. (used in imperative sentences) don't
仪表旁还贴着一张纸条：“勿忘检查天气。”
时刻shíkèmoment
最危险的时刻，他们会先看天气和仪表；平日也随时留心它们的变化。
着火zháo huǒto catch fire
一次饭还没做好，炉子忽然着火；另一次下大雨，船顶漏水，海浪撞着船身，雷声在海上滚动，闪电几乎击中桅杆。
漏lòu(of a container) to leak
一次饭还没做好，炉子忽然着火；另一次下大雨，船顶漏水，海浪撞着船身，雷声在海上滚动，闪电几乎击中桅杆。
雷léithunder
一次饭还没做好，炉子忽然着火；另一次下大雨，船顶漏水，海浪撞着船身，雷声在海上滚动，闪电几乎击中桅杆。
随时suíshíat any time
最危险的时刻，他们会先看天气和仪表；平日也随时留心它们的变化。
闪电shǎndiànlightning
一次饭还没做好，炉子忽然着火；另一次下大雨，船顶漏水，海浪撞着船身，雷声在海上滚动，闪电几乎击中桅杆。
击jīto hit; to strike
一次饭还没做好，炉子忽然着火；另一次下大雨，船顶漏水，海浪撞着船身，雷声在海上滚动，闪电几乎击中桅杆。
拥抱yōngbàoto hug; to embrace
遇到暴风后，夫妻会在甲板上拥抱，也会想念老家的台阶和亲人的饭菜。
海里hǎilǐsea mile
在海里航行时，周海负责检查帆和发动机，夫妻轮流掌舵，太太也学着钓鱼。
台阶táijiēflight of steps
遇到暴风后，夫妻会在甲板上拥抱，也会想念老家的台阶和亲人的饭菜。
未来wèiláifuture
他们住的海边小城很平静，只有港口的帆船一次次提醒他们，时代也许正在给人另一种未来。
Their small coastal town was calm, but the sailing boats in the harbour repeatedly suggested that the times might offer another future.
太太tàitaiwife
十年前，周海和太太都在铁路上当工人。
Ten years ago, Zhou Hai and his wife were both railway workers.
时代shídàiera; age; epoch
他们住的海边小城很平静，只有港口的帆船一次次提醒他们，时代也许正在给人另一种未来。
Their small coastal town was calm, but the sailing boats in the harbour repeatedly suggested that the times might offer another future.
Listen to the text
十年前，周海和太太都在铁路上当工人。稳定的待遇让亲友羡慕，可两人常在下班后发愁：人生是不是只能沿着一条轨道走？他们住的海边小城很平静，只有港口的帆船一次次提醒他们，时代也许正在给人另一种未来。
shí nián qián， zhōu hǎi hé tàitai dōu zài tiě lù shàng dāng gōngrén。 wěndìng de dàiyù ràng qīn yǒu xiàn mù， kě liǎng rén cháng zài xià bān hòu fā chóu： rénshēng shì bù shì zhǐ néng yán zhe yī tiáo guǐ dào zǒu？ tā men zhù de hǎi biān xiǎo chéng hěn píngjìng， zhǐ yǒu gǎng kǒu de fānchuán yī cì cì tí xǐng tā men， shídài yě xǔ zhèng zài gěi rén lìng yī zhǒng wèilái。
Ten years ago, Zhou Hai and his wife were both railway workers. Their secure benefits made relatives envious, yet after work they often worried: was life meant to follow only one set of tracks? Their small coastal town was calm, but the sailing boats in the harbour repeatedly suggested that the times might offer another future.
夫妻俩把多年的积蓄交给船商，换来一艘旧帆船；这条二手帆船名叫彩虹。办妥手续后，两人辞职。家人觉得他们疯了：小船怎么能经得住风浪？他们却说，航行并不等于逃走，而是学习驾驶自己的生活，包括承认害怕、处理麻烦和继续向前。
fū qī liǎ bǎ duō nián de jīxù jiāo gěi chuán shāng， huàn lái yī sōu jiù fānchuán； zhè tiáo èrshǒu fānchuán míng jiào cǎihóng。 bàn tuǒ shǒu xù hòu， liǎng rén cízhí。 jiā rén jué dé tā men fēng le： xiǎo chuán zěn me néng jīng dé zhù fēng làng？ tā men què shuō， hángxíng bìng bù děng yú táo zǒu， ér shì xué xí jiàshǐ zì jǐ de shēng huó， bāokuò chéng rèn hài pà、 chù lǐ má fán hé jì xù xiàng qián。
The couple gave years of savings to a boat dealer in exchange for an old sailboat. This second-hand sailboat was named Rainbow. Once the paperwork was complete, they resigned. Their family thought they had gone mad: how could such a small boat withstand the wind and waves? The couple said that sailing was not the same as running away; it meant learning to steer their own lives, including admitting fear, dealing with trouble, and moving forward.
在海里航行时，周海负责检查帆和发动机，夫妻轮流掌舵，太太也学着钓鱼。傍晚，他们把钓到的鱼做成一顿海鲜；白天不航行时，两人各自在船上干活儿、读书或修理东西。陆地远了，船舱反而显得舒适，他们盼望的不是豪华，而是能一起安排时间。
zài hǎilǐ hángxíng shí， zhōu hǎi fù zé jiǎn chá fān hé fā dòng jī， fū qī lúnliú zhǎng duò， tàitai yě xué zhe diào yú。 bàngwǎn， tā men bǎ diào dào de yú zuò chéng yī dùn hǎixiān； bái tiān bù hángxíng shí， liǎng rén gèzì zài chuán shàng gàn huór、 dú shū huò xiū lǐ dōng xī。 lùdì yuǎn le， chuán cāng fǎn ér xiǎn dé shūshì， tā men pànwàng de bù shì háo huá， ér shì néng yī qǐ ān pái shí jiān。
When sailing at sea, Zhou Hai checked the sail and engine, while the couple took turns at the helm and his wife learned to fish. At dusk they made a meal of seafood from their catch. When they were not sailing in the daytime, each worked, read, or repaired things on board. Land was farther away, yet the cabin felt comfortable; what they longed for was not luxury but time they could arrange together.
海上也有危险。一次饭还没做好，炉子忽然着火；另一次下大雨，船顶漏水，海浪撞着船身，雷声在海上滚动，闪电几乎击中桅杆。周海提醒太太：“别慌，先关燃气，再把救生衣拿出来。”仪表旁还贴着一张纸条：“勿忘检查天气。”最危险的时刻，他们会先看天气和仪表；平日也随时留心它们的变化。
hǎi shàng yě yǒu wēi xiǎn。 yī cì fàn hái méi zuò hǎo， lú zi hū rán zháo huǒ； lìng yī cì xià dà yǔ， chuán dǐng lòu shuǐ， hǎi làng zhuàng zhe chuán shēn， léi shēng zài hǎi shàng gǔn dòng， shǎndiàn jǐ hū jī zhōng wéi gān。 zhōu hǎi tí xǐng tàitai：“ bié huāng， xiān guān rán qì， zài bǎ jiù shēng yī ná chū lái。” yí biǎo páng hái tiē zhe yī zhāng zhǐ tiáo：“ wù wàng jiǎn chá tiān qì。” zuì wēi xiǎn de shíkè， tā men huì xiān kàn tiān qì hé yí biǎo； píng rì yě suíshí liú xīn tā men de biàn huà。
The sea also brought danger. Once, before a meal was ready, the stove caught fire. Another time, heavy rain made the roof leak; waves struck the hull, thunder rolled over the sea, and lightning nearly hit the mast. Zhou Hai told his wife, ‘Don’t panic. First turn off the gas, then take out the life jackets.’ Beside the instruments was a note: ‘Do not forget to check the weather.’ At the most dangerous moments, they checked the weather and instruments first; at ordinary times, they kept an eye on any changes.
他们没有把远航说成胜利。遇到暴风后，夫妻会在甲板上拥抱，也会想念老家的台阶和亲人的饭菜。可每次靠港，他们都更确定：未来并不需要人人离开稳定工作；真正重要的是，各自找到愿意走的路，然后平静地走下去。
tā men méi yǒu bǎ yuǎn háng shuō chéng shèng lì。 yù dào bào fēng hòu， fū qī huì zài jiǎ bǎn shàng yōngbào， yě huì xiǎng niàn lǎo jiā de táijiē hé qīn rén de fàn cài。 kě měi cì kào gǎng， tā men dōu gèng què dìng： wèilái bìng bù xū yào rén rén lí kāi wěndìng gōng zuò； zhēn zhèng zhòng yào de shì， gèzì zhǎo dào yuàn yì zǒu de lù， rán hòu píngjìng dì zǒu xià qù。
They never called the voyage a victory. After storms, the couple embraced on deck and missed the steps of their old home and their relatives' food. Yet whenever they entered a harbour, they were more certain that the future did not require everyone to leave a secure job. What mattered was finding a path each person was willing to walk, then walking it calmly.
Tap a marked word for its meaning. Tap a line to see the English.
Grammar
傍晚，他们把钓到的鱼做成一顿海鲜；白天不航行时，两人各自在船上干活儿、读书或修理东西。
各自+ Verb/Noun
各自. "各自" is a pronoun meaning 'each' or 'respective'. It refers to each person in a group doing something individually.
中场休息时间到了，比赛双方队员各自回场外休息。
Zhōngchǎng xiūxi shíjiān dàole, bǐsài shuāngfāng duìyuán gèzì huí chǎngwài xiūxi.
Halftime break arrived, players from both teams each went back to rest outside the field.
仪表旁还贴着一张纸条：“勿忘检查天气。”
勿+ Verb
勿. "勿" is an adverb meaning 'don't', used in formal or written imperative sentences. It's equivalent to "不要" but more formal.
非工作人员，请勿入内。
Fēi gōngzuò rényuán, qǐng wù rùnèi.
Non-staff members, please do not enter.
他们却说，航行并不等于逃走，而是学习驾驶自己的生活，包括承认害怕、处理麻烦和继续向前。
Subject +包括+ Components
包括. "包括" is a verb meaning 'to include'. It can also be used to emphasize a part of a larger group.
汉语技能教学包括听、说、读、写四个方面。
Hànyǔ jìnéng jiàoxué bāokuò tīng, shuō, dú, xiě sì ge fāngmiàn.
Chinese language skill teaching includes four aspects: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
最危险的时刻，他们会先看天气和仪表；平日也随时留心它们的变化。
Adj/Noun +的+时刻
时刻. "时刻" as a noun means 'moment' or a point in time. It can also be used as an adverb meaning 'at all times' (equivalent to "时时刻刻").
在最后时刻，他为本队踢进了赢得比赛的关键一球。
Zài zuìhòu shíkè, tā wèi běn duì tījìnle yíngde bǐsài de guānjiàn yì qiú.
In the final moment, he scored the winning goal for his team.
Which word means “to sail, to navigate by air or water”?
Culture
爱好与工作、家庭、生活的关系 - Hobbies and Work/Family/Life
Hobbies are often seen as rest outside work, but they can also help people understand themselves. Some people discover new abilities through reading, sport, or travel, while others strengthen family ties through a shared interest. The important thing is not to turn an interest into fame or profit, but to leave room for active choice in life. Everyone has a different answer when facing secure work and personal ideals. The passage's Zhou Hai and his wife leave railway work and arrange life together on a sailboat, showing that choosing one's own path requires courage and responsibility.
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稳 from 稳定 · stable
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