
求神問卜
Many Taiwanese people visit temples to seek advice from the gods when making important decisions.
許多台灣人在做重要決定時都會去寺廟求神問卜。
a large number of+可數名詞=很多…visit+N=pay a visit to+N參訪某地be of great importance重要的=important
In order to do this, people use moon blocks as tools for receiving answers from the gods.
為此,人們會使用筊杯作為從神明那裡獲得答案的工具。
in order to+VR(phr.)為了…=for the purpose of+V-inguse A as B(phr.)把A當作B使用make use of...(phr.)利用…receive(v.)接收、接待,receive sth. from sb.(phr.)從某人那得到某物
Moon blocks are a pair of red crescent-shaped blocks that are flat on one side and rounded on the other.
筊杯是一對紅色的月牙形木塊,一面是平的,另一面是弧形的。
crescent(n.)新月、弦月形e.g. The night sky was adorned with a beautiful crescent moon.夜空中點綴著一彎美麗的新月in the shape of...某種形狀的flat(adj.)平坦的、輪胎洩氣的
When using them, a person will begin by paying respects to the god or goddess they will ask for advice and then hold them over an incense burner while moving them in three circles.
使用時,人們會先向他們要請教的神明致意,然後捧著筊杯在香爐上繞三圈。
pay respects to(phr.)致意in circles繞圈
After doing this, the person will tell the god or goddess personal information about themselves and then ask their specific yes-no question before throwing the moon blocks on the floor.
做完這個步驟後,人們會告訴神明關於自己的個人資訊,提出具體的是非題,然後再將筊杯扔在地上。
specific(adj.)具體的,be specific about sth.(phr.)對某事說得明確floor(n.)會議上的發言權e.g. The floor is yours.現在你有發言權
The way that the blocks land will give the god’s answer.
筊杯落地的方式就是神明給的答案。
land(v.)降落
If one block has the flat side up and the other has the rounded side up, it means the gods approve of what is being asked.
如果一個木塊是平坦面朝上,另一個是圓弧面朝上,則表示神明贊成所問的問題。
approve of(phr.)認同、認可、贊同approve(vi.)同意(vt.)批准
If both rounded sides are up, then it means that the gods answer “no” to the question.
如果兩個都是圓弧面朝上,則表示神明的答案是「不」。
If both flat sides are up, it suggests that the gods don’t understand, and the question should be asked again in a different way.
如果兩個木塊都是平坦面朝上,則表示神明不太理解,應該換一種方式再問一次。
suggest that+子句=意味、表示…