CPI預測也上調
Taiwan’s central bank made a surprise move on Thursday, March 21, raising interest rates by 12.5 basis points following the conclusion of its quarterly policy meeting.
3月21日星期四，台灣央行突然宣布升息，央行在季度政策會議結束後將利率提高了12.5個基點。
basis points 基點conclusion(n.)結局、結尾、結果、結論quarterly(adj.)每季度(進行)的yearly(adj.)每年(的);一年一次(的)=annualmonthly(adj.)每月的weekly(adj.)每週的
With many economists expecting no change, this decision to hike the benchmark discount rate to 2% was reportedly made out of concern for expected electricity price increases in April and continuing inflation in Taiwan.
據報導，許多經濟學家原本預期利率不會有任何改變，但央行卻決定將基準重貼現率上調至2％，是出於對4月份電價上漲和台灣持續通膨的擔憂。
with O OC 附帶狀況的說明hike(n.)(v.)(價格或費用的大幅)提高、增加=increase=raisediscount rate重貼現率out of concern for…出於對…的疑慮inflation(n.)通貨膨脹deflation(n.)通貨緊縮
In addition to raising the interest rate from its previous level of 1.875%, the central bank also increased its consumer price index forecast by 0.27%, raising the predicted rate from 1.89% to 2.16%.
除了將利率從之前的1.875%水準上調之外，央行還將消費者物價指數（CPI）預測上調了0.27%，從1.89%提高到2.16%。
in addition to除了～之外=besidesconsumer price index消費者物價指數(CPI)
According to Reuters, this is the result of Taiwan’s CPI hitting a 19-month high of 3.08% in February “as food prices climbed during the Lunar New Year holiday.”
根據路透社報導，「由於農曆新年假期期間食品價格攀升」，台灣2月份的CPI創下了19個月來的新高，達到了3.08%。
as(conj.)因為=because=since
With most major central banks recently standing pat or lowering interest rates, Reuters notes that Taiwan, along with Japan, is an outlier, bucking this trend by raising rates.
路透社指出，近期多數主要央行都在維持或降低利率，而台灣和日本是例外，逆勢調高了利率。
with O OC 附帶狀況的說明stand pat 維持原狀、保持不變=stay unchanged=stay putmaintain the status quo維持現狀outlier(n.)異於一般情況的人(或事物)exception(n.)例外buck the trend逆勢發展=go against the trend
In defense of this move, central bank governor Yang Chin-long has explained that Taiwan’s “hiking is not the same as other countries” as it is being done “gradually, and on a small scale.”
央行行長楊金龍為此舉辯護，解釋台灣的「升息不同於其他國家」，因為台灣是「逐步、小規模地」進行。
in defense of…為了…辯護、辯駁…defense lawyer or attorney辯護律師on a…scale以～規模on a global scale全球地
Commenting on this rate change, First Capital Management analyst Chengyu Liu has said that while the hike is a necessary “preventative measure to suppress inflation expectations ahead of the electricity price increase,” future hikes are not likely.
對於此次利率變動，第一金投顧分析師劉承宇（音譯）評論表示，儘管此舉是必要的「預防措施，以在電價上漲前抑制通膨預期」，但未來升息的可能性不大。
prevent(v.)預防preventative(adj.)預防性的=preventivetake preventative measures against the typhoon採取防颱措施suppress(v.)抑制、壓制、制止suppress dissents壓制異議份子
One day after the central bank’s announcement, the Ministry of Economic Affairs price review committee disclosed plans to raise electricity rates across Taiwan by an average of 11%.
在央行宣布升息一天後，經濟部電價審議委員會公布了全台電價平均上調11%的計劃。
disclose(v.)公開、公布、透露、揭露=announce=reveal
In addition, the committee noted that Taiwan Railway and city metro system fares are also expected to increase soon.
此外，委員會還指出，台灣鐵路和城市捷運系統的票價預計也將很快上漲。
fare(n.)車費;車票價be expected to…預期會…=be anticipated to…
For individuals in Taiwan, especially those in disadvantaged groups, the combination of these moves has the potential to diminish their purchasing power of everyday goods as well as their ability to repay mortgages and other loans.
對於台灣民眾，特別是弱勢群體來說，這些舉措可能會降低他們對日常用品的購買力，以及償還房貸和其他貸款的能力。
individual(n.)個人disadvantage(n.)缺點、劣勢disadvantaged(adj.)弱勢的disadvantaged groups弱勢族群the poor窮人the disabled殘障人士move=measurediminish(v.)減少、減小、降低=cut down=reduce=decrease=lowerpurchasing power購買力repay(v.)償還
As a result, the government has announced a nuanced approach of developing policies to lessen the societal impacts of these hikes.
因此，政府已經宣布採取細微的方式來制定政策，以減輕升息對整體社會的影響。
nuanced(adj.)有細微差別的;微妙的;細微的approach(n.)方式;方法=method=waylessen(v.)減輕、減緩=reduce=alleviate=diminish