美国中产没听过“斩杀线”，因为他们就用这个词

哈喽，大家好，我是 jenny，欢迎你又一次回来收听盘子 jenny 告诉你。

哈喽，大家好，我是 jenny，欢迎你又一次回来收听盘子 jenny 告诉你。

hi everyone，it's diana.

hi everyone，it's diana.

welcome back。

welcome back。

好，那我们今天呢要聊聊最近在中国社交媒体上面热议的一个话题，就我们突然非常关心美国人、美国中产老百姓的生活，特别是他们生活的这个艰难。

好，那我们今天呢要聊聊最近在中国社交媒体上面热议的一个话题，就我们突然非常关心美国人、美国中产老百姓的生活，特别是他们生活的这个艰难。

美国中产斩杀线，the middle class kill line。

美国中产斩杀线，the middle class kill line。

ok，so actually，to be honest，i.

ok，so actually，to be honest，i.

didn't know what this term was until you shared this topic with me and so i had to do some of my own research to understand what kill line means.

didn't know what this term was until you shared this topic with me and so i had to do some of my own research to understand what kill line means.

原来是一个 gaming 里面的在线游戏的词，然后呢，确实你去跟一个美国人讲，他不知道你在说什么。

原来是一个 gaming 里面的在线游戏的词，然后呢，确实你去跟一个美国人讲，他不知道你在说什么。

但是 once diana you started reading about it doing your research.

但是 once diana you started reading about it doing your research.

反映的这个情况是美国很真实的吧。

反映的这个情况是美国很真实的吧。

Yeah, so this term is actually a really great metaphor for the kind of financial situation of many, many Americans and American families.

Yeah, so this term is actually a really great metaphor for the kind of financial situation of many, many Americans and American families.

And it makes a lot of sense because when I looked into it, it says that you are just one hit away from dying, like in gaming culture.

And it makes a lot of sense because when I looked into it, it says that you are just one hit away from dying, like in gaming culture.

For a while now, the saying goes that many Americans are one accident away from going into debt.

For a while now, the saying goes that many Americans are one accident away from going into debt.

A lot of people need health insurance through their employer.

A lot of people need health insurance through their employer.

So if you get sick, if you get hospitalized and then you lose your job, you are kind of in trouble, you know, unless you have family that can.

So if you get sick, if you get hospitalized and then you lose your job, you are kind of in trouble, you know, unless you have family that can.

Help out but a lot of people find themselves in pretty bad situations once that snowball starts to get rolling 呃.

Help out but a lot of people find themselves in pretty bad situations once that snowball starts to get rolling 呃.

其实不只是疾病啊，还有美国的教育费用也非常高，特别是大学。

其实不只是疾病啊，还有美国的教育费用也非常高，特别是大学。

就现在很多的这个 state universities，州立大学都很贵。

就现在很多的这个 state universities，州立大学都很贵。

对于很多家庭，因为他是两三个孩子嘛，父母都得就是再去。

对于很多家庭，因为他是两三个孩子嘛，父母都得就是再去。

不仅孩子要拿 student loans 然后父母还要就是把他们现在住的房子再一次抵押，get a second mortgage 对吧送孩子上大学。

不仅孩子要拿 student loans 然后父母还要就是把他们现在住的房子再一次抵押，get a second mortgage 对吧送孩子上大学。

right right.

right right.

So actually there was this study conducted by Bankrate and they found that almost sixty percent of people surveyed couldn't cover an unexpected one thousand dollar expense.

So actually there was this study conducted by Bankrate and they found that almost sixty percent of people surveyed couldn't cover an unexpected one thousand dollar expense.

And in fact, even more people live paycheck to paycheck.

And in fact, even more people live paycheck to paycheck.

So to live paycheck to paycheck,意思就是月光是吧？

So to live paycheck to paycheck,意思就是月光是吧？

Paycheck就是你这个。

Paycheck就是你这个。

月拿到的工资，你马上就要用了，就你没有存款，很少的 savings，and that's why 就是你说的另外一个数据，很多的家庭他没有办法拿出来一个，就1,000美元，可能也不是特别多，但是他都拿不出这样的一个。

月拿到的工资，你马上就要用了，就你没有存款，很少的 savings，and that's why 就是你说的另外一个数据，很多的家庭他没有办法拿出来一个，就1,000美元，可能也不是特别多，但是他都拿不出这样的一个。

开支。

开支。

you are spending all your money on the necessities that's like bills rent.

you are spending all your money on the necessities that's like bills rent.

Groceries yeah and food um and you really just don't have anything to save 没错。

Groceries yeah and food um and you really just don't have anything to save 没错。

所以虽然 kill line 斩杀线这个词，在美国没有人这样用，没有人这么说哈。

所以虽然 kill line 斩杀线这个词，在美国没有人这样用，没有人这么说哈。

但其实美国人这几年也一直在共鸣，在 echo 这个，然后这几年在美国，我觉得我听的最多，说的最多的是可负担性危机。

但其实美国人这几年也一直在共鸣，在 echo 这个，然后这几年在美国，我觉得我听的最多，说的最多的是可负担性危机。

嗯，right so this is the affordability crisis.

嗯，right so this is the affordability crisis.

那 crisis 是危机，然后 affordability 就是 if something is affordable if you can afford 可以负担。

那 crisis 是危机，然后 affordability 就是 if something is affordable if you can afford 可以负担。

yes and so this affordability crisis means that um everyday you know basic necessities are becoming.

yes and so this affordability crisis means that um everyday you know basic necessities are becoming.

Less and less affordable and is really stretching um everyone's budget.

Less and less affordable and is really stretching um everyone's budget.

everyday necessities necessities 就是 necessary 必要的，所以我们这里讲到的这些东西哈，就是生活必备品。

everyday necessities necessities 就是 necessary 必要的，所以我们这里讲到的这些东西哈，就是生活必备品。

near everyday necessities 这几年在美国因为 inflation 呃通货膨胀很厉害，但是呢，工资又是停滞不前，对吧？

near everyday necessities 这几年在美国因为 inflation 呃通货膨胀很厉害，但是呢，工资又是停滞不前，对吧？

wage stagnation.

wage stagnation.

exactly yes so wage stagnation plus inflation of.

exactly yes so wage stagnation plus inflation of.

Everything means that things just are not affordable.

Everything means that things just are not affordable.

所以我们也可以说 it's really getting unaffordable.

所以我们也可以说 it's really getting unaffordable.

哈 right right.

哈 right right.

特别是达安娜所在的加州，因为加州cost of living 生活成本非常的高，房子也非常贵，所以这个是美国affordability crisis 的重灾区哈 california。

特别是达安娜所在的加州，因为加州cost of living 生活成本非常的高，房子也非常贵，所以这个是美国affordability crisis 的重灾区哈 california。

That's right, right?

That's right, right?

And a lot of these houses that are being sold, they don't even look great.

And a lot of these houses that are being sold, they don't even look great.

They're not in good condition.

They're not in good condition.

You're gonna have to do a lot of renovating, and you just have to throw a lot of money into kind of this very old house.

You're gonna have to do a lot of renovating, and you just have to throw a lot of money into kind of this very old house.

Like there really isn't a lot of new housing on the market, and it just is a very... you know.

Like there really isn't a lot of new housing on the market, and it just is a very... you know.

Traditional like supply and demand issue 哦.

Traditional like supply and demand issue 哦.

你跟你讲的还是买，就是对于很多美国人来说，特别是生活在像加州啊、纽约这些地方的。

你跟你讲的还是买，就是对于很多美国人来说，特别是生活在像加州啊、纽约这些地方的。

买房子就是一个遥不可及的梦，就是只能租。

买房子就是一个遥不可及的梦，就是只能租。

可是租房子的问题就是你越租你就越没有那个 savings 来买嘛，是吧？

可是租房子的问题就是你越租你就越没有那个 savings 来买嘛，是吧？

yes yes 嗯，所以就就导致一个恶性循环，you can 就是 you're unable to build any equity 就是自己什么资产也累积不起来哈。

yes yes 嗯，所以就就导致一个恶性循环，you can 就是 you're unable to build any equity 就是自己什么资产也累积不起来哈。

Yeah so the past few years have seen home prices and rents increase at you know just a crazy rate.

Yeah so the past few years have seen home prices and rents increase at you know just a crazy rate.

ok 你刚刚讲的 rents 就是 to rent 不只是动词租房子哈，它也是一个名词，就是租金的意思是吧？

ok 你刚刚讲的 rents 就是 to rent 不只是动词租房子哈，它也是一个名词，就是租金的意思是吧？

your monthly rent yes yes 好，那除了 housing 哈，住房支出非常的贵，另外一个巨大的成本就是你节目一开始说的。

your monthly rent yes yes 好，那除了 housing 哈，住房支出非常的贵，另外一个巨大的成本就是你节目一开始说的。

医疗。

医疗。

Yeah, so health care is pretty unaffordable, especially if you need it.

Yeah, so health care is pretty unaffordable, especially if you need it.

If you work at a company that has great health care, then you know you're, you know, one of the lucky few.

If you work at a company that has great health care, then you know you're, you know, one of the lucky few.

But a lot of people don't get great health care from their employer.

But a lot of people don't get great health care from their employer.

So when they actually need to go in for something outside of a checkup, so like, let's say just.

So when they actually need to go in for something outside of a checkup, so like, let's say just.

An x ray it's extremely expensive especially if the insurance doesn't cover.

An x ray it's extremely expensive especially if the insurance doesn't cover.

it 哦，你讲到 x ray 啊，就是我我有一个阿姨在美国，然后她说她有一次去拍 x ray。

it 哦，你讲到 x ray 啊，就是我我有一个阿姨在美国，然后她说她有一次去拍 x ray。

那个最后的这个账单是7,000美金。

那个最后的这个账单是7,000美金。

说如果你没有，或者很多 healthcare 它每一年就是你自己要自付，嗯，的，呃 deductible 对吧？

说如果你没有，或者很多 healthcare 它每一年就是你自己要自付，嗯，的，呃 deductible 对吧？

你自己要自付那个特别高，所以你的 out of pocket 就是你自己要付的那个钱是很多的。

你自己要自付那个特别高，所以你的 out of pocket 就是你自己要付的那个钱是很多的。

Yeah, out of pocket means out of your pocket, by the way.

Yeah, out of pocket means out of your pocket, by the way.

Um,那美国其实奥巴马上台以后就大力整改医疗嘛，所以现在是有有这个public.

Um,那美国其实奥巴马上台以后就大力整改医疗嘛，所以现在是有有这个public.

health care是吧？

health care是吧？

Yes, there is a lot of subsidized health care, but it isn't still a very affordable option because not everyone is in the system.

Yes, there is a lot of subsidized health care, but it isn't still a very affordable option because not everyone is in the system.

So you know, it becomes more expensive the fewer people it serves.

So you know, it becomes more expensive the fewer people it serves.

不是说每个人都在这个体系里面，所以这就造成了呃，其实摊到每个人头上是比较贵的。

不是说每个人都在这个体系里面，所以这就造成了呃，其实摊到每个人头上是比较贵的。

It doesn't cover everything, you still have to pay for these like kind of additional things that it covers.

It doesn't cover everything, you still have to pay for these like kind of additional things that it covers.

A LOT OF THE MORE EXPENSIVE THINGS LIKE DENTAL RELATED THINGS ARE STILL GONNA BE OUT OF.

A LOT OF THE MORE EXPENSIVE THINGS LIKE DENTAL RELATED THINGS ARE STILL GONNA BE OUT OF.

POCKET啊，牙医呀或者可能一些比较复杂的治疗是吧？

POCKET啊，牙医呀或者可能一些比较复杂的治疗是吧？

比较高级的治疗啊。

比较高级的治疗啊。

好，那除了医疗成本呢？

好，那除了医疗成本呢？

另外还有很大的一块就是教育。

另外还有很大的一块就是教育。

之前也讲过的。

之前也讲过的。

RIGHT，SO EDUCATION ESPECIALLY HIGHER EDUCATION.

RIGHT，SO EDUCATION ESPECIALLY HIGHER EDUCATION.

HIGHER EDUCATION讲到就是大学哈。

HIGHER EDUCATION讲到就是大学哈。

好，那学费这个英语怎么说呢？

好，那学费这个英语怎么说呢？

Tuition.

Tuition.

tuition 也 rising 的很厉害。

tuition 也 rising 的很厉害。

right yeah I feel like when I first started college is when we really started seeing um tuition rise at what seems like a very unsustainable.

right yeah I feel like when I first started college is when we really started seeing um tuition rise at what seems like a very unsustainable.

rate 哎，我可以问一下，就是呃，你是去一个 public university 还是一个 private？

rate 哎，我可以问一下，就是呃，你是去一个 public university 还是一个 private？

I went to a public university, uh, UC Davis.

I went to a public university, uh, UC Davis.

然后你又是一个加州的居民，California，呃，resident。

然后你又是一个加州的居民，California，呃，resident。

所以你你应该是会比较便宜，是不是？

所以你你应该是会比较便宜，是不是？

Yes，um，I think right。

Yes，um，I think right。

So someone like me would enjoy the you know。

So someone like me would enjoy the you know。

lowest tier of tuition but it is still a lot i think by the time i graduated it was closer to maybe just under fifteen thousand a year.

lowest tier of tuition but it is still a lot i think by the time i graduated it was closer to maybe just under fifteen thousand a year.

作为一个加州有学生呃学费补助的学生，在这个公立大学一年学费要一万五美金，然后你知道现在变多少了吗？

作为一个加州有学生呃学费补助的学生，在这个公立大学一年学费要一万五美金，然后你知道现在变多少了吗？

yeah so I justand now it around.

yeah so I justand now it around.

这个倒没很多嘛心学。

这个倒没很多嘛心学。

I did check the out state and that a huge over you when I was a.

I did check the out state and that a huge over you when I was a.

About fifty one thousand.

About fifty one thousand.

50000美金，然后是公立大学。

50000美金，然后是公立大学。

Yeah，that's just one year。

Yeah，that's just one year。

呃，才才一年，然后大学四年。

呃，才才一年，然后大学四年。

Yep，然后国际生可能要 double 吧。

Yep，然后国际生可能要 double 吧。

所以美国基本上学生都会有呃学生贷款是吧？

所以美国基本上学生都会有呃学生贷款是吧？

Yes, so a lot of people do take student loans, and student loans are, you know, you have to start paying them back once you graduate, and the rate that you borrow them at, it's not very low, so people like very quickly start gaining a lot of.

Yes, so a lot of people do take student loans, and student loans are, you know, you have to start paying them back once you graduate, and the rate that you borrow them at, it's not very low, so people like very quickly start gaining a lot of.

债务 in the form of student loans。

债务 in the form of student loans。

那不光是这个 higher education 很贵啊，小 baby 的 childcare 也很贵。

那不光是这个 higher education 很贵啊，小 baby 的 childcare 也很贵。

对不对？

对不对？

yes，you know，i have some friends that have kids and just hearing the cost of you know daycare，it's it's crazy，i think，it's it can get so expensive。

yes，you know，i have some friends that have kids and just hearing the cost of you know daycare，it's it's crazy，i think，it's it can get so expensive。

我们这里讲到的是那个托儿所阶段，对吧？

我们这里讲到的是那个托儿所阶段，对吧？

因为美国的公立教育是从小学阶段开始，可是一个孩子，你说他两三岁，呃，其实四五岁他应该是去幼儿托儿所、幼儿园哈。

因为美国的公立教育是从小学阶段开始，可是一个孩子，你说他两三岁，呃，其实四五岁他应该是去幼儿托儿所、幼儿园哈。

父母也要工作，但是因为这个是没有政府，嗯，就就是没有PUBLIC。

父母也要工作，但是因为这个是没有政府，嗯，就就是没有PUBLIC。

IF YOU'RE LUCKY ENOUGH TO UM FIND SOME OF THE MORE AFFORDABLE ONES，IT'LL BE.

IF YOU'RE LUCKY ENOUGH TO UM FIND SOME OF THE MORE AFFORDABLE ONES，IT'LL BE.

Um.

Um.

A few hundred a week 我.

A few hundred a week 我.

听到 a few hundred 我觉得还好，结果达娜说每个礼拜，而且那还是便宜的，所以就一个月至少是。

听到 a few hundred 我觉得还好，结果达娜说每个礼拜，而且那还是便宜的，所以就一个月至少是。

a few thousand.

a few thousand.

至少是一两千两三千，然后这个还属于便宜的。

至少是一两千两三千，然后这个还属于便宜的。

yeah i mean if you're lucky you might be closer to a thousand like just under a thousand but many people budget for.

yeah i mean if you're lucky you might be closer to a thousand like just under a thousand but many people budget for.

A couple thousand for one kid.

A couple thousand for one kid.

at a couple 一个月 budget 给一个小朋友去托儿所幼儿园就要两三千甚至更多的美金。

at a couple 一个月 budget 给一个小朋友去托儿所幼儿园就要两三千甚至更多的美金。

嗯哼，yeah.

嗯哼，yeah.

especially because like daycare is very it's hourly based right？

especially because like daycare is very it's hourly based right？

so it's like 啊.

so it's like 啊.

按小时计费。

按小时计费。

嗯哼，so you know if mom and dad are both working。

嗯哼，so you know if mom and dad are both working。

You know regular eight hour jobs then they need daycare for that long.

You know regular eight hour jobs then they need daycare for that long.

所以在美国有很多人呢，他会，你常常听到的一个词是 get a loan get a mortgage 要贷款。

所以在美国有很多人呢，他会，你常常听到的一个词是 get a loan get a mortgage 要贷款。

Yeah yeah some people do have to do that or you just take out a loan um and just you know hope the kid um is not far from you。

Yeah yeah some people do have to do that or you just take out a loan um and just you know hope the kid um is not far from you。

You know going to school so that you can finally cut out the daycare costs。

You know going to school so that you can finally cut out the daycare costs。

对，因为如果他们去公立学校，那个小学到高中是免费啊。

对，因为如果他们去公立学校，那个小学到高中是免费啊。

真的越讲越觉得美国人很不容易啊。

真的越讲越觉得美国人很不容易啊。

还有你刚刚说的 every day living expenses，对吧？

还有你刚刚说的 every day living expenses，对吧？

前面讲到的买菜，然后水电费这些。

前面讲到的买菜，然后水电费这些。

Exactly so the prices for groceries utilities and all types of insurance have.

Exactly so the prices for groceries utilities and all types of insurance have.

just gone up ok groceries 就是日常买菜哈 utilities 水电啊，包括这个手机通讯的开支。

just gone up ok groceries 就是日常买菜哈 utilities 水电啊，包括这个手机通讯的开支。

好，那总之呢，就是美国的这个体制啊，美国的生活的现实，就造成了很多的美国中产阶级，他们都在工作，甚至有的时候呃工作薪水还不错，但是他们是被挤压，最被 squeeze 是吧？

好，那总之呢，就是美国的这个体制啊，美国的生活的现实，就造成了很多的美国中产阶级，他们都在工作，甚至有的时候呃工作薪水还不错，但是他们是被挤压，最被 squeeze 是吧？

right so um as we mentioned earlier like the middle class they're going to be the ones that.

right so um as we mentioned earlier like the middle class they're going to be the ones that.

FEEL THAT FINANCIAL SQUEEZE FIRST, SOONEST AND USUALLY THE HARDEST BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THE SAFETY NET THAT THE RICH HAVE BUILT, AND THEY ALSO DON'T QUALIFY FOR A LOT OF THE BENEFITS, UM, A LOT OF THE GOVERNMENT BENEFITS THAT YOU COULD ENJOY IF YOU EARN A LOT LOWER OF AN INCOME.

FEEL THAT FINANCIAL SQUEEZE FIRST, SOONEST AND USUALLY THE HARDEST BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THE SAFETY NET THAT THE RICH HAVE BUILT, AND THEY ALSO DON'T QUALIFY FOR A LOT OF THE BENEFITS, UM, A LOT OF THE GOVERNMENT BENEFITS THAT YOU COULD ENJOY IF YOU EARN A LOT LOWER OF AN INCOME.

中产阶级是最辛苦、压力最大的，因为既没有有钱人的那种财富哈，然后呢又不像 lower income groups。

中产阶级是最辛苦、压力最大的，因为既没有有钱人的那种财富哈，然后呢又不像 lower income groups。

就是他会 qualify 啊，他们有资格拿到很多政府的 subsidies 补贴。

就是他会 qualify 啊，他们有资格拿到很多政府的 subsidies 补贴。

那很多补贴，你到了，你说我一年赚15万美金，什么20万美金，政府觉得你这个蛮高收入啊，你都 qualify 但其实他生活在加州、纽约，甚至现在很多的州 getting so unaffordable 所以他们的生活压力 financial stress 啊，财务的压力是最大的。

那很多补贴，你到了，你说我一年赚15万美金，什么20万美金，政府觉得你这个蛮高收入啊，你都 qualify 但其实他生活在加州、纽约，甚至现在很多的州 getting so unaffordable 所以他们的生活压力 financial stress 啊，财务的压力是最大的。

好，那我们今天的节目就到这，跟大家分享了除了我们中国最近大家熟悉的斩杀线 q line 那也介绍了美国这几年，包括现在也说的最多的一个可负担性危机，affordability crisis 那希望大家从这集节目里面呢，也学到了很多有用的英语表达。

好，那我们今天的节目就到这，跟大家分享了除了我们中国最近大家熟悉的斩杀线 q line 那也介绍了美国这几年，包括现在也说的最多的一个可负担性危机，affordability crisis 那希望大家从这集节目里面呢，也学到了很多有用的英语表达。

那我们今天的时间就到这，我和达安娜下次跟你再见。

那我们今天的时间就到这，我和达安娜下次跟你再见。

thanks for listening until next time.

thanks for listening until next time.