🔊 I have now been on this island for, as I think, about thirteen years; but then I had lost my account of time, and could not tell exactly; however, I had secured myself from the danger of savages and wild beasts, as I have related, and began to apply myself to the improvement of my condition. I had long studied to make earthen vessels, for the want of which I was forced to eat my meat without broth, or to drink out of a gourd.

如今,我在这岛上已度过了大约十三年光景,我想；但那时我已失却了时间的记载,无法确知究竟；然而,正如前文所述,我已使自己免于野蛮人与野兽的威胁,并开始专心改善我的处境。我长期钻研制作陶器,因陶器匮乏,只得食无汤之肉,或以葫芦饮水。

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savages /ˈsævɪdʒɪz/

n. 野蛮人,未开化的人（复数）➕

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beasts /biːsts/

n. 野兽,动物（复数）➕

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apply /əˈplaɪ/

v. 应用；致力于➕

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improvement /ɪmˈpruːvmənt/

n. 改进,改善➕

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earthen /ˈɜːrθən/

adj. 陶制的；泥土做的➕

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vessels /ˈvesəlz/

n. 容器；船只；血管（复数）➕

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broth /brɔːθ/

n. （通常用肉或蔬菜煮的）汤,肉汤➕

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gourd /ɡɔːrd/

n. 葫芦➕

🔊 After many trials and experiments, I at last succeeded in making some pots that would bear the fire, which was a great comfort to me. I also made a mortar to beat my corn in, and a sieve to dress it. These improvements took up a great deal of my time, but they added much to my convenience.

历经无数试验与尝试,我终于制成了一些能耐火的陶罐,这令我倍感欣慰。此外,我还打造了一个臼用以舂谷,以及一个筛子用以筛粉。这些改进虽耗费了大量时光,却大大提升了生活的便捷。

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experiments /ɪkˈsperɪmənts/

n. 实验,试验（复数）➕

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mortar /ˈmɔːrtər/

n. 研钵,臼（用于捣碎东西）➕

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sieve /sɪv/

n. 筛子,滤网➕

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convenience /kənˈviːniəns/

n. 便利,方便➕

🔊 In this manner, I gradually acquired more skill in mechanic exercises, and was able to supply myself with many necessaries which I had formerly wanted.

就这样,我渐渐在手工技艺上日益精进,得以为自己添置许多从前匮乏的必需品。

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mechanic /məˈkænɪk/

adj. 机械的；手工的（在此语境下修饰 exercises）➕

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necessaries /ˈnesəseriz/

n. 必需品（复数,较正式或古旧用法）➕

Chapter thirteen (第十三章)

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