Metrosexual 都市型男

Neil: Hello, this is Real English from BBC Learning¹ English, I’m Neil.

Jean: And I’m Jean. Hello!

Neil: In Real English, we look at words and phrases that you might not find in your dictionary.

Jean: 英语是一种十分程式化的语言，所以了解现实生活中人们经常使用的固定表达和俚语自然就很有用了。

Neil: Today’s word is metrosexual.

Jean: It's a new one on me, what does metrosexual mean?

Neil: Metrosexual refers to men who have a strong concern for their appearance, they look after their hair and skin well, buy expensive clothes and look very fashionable.

Jean: 原来这个所谓的 metrosexual 代表的就是那种在大都市中的现代男性，非常在意自己的形象，注意保养皮肤和头发 skin and hair，也紧跟时尚潮流，总会身穿最时尚的时装款式，手提最新款的手机、iPod 之类的都市新男性，所以我们可能会俗称这样的人群为“都市美男”或者“都市型男”。But why metrosexual?

Neil: Because these men live in cities where all the best shops are, they live in metropolitan² areas. So the word metrosexual comes from metropolitan.

Jean: 原来 metrosexual 这个词起源于 metropolitan 这个词，就是大都市、大都会的意思。

Neil: James sounds like a metrosexual kind of guy.

Example

A: You know James wears really good clothes, he really looks brilliant. And do you know how old he is? He’s much older than he looks because he cares for his skin so well.

B: Yes, he’s very modern, isn’t he? really metrosexual.

A: He’d never fit in if he lived outside of town.

B: Too right.

Jean: So, Neil, James sounds like a metrosexual sort of man. What about you?

Neil: I don’t think I like the image of a metrosexual man. I can’t imagine making all that effort to look so good.

Jean: You don’t look that bad.

Neil: Thanks.

Jean: Neil我看就可以算是一个“都市型男”，虽然他自己还并不愿意承认！不过我们今天《地道英语》的时间又到了，我们下次节目再见 – bye.

Neil: Bye.