現代社會的約會和戀愛比以前要復雜得多，如果你不了解當下流行的約會新名詞，那你很可能會疑惑“為什么受傷的總是我”。不想做“戀愛小白”？最新約會詞典學起來！

There is no doubt dating is difficult.
約會，無疑是麻煩不斷的。

And the experience can be made even more stressful by baffling new vocabulary.
一些讓人困惑的新詞更是讓約會壓力倍增。

Whereas couples might once have been concerned with 'courting' and 'going steady' they are now more likely to be 'benching' or 'ghosting' each other.
過去，情侶們可能還在為如何“追求”、“維持關系”而操心，而現在，他們更有可能彼此互為“備胎（benching）”，或是“忽然玩消失（ghosting）”。

The words are sometimes familiar but have been given a completely different meaning in the world of modern relationships.
有些詞對于我們來說比較熟悉，但是在現代情侶關系中，它們卻被賦予了截然不同的意思。

Here, we reveal the definitions behind the 10 dating terms you need to know, so at least you have one less thing to worry about the next time you swipe right...
現在，我們為你揭秘你應該知道的十大約會詞。這樣，下次手機右滑同意別人請求的時候，起碼你能少為一些情況煩心。

LAYBY 路邊停車

'Layby' refers to someone who is in a relationship but looking to get out. Instead of risking a period of singleness when it eventually ends, a layby starts laying the groundwork with other women or men who they might want to date next.
“路邊停車”（layby）指的是對方雖然還在跟你談戀愛，但是已經在想著分手了。這種人在分手以后不會有空窗期，因為他們已經想好了下一個可能的約會對象，并且為此著手準備了。

Those being pursued by a layby should be wary as he or she might well have a number of 'next' options lined up - not to mention the fact that they are not technically single.
要是被這種人追求，你可就要當心了，因為他很有可能同時追求很多人，更別說他可能還沒真正單身。

There is also a good chance the layby could be needy or insecure as they are not comfortable being single.
單著就不舒服，這種“路邊停車”的人也很有可能是比較缺愛或者缺乏安全感。

CATCH AND RELEASE 撩完就跑

On the other end of the spectrum is the dater who practises the 'catch and release'.
另一種極品約會者就是那些一追到手就把對方甩了的人。

This is a move favoured by those who enjoys the 'chase' part of a relationship, the first flirtations before any commitments are made.
有的人在一段關系中最享受“追逐”的體驗，也就是在作出任何實質性承諾之前的曖昧調情。

Once the object of their desire has been 'caught', this commitment-phobe will then 'release' them without ever being pinned down.
這些人不喜歡承諾，一旦傾慕的對象被“俘獲”，他們甚至在確定關系之前就把對方甩了。

BREADCRUMBING 撒面包屑

Similar to the 'catch and release', 'breadcrumbing' is a dating approach taken by those with no intention of being tied down.
“撒面包屑”（breadcrumbing）和“撩完就跑”（catch and release）差不多，是那些無意確定關系的約會者的慣用手段。

Taking its name from the classic tale of Hansel and Gretel, breadcrumbing involves leading someone on with a trail of flirtatious messages but never following through.
面包屑這個名字源于經典童話故事《韓塞爾與葛雷特》（Hansel and Gretel），這里指的是一方用一系列曖昧信息讓另一方產生戀愛錯覺，但是從不進行后續發展。

Some of the worst offenders might not even meet the recipient of their teasing texts.
最糟糕是，有些人甚至都不會和信息那頭的被戲弄的人見面。

SNACK PACK 零食袋

This playful name is given to the bag a man or woman brings when they spend the night at someone else's place. Most frequently carried in case of a one-night stand.
這個有趣的名字指的是在對方家里過夜所帶的包。這個包里的東西一般是為一夜情而準備的。

Items within a 'snack pack' might include a toothbrush, phone charger or spare pair of underwear. Condoms, birth control pills or other contraception are also a must.
“零食袋”里可能有牙刷、手機充電器、備用內衣。避孕套、避孕藥等避孕品也是必備的。

BENCHING 備胎

Before couples have 'the talk' and define their relationship - also known by the acronym 'DTR' - either party is at risk of being 'benched'.
在雙方挑明、確定關系之前（DTR），雙方都可能是對方的“備胎”。

This happens when one person is unsure of their future with their current partner and so puts them on the 'bench' - as with sports team reserves - and looks at other options. If nothing better comes along, they might come back into play.
當一個人不確定要和目前的伴侶共度未來時，可能就會去尋找新目標，而將現任視為“備胎”，仿佛是體育隊伍里的候補隊員。而如果沒有更好的選擇，他們還是會回歸現狀。

CUFFING SEASON 銬牢期

The solitude of the winter months can leave even the most avowed singletons thinking twice about their relationship status.
漫長而孤寂的冬夜里，即使是最高調的獨身者也不得不重新審視自己的感情狀況。

Long nights in front of the television are better with company, so many people find themselves wanting to be 'cuffed' to someone else.
漫漫長夜，與其獨對電視機，不如有人陪伴著一起，因此許多人覺得，他們希望與另一個人“銬牢”。

However these passionate dalliances can often fizzle out with the change in season, when daters find themselves distracted by the sunny days and skin on show.
但是，這種熱情的曖昧往往隨著季節變化而消減殆盡，大地已慢慢回春放晴，人們的衣服越穿越少，約會者們又開始分心了。

SHIPPING 登對

The true mark of a full-blown relationship is when it is endorsed or 'shipped' by the couple's nearest and dearest.
一段真正成熟的感情，是指感情獲得了對方親友的支持，甚至是“喜歡”。

SLOW FADE 逐漸消失

The 'slow fade' is a move used by daters looking to cut ties with someone without the drama - or decency - of a proper conversation.
逐漸消失指的是有些人想要分手，但又不想在分手會談時看到一哭二鬧三上吊的戲碼，或者是不想禮貌地通知對方分手的消息。

It sees people slowly reducing the amount of communication before it eventually dwindles into nothingness.
這些人會慢慢降低跟對方聊天的頻率，最后就徹底沒了聯系。

Warning signs include slower text responses, unanswered phone calls and an unwillingness to arrange future plans.
警示標志就是回信越來越短、打電話沒人接，還有不愿規劃將來。

GHOSTING 神秘消失

Like the 'slow fade', but far more brutal.
像幽靈一樣“逐漸消失”（slow fade），但是更加無情。

It is the act where an ex-friend or partner simply disappears from a loved one's life by completely cutting off all contact without any warning or explanation.
這指的是伴侶直接完全消失，完全沒有提醒也沒有解釋，就徹底切斷了和你的一切聯系。

'Ghosting' is a treatment frequently suffered at the hands of online daters who think there is constantly a better option available.
“神秘消失”（ghosting）在網戀中比較常見，因為這些約會者認為更好的選擇會不斷出現。

ZOMBIE-ING 僵尸回歸

When a 'ghost' tries to re-insert themselves into their ex-lover's life, they are like a zombie coming back from the dead.
當“幽靈”試圖重新進入前任的生活，他們就像是死而復生的僵尸一樣。

'Zombie-ing' usually takes the form of an innocuous text message or WhatsApp - 'Hi, how's it going', or something similar.
想要“回歸”前任的人通常會發一些人畜無害的消息，或者是用WhatsApp給前任發“嗨，最近過得怎么樣？”等等類似的手段。

Social media has also opened up a new playing field for zombies, who can now 'like', 'comment' or 'follow' their way back onto their target's radar.
社交媒體也給這些要吃回頭草的人打開了新世界的大門，他們可以通過“點贊”、“評論”和“關注”重回對方視線。

英文來源：每日郵報
翻譯：張鈺（中國日報網愛新聞iNews譯者）
編審：丹妮