FOUR-HOUR COMMUTE(동사) IS IFFY INVESTMENT IN(혹은 into) RELATIONSHIP
DEAR ABBY: I have been seeing my boyfriend, "Casey," for a year. He has said throughout our relationship that(앞에 said를 받음) we could get married in four to five years.
*He has said throughout our relationship that = he has kept saying that since our relationship started
Over the past couple of months, he has become distant(비슷, cold) and less romantic(=not as romantic as before). I drive (my car) four hours to see him almost every week, and he seems (to be) fine then, but when we're apart (from each other), he rarely(barely,hardly) texts me and seems disinterested.
On("에서" / during을 쓰면 "동안에) one of my recent visits(명사로 잘 사용함), Casey said (that) he never wants to get married! When I asked what had changed his mind, his response was that he has decided that marriage is a trap. When I asked if he still wanted to be with me, he said yes.
*asked if ~ : ~인지 아닌지 물어보다 / wonder if ~ : ~인지 아닌지 궁금하다 / check if ~ : ~인지 아닌지 확인하다.
*trap 이라는 단어는 동사로도 많이 쓴다.(trap VS trip VS trick)
I know (that) I don't want to be Casey's girlfriend forever. I don't want to waste my time if he's not going to marry me, but I really want to be with him. Do you think he'll change his mind again, or is it time for me to(구조) end(=finish) things? -- WAITING AND HOPING IN MARYLAND
DEAR WAITING AND HOPING: If you're doing all of the four-hour commuting, you're not only waiting and hoping, you are also(not only ~but also 에서 뒤의 but 이나 also 둘 중 하나만 주로 쓴다) doing most of the work in your relationship with Casey. From your description of how much he focuses on you, when you're out of sight, you are not on his mind.
You didn't mention how old you both(위치 중요! 뒤에서 주어를 꾸며 줌 =both of you) are, but it appears(=seems) (that) Casey has some growing up(성장기) to do. Marriage isn't a trap; it's a partnership. And like any strong partnership, commitment(=being committed to your partner) is so important. If Casey doesn't want to make a commitment(=be committed / devoted) and marriage is what you're after, you should save the wear and tear on your car and the expense of the gas and find a man who is less gun-shy.
*you're after : be after something "something을 쫒다. 추구하다)
*Casey has some growing up to do : (직역) 해야할 성장기를 가지고 있다. (의역) 성장해야된다. 더 어른스러워져야 된다. Ex) Casey has homework to do (직역) 할 숙제를 가지고 있다. (의역) 숙제해야된다.
Questions:
1. What advice would you give this girl? What do you think of long distance relationships?
2. What do you feel is the biggest sacrifice you make for a relationship or friendship?
3. Do you consider yourself a decisive person? Or do you often hesitate or change your mind about things?
4. What advice would you give to a couple who has lost their romantic 'spark'? What is a good way to keep your relationship passionate?
5. What is something you do that people consider a waste of time? Why do you do it?