In order to provide a set of uniform rules for the interpretation of the most commonly used trade terms in foreign trade, ICC first published in 1936 a set of international rules for the interpretation of trade terms known as "INCOTERMS 1936". Later amendments and additions were made to it to bring the rules in line with current international trade practices. The latest edition is "INCOTERMS 2000", which include 13 different international trade terms.
Each term specifies whether the buyer or the seller is responsible for arranging such necessities as export license, customs clearance, inspections, and other obligations. They specify at which point the risk of loss and / or damage passes from seller to buyer as well as which party pays for specific activities. A buyer and a seller who conduct their purchase and sale under one of the INCOTERMS, therefore, will have a mutual understanding of their rights, costs, and obligations.
Here six major trade terms are discussed. The traditional three trade terms are FOB, CFR and CIF, while FCA, CPT and CIP are new terms developed on the basis of the traditional ones.
They are suitable for any mode of transport and will be more widely used.
課文理解：
1. 要理解這篇文章，首先要了解對外貿易背景。這些常識位於書上的：
1.1 p13 第 2 - 4 行 ICC(國際商會)
1.2 p12 最後一段 INCOTERMS(國際貿易術語解釋通則)
貿易術語(trade terms),又稱價格術語或貿易條件。它是用一個簡短的概念或英文縮寫字母來表明商品的價格構成，說明貨物在交接過程中有關風險、責任和費用劃分等問題的專門術語,以確定買賣雙方的基本權利和義務。
INCOTERMS 2000是指《2000年國際貿易術語解釋通則》的英文縮寫.它是國際商會(ICC)為了統一對各種貿易術語的解釋而制定的,最早產生於1936年.分別於1953年、1967年、1976年、1980年、1990年和2000年共修訂過6次.現行的《2000年通則》對13種貿易術語進行了解釋,按不同術語的共同特點和賣方責任由小到大排列，分為E組(啟運術語)、F組 (主要運費未付術語)、C組(主要運費已付術語)、D組(到達術語)四個組.
它是國際上包括內容最多、使用範圍最廣和影響最大的一種與貿易術語有關的國際貿易慣例.
1.3 p13 第 5 - 10 行 六種主要貿易術語的中英文對照
1.4 p16-17 補充註釋 1-8 貿易術語的變形和其他貿易術語的中英文對照
1.5 p14-15 課文註釋 6 六種主要貿易術語的詳註
2. 句子：
In order to provide a set of uniform rules for the interpretation of the most commonly used trade terms in foreign trade, ICC first published in 1936 a set of international rules for the interpretation of trade terms known as "INCOTERMS 1936".
這句句子的難點在前半句.我們可以把句子簡化成:
To provide a set of rules for the interpretation of trade terms in foreign trade.
2.1 interpretation "解釋、說明"
2.2 trade terms "貿易術語、貿易條款、貿易條件"
trade practices "貿易慣例,貿易實踐"
trade contract "貿易合同"
trade fair "貿易交易會"
domestic trade "國內貿易"
foreign trade "對外貿易"
句子中其他需要解釋的地方還有:
2.3 uniform = the same
2.4 commonly = generally, usually "通常地、一般地、普遍地"
2.5 be known as "通稱為,以…著稱"
3. 我們把兩句句子連在一起看, 註釋的重點應放在前一句：
Later amendments and additions were made to it to bring the rules in line with current international trade practices. The latest edition is "INCOTERMS 2000", which include 13 different international trade terms.
3.1 later / latest
(1) Later amendments and additions were … 第一句
(2) The latest edition is "INCOTERMS 2000",… 第二句
我們需要注意這樣一個字型形似的問題:
表示時間概念上的比較級和最高階: late - later - latest
(晚的 - 稍後,隨後 - 最近的,最新的)
表示順序概念上的比較級和最高階: late - latter - last
(晚的 - 後面的 - 最後的)
3.2 amendment and addition were made to it …
(1) amend (尤指對規則、法律、宣告等條款所作的)"修正,修訂,修改".
名詞: amendment (做可數名詞時的解釋.)
這些相關聯的名詞還有:
revise (尤指為改正或修訂而仔細閱讀並)"校訂,修訂".
例如: a revised edition (修訂版)
名詞: revision
modify (尤指輕微的)"修改,更改".
名詞: modification
edition (書籍、報刊等)"版本,版次".
例如: the latest edition
動詞: edit
publication "出版物".
動詞: publish
(2) addition 原意是"增加物". 這裡指新增的條款或內容.
3.3 (be) in line (with) = in agreement with
(與…齊的,與…平的,引申為與…相同,與…一致,與…相適應)
反義詞: (be) out of line (with)
3.4 current = of the present time (現今的,時下的,當代的)
4. 句子：
Each term specifies whether the buyer or the seller is responsible for arranging such necessities as export license, customs clearance, inspections, and other obligations.
我們可以換成這樣一句句子來加以理解:
Each term specifies the traders must bear each relevant responsibility and obligation. 即貿易商都必須承擔(bear)各自相關的責任和義務.
4.1 responsibility / obligation / duty / be responsible for sth.
4.1.1 responsibility = duty 解釋 "責任", 其涵義在於:
出於法律、道德、職業等要求必須對他人承擔或履行的責任.這是一個比較正規的用詞.
4.1.2 obligation = duty 解釋 "義務", 其涵義在於:
強調因為合同、承諾、道義等因素而產生的約束力.尤其是指來自於外部的具體的、明確的約束力.這是一個比較正規的用詞,當該詞做可數名詞用的時候,是指"個人的本職或具體的工作". 它的反義詞是 right (權利)
4.1.3 duty 解釋 "責任、義務", 這是一個常規用詞.
強調應當去做或者避免去做一件事;它的涵義側重於發自內心.從道德、倫理、良心或傳統習慣等出發的責任和義務. duty 可指的'責任或義務可對己,也可對人.
4.1.4 be responsible for sth 課文裡面的用詞,意思是"對…負責". 其涵義在於:指人在道義上負有某義務或要施行某責任.
4.2 簡化句中的 traders 對應於原句中的哪部分呢?
traders 和課文中的 whether the buyer or the seller 這個部分相對應. whether A or B: "不論是 A 還是 B".值得注意的是後面的動詞用單數形式.課文中用的是 is.
4.3 簡化句中的 relevant,也就是片語be responsible for後面的這個 sth. 那麼,貿易商究竟要對哪些 sth 負責呢? such necessities as export license, customs clearance, inspections, and…
4.3.1 such A as B 解釋"如…的,像…的":
4.3.2 這裡的 A 是指 necessity, 複數: necessities. necessity 原意:"必然的事,決不可無的事"這裡可解釋為"必定要做的事". 課文中用的是複數,意思是要做的事情還不止一件哦.
4.3.3 這裡的 B 是指:
(1) export license (英語用:licence,美語用:license,下同): 出口許可證
import license 進口許可證
license system 許可證制度
license-trading 許可證貿易
driving license 駕駛執照
license / licence 一般指的是由法律認可的機構發給的正式書面的許可證.
(2) inspection 檢驗
全稱是: commodity inspection 商品檢驗
再如: shanghai entry-exit inspection and quarantine bureau上海出入境檢驗檢疫局
4.3.4 綜合前三例,我們終於明白了:買賣雙方必須各自要對諸如進出口許可證、進出口清結關、商品檢驗檢疫等事項負責.這是他們應盡的責任和義務.
4.5 這句關鍵的一個動詞 specify
(1) specify = to give exact details of something
"明確說明,具體說明,詳述,指明"
由這個動詞引申出來一個很要緊的名詞是: specification (說明書)這些定義性的常見字詞還有:
(2) mean = to represent (a meaning) "意指,意思是…,表示…的意思"
(課文中有這個詞)
(3) state = express in words, esp. carefully, fully and clearly"陳述,表述"
(4) explain = to give the meaning of something "闡明,說明,解釋"
(5) indicate = state briefly, point out "表明,表示"
(6) define = to explain the exact meaning of (a word, a phrase, etc)."給…下定義,定義為"
5. 句子：
They specify at which point the risk of loss and/or damage passes from seller to buyer as well as which party pays for specific activities.
我們可以把句子簡化成:
The 13 trade terms specify the transfer of risks (風險的轉移) besides division of costs (費用的劃分).
5.1 原句中的 they = the 13 trade terms
5.2 transfer of risks (風險的轉移) 係指課文中說的: at which point the risk of loss and / or damage passes from seller to buyer
5.2.1 point = an exact moment, particular time or state
這是一個抽象的概念,是一個不可數名詞,指"(在空間或時間真實的或想象當中的)點".例如:
at this point = at this moment or at this place (在此刻,在此地)
at which point = at which moment or at which place (在何時何地)
5.2.2 the risk of loss and / or damage 解釋"貨物滅失或損壞的風險"
5.2.3 pass from … to … 或 pass … to/into …
pass = change (改變事物的狀況,使變成另一種狀態), 例如: Water passes from a liquid to a solid state when it freezes.
課文中的意思是風險點從賣方的手中轉移到買方的手中的
5.3 原句中的 as well as = besides
5.4 division of costs (費用的劃分) 係指課文中說的: which party pays for specific activities.
5.4.1 activity = things (to be) dong 這個名詞的複數形式尤指"所做或待做的事務、工作等"
5.4.2 specific = detailed and exact, clear in meaning."具體的、明確的、詳盡的、詳細的"
例如: Be specific in your examination answers. (考試答案力求明確具體)
近義詞: definite
反義詞: approximate (大概的、極近於…的)
pays for specific activities 解釋"支付具體事項的費用"
6. 句子：
A buyer and a seller who conduct their purchase and sale under one of the INCOTERMS, therefore, will have a mutual understanding of their rights, costs, and obligations.
我們以 therefore 為界,分析這句含因果關係的句子:
6.1 因: a buyer and a seller who conduct their purchase and sale under one of the INCOTERMS
關鍵字詞是: conduct their purchase and sale
6.1.1 conduct = control, manage "管理、經營、處理"
例如: conduct a business (經營生意)
例如: conduct negotiations (指導洽談、主持談判)
6.1.2 purchase = buying "購買" (近義詞: buy 反義詞: sale)
例如: purchase order = buying order = order (購買訂單)
例如: purchase contract (購買合同)
例如: purchase and sale = buying and selling (購銷)
例如: repurchase (購回)
例如: purchasing (採購)
6.1.3 sale (名詞), sell (動詞) "出售、銷售"
例如: for sale (待售)
例如: on sale (銷售中,出售中)
例如: sale by sample (憑樣品銷售)
例如: salesman, saleswoman, sales manager
(注意: sale 後面一定要加 -s)
6.2 果: (a buyer and a seller) will have a mutual understanding of their rights, costs, and obligations.
6.2.1 關鍵字詞之一是: understanding (瞭解、理解、認識、領會) of their rights, costs, and obligation
6.2.2 關鍵字詞之二是: mutual = each to the other(s)
(相互的、彼此的,人們常用mutual指兩個或多個共同的事物)
have a mutual understanding of their rights, costs, and obligations (對於他們的權利、費用和義務達成共識)
6.3 表達因果關係的連線詞: therefore
我們在第一課的時候就碰到這樣一些副詞: originally, however, today 等等.這些副詞雖然不直接影響句子的意思,但是對於承上啟下有著重要的作用.
therefore 亦然.
therefore = for that reason 解釋"因此, 為此, 為了那種理由"
7. 句子：Here six major trade terms are discussed. 我們要把這些詞區分清楚:
(1) main = most important, chief:
意思是"最重要的、主要的" 例如 main crop (主要作物)
(2) major = less important:
意思是"較重要的" 例如 major industries (主要工業)
(3) minor 意思是"較不重要的,次要的"
8. 句子：
The traditional three trade terms are FOB, CFR and CIF, while FCA, CPT and CIP are new terms developed on the basis of the traditional ones.
這句句子的意思是:
FOB, CFR and CIF are traditional trade terms, FCA, CPT and CIP are new trade terms developed on the basis of FOB, CFR and CIF.
8.1 traditional 形容詞,解釋"傳統的、沿襲下來的",相對應的詞是 new.
8.2 on the basis of 解釋"基於、在…的基礎上".
8.3 ones 代詞,單數是 one, one 或 ones 泛指前面文章中提到的同類的單數或複數可數名詞.
9. 句子：
They are suitable for any mode of transport and will be more widely used.句中:
9.1 be suitable for 解釋"適於,適用於,適合於".
9.2 widely 這個詞一共才兩個解釋:
① 廣泛地: 例子見課文.
② 相當地: widely different
