"The grown-ups(adults; people who are no longer children [ðə ˈgroʊˌnəps]) are certainly(definitely; without a doubt [ər ˈsərtənli]) very odd(strange; peculiar; unusual [ˈvɛri ɑd])," he said to himself(he thought; he spoke quietly so only he could hear [hi sɛd tɪ hɪmˈsɛlf]), as(while; during the time that [ɛz]) he continued(he went on; he proceeded [hi kənˈtɪnjud]) on his journey(traveling from one place to another [ɔn hɪz ˈʤərni]).
XII(Roman numeral for twelve [xii])
Buveur.jpg
The next planet(the subsequent celestial body visited [ðə nɛkst ˈplænət]) was inhabited(had residents; was lived on [wɑz ˌɪnˈhæbətəd]) by a tippler(by someone who drinks alcohol regularly [baɪ ə tippler]). This(referring to the visit [ðɪs]) was a very short visit(the duration of stay was brief [wɑz ə ˈvɛri ʃɔrt ˈvɪzɪt]), but(conjunction indicating contrast [bət]) it plunged(it caused to descend; it thrust [ɪt plənʤd]) the little prince(the young royal figure [ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]) into deep dejection(into a state of sadness and discouragement [ˈɪntu dip dejection]).
"What are you doing there(asking about the activity being performed at that location [wət ər ju duɪŋ ðɛr])?" he said(he spoke [hi sɛd]) to the tippler(addressing the person who drinks alcohol regularly [tɪ ðə tippler]), whom(relative pronoun referring to the tippler [hum]) he found(he discovered; he located [hi faʊnd]) settled down(seated comfortably; established [ˈsɛtəld daʊn]) in silence(without speaking [ɪn ˈsaɪləns]) before(in front of; facing [ˌbiˈfɔr]) a collection of empty bottles(a group of bottles that have nothing inside [ə kəˈlɛkʃən əv ˈɛmti ˈbɑtəlz]) and also(in addition; as well [ənd ˈɔlsoʊ]) a collection of full bottles(a group of bottles that are filled [ə kəˈlɛkʃən əv fʊl ˈbɑtəlz]).
I am drinking(the act of consuming a liquid, specifically alcohol in this context [aɪ æm ˈdrɪŋkɪŋ])," replied(answered [rɪˈplaɪd]) the tippler(the person who drinks alcohol regularly [ðə tippler]), with a lugubrious air(in a mournful or gloomy manner [wɪθ ə luˈgjubriəs ɛr]).
"Why are you drinking(asking the reason for consuming alcohol [waɪ ər ju ˈdrɪŋkɪŋ])?" demanded(asked forcefully; inquired with insistence [dɪˈmændɪd]) the little prince(the young royal figure [ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]).
"So that I may forget(Indicates the purpose of an action, which is to forget something. [soʊ ðət aɪ meɪ fərˈgɛt])," replied(Answered; responded in words. [rɪˈplaɪd]) the tippler(The drunkard; the person who drinks alcohol regularly and to excess. [ðə tippler]).
"Forget what(Asking what the person wants to forget. [fərˈgɛt wət])?" inquired(Asked; posed a question. [ˌɪnkˈwaɪərd]) the little prince(Referring to the character of the little prince. [ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]), who already was sorry for him(Expressing that the little prince felt pity or regret for the tippler's situation. [hu ɔˈrɛdi wɑz ˈsɑri fər ɪm]).
"Forget that I am ashamed(To not remember or think about the feeling of shame. [fərˈgɛt ðət aɪ æm əˈʃeɪmd])," the tippler confessed(The drunkard admitted or acknowledged something, in this case, his shame. [ðə tippler kənˈfɛst]), hanging his head(Lowering his head, often indicating shame, guilt, or sadness. [ˈhæŋɪŋ hɪz hɛd]).
"Ashamed of what(Asking what is causing the feeling of shame. [əˈʃeɪmd əv wət])?" insisted(Persisted in asking; demanded an answer. [ˌɪnˈsɪstɪd]) the little prince(Referring to the character of the little prince. [ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]), who wanted to help him(Expressing the little prince's desire to assist the tippler. [hu ˈwɔntɪd tɪ hɛlp ɪm]).
"Ashamed of drinking(Feeling shame or embarrassment because of consuming alcohol. [əˈʃeɪmd əv ˈdrɪŋkɪŋ])!" The tippler(The drunkard; the person who drinks alcohol regularly and to excess. [ðə tippler]) brought his speech to an end(Finished speaking. [brɔt hɪz spiʧ tɪ ən ɛnd]), and shut himself up in an impregnable silence(Refused to speak further, creating a silence that could not be broken or penetrated. 'Impregnable' suggests a strong, unyielding silence. [ənd ʃət hɪmˈsɛlf əp ɪn ən ˌɪmˈprɛgnəbəl ˈsaɪləns]).
And(A conjunction used to connect clauses or sentences. [ənd]) the little prince(Referring to the character of the little prince. [ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]) went away(Departed; left the scene. [wɛnt əˈweɪ]), puzzled(Confused; bewildered. [ˈpəzəld]).
"The grown-ups(Adults. [ðə ˈgroʊˌnəps]) are certainly(Definitely; without a doubt. [ər ˈsərtənli]) very, very odd(Extremely strange or peculiar. The repetition emphasizes the degree of oddness. [ˈvɛri ˈvɛri ɑd])," he said(He spoke. [hi sɛd]) to himself(Speaking quietly, so only he can hear. [tɪ hɪmˈsɛlf]), as he continued(While he proceeded. [ɛz hi kənˈtɪnjud]) on his journey(On his travels or voyage. [ɔn hɪz ˈʤərni]).
XIII
The fourth planet(Refers to a specific planet in a sequence, indicating its ordinal position [ðə fɔrθ ˈplænət]) belonged to(was owned by or associated with [bɪˈlɔŋd tɪ]) a businessman(a person engaged in commercial or industrial business [ə ˈbɪznɪsˌmæn]). This man(Refers back to the businessman mentioned in the previous sentence [ðɪs mæn]) was so much occupied(was extremely busy or preoccupied [wɑz soʊ məʧ ˈɑkjəˌpaɪd]) that he did not even raise his head(implying he was too busy to acknowledge someone's presence [ðət hi dɪd nɑt ˈivɪn reɪz hɪz hɛd]) at the little prince's arrival(when the little prince arrived; 'arrival' refers to the act of coming to a place [æt ðə ˈlɪtəl ˈprɪnsɪz ərˈaɪvəl]).
Businessman.jpg
"Good morning(a polite greeting used in the morning [gʊd ˈmɔrnɪŋ])," the little prince(Refers to the main character, a young prince [ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]) said to him(spoke to the businessman [sɛd tɪ ɪm]). "Your cigarette(Refers to the cigarette of the person being addressed [jʊr ˌsɪgəˈrɛt]) has gone out(the cigarette is no longer lit [həz gɔn aʊt])."
"Three and two make five(Basic arithmetic calculation [θri ənd tu meɪk faɪv]). Five and seven make twelve(Basic arithmetic calculation [faɪv ənd ˈsɛvən meɪk twɛlv]). Twelve and three make fifteen(Basic arithmetic calculation [twɛlv ənd θri meɪk ˈfɪfˈtin]). Good morning(A polite greeting used in the morning [gʊd ˈmɔrnɪŋ]). Fifteen and seven make twenty-two(Basic arithmetic calculation [ˈfɪfˈtin ənd ˈsɛvən meɪk tˈwɛntiˌtu]). Twenty-two and six make twenty-eight(Basic arithmetic calculation [tˈwɛntiˌtu ənd sɪks meɪk twenty-eight]). I haven't time(I do not have enough time [aɪ ˈhævənt taɪm]) to light it again(to relight the cigarette [tɪ laɪt ɪt əˈgɛn]). Twenty-six and five make thirty-one(Basic arithmetic calculation [twenty-six ənd faɪv meɪk thirty-one]). Phew(An exclamation of relief or exhaustion [fju])! Then that makes(The total sum is [ðɛn ðət meɪks]) five-hundred-and-one million, six-hundred-twenty-two-thousand, seven-hundred-thirty-one(A very large number, indicating the businessman's focus on wealth [five-hundred-and-one ˈmɪljən six-hundred-twenty-two-thousand seven-hundred-thirty-one])."
"Five hundred million what(A question expressing confusion or demanding clarification about a large quantity. [faɪv ˈhənərd ˈmɪljən wət])?" asked(Inquired; posed a question. [æst]) the little prince(Referring to a character known as 'the little prince'. [ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]).
"Eh(An expression of surprise or confusion. [ɛ])? Are you still there(A question asking if someone is still present or listening. [ər ju stɪl ðɛr])? Five-hundred-and-one million(A very large number, specifically 501,000,000. [five-hundred-and-one ˈmɪljən]) — I can't stop(Indicates an inability to pause or cease an activity. [ aɪ kænt stɑp])... I have so much to do(Expresses being very busy and having many tasks. [aɪ hæv soʊ məʧ tɪ du])! I am concerned with(To be worried or interested in something. [aɪ æm kənˈsərnd wɪθ]) matters of consequence(Important or significant issues. [ˈmætərz əv ˈkɑnsəkwəns]). I don't amuse myself with balderdash(I do not waste time on nonsense. [aɪ doʊnt əmˈjuz ˌmaɪˈsɛlf wɪθ ˈbɔldərˌdæʃ]). Two and five make seven(A simple arithmetic calculation, possibly indicating a focus on numbers. [tu ənd faɪv meɪk ˈsɛvən])..."
"Five-hundred-and-one million what(A question expressing confusion or demanding clarification about a large quantity. [five-hundred-and-one ˈmɪljən wət])?" repeated(Said again. [rɪˈpitɪd]) the little prince(Referring to a character known as 'the little prince'. [ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]), who never in his life had let go of a question(Referring to someone who is persistent in seeking answers. [hu ˈnɛvər ɪn hɪz laɪf hæd lɛt goʊ əv ə kˈwɛʃən]) once he had asked it(After a question has been posed. [wəns hi hæd æst ɪt]).