''God(Referring to a deity, used as an exclamation. Indicates the start of a direct quote. [gɑd]) let(Allow or permit. [lɛt]) him(Referring to the fish. [ɪm]) jump(To leap out of the water. Indicates the end of the quoted sentence. [ʤəmp]),'' the old man(Refers to an elderly male character. [ðə oʊld mæn]) said(Past tense of 'say', indicating that the old man spoke the quoted words. End of the sentence. [sɛd]). ''I(The speaker (the old man). Indicates the start of a direct quote. [aɪ]) have(To possess or hold. [hæv]) enough(Sufficient; adequate. [ɪˈnəf]) line(Refers to the fishing line. [laɪn]) to handle(To manage or deal with. [tɪ ˈhændəl]) him(Referring to the fish. Indicates the end of the quoted sentence. [ɪm]).''
Maybe(possibly; perhaps [ˈmeɪbi]) if(used to introduce a condition [ɪf]) I(the speaker or writer referring to himself or herself [aɪ]) can(expressing possibility or ability [kən]) increase(to make or become greater in size, amount, intensity, or degree [ˌɪnˈkris]) the tension(the state of being stretched tight; mental or emotional strain [ðə ˈtɛnʃən]) just(exactly; precisely [ʤɪst]) a little(a small amount or degree [ə ˈlɪtəl]) it(referring to the situation or the effect of increasing tension [ɪt]) will hurt(will cause physical pain or emotional distress [wɪl hərt]) him(referring to the fish [ɪm]) and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) he(referring to the fish [hi]) will jump(will leap or spring into the air [wɪl ʤəmp]), he thought(an internal thought of the character [ hi θɔt]). Now(at the present time or moment [naʊ]) that(introducing a subordinate clause expressing the reason or cause [ðət]) it(referring to the time or situation [ɪt]) is daylight(it is daytime; the period of light between sunrise and sunset [ɪz ˈdeɪˌlaɪt]) let him jump(allowing or permitting the fish to jump [lɛt ɪm ʤəmp]) so that(with the aim that; in order that [soʊ ðət]) he'll(contraction of 'he will' [hil]) fill(to make or become full; occupy to the full extent [fɪl]) the sacks(bag-like structures [ðə sæks]) along(moving in a constant direction on (a road, path, or any more or less horizontal surface [əˈlɔŋ]) his backbone(the series of vertebrae extending from the skull to the pelvis [hɪz ˈbækˌboʊn]) with air(the invisible gaseous substance surrounding the earth, breathed by humans and animals [wɪθ ɛr]) and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) then(at that time; after that [ðɛn]) he(referring to the fish [hi]) cannot(not able to; not permitted to [ˈkænɑt]) go deep(descend to a great depth [goʊ dip]) to die(to stop living; to become dead [tɪ daɪ]).
He(referring to the fisherman [hi]) tried(made an attempt or effort to do something [traɪd]) to increase(to make or become greater in size, amount, intensity, or degree [tɪ ˌɪnˈkris]) the tension(the state of being stretched tight; mental or emotional strain [ðə ˈtɛnʃən]), but(used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or seems to contradict something that has been said previously [ bət]) the line(a length of cord or rope used for a particular purpose [ðə laɪn]) had been(past perfect tense of 'to be' [hæd bɪn]) taut(stretched or pulled tight; not slack [tɔt]) up to(extending as far as [əp tɪ]) the very edge(the extreme limit or boundary [ðə ˈvɛri ɛʤ]) of the breaking point(the point at which something breaks or fails under strain [əv ðə ˈbreɪkɪŋ pɔɪnt]) since(because; as [sɪns]) he(referring to the fisherman [hi]) had hooked(past perfect tense of 'to hook', meaning to catch with a hook [hæd hʊkt]) the fish(the aquatic animal being caught [ðə fɪʃ]) and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) he(referring to the fisherman [hi]) felt(past tense of 'to feel', meaning to perceive or experience [fɛlt]) the harshness(the quality of being unpleasantly rough or jarring to the senses [ðə ˈhɑrʃnəs]) as(while; when [ɛz]) he(referring to the fisherman [hi]) leaned back(inclined the body backward [lind bæk]) to pull(to exert force on (someone or something) so as to move them towards oneself [tɪ pʊl]) and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) knew(past tense of 'to know', meaning to be aware of [nu]) he(referring to the fisherman [hi]) could(past tense of 'can', expressing ability or possibility [kʊd]) put(to move (something) into a particular position [pʊt]) no more(not any more; not any further [noʊ mɔr]) strain(a force tending to pull or stretch something to an extreme or damaging degree [streɪn]) on it(referring to the fishing line [ɔn ɪt]). I(the speaker or writer referring to himself or herself [aɪ]) must not(expressing obligation or necessity not to do something [məst nɑt]) jerk(a sudden, sharp, or awkward movement [ʤərk]) it(referring to the fishing line [ɪt]) ever(at any time; on any occasion [ˈɛvər]), he thought(an internal thought of the character [ hi θɔt]). Each jerk(every sudden, sharp, or awkward movement [iʧ ʤərk]) widens(make or become wider [ˈwaɪdənz]) the cut(an opening, incision, or wound made with a sharp-edged tool or object [ðə kət]) the hook(a curved or sharply angled piece of metal or other hard material used to catch or hold something [ðə hʊk]) makes(to create or produce something [meɪks]) and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) then(at that time; after that [ðɛn]) when(at or during the time that [wɪn]) he(referring to the fish [hi]) does jump(emphasizing the action of jumping [dɪz ʤəmp]) he(referring to the fish [hi]) might(expressing possibility or probability [maɪt]) throw(propel (something) with force through the air by a movement of the arm and hand [θroʊ]) it(referring to the hook [ɪt]). Anyway(in any case; regardless [ˈɛniˌweɪ]) I(the speaker or writer referring to himself or herself [aɪ]) feel(be aware of (a physical sensation or emotion [fil]) better(in a more satisfactory way [ˈbɛtər]) with(accompanied by [wɪθ]) the sun(the star that provides light and heat to Earth [ðə sən]) and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) for once(for this one time; on this single occasion [fər wəns]) I(the speaker or writer referring to himself or herself [aɪ]) do not(expressing negation [du nɑt]) have to(expressing necessity or obligation [hæv tɪ]) look into(to investigate; to examine [lʊk ˈɪntu]) it(referring to the sun [ɪt]).
There was(Indicates existence or presence of something in a particular place or time [ðɛr wɑz]) yellow weed(Refers to a type of seaweed that is yellow in color [ˈjɛloʊ wid]) on the line(Located or attached to the fishing line [ɔn ðə laɪn]) but(A conjunction used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something previously said [bət]) the old man(Refers to the main character, an elderly fisherman [ðə oʊld mæn]) knew(Past tense of 'know', meaning to be aware of or understand something [nu]) that(A conjunction introducing a subordinate clause [ðət]) only(Merely; just [ˈoʊnli]) made(Past tense of 'make', meaning to create or cause something [meɪd]) an added drag(An additional resistance or burden [ən ˈædɪd dræg]) and(A conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]) he was(Refers to the old man [hi wɑz]) pleased(Feeling or expressing happiness or satisfaction [plizd]). It was(Refers to something previously mentioned [ɪt wɑz]) the yellow Gulf weed(Specific type of yellow seaweed found in the Gulf [ðə ˈjɛloʊ gəlf wid]) that(A relative pronoun referring back to 'the yellow Gulf weed' [ðət]) had made(Past perfect tense of 'make', indicating something that happened before another past event [hæd meɪd]) so much phosphorescence(A large amount of light emitted by a substance without combustion or perceptible heat [soʊ məʧ ˌfɑsfərˈɛsəns]) in the night(During the nighttime [ɪn ðə naɪt]).
''Fish(Addressing the fish directly [fɪʃ]),'' he said(Attribution to the old man [hi sɛd]), ''I love you(Expressing affection for the fish [aɪ ləv ju]) and(Conjunction connecting two related statements [ənd]) respect you(Expressing admiration and consideration for the fish [rɪˈspɛkt ju]) very much(Intensifier, indicating a high degree of love and respect [ˈvɛri məʧ]). But(Conjunction introducing a contrasting statement [bət]) I will kill you(Stating the intention to kill the fish [aɪ wɪl kɪl ju]) dead(Emphasizing the finality of the act of killing [dɛd]) before(Indicating a time frame [ˌbiˈfɔr]) this day ends(Before the current day is over [ðɪs deɪ ɛndz]).''
Let us hope so(Expressing a desire or wish for something to happen, in this case, likely related to catching the fish [lɛt ˈjuˈɛs hoʊp soʊ]), he thought(Indicates this is the old man's internal thought [hi θɔt]).
A small bird(Refers to a bird that is not large in size [ə smɔl bərd]) came(Past tense of 'come', meaning to move towards someone or something [keɪm]) toward(In the direction of [təˈwɔrd]) the skiff(A small, light boat [ðə skɪf]) from the north(Originating from the northern direction [frəm ðə nɔrθ]). He was(Refers to the small bird [hi wɑz]) a warbler(A type of small songbird [ə ˈwɔrblər]) and(A conjunction connecting two related statements [ənd]) flying(Moving through the air using wings [flaɪɪŋ]) very low(Close to the surface [ˈvɛri loʊ]) over the water(Above the body of water [ˈoʊvər ðə ˈwɔtər]). The old man(Refers to the main character, an elderly fisherman [ðə oʊld mæn]) could see(Was able to observe [kʊd si]) that(A conjunction introducing a subordinate clause [ðət]) he was(Refers to the small bird [hi wɑz]) very tired(Feeling a great need to rest or sleep [ˈvɛri taɪərd]).
The bird(Referring to the small bird mentioned previously [ðə bərd]) made(Arrived at [meɪd]) the stern(The rear part of a boat [ðə stərn]) of the boat(Referring to the skiff [əv ðə boʊt]) and(A conjunction connecting two related actions [ənd]) rested(Took a break; paused to relax [ˈrɛstɪd]) there(At that location, referring to the stern of the boat [ðɛr]). Then(Following that; next [ðɛn]) he flew(The bird moved through the air [hi flu]) around(In a circular path [əraʊnd]) the old man's head(Circling the head of the old man [ðə oʊld mænz hɛd]) and(A conjunction connecting two related actions [ənd]) rested(Took a break; paused to relax [ˈrɛstɪd]) on the line(On the fishing line [ɔn ðə laɪn]) where(At the place or location [wɛr]) he was(Referring to the bird [hi wɑz]) more comfortable(Feeling more relaxed and at ease [mɔr ˈkəmfərtəbəl]).
''How old are you(A direct question about someone's age, enclosed in double quotation marks to indicate direct speech. [haʊ oʊld ər ju])?'' the old man(Refers to an elderly male. [ðə oʊld mæn]) asked(Inquired or posed a question to. [æst]) the bird(A feathered animal. [ðə bərd]). ''Is this your first trip(A question asking if this is the bird's initial journey, enclosed in double quotation marks to indicate direct speech. [ɪz ðɪs jʊr fərst trɪp])?''
The bird(A feathered animal. [ðə bərd]) looked at(Directed its gaze towards. [lʊkt æt]) him(Referring to the old man. [ɪm]) when he spoke(At the moment the old man was talking. [wɪn hi spoʊk]). He(Referring to the bird. [hi]) was too tired(Indicates a state of extreme fatigue. [wɑz tu taɪərd]) even to examine(Not even having the energy to inspect. [ˈivɪn tɪ ɪgˈzæmɪn]) the line(Referring to a fishing line or similar. [ðə laɪn]) and he teetered on it(And he wobbled or swayed on the line. [ənd hi ˈtitərd ɔn ɪt]) as his delicate feet(While its small and fragile feet. [ɛz hɪz ˈdɛləkət fit]) gripped it fast(Held onto the line tightly. [grɪpt ɪt fæst]).
''It's steady(Said to mean 'it is stable', enclosed in double quotation marks to indicate direct speech. [ɪts ˈstɛdi]),'' the old man(Refers to an elderly male. [ðə oʊld mæn]) told him(Said to the bird. [toʊld ɪm]). ''It's too steady(Said to mean 'it is excessively stable', enclosed in double quotation marks to indicate direct speech. [ɪts tu ˈstɛdi]). You shouldn't be(You ought not to be. [ju ˈʃʊdənt bi]) that tired(So exhausted. [ðət taɪərd]) after a windless night(Following a night with no wind. [ˈæftər ə windless naɪt]). What are birds coming to(A rhetorical question expressing concern about the state of birds, enclosed in double quotation marks to indicate direct speech. [wət ər bərdz ˈkəmɪŋ tɪ])?''
The hawks(Birds of prey. [ðə hɔks]), he thought(A thought that the old man had. [hi θɔt]), that come out to sea(Which venture out to the ocean. [ðət kəm aʊt tɪ si]) to meet them(To encounter the birds. [tɪ mit ðɛm]). But he said nothing of this(However, he didn't mention any of this. [bət hi sɛd ˈnəθɪŋ əv ðɪs]) to the bird(Addressing the feathered animal. [tɪ ðə bərd]) who could not understand him anyway(Since the bird wouldn't comprehend him regardless. [hu kʊd nɑt ˌəndərˈstænd ɪm ˈɛniˌweɪ]) and who would learn about the hawks(And the bird would eventually discover about the predators. [ənd hu wʊd lərn əˈbaʊt ðə hɔks]) soon enough(In due time. [sun ɪˈnəf]).
''Take(An imperative verb, meaning to seize or grasp, but in this context, it's used as a command to accept or receive something, in this case, rest [teɪk]) a good rest(A period of relaxation and recovery that is beneficial and sufficient [ə gʊd rɛst]), small bird(A diminutive term of endearment for a bird, indicating its size and possibly vulnerability [smɔl bərd]),'' he said(Attribution of the preceding words to a male speaker [ hi sɛd]). ''Then(Adverb indicating sequence or time; after that [ðɛn]) go in(To enter a place or situation [goʊ ɪn]) and take(To seize or grasp, similar to 'take' earlier, but here implying to accept or undertake [ənd teɪk]) your chance(An opportunity to do something, especially when it depends on luck or circumstances [jʊr ʧæns]) like(Similar to; in the same way as [laɪk]) any man or bird or fish(Comparison to any creature, emphasizing equality in facing opportunities or risks [ˈɛni mæn ər bərd ər fɪʃ]).''