支付宝回应付款优惠失误

昨日下午，多名支付宝用户在社交媒体晒出支付宝交易记录截图，称在下午14：40-14:45时间段内，通过支付宝进行个人转账、信用卡支付、缴费等交易时，均在订单支付时享受“政府补贴”减免20%。

今天你练听力了吗？

🤔️小作业：

1. What does the phrase “back-end misconfiguration” most likely refer to in the context of the article?

A. A physical error caused by the hardware used in the system.

B. A programming mistake that affected the functionality of the app.

C. A marketing failure that resulted in financial losses for the company.

D. A misunderstanding between Alipay and its business partners.

无注释原文：

Alipay bears cost of system error that applied discounts to user transactions

From: SCMP

Alipay, China's leading mobile payments platform, will bear the expense from unexpected losses that it incurred on Thursday, when a system error gave a 20 per cent discount to an undisclosed number of user transactions.

The error, which was caused by a back-end misconfiguration in the app's promotional campaign, applied an “immediate deduction” to the value of payment on certain user transactions made on that day, according to Alipay's statement on Chinese microblogging service Weibo.

The statement was issued after many Alipay users posted screenshots on Chinese social media on Thursday to show that they were entitled to such a “government subsidy” on their transactions – including money transfers, credit card repayments and purchase of railway tickets – made at around 2.40pm on that day.

The Ant Group-operated payments platform did not specify the amount of losses that it suffered. Ant Group is the fintech affiliate of Alibaba Group Holding, owner of the South China Morning Post.

Shanghai-based Alipay said it would bear the costs resulting from the system error, while assuring users who received discounts that it had no plans to recover any amount of money from them.

That assurance was meant to address concerns about potential scams. Alipay pointed out that it had not sent any text messages to recover money and advised users not to click on links attached to any message they might receive regarding this matter.

The 20 per cent discount mistakenly provided via Alipay's system error was for China's consumer goods trade-in scheme, which was introduced last year to help stimulate domestic consumption. The subsidy programme offered consumers a rebate of up to 2,000 yuan (US$273) per item for eligible home appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines and televisions.

The scheme was expanded this year to cover consumer electronics products – including smartphones, tablets and smart wearable devices – with up to a 500-yuan subsidy for items that cost no more than 6,000 yuan each.

Alipay's quick action on the system error reflects efforts to bolster its operations, weeks after its Hangzhou-based parent expanded the business into two units: the Digital Payment Business Group that oversees innovative payment products and the Alipay Business Group, which is focused on user base growth and monetisation.

Thursday's incident was not the first time that Alipay had to rush to fix a major bug on its platform. In 2017, Chinese media reported that certain bugs in the app gave users' acquaintances or even strangers the ability to log into their accounts, which prompted Alipay to adopt tighter risk controls.

Alipay and Tencent Holdings' WeChat Pay, are the two largest mobile payments platforms in China. Last September, Alipay had more than 640 million monthly active users in the country, according to online database Statista.

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注：完整题目见本文开头；中文文本为机器翻译并非一一对应，仅供参考

含注释全文：

Alipay bears cost of system error that applied discounts to user transactions

From: SCMP

Alipay, China's leading mobile payments platform, will bear the expense from unexpected losses that it incurred on Thursday, when a system error gave a 20 per cent discount to an undisclosed number of user transactions.

中国领先的移动支付平台支付宝将承担由于系统错误而带来的意外损失。周四，因系统错误，部分用户的交易意外享受了20%的折扣。

1）表示“招致；遭受，引起”，英文解释为“to experience something, usually something unpleasant, as a result of actions you have taken”如：to incur debts/fines/bills 招致债务/遭到罚款/要付账。

2）表示“引致，带来（成本、花费等）”，英文解释为“if you incur costs, you have to pay them”举个🌰：You risk incurring bank charges if you exceed your overdraft limit. 如果超出了透支限额，就有被银行加收费用的风险。

undisclosed /ˌʌn.dɪsˈkləʊzd/ 表示“未披露的，未公开的，保密的”，英文解释为“If official information is undisclosed, it is secret.”举个🌰：The meeting is taking place at an undisclosed location. 会议在一个秘密地点召开。

transaction /trænˈzæk.ʃən/ 表示“交易”，英文解释为“an occasion when someone buys or sells something, or when money is exchanged or the activity of buying or selling something”

The error, which was caused by a back-end misconfiguration in the app's promotional campaign, applied an “immediate deduction” to the value of payment on certain user transactions made on that day, according to Alipay's statement on Chinese microblogging service Weibo.

据支付宝在中国社交媒体微博上的声明，这一失误是由应用程序的营销活动后端配置错误引起的，错误地对当天某些用户的交易金额进行“立减优惠”。

back end /ˈbæk ˌend/ 表示“（电脑系统的）后台，后端”，英文解释为“the part of a computer system, piece of software, etc., where data is stored or processed rather than the parts that are seen and directly used by the user”举个🌰：Two of the most popular SQL back ends are MySQL and SQL Server. 其中最流行的两个SQL后端是MySQL和SQL 服务器。

configuration /kənˌfɪɡ.əˈreɪ.ʃən/ 1）表示“布局；构造，结构；格局”，英文解释为“the particular arrangement or pattern of a group of related things”举个🌰：We tried the furniture in different configurations to see which fit best. 我们尝试了不同的家具布局，看看哪一种最适合。

2）表示“（计算机的）配置”，英文解释为“the way in which all the equipment that makes up a computer system is set to operate”

deduction /dɪˈdʌk.ʃən/ 作名词，1）表示“减法；扣除；扣除额；减免额”，英文解释为“the calculation of taking an amount or a part of something away from a total or the amount that is taken away”举个🌰：The interest I receive on my savings account is paid after the deduction of tax. 付给我的存款利息已经扣了税。

2）在剧本杀好玩吗？文中提到a deduction game 推理游戏，deduction还可以表示“（根据已知的事实所作出的）推断，推论；推论所促成的决定”，英文解释为“the process of reaching a decision or answer by thinking about the known facts, or the decision that is reached”举个🌰：Through a process of deduction, the detectives discovered the identity of the killer. 经过一番仔细推断，警探们搞清了杀手的身份。

The statement was issued after many Alipay users posted screenshots on Chinese social media on Thursday to show that they were entitled to such a “government subsidy” on their transactions – including money transfers, credit card repayments and purchase of railway tickets – made at around 2.40pm on that day.

声明发布前，许多支付宝用户在中国社交媒体上发布截图，显示他们在当天下午2点40分左右进行的交易（包括转账、信用卡还款和购买火车票等）享受了“政府补贴”。

screenshot /ˈskriːn.ʃɒt/ 表示“屏幕截图”，英文解释为“an image created by copying part or all of the display on a computer screen at a particular moment, for example in order to demonstrate the use of a piece of software”。

entitle /ɪnˈtaɪ.təl/ 1）表示“给…命名，给…题名”，英文解释为“to give a title to a book, film, etc.”举个🌰：His latest book, entitled "LearnAndReocrd", is out this week. 他名为《LearnAndReocrd》的新书将于本周出版。

2）表示“给予权利；使符合资格”，英文解释为“to give someone the right to do or have something”举个🌰：The employer is entitled to ask for references. 雇主有权索要推荐信。

subsidy /ˈsʌb.sɪ.di/ 表示“补助金；津贴，补贴”，英文解释为“money given as part of the cost of something, to help or encourage it to happen”举个🌰：The company received a substantial subsidy. 公司得到了大笔津贴。

The Ant Group-operated payments platform did not specify the amount of losses that it suffered. Ant Group is the fintech affiliate of Alibaba Group Holding, owner of the South China Morning Post.

这家由蚂蚁集团运营的支付平台未披露其遭遇的具体损失金额。蚂蚁金服集团是《南华早报》所有者阿里巴巴集团控股公司的金融科技子公司。

specify /ˈspes.ɪ.faɪ/ 表示“具体说明；明确指出”，英文解释为“to explain or describe something clearly and exactly”举个🌰：He said we should meet but didn't specify a time. 他说我们应该见见面，但没说具体时间。

fintech /ˈfɪn.tek/ financial technology 的缩写，表示“金融技术，金融科技”

affiliate /əˈfɪliət/ 作名词，表示“附属机构；分支机构；分公司；分会”，英文解释为“a company, an organization, etc. that is connected with or controlled by another larger one”如：an affiliate of the university 大学的隶属机构/分支机构。

作动词，表示“使并入，使隶属（较大的团体或组织）；使紧密联系”，英文解释为“to cause a group to become part of or form a close relationship with another, usually larger, group, or organization”如：a college affiliated to Zhejiang University 浙江大学附属学院；举个🌰：The hospital is affiliated with the local university. 这家医院附属于当地大学。

顺便看下几个“xx附中”怎么说？

📍北京大学附属中学 The Affiliated High School of Peking University

📍清华大学附属中学 Tsinghua University High School

📍中国人民大学附属中学 The High School Affiliated to Renmin University of China

📍浙江大学附属中学 The High School Attached to Zhejiang University

Shanghai-based Alipay said it would bear the costs resulting from the system error, while assuring users who received discounts that it had no plans to recover any amount of money from them.

支付宝表示，将承担系统错误造成的损失，同时向获得折扣的用户保证，支付宝不会向用户追款。

assure /əˈʃɔːr/ 表示“（尤指为消除其忧虑而）确定地对…说，向…保证，使确信；让…放心”，英文解释为“to tell someone confidently that something is true, especially so that they do not worry”举个🌰：She assured him (that) the car would be ready the next day. 她向他保证说他的车第二天就能修好。

That assurance was meant to address concerns about potential scams. Alipay pointed out that it had not sent any text messages to recover money and advised users not to click on links attached to any message they might receive regarding this matter.

这一保证旨在回应用户对潜在骗局的担忧。支付宝指出，平台未曾发送任何资金追回短信，并建议用户不要点击可能收到的任何与此事相关的链接。

可以作动词，也可以作名词，表示“骗局；欺诈，诈骗”，英文解释为“A scam is an illegal trick, usually with the purpose of getting money from people or avoiding paying tax.”举个🌰：They believed they were participating in an insurance scam, not a murder. 他们认为他们只是在参与保险骗局，而不是谋杀。

The 20 per cent discount mistakenly provided via Alipay's system error was for China's consumer goods trade-in scheme, which was introduced last year to help stimulate domestic consumption. The subsidy programme offered consumers a rebate of up to 2,000 yuan (US$273) per item for eligible home appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines and televisions.

这次支付宝系统错误涉及的20%折扣，实际上是与中国消费品以旧换新计划相关。该计划自去年推出，旨在促进国内消费。补贴最高可达2,000元人民币（约合273美元），适用于购买冰箱、洗衣机、电视等家电产品。

trade-in表示“折价贴换交易，以旧折价换新”，英文解释为“a method of buying something new by giving something you own as part of the payment for it”举个🌰：We got a good trade-in price for our old car. 我们的旧汽车折抵了不少钱。

stimulate /ˈstɪm.jə.leɪt/ 1）表示“刺激，使兴奋；使感兴趣”，英文解释为“to make someone excited and interested about something”举个🌰：The show was intended to stimulate and amuse. 这部电影的主要目的是助兴和娱乐。

2）表示“激发，激励；促进”，英文解释为“to encourage something to grow, develop, or become active”

rebate /ˈriː.beɪt/ 表示“（尤指政府返还的）部分退款”，英文解释为“an amount of money that is returned to you, especially by the government, for example when you have paid too much tax”如：a tax rebate 退还部分税款。

eligible /ˈel.ɪ.dʒə.bəl/ 1）表示“有资格的；合格的；具备条件的”，英文解释为“a person who is eligible for sth or to do sth, is able to have or do it because they have the right qualifications, are the right age, etc.”举个🌰：Only those over 70 are eligible for the special payment. 只有70岁以上的人才有资格领取这项专款。

2）还有一个好玩的意思，表示“（指结婚对象）令人中意的；合意的，合适的”，英文解释为“An eligible man or woman is not yet married and is thought by many people to be a suitable partner.”举个🌰：He's the most eligible bachelor in Japan. 他是日本最令人中意的单身汉。

🎬电影《我要当警察》（Observe And Report）中的台词提到：There are several tests to complete in order to be eligible for police academy 想要进警校 得通过几项测试。

appliance /əˈplaɪ.əns/ 表示“装置，器械；（尤指）家用电器”，英文解释为“a device, machine, or piece of equipment, especially an electrical one that is used in the house, such as a cooker or washing machine”如：electric/domestic/household appliances 电器/家用电器/家电。

The scheme was expanded this year to cover consumer electronics products – including smartphones, tablets and smart wearable devices – with up to a 500-yuan subsidy for items that cost no more than 6,000 yuan each.

今年，这项计划扩展到了消费电子产品，如智能手机、平板电脑和智能穿戴设备。对于每件不超过6,000元人民币的商品，消费者可获得最高500元人民币的补贴。

Alipay's quick action on the system error reflects efforts to bolster its operations, weeks after its Hangzhou-based parent expanded the business into two units: the Digital Payment Business Group that oversees innovative payment products and the Alipay Business Group, which is focused on user base growth and monetisation.

支付宝对系统错误采取的快速行动反映了其加强运营的努力，几周前，总部位于杭州的母公司蚂蚁集团将支付宝业务拆分为两大事业群：负责创新支付产品的数字支付事业群和专注于用户增长和盈利的支付宝事业群。

bolster /ˈbəʊl.stər/ 表示“支撑；加固；提高；改善；加强”，英文解释为“to improve sth or make it stronger”如：to bolster sb's confidence / courage / morale 增加某人的信心 / 勇气 / 士气，举个🌰：Hopes of an early cut in interest rates bolstered confidence. 提前降低利率的希望增强了信心。

🎬电影《塞尔拉·伯格斯是废柴》（Sierra Burgess Is a Loser）中的台词提到：I was wondering if you had any suggestions on how to bolster my resume. 想问问 对提升我的简历你有没有什么意见？

Thursday's incident was not the first time that Alipay had to rush to fix a major bug on its platform. In 2017, Chinese media reported that certain bugs in the app gave users' acquaintances or even strangers the ability to log into their accounts, which prompted Alipay to adopt tighter risk controls.

此次事件并非支付宝第一次因平台漏洞紧急修复系统问题。2017年，中国媒体报道称，支付宝应用中的某些漏洞能让用户的熟人甚至陌生人登录其账户，这促使支付宝采取了更严格的风险控制措施。

bug是程序员最讨厌的东西之一，表示“（计算机程序中出现的）缺陷，漏洞”，英文解释为“a mistake or problem in a computer program”举个🌰：A bug caused the company's computer system to crash. 程序缺陷导致公司的计算机系统崩溃。

bug本义是“小虫子”（a very small insect），也可以指“小病；轻微的传染病”（an illness that people catch very easily from each other but is not very serious），举个🌰：I had a tummy/stomach bug last week. 上周我的肠胃出了点小毛病。

此外，bug还有“窃听器”的意思，英文解释为“A very small device fixed on to a phone or hidden in a room, that allows you to listen to what people are saying without them knowing.”

acquaintance /əˈkweɪn.təns/ 表示“相识的人，熟人；泛泛之交”，英文解释为“a person that you have met but do not know well”如：a business acquaintance 在生意上打过交道的人。

Alipay and Tencent Holdings' WeChat Pay, are the two largest mobile payments platforms in China. Last September, Alipay had more than 640 million monthly active users in the country, according to online database Statista.

支付宝和腾讯控股的微信支付是中国最大的两个移动支付平台。在线数据库Statista的数据显示，去年9月，支付宝在中国的月活跃用户已突破6.4亿。

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