Top 100 Vocabulary for Visiting and Touring EU | Toulouse helps you explore aircraft, space missions, astronomy and the blue-dye story of southern France. Every entry includes English IPA, simplified Chinese, Mandarin pinyin, a clear meaning, an original example and an individual usage note.
A pointed aircraft nose. A spacecraft you can study at human scale. A plant that helped colour cloth blue. Toulouse is a lovely place to move between big questions and small discoveries. Let’s find the words that let you ask, “How does this work?” and enjoy the answer.
You do not need to become an aerospace engineer before visiting a museum. Start with an object, ask what one part does, and give yourself time to listen. A friendly follow-up question often teaches more than trying to remember twenty new terms at once.
城市：Toulouse — 图卢兹 (tú lú zī). A French-style pronunciation is /tu.luz/. The city is in southwestern France. Its official tourism office introduces its pink-brick heritage and cultural life through the Toulouse visitor website. English is useful for international travel, while bonjour and merci are pleasant ways to begin and end a local exchange.
Visitor notice, checked 2 October 2026: the Musée des Augustins’ French practical-information page states that the museum is closed from 21 September through 2 October 2026 inclusive because of work on the main cloister. It also describes a partial opening, restricted access to colonnades, Gothic rooms planned for October 2026 and the church for autumn 2027. Those are different access questions. Recheck the current notice for your intended visit; the end of a closure period does not mean every space has reopened.
中文行程提示：奥古斯丁博物馆的公告写明，2026 年 9 月 21 日至 10 月 2 日（含当天）闭馆。不同空间有不同开放进度。确认自己的参观日期与具体展厅，不把“部分重新开放”理解为“所有区域都可以参观”。
About “Top 100”: this is eduKate’s teaching selection, not an official frequency or search-volume ranking. These 100 numbered headwords were checked against the existing twenty-city EU register. The guide complements everyday travel English with language for explaining what you see. For transport, accommodation and meals, the Berlin guide’s shared travel foundations offers a useful companion route.
Pronunciation: entries use broad American English IPA with familiar British spellings such as fibre, discolour and pressurisation. ˈ marks primary stress and ˌ secondary stress. The city name uses French-style IPA separately. Pinyin reads the Chinese meaning, not the English word. Listen to a reliable recording and practise the term inside a short sentence.
给中文读者：先用中文理解概念，再读英文例句，最后改写成自己的问题。不要只记标签。把“物体是什么”“它做什么”“我想确认什么”连起来，英语就能帮助你真正看懂展品。
1–25: Aircraft and flight · 26–50: Space missions · 51–75: Astronomy · 76–100: Woad, cloth and care · Toulouse places and history · Bilingual conversations · Learning practice · Worked examples and self-check
1–10: aeronautics to nose cone
11–20: empennage to autopilot
21–30: altimeter to microgravity
31–40: orbit to re-entry
41–50: heat shield to vacuum
51–60: asteroid to black hole
61–70: infrared to apogee
71–80: eclipse to alkaline
81–90: oxidation to spindle
Toulouse vocabulary 1–25 | Aircraft and flight: name the part, then ask its job
Use a labelled aircraft diagram to connect each term with a part, a force or a motion. The language is for museum explanations and conversation, rather than operating an aircraft. Different designs have different arrangements.
| No. | Word or expression | Pronunciation (IPA) | 简体中文 | Mandarin pinyin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | aeronautics | /ˌerəˈnɔːtɪks/ | 航空学 | háng kōng xué |
| 2 | fuselage | /ˈfjuːzəlɑːʒ/ | 机身 | jī shēn |
| 3 | cockpit | /ˈkɑːkpɪt/ | 驾驶舱 | jià shǐ cāng |
| 4 | airfoil | /ˈerfɔɪl/ | 翼型 | yì xíng |
| 5 | aileron | /ˈeɪlərɑːn/ | 副翼 | fù yì |
| 6 | flap | /flæp/ | 襟翼 | jīn yì |
| 7 | slat | /slæt/ | 前缘缝翼 | qián yuán fèng yì |
| 8 | wingtip | /ˈwɪŋtɪp/ | 翼尖 | yì jiān |
| 9 | undercarriage | /ˈʌndərkærɪdʒ/ | 起落架 | qǐ luò jià |
| 10 | nose cone | /ˈnoʊz koʊn/ | 头锥 | tóu zhuī |
| 11 | empennage | /ˈempənɪdʒ/ | 尾翼组件 | wěi yì zǔ jiàn |
| 12 | thrust | /θrʌst/ | 推力 | tuī lì |
| 13 | drag | /dræɡ/ | 阻力 | zǔ lì |
| 14 | supersonic | /ˌsuːpərˈsɑːnɪk/ | 超音速的 | chāo yīn sù de |
| 15 | subsonic | /ˌsʌbˈsɑːnɪk/ | 亚音速的 | yà yīn sù de |
| 16 | sonic boom | /ˈsɑːnɪk buːm/ | 音爆 | yīn bào |
| 17 | Mach number | /ˈmɑːk ˌnʌmbər/ | 马赫数 | mǎ hè shù |
| 18 | pressurisation | /ˌpreʃərəˈzeɪʃən/ | 增压 | zēng yā |
| 19 | avionics | /ˌeɪviˈɑːnɪks/ | 航空电子设备 | háng kōng diàn zi shè bèi |
| 20 | autopilot | /ˈɔːtoʊˌpaɪlət/ | 自动驾驶仪 | zì dòng jià shǐ yí |
| 21 | altimeter | /ælˈtɪmətər/ | 高度计 | gāo dù jì |
| 22 | airspeed | /ˈerspiːd/ | 空速 | kōng sù |
| 23 | aerodynamics | /ˌerədaɪˈnæmɪks/ | 空气动力学 | kōng qì dòng lì xué |
| 24 | roll | /roʊl/ | 滚转 | gǔn zhuǎn |
| 25 | yaw | /jɔː/ | 偏航 | piān háng |
Use the words in clear sentences
1. aeronautics
Meaning: the study and practice of flight through the air. 中文：航空学 (háng kōng xué).
Say it: “What first interested you in aeronautics?”
Use it well: This is an uncountable field of study, despite its final s.
2. fuselage
Meaning: the main body of an aircraft, containing space for people or equipment. 中文：机身 (jī shēn).
Say it: “Could you point out where the wing joins the fuselage?”
Use it well: The fuselage is the body, rather than the wing or the entire aircraft.
3. cockpit
Meaning: the area from which a pilot controls an aircraft. 中文：驾驶舱 (jià shǐ cāng).
Say it: “Is the cockpit included in this visitor route?”
Use it well: A view into a cockpit does not necessarily include permission to enter it.
4. airfoil
Meaning: a cross-sectional shape designed to produce aerodynamic force as air moves past it. 中文：翼型 (yì xíng).
Say it: “The diagram compares two airfoil shapes.”
Use it well: British English commonly spells the word aerofoil. A shape can generate lift without having a rounded upper surface in every design.
5. aileron
Meaning: a movable control surface on a wing used to control rolling motion. 中文：副翼 (fù yì).
Say it: “Which aileron moves in this animation?”
Use it well: An aileron helps control roll; it is not the name for the whole wing.
6. flap
Meaning: a movable wing surface used to change its aerodynamic characteristics, often for take-off and landing. 中文：襟翼 (jīn yì).
Say it: “Could you explain why this aircraft has a flap here?”
Use it well: This entry teaches the aircraft part. Flap can also name a loose cover or a waving movement.
7. slat
Meaning: a device at the front edge of a wing that helps maintain lift at higher angles to the airflow. 中文：前缘缝翼 (qián yuán fèng yì).
Say it: “Does the model show how the slat extends?”
Use it well: Slats are at the leading edge; many familiar flaps are at the trailing edge.
8. wingtip
Meaning: the outer end of an aircraft wing. 中文：翼尖 (yì jiān).
Say it: “I noticed a different shape at the wingtip.”
Use it well: A wingtip is an end region; a winglet is a particular structure that may be fitted there.
9. undercarriage
Meaning: the supporting equipment, including wheels on many aircraft, used on the ground. 中文：起落架 (qǐ luò jià).
Say it: “Is the undercarriage retractable on this model?”
Use it well: Landing gear is another familiar name. Not every aircraft folds it away.
10. nose cone
Meaning: a shaped covering at the front of an aircraft or rocket. 中文：头锥 (tóu zhuī).
Say it: “What is housed behind the nose cone?”
Use it well: Ask about the specific vehicle; a nose cone does not always contain the same equipment.
11. empennage
Meaning: the tail assembly of an aircraft. 中文：尾翼组件 (wěi yì zǔ jiàn).
Say it: “The label uses empennage for this group of tail parts.”
Use it well: Tail assembly is a helpful plain-English explanation. The final sound is like the ending of village.
12. thrust
Meaning: a force produced by a propulsion system to drive a vehicle. 中文：推力 (tuī lì).
Say it: “How does the engine produce thrust?”
Use it well: Thrust is a force, rather than a measure of speed. Its direction matters.
13. drag
Meaning: the aerodynamic force opposing an object’s motion relative to the air. 中文：阻力 (zǔ lì).
Say it: “Would this change in shape reduce drag?”
Use it well: Use aerodynamic drag when the context might otherwise suggest pulling an object across a surface.
14. supersonic
Meaning: moving faster than sound travels in the surrounding medium. 中文：超音速的 (chāo yīn sù de).
Say it: “What made supersonic passenger flight technically difficult?”
Use it well: The comparison is with the local speed of sound, which varies with conditions.
15. subsonic
Meaning: moving more slowly than sound travels in the surrounding medium. 中文：亚音速的 (yà yīn sù de).
Say it: “The display compares subsonic and supersonic flight.”
Use it well: The prefix sub- means below here. The pair describes speed ranges, not better and worse aircraft.
16. sonic boom
Meaning: a loud sound associated with shock waves from an object moving faster than sound. 中文：音爆 (yīn bào).
Say it: “Does this recording demonstrate a sonic boom?”
Use it well: It is not simply an engine becoming louder, and it is not produced only at the instant a vehicle passes Mach 1.
17. Mach number
Meaning: the ratio of an object’s speed to the local speed of sound. 中文：马赫数 (mǎ hè shù).
Say it: “What does the Mach number tell us in this diagram?”
Use it well: Mach 1 means the local speed of sound. It is not one fixed speed in kilometres per hour for every altitude.
18. pressurisation
Meaning: the process of maintaining pressure in an enclosed space above that outside it. 中文：增压 (zēng yā).
Say it: “How is cabin pressurisation explained in this exhibit?”
Use it well: American spelling is pressurization. The cabin can be pressurised without matching sea-level pressure exactly.
19. avionics
Meaning: the electronic systems used in an aircraft. 中文：航空电子设备 (háng kōng diàn zi shè bèi).
Say it: “Which avionics systems help the crew navigate?”
Use it well: The word combines aviation and electronics. It covers systems, not just a single screen.
20. autopilot
Meaning: a system that automatically controls specified aspects of an aircraft’s flight. 中文：自动驾驶仪 (zì dòng jià shǐ yí).
Say it: “Which tasks can this autopilot perform?”
Use it well: An autopilot follows selected modes and settings; the word does not mean the aircraft has no human supervision.
21. altimeter
Meaning: an instrument that indicates altitude. 中文：高度计 (gāo dù jì).
Say it: “How does this altimeter obtain its reading?”
Use it well: Ask whether a display uses air pressure or another method. Altitude needs a stated reference.
22. airspeed
Meaning: the speed of an aircraft relative to the surrounding air. 中文：空速 (kōng sù).
Say it: “Why is airspeed different from speed over the ground?”
Use it well: Wind can make airspeed and ground speed differ. State which speed you mean.
23. aerodynamics
Meaning: the study of forces and motion involving objects and airflow. 中文：空气动力学 (kōng qì dòng lì xué).
Say it: “This model makes aerodynamics easier to discuss.”
Use it well: The field applies beyond aircraft, including vehicles and sports equipment moving through air.
24. roll
Meaning: rotation of an aircraft about its front-to-back axis. 中文：滚转 (gǔn zhuǎn).
Say it: “The animation shows the aircraft beginning to roll.”
Use it well: This movement tips one wing up and the other down. It differs from a roll of cloth or bread.
25. yaw
Meaning: rotation of an aircraft about its vertical axis. 中文：偏航 (piān háng).
Say it: “Could you show yaw using the model?”
Use it well: The nose turns left or right around the vertical axis. Turning in flight can involve more than this one movement.
Toulouse vocabulary 26–50 | Space missions: follow the journey and the information
A launch vehicle, an orbiting station and a surface explorer do different jobs. Ask what is being carried, where it is going and how information comes back. These words help you follow a mission without pretending that every model is flight hardware.
| No. | Word or expression | Pronunciation (IPA) | 简体中文 | Mandarin pinyin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | astronaut | /ˈæstrənɔːt/ | 航天员 | háng tiān yuán |
| 27 | space station | /ˈspeɪs ˌsteɪʃən/ | 空间站 | kōng jiān zhàn |
| 28 | spacesuit | /ˈspeɪssuːt/ | 航天服 | háng tiān fú |
| 29 | spacewalk | /ˈspeɪswɔːk/ | 太空行走 | tài kōng xíng zǒu |
| 30 | microgravity | /ˌmaɪkroʊˈɡrævəti/ | 微重力 | wēi zhòng lì |
| 31 | orbit | /ˈɔːrbɪt/ | 轨道 | guǐ dào |
| 32 | satellite | /ˈsætəlaɪt/ | 卫星 | wèi xīng |
| 33 | rocket | /ˈrɑːkɪt/ | 火箭 | huǒ jiàn |
| 34 | booster | /ˈbuːstər/ | 助推器 | zhù tuī qì |
| 35 | payload | /ˈpeɪloʊd/ | 有效载荷 | yǒu xiào zài hè |
| 36 | launchpad | /ˈlɔːntʃpæd/ | 发射台 | fā shè tái |
| 37 | countdown | /ˈkaʊntdaʊn/ | 倒计时 | dào jì shí |
| 38 | propellant | /prəˈpelənt/ | 推进剂 | tuī jìn jì |
| 39 | nozzle | /ˈnɑːzəl/ | 喷嘴 | pēn zuǐ |
| 40 | re-entry | /ˌriːˈentri/ | 再入 | zài rù |
| 41 | heat shield | /ˈhiːt ʃiːld/ | 隔热防护层 | gé rè fáng hù céng |
| 42 | capsule | /ˈkæpsəl/ | 航天舱 | háng tiān cāng |
| 43 | lander | /ˈlændər/ | 着陆器 | zhuó lù qì |
| 44 | rover | /ˈroʊvər/ | 巡视探测器 | xún shì tàn cè qì |
| 45 | solar panel | /ˈsoʊlər ˌpænəl/ | 太阳能板 | tài yáng néng bǎn |
| 46 | telemetry | /təˈlemətri/ | 遥测 | yáo cè |
| 47 | mission control | /ˈmɪʃən kənˌtroʊl/ | 任务控制中心 | rèn wù kòng zhì zhōng xīn |
| 48 | docking | /ˈdɑːkɪŋ/ | 对接 | duì jiē |
| 49 | trajectory | /trəˈdʒektəri/ | 轨迹 | guǐ jì |
| 50 | vacuum | /ˈvækjuːm/ | 真空 | zhēn kōng |
Use the words in clear sentences
26. astronaut
Meaning: a person trained to travel or work in space. 中文：航天员 (háng tiān yuán).
Say it: “What training does an astronaut need for a spacewalk?”
Use it well: Astronaut names a role. Wearing a costume at a visitor activity does not confer that professional qualification.
27. space station
Meaning: a structure in orbit designed to support people working and living in space. 中文：空间站 (kōng jiān zhàn).
Say it: “How did people live inside this space station?”
Use it well: A station is not simply a rocket or a temporary crew capsule.
28. spacesuit
Meaning: protective clothing and equipment designed for a person’s use in space. 中文：航天服 (háng tiān fú).
Say it: “Which parts of the spacesuit support breathing?”
Use it well: Different suits serve different missions. A launch suit and a suit for working outside a spacecraft need not have the same functions.
29. spacewalk
Meaning: an activity in which a person works outside a spacecraft in space. 中文：太空行走 (tài kōng xíng zǒu).
Say it: “What preparation comes before a spacewalk?”
Use it well: Walking is the conventional name; the astronaut may move using handholds rather than footsteps on a floor.
30. microgravity
Meaning: a condition in which people and objects experience very small apparent weight. 中文：微重力 (wēi zhòng lì).
Say it: “Why do objects seem to float in microgravity?”
Use it well: In an orbiting station, continual free fall produces apparent weightlessness. Earth’s gravity has not vanished.
31. orbit
Meaning: the path followed by an object moving around another under gravity. 中文：轨道 (guǐ dào).
Say it: “How long does the satellite take to complete one orbit?”
Use it well: Orbit is also a verb. A stable orbit does not require an engine to push continuously along the path.
32. satellite
Meaning: an object that orbits a larger body, naturally or as a human-made device. 中文：卫星 (wèi xīng).
Say it: “What information does this satellite collect?”
Use it well: The Moon is a natural satellite; a communications spacecraft is an artificial one.
33. rocket
Meaning: a vehicle or engine propelled by expelling material at high speed. 中文：火箭 (huǒ jiàn).
Say it: “Which part of this rocket carries the spacecraft?”
Use it well: A rocket can operate in a vacuum because it does not need to push against outside air.
34. booster
Meaning: an additional propulsion unit that supplies thrust during part of a launch. 中文：助推器 (zhù tuī qì).
Say it: “When does the booster separate in this sequence?”
Use it well: Ask about the depicted vehicle. Booster arrangements differ between launch systems.
35. payload
Meaning: the cargo or equipment a vehicle carries to accomplish its purpose. 中文：有效载荷 (yǒu xiào zài hè).
Say it: “Is the payload a satellite or a scientific instrument?”
Use it well: The payload is distinguished from the vehicle equipment needed to transport it.
36. launchpad
Meaning: a prepared site or platform from which a rocket is launched. 中文：发射台 (fā shè tái).
Say it: “What services connect the rocket to the launchpad?”
Use it well: One word is common, though launch pad is also widely used.
37. countdown
Meaning: a sequence of counting backwards towards a planned event. 中文：倒计时 (dào jì shí).
Say it: “Can the countdown be paused if a check fails?”
Use it well: A countdown does not guarantee that launch will occur at the first planned time.
38. propellant
Meaning: material used by a propulsion system to produce thrust. 中文：推进剂 (tuī jìn jì).
Say it: “Which propellant does this engine use?”
Use it well: In a chemical rocket, propellant can include fuel and oxidiser. It is not always a synonym for fuel alone.
39. nozzle
Meaning: a shaped outlet that controls a flowing substance, such as exhaust gas. 中文：喷嘴 (pēn zuǐ).
Say it: “Why does the nozzle widen towards its end?”
Use it well: The word also applies to spray equipment. A rocket nozzle is a specialised example.
40. re-entry
Meaning: the return of a spacecraft into an atmosphere from space. 中文：再入 (zài rù).
Say it: “What happens to the capsule during re-entry?”
Use it well: The process is not the same as touching down. Reentry is a common American spelling.
41. heat shield
Meaning: a protective system that limits heating of the structure behind it. 中文：隔热防护层 (gé rè fáng hù céng).
Say it: “Where is the heat shield on this capsule?”
Use it well: Protection can involve insulation or material that wears away. It does not make all parts equally cool.
42. capsule
Meaning: a compact enclosed spacecraft module, often carrying people or equipment. 中文：航天舱 (háng tiān cāng).
Say it: “How many people could fit inside this capsule?”
Use it well: This entry teaches the spacecraft sense. A medicine capsule is a different everyday use.
43. lander
Meaning: a spacecraft designed to reach and operate on a celestial body’s surface. 中文：着陆器 (zhuó lù qì).
Say it: “Does the lander remain in one place after touchdown?”
Use it well: A lander may deliver another vehicle. It is distinct from an orbiter that stays above the surface.
44. rover
Meaning: a mobile vehicle designed to explore the surface of a moon or planet. 中文：巡视探测器 (xún shì tàn cè qì).
Say it: “How does the rover move across uneven ground?”
Use it well: A rover moves around; not every lander carries one.
45. solar panel
Meaning: a panel that collects sunlight, here to generate electricity. 中文：太阳能板 (tài yáng néng bǎn).
Say it: “How is the solar panel positioned towards the Sun?”
Use it well: In a spacecraft display, the term normally refers to photovoltaic generation, rather than household solar water heating.
46. telemetry
Meaning: the transmission of measurements from a distant system to a receiving station. 中文：遥测 (yáo cè).
Say it: “Which measurements arrive through telemetry?”
Use it well: Telemetry sends measured information. A command sent to a vehicle is a different kind of communication.
47. mission control
Meaning: the team or centre coordinating and monitoring a space mission. 中文：任务控制中心 (rèn wù kòng zhì zhōng xīn).
Say it: “How does mission control communicate with the crew?”
Use it well: The phrase can mean the people as well as the room. It is distinct from a control panel inside the spacecraft.
48. docking
Meaning: the controlled joining of spacecraft or modules in space. 中文：对接 (duì jiē).
Say it: “The animation shows docking with the station.”
Use it well: Approaching another spacecraft is not yet docking; joining occurs at a designed connection.
49. trajectory
Meaning: the path an object follows through space over time. 中文：轨迹 (guǐ jì).
Say it: “Which part of the trajectory leads towards the Moon?”
Use it well: An orbit is a particular kind of trajectory; the terms are not interchangeable in every journey.
50. vacuum
Meaning: a region with pressure much lower than that of ordinary surrounding air. 中文：真空 (zhēn kōng).
Say it: “Why does the experiment use a vacuum chamber?”
Use it well: Vacuum does not have to mean absolutely no particles. A vacuum cleaner uses reduced pressure but does not create outer space.
Toulouse vocabulary 51–75 | Astronomy: distinguish the object from the observation
A bright streak, a surviving stone and a distant star system are wonderfully different things. Use the terms to ask about a show, image or diagram. Several words need a scientific context to make their meaning clear.
| No. | Word or expression | Pronunciation (IPA) | 简体中文 | Mandarin pinyin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 51 | asteroid | /ˈæstərɔɪd/ | 小行星 | xiǎo xíng xīng |
| 52 | comet | /ˈkɑːmɪt/ | 彗星 | huì xīng |
| 53 | meteor | /ˈmiːtiər/ | 流星 | liú xīng |
| 54 | meteorite | /ˈmiːtiəraɪt/ | 陨石 | yǔn shí |
| 55 | crater | /ˈkreɪtər/ | 陨石坑 | yǔn shí kēng |
| 56 | nebula | /ˈnebjələ/ | 星云 | xīng yún |
| 57 | galaxy | /ˈɡæləksi/ | 星系 | xīng xì |
| 58 | light-year | /ˈlaɪt jɪr/ | 光年 | guāng nián |
| 59 | redshift | /ˈredʃɪft/ | 红移 | hóng yí |
| 60 | black hole | /ˈblæk hoʊl/ | 黑洞 | hēi dòng |
| 61 | infrared | /ˌɪnfrəˈred/ | 红外线 | hóng wài xiàn |
| 62 | ultraviolet | /ˌʌltrəˈvaɪələt/ | 紫外线 | zǐ wài xiàn |
| 63 | supernova | /ˌsuːpərˈnoʊvə/ | 超新星爆发 | chāo xīn xīng bào fā |
| 64 | spectroscopy | /spekˈtrɑːskəpi/ | 光谱学 | guāng pǔ xué |
| 65 | exoplanet | /ˈeksoʊˌplænɪt/ | 系外行星 | xì wài xíng xīng |
| 66 | constellation | /ˌkɑːnstəˈleɪʃən/ | 星座 | xīng zuò |
| 67 | pulsar | /ˈpʌlsɑːr/ | 脉冲星 | mài chōng xīng |
| 68 | solstice | /ˈsɑːlstɪs/ | 至日 | zhì rì |
| 69 | equinox | /ˈiːkwɪnɑːks/ | 分点 | fēn diǎn |
| 70 | apogee | /ˈæpədʒiː/ | 远地点 | yuǎn dì diǎn |
| 71 | eclipse | /ɪˈklɪps/ | 食 | shí |
| 72 | rotation | /roʊˈteɪʃən/ | 自转 | zì zhuàn |
| 73 | revolution | /ˌrevəˈluːʃən/ | 公转 | gōng zhuàn |
| 74 | tilt | /tɪlt/ | 倾斜 | qīng xié |
| 75 | perigee | /ˈperɪdʒiː/ | 近地点 | jìn dì diǎn |
Use the words in clear sentences
51. asteroid
Meaning: a relatively small rocky or metallic body orbiting the Sun. 中文：小行星 (xiǎo xíng xīng).
Say it: “How does the diagram compare this asteroid with a planet?”
Use it well: Not every small object in space is an asteroid. Composition, orbit and classification matter.
52. comet
Meaning: an icy small body that can develop a cloud and tails when warmed near the Sun. 中文：彗星 (huì xīng).
Say it: “Why does the comet develop a tail?”
Use it well: A comet is not a meteor. Its visible tail can extend far beyond its solid nucleus.
53. meteor
Meaning: the streak of light produced as a small space object enters an atmosphere. 中文：流星 (liú xīng).
Say it: “The show explained why a meteor glows.”
Use it well: Meteor names the visible phenomenon. It is not the usual name for the surviving rock on the ground.
54. meteorite
Meaning: material from space that survives passage through an atmosphere and reaches a surface. 中文：陨石 (yǔn shí).
Say it: “What evidence identifies this rock as a meteorite?”
Use it well: An unusual-looking stone alone is not proof of a space origin.
55. crater
Meaning: a bowl-shaped depression, here formed by an impact. 中文：陨石坑 (yǔn shí kēng).
Say it: “Which features suggest that this crater formed by impact?”
Use it well: Crater also applies to volcanic structures. The word alone does not establish the cause.
56. nebula
Meaning: a cloud of gas and dust in space. 中文：星云 (xīng yún).
Say it: “What produces the colours in this image of a nebula?”
Use it well: An astronomical image may use processed colours to show information that eyes would not see in the same way.
57. galaxy
Meaning: a vast gravitationally bound system of stars, gas, dust and other matter. 中文：星系 (xīng xì).
Say it: “Which galaxy contains our Solar System?”
Use it well: A galaxy contains many stars and systems. It is much larger than a single planetary system.
58. light-year
Meaning: a unit of distance equal to how far light travels in a vacuum in one year. 中文：光年 (guāng nián).
Say it: “How far away is that star in light-years?”
Use it well: Despite year in its name, a light-year measures distance, not duration.
59. redshift
Meaning: a shift of light towards longer wavelengths compared with a reference. 中文：红移 (hóng yí).
Say it: “What can redshift tell astronomers about a galaxy?”
Use it well: The name does not mean the object must look visibly red. Several physical effects can produce redshift.
60. black hole
Meaning: a region of spacetime whose gravity prevents light from escaping beyond its event horizon. 中文：黑洞 (hēi dòng).
Say it: “How do scientists obtain evidence for a black hole?”
Use it well: A black hole is not a visible empty hole cut into the sky. Astronomers study its effects and surrounding material.
61. infrared
Meaning: electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths longer than visible red light. 中文：红外线 (hóng wài xiàn).
Say it: “What does an infrared image reveal?”
Use it well: Infrared is not a shade of visible red. Equipment converts measurements into an image we can inspect.
62. ultraviolet
Meaning: electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths shorter than visible violet light. 中文：紫外线 (zǐ wài xiàn).
Say it: “Why might a telescope observe in ultraviolet?”
Use it well: This is outside normal human vision. The word does not mean an especially bright violet paint.
63. supernova
Meaning: a powerful stellar explosion that can make a star system dramatically brighter. 中文：超新星爆发 (chāo xīn xīng bào fā).
Say it: “Which image records the aftermath of a supernova?”
Use it well: Supernova names an event; the remnant left afterwards is another object.
64. spectroscopy
Meaning: the study of matter using the way it emits, absorbs or scatters radiation at different wavelengths. 中文：光谱学 (guāng pǔ xué).
Say it: “How does spectroscopy help identify a star’s composition?”
Use it well: This is a method of analysis. It adds a different job to the spectrum and wavelength words in the Dresden guide.
65. exoplanet
Meaning: a planet outside our Solar System. 中文：系外行星 (xì wài xíng xīng).
Say it: “How was this exoplanet detected?”
Use it well: Many are identified through their effects on a star rather than a simple close-up photograph.
66. constellation
Meaning: a recognised region of the sky associated with a named star pattern. 中文：星座 (xīng zuò).
Say it: “Which constellation contains this part of the sky?”
Use it well: Stars that appear near one another from Earth may be far apart in space.
67. pulsar
Meaning: a rotating neutron star whose radiation can be detected as regular pulses. 中文：脉冲星 (mài chōng xīng).
Say it: “Why does the signal from a pulsar seem to blink?”
Use it well: The pulse can result from a beam sweeping past us; the star is not repeatedly switching itself on and off.
68. solstice
Meaning: one of the two times each year when the Sun’s apparent north–south position reaches an extreme. 中文：至日 (zhì rì).
Say it: “How does the model explain the June solstice?”
Use it well: June and December solstices have opposite seasonal meanings in the two hemispheres.
69. equinox
Meaning: one of the two times each year when the Sun crosses the celestial equator. 中文：分点 (fēn diǎn).
Say it: “What changes at the March equinox in this diagram?”
Use it well: Day and night are close to equal in length, but not exactly equal everywhere on the equinox date.
70. apogee
Meaning: the farthest point from Earth in an Earth-centred orbit. 中文：远地点 (yuǎn dì diǎn).
Say it: “Where is apogee marked on this orbital diagram?”
Use it well: The geo part refers to Earth. A farthest point from the Sun has a different name.
71. eclipse
Meaning: an event in which one celestial body obscures another or enters its shadow. 中文：食 (shí).
Say it: “Does this model show a solar or a lunar eclipse?”
Use it well: The broad Chinese term 食 is used in 日食 and 月食. Ask which bodies and shadows are involved.
72. rotation
Meaning: the turning of a body about an axis. 中文：自转 (zì zhuàn).
Say it: “The globe’s rotation helps explain the day–night cycle.”
Use it well: In this astronomy context, rotation means turning on an axis. It differs from travelling around another body.
73. revolution
Meaning: one complete journey of a body around another. 中文：公转 (gōng zhuàn).
Say it: “How long does Earth take to complete one revolution around the Sun?”
Use it well: The same word can name major political change. Here it is a motion, not an uprising.
74. tilt
Meaning: the slant of an axis or object away from a reference direction. 中文：倾斜 (qīng xié).
Say it: “How does Earth’s axial tilt affect the seasons?”
Use it well: Tilt needs a reference. Seasons are not mainly caused by Earth being closer to the Sun in summer.
75. perigee
Meaning: the nearest point to Earth in an Earth-centred orbit. 中文：近地点 (jìn dì diǎn).
Say it: “Is the Moon closer to Earth at perigee or apogee?”
Use it well: Pair the near and far points. Their names describe position, rather than a different kind of Moon.
Toulouse vocabulary 76–100 | Woad, cloth and care: connect a colour to a process
This bank spans the local woad story, textile tools and useful clothing-care language. Not every technique is used with woad, and not every listed object appears in a workshop. Ask about the actual material and the instructions supplied for it.
| No. | Word or expression | Pronunciation (IPA) | 简体中文 | Mandarin pinyin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 76 | woad | /woʊd/ | 菘蓝 | sōng lán |
| 77 | mordant | /ˈmɔːrdənt/ | 媒染剂 | méi rǎn jì |
| 78 | dyestuff | /ˈdaɪstʌf/ | 染料 | rǎn liào |
| 79 | vat | /væt/ | 大缸 | dà gāng |
| 80 | alkaline | /ˈælkəlaɪn/ | 碱性的 | jiǎn xìng de |
| 81 | oxidation | /ˌɑːksɪˈdeɪʃən/ | 氧化 | yǎng huà |
| 82 | extraction | /ɪkˈstrækʃən/ | 提取 | tí qǔ |
| 83 | steep | /stiːp/ | 浸泡 | jìn pào |
| 84 | rinse | /rɪns/ | 漂洗 | piǎo xǐ |
| 85 | squeeze | /skwiːz/ | 挤压 | jǐ yā |
| 86 | tongs | /tɔːŋz/ | 夹钳 | jiā qián |
| 87 | apron | /ˈeɪprən/ | 围裙 | wéi qún |
| 88 | thimble | /ˈθɪmbəl/ | 顶针 | dǐng zhēn |
| 89 | skein | /skeɪn/ | 绞纱 | jiǎo shā |
| 90 | spindle | /ˈspɪndəl/ | 纺锤 | fǎng chuí |
| 91 | hem | /hem/ | 衣物折边 | yī wù zhé biān |
| 92 | hosiery | /ˈhoʊʒəri/ | 袜类针织品 | wà lèi zhēn zhī pǐn |
| 93 | fibre | /ˈfaɪbər/ | 纤维 | xiān wéi |
| 94 | stain | /steɪn/ | 污渍 | wū zì |
| 95 | fade | /feɪd/ | 褪色 | tuì sè |
| 96 | absorb | /əbˈzɔːrb/ | 吸收 | xī shōu |
| 97 | bleach | /bliːtʃ/ | 漂白 | piǎo bái |
| 98 | discolour | /dɪsˈkʌlər/ | 变色 | biàn sè |
| 99 | detergent | /dɪˈtɜːrdʒənt/ | 洗涤剂 | xǐ dí jì |
| 100 | solution | /səˈluːʃən/ | 溶液 | róng yè |
Use the words in clear sentences
76. woad
Meaning: a plant whose leaves can supply material used to make a blue dye. 中文：菘蓝 (sōng lán).
Say it: “How was woad used in the region’s textile trade?”
Use it well: The plant is Isatis tinctoria. French pastel in this history refers to woad, not automatically a pale colour or an artist’s pastel stick.
77. mordant
Meaning: a substance used in some dyeing processes to help a dye bind to a material. 中文：媒染剂 (méi rǎn jì).
Say it: “Does this dyeing method use a mordant?”
Use it well: Not all dyes require a mordant. Woad vat dyeing should not be assumed to work like every other plant-dye process.
78. dyestuff
Meaning: a substance used to colour materials by dyeing. 中文：染料 (rǎn liào).
Say it: “Which dyestuff was used for this piece?”
Use it well: The word names a colouring substance. It is not a synonym for the cloth that receives it.
79. vat
Meaning: a large container used to hold liquids during a process. 中文：大缸 (dà gāng).
Say it: “What is happening inside the vat in this diagram?”
Use it well: A vat is the vessel; a dye bath is the liquid mixture or treatment it contains.
80. alkaline
Meaning: having a pH above 7 in an aqueous solution under ordinary reference conditions. 中文：碱性的 (jiǎn xìng de).
Say it: “Why is the liquid described as alkaline?”
Use it well: The adjective is not a synonym for harmless. Learn the term from the explanation and follow the workshop’s own instructions.
81. oxidation
Meaning: a chemical process involving loss of electrons, often in reactions with oxygen. 中文：氧化 (yǎng huà).
Say it: “How does oxidation affect the colour in this demonstration?”
Use it well: Not every oxidation reaction is rusting, and not every one requires oxygen gas directly.
82. extraction
Meaning: the process of obtaining a substance from material containing it. 中文：提取 (tí qǔ).
Say it: “Which stage involves extraction from the leaves?”
Use it well: Extraction is a process, rather than proof that the final dye contains only one chemical substance.
83. steep
Meaning: to leave something immersed in liquid so that substances can pass into that liquid. 中文：浸泡 (jìn pào).
Say it: “How long do the leaves steep in this demonstration?”
Use it well: Here steep is a verb. The adjective in a steep staircase has a different meaning.
84. rinse
Meaning: to wash briefly with liquid, often to remove something left on a surface. 中文：漂洗 (piǎo xǐ).
Say it: “Should this fabric be rinsed after the demonstration?”
Use it well: Ask about the particular process. Rinsing and leaving material to soak are different actions.
85. squeeze
Meaning: to press something firmly, often to remove liquid. 中文：挤压 (jǐ yā).
Say it: “May I squeeze the cloth, or should it drip dry?”
Use it well: A care instruction may forbid squeezing a delicate item. The verb describes pressure, not automatic permission.
86. tongs
Meaning: a tool with two arms used together to grip or lift something. 中文：夹钳 (jiā qián).
Say it: “Which pair of tongs is used for the fabric?”
Use it well: Use a pair of tongs. Keep workshop tools distinct from food-serving utensils.
87. apron
Meaning: a garment worn over the front of clothing to protect it. 中文：围裙 (wéi qún).
Say it: “Is an apron provided for this activity?”
Use it well: An apron can protect clothing, but its name alone does not establish protection against a particular chemical.
88. thimble
Meaning: a small protective cap used on a finger when pushing a sewing needle. 中文：顶针 (dǐng zhēn).
Say it: “How does a thimble help with this repair?”
Use it well: It belongs to hand sewing; it is not a tool for dyeing the fabric itself.
89. skein
Meaning: a length of yarn wound into a loosely gathered bundle. 中文：绞纱 (jiǎo shā).
Say it: “Why is the yarn arranged as a skein here?”
Use it well: The initial sk is followed by the vowel in rain. A skein is a form of prepared yarn, not a plant fibre.
90. spindle
Meaning: a shaft used to twist and wind fibres into yarn. 中文：纺锤 (fǎng chuí).
Say it: “Could you show how the spindle turns?”
Use it well: A spindle is a component or tool; a whole spinning wheel includes other parts.
91. hem
Meaning: the finished folded edge of a piece of fabric or clothing. 中文：衣物折边 (yī wù zhé biān).
Say it: “Could you show me the hem on this garment?”
Use it well: A hem is a finished edge. A seam joins pieces together, so the words describe different construction jobs.
92. hosiery
Meaning: stockings, tights and similar knitted legwear considered together. 中文：袜类针织品 (wà lèi zhēn zhī pǐn).
Say it: “Does the shop sell hosiery made from this fibre?”
Use it well: This is a product category, usually uncountable, rather than the name of a single sock.
93. fibre
Meaning: a fine natural or manufactured strand used to make materials. 中文：纤维 (xiān wéi).
Say it: “Which fibre is used in this garment?”
Use it well: American spelling is fiber. A fibre is a material unit; a filament is one particular continuous form.
94. stain
Meaning: an unwanted mark left by a substance on a surface. 中文：污渍 (wū zì).
Say it: “Is this a stain or part of the intended pattern?”
Use it well: Here stain is a noun. The same word can be a verb for marking or deliberately colouring a surface.
95. fade
Meaning: to become less strong or distinct in colour. 中文：褪色 (tuì sè).
Say it: “Will the colour fade with repeated washing?”
Use it well: Fade is often gradual. Ask about the actual care instructions instead of assuming all natural dyes behave alike.
96. absorb
Meaning: to take a substance into the body of a material. 中文：吸收 (xī shōu).
Say it: “Does this fibre absorb much water?”
Use it well: Absorb differs from material merely collecting on the outside surface. The distinction matters in scientific explanations.
97. bleach
Meaning: to remove or lighten colour through a treatment. 中文：漂白 (piǎo bái).
Say it: “Does the care label say not to bleach this garment?”
Use it well: The verb can describe several treatments. Follow the item label rather than inventing a method from the vocabulary.
98. discolour
Meaning: to change to an unintended or less desirable colour. 中文：变色 (biàn sè).
Say it: “Could strong light discolour this material?”
Use it well: American spelling is discolor. Discolour can involve a new unwanted colour; fade specifically means losing colour strength.
99. detergent
Meaning: a cleaning substance used to help remove dirt from materials. 中文：洗涤剂 (xǐ dí jì).
Say it: “Which detergent does the care label recommend?”
Use it well: Detergent is not the same as bleach. A cleaning product may have additional ingredients, so use the stated instructions.
100. solution
Meaning: a uniform mixture in which one or more substances are dissolved in another. 中文：溶液 (róng yè).
Say it: “Is the dye mixture a solution or does it contain suspended particles?”
Use it well: Here solution has its chemistry meaning. Finding a solution to a problem is a different use of the word.
Toulouse places, history and useful questions
Aeroscopia: walk around an idea you can see
The Aeroscopia museum is in Blagnac, in the Toulouse metropolitan area. It introduces aviation through aircraft, people and the different purposes of flight. The operator’s Aeroscopia introduction names Concorde, the Super Guppy, the A300B and the A380 among its highlights. Choose the current route and check which aircraft areas are available on your date.
Begin outside the aircraft. Where is the fuselage? Which region is the wingtip? Can you see the undercarriage? Then move to function: “What does this part do?” A component name becomes much easier to remember when it has a visible job.
Concorde provides a natural reason to ask about supersonic flight, Mach number and sonic boom. The three expressions describe a speed range, a ratio and a sound phenomenon. They are connected, but they do not answer the same question. A beautiful aircraft can start a precise conversation.
中文理解：先指出部件，再解释用途。超音速、马赫数和音爆分别描述速度范围、比值与声学现象。观看驾驶舱或机舱前，确认当天开放范围。
A little flight science: forces are not speeds
NASA’s four-forces explanation separates lift, weight, thrust and drag. Thrust and drag are forces; airspeed is a speed. A sentence such as “The engine produces thrust” identifies a cause. “The aircraft moves faster” describes a possible change in motion, depending on the other forces.
For a clear first explanation, use a model and one movement at a time. Roll turns the aircraft about its front-to-back axis; yaw turns it about a vertical axis. NASA’s aircraft-parts guide helps connect control surfaces with these movements. A real turn can involve several coordinated actions.
Ask about a label without assuming its instrument measures everything: “Does this instrument indicate airspeed or altitude?” A pilot needs different readings for different questions. That is also a useful lesson in everyday communication: name the quantity you mean.
中文理解：力、速度与运动方式是不同概念。先说清测量什么，再读数值。用模型解释滚转和偏航时，一次示范一个方向，避免把所有转动统称为“转弯”。
Cité de l’espace: compare vehicles and living spaces
The official tourism listing for Cité de l’espace describes life-size space displays, including Ariane 5, Mir and lunar and crew modules. The centre’s garden introduction offers a route through spacecraft displays. Read the individual label to distinguish a model, a replica and an object with an actual mission history.
A rocket carries a payload. A station supports life and work in orbit. A lander reaches a surface, while a rover moves around on it. Choose one comparison and ask it aloud: “What can a rover do that this lander cannot?” The reply may depend on the particular vehicles shown.
Microgravity is an especially useful word to understand accurately. NASA’s microgravity explanation describes free fall rather than gravity disappearing. On an orbiting station, people and the station fall together around Earth. That is why floating is not proof that Earth has stopped pulling on them.
For a show, check the current programme and ask about language arrangements, duration and any booking requirements. A website in English does not guarantee that every live presentation is delivered in English.
中文理解：运载火箭、空间站、着陆器与巡视器的任务不同。微重力环境不代表没有引力。预约节目时，问清语言与安排，而不只看网站的语言。
Astronomy: let the label sharpen your question
Use NASA’s Space Place glossary when checking an unfamiliar sky term. A meteor is the streak of light; a meteorite is surviving material that reaches a surface. A light-year measures distance. These small distinctions make a museum conversation much clearer.
Try “What does the colour show?” when looking at a nebula or galaxy image. An image may combine measurements or display colours chosen to represent particular data. What is visible on a printed picture need not match what unaided eyes would see from the same position.
For an orbital diagram, identify the central body before using apogee and perigee: the words refer specifically to Earth-centred orbits. Then compare rotation, the turning about an axis, with revolution, travelling around another body. A model lets you demonstrate the difference without a complicated sentence.
中文理解：先确认词语描述的是物体、现象、距离还是运动。天文图像中的颜色可能用于表达数据。远地点与近地点指绕地球轨道，不能随意用于任何中心天体。
Woad: a small plant with a large regional story
France’s official tourism site explains woad’s role in Occitanie and the fortunes associated with its trade. It connects the Toulouse–Albi–Carcassonne region with woad and the substantial houses built by merchants. This is a material-history story: a plant, skilled processing, trade and the buildings that wealth helped support.
In this context, the French word pastel names woad. It should not automatically be read as a pale colour or an artist’s stick. Ask, “Is this description about the plant, the dye or the finished cloth?” Each points to a different stage.
Toulouse’s official tourism directory lists AHPY’s textile work with woad. The maker’s workshop information gives a direct place to check available activities. Treat demonstrations, shop visits and bookable workshops as separate arrangements; ask what is included before choosing.
You can also use the bank when shopping for a garment: “Which fibre is this?” “Could the colour fade?” “What does the care label recommend?” The guide explains vocabulary, rather than prescribing a dye recipe or claiming that every natural colouring is permanent.
中文理解：菘蓝、染料与成品布料是不同阶段。pastel 在当地染色历史中有特定意思。购买衣物时，确认纤维与护理方式，不因为“天然染料”就假定永不褪色。
The historic centre: leave room for a slower look
Toulouse’s pink-brick identity is an inviting starting point for looking at buildings. The Couvent des Jacobins introduces its long history, brick Gothic architecture, cloister and surviving wall paintings. Let an older place sit alongside the aviation and space displays in your trip. They ask different questions about what people built and why.
UNESCO documents Saint-Sernin as part of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France. Say which building and which heritage listing you mean. A particular building belonging to a listed route does not mean every street in Toulouse has the same status.
The Augustins’ account of its transformation records a partial reopening on 19 December 2025. Read that historical milestone alongside the current practical notice, rather than using it as proof that all spaces are open now. The date of an announcement and the date of your visit are both useful.
You might happily finish the day with one sentence about each stop: “I understood why the aircraft needs several instruments.” “I learnt that pastel can name a dye plant.” “I noticed how the brick changed colour in the light.” Give yourself a relaxed pause between discoveries.
中文理解：旧城、航空展与太空展示可以放在不同时间慢慢看。世界遗产表述要说清具体建筑与项目。历史上的重开日期不能代替今天的参观公告。
English–Chinese conversations for Toulouse
These are imagined practice exchanges, not staff quotations or promises of a service. Read each role, change one detail and keep the follow-up question friendly.
Looking at an aircraft
You: “Could you point out the aileron?”
中文：您能指出副翼在哪里吗？
Practice reply: “It is the movable surface shown on this wing diagram.”
中文：它是这张机翼图上标出的可动翼面。
Follow-up: “Does it help control roll?”
中文：它有助于控制滚转吗？
Planning a space-centre visit
You: “Does this show explain microgravity?”
中文：这个节目会解释微重力吗？
Practice reply: “Please check the current programme and language options.”
中文：请查看当前节目与语言选项。
Follow-up: “Which session would be suitable for an English-speaking visitor?”
中文：哪个场次适合说英语的游客？
Following a mission diagram
You: “What is the payload on this rocket?”
中文：这枚火箭的有效载荷是什么？
Practice reply: “The diagram identifies the spacecraft it carries.”
中文：图示标出了它运载的航天器。
Follow-up: “Does that spacecraft enter orbit or land on a surface?”
中文：那个航天器是进入轨道，还是降落在天体表面？
Asking about woad
You: “Was this garment coloured using woad?”
中文：这件衣物是用菘蓝染色的吗？
Practice reply: “Let’s check the material description and care label.”
中文：我们看一下材质说明与护理标签。
Follow-up: “Does the label recommend a particular detergent?”
中文：标签有没有建议使用某种洗涤剂？
Checking museum access
You: “Does the notice apply to the whole museum?”
中文：这个公告适用于整个博物馆吗？
Practice reply: “Please check the dates and the areas named in the current notice.”
中文：请确认最新公告中的日期与区域。
Follow-up: “Are the Gothic rooms and the church on the same reopening schedule?”
中文：哥特式展厅与教堂的开放时间表相同吗？
Make five Toulouse words part of your English
Choose a useful miniature topic
For aircraft, choose fuselage, cockpit, aileron, thrust and airspeed. For missions, choose rocket, payload, orbit, lander and rover. For astronomy, choose meteor, meteorite, galaxy, light-year and constellation. For a garment, choose woad, fibre, hem, fade and detergent.
Explain each word with a part, a job or a contrast. “A rover moves across the surface” is a very good beginning. Add detail only when it makes the meaning clearer.
The Fencing Method: build the sentence around a job
Begin with “The rover moves.” Add where: “The rover moves across the surface.” Add a purpose: “The rover moves across the surface to study different locations.” Now ask how its measurements reach the team. You have made a useful explanation without adding decoration.
For a shop visit, begin with “Which fibre is this?” Add the item: “Which fibre is used in this garment?” Add a reason: “I’d like to check how to care for it.” Continue with eduKate’s Fencing Method and English synthesis.
A 90-minute practice session for three learners
Spend ten minutes choosing and recalling five words, fifteen comparing two related ideas, twenty rotating visitor, helper and observer, ten on a break, twenty changing the situation, ten sharing feedback and five choosing the next review. The parts total 90 minutes.
Give the helper a small information card: a show has particular language options, an aircraft area is unavailable, or a care label excludes bleaching. The visitor asks for the missing detail. The observer checks whether the answer responds to the actual question. Rotate the roles.
Write an observation, a checked fact and a question
An imagined practice paragraph could begin: “The diagram showed an aircraft rolling about its length. The explanation linked the movement to its control surfaces. I wanted to know how a pilot coordinates this with a turn.” Label it as imagined practice until you have an experience of your own.
中文写作：把观察、可靠解释与下一步问题分开写。看见一个模型，不等于知道真实设备的全部功能。说“标签写明”或“图示显示”，可以帮助读者理解信息来自哪里。
Review the correction that made a difference
Hide the table after a few days and explain your five words again. Perhaps you now distinguish a meteor from a meteorite, or a vat from the liquid inside it. Make one new sentence that proves you remember the difference.
Compare discoveries with a friend. Ask them which object they would like to understand next. A short, cheerful conversation can keep these words alive long after the museum visit.
Turn a Toulouse discovery into clear English
An aircraft label can feel like a wall of unfamiliar names. Start with one part you can point to. Ask what it does, listen for one useful detail and put that detail into your own sentence. Suddenly the label is helping you explore!
The next steps are small on purpose. You can use them beside a museum diagram, with a friend before your trip or while looking back at a photograph afterwards. No aircraft controls, workshop tools or chemical treatments are involved in these language exercises.
Choose the help you need today
If a meaning is unclear: put two nearby ideas beside each other. A fuselage is the body; an aileron is a control surface on a wing. Draw a rough outline, mark each and explain the contrast. Use the Chinese translations first if they make the relationship easier to see.
If the word is familiar but speaking is slow: keep one question and change one detail. “Is the cockpit included in this route?” becomes “Is the cabin included in this route?” Then ask without looking at the sentence. You are practising a usable pattern rather than reciting the entire list.
If you want more depth: explain which question a word answers. Thrust concerns a force; airspeed concerns motion relative to the air. A precise explanation keeps those quantities separate, even when both appear in the same aircraft display.
中文起点：词义不清，先用图比较；说话停顿，先练一个问句；基础稳定，再解释不同概念回答什么问题。选合适的一步，会比一次塞进太多词更轻松。
Worked example 1: a part, a movement and a follow-up
Begin with “This is an aileron.” Add its job: “The aileron helps control roll.” Explain the motion plainly: “Roll turns the aircraft about its front-to-back axis.” Now ask “Could you show that axis on the model?” The sentence has grown because each addition answers a question.
If the animation shows the nose turning around a vertical axis, yaw is the relevant term. Do not use roll as a name for every kind of turning. A real manoeuvre may combine movements, so you can ask the guide which movement the particular animation isolates.
中文推进：“这是副翼。” → “副翼帮助控制滚转。” → “滚转是绕飞机前后方向的轴转动。”接着问：“可以在模型上指出那条轴吗？”偏航与滚转不是同一个转动方向。
Worked example 2: make Mach number a relationship
Use an invented calculation card: an object moves at 900 metres per second, and the local speed of sound on that card is 300 metres per second. Divide the two speeds: 900 ÷ 300 = 3. The Mach number is 3. These numbers are for arithmetic practice, not a claim about a displayed aircraft or today’s atmospheric conditions.
A careful sentence is “With the values given on this card, the object is moving at Mach 3.” Both speeds must use compatible units. The result is a ratio, so it has no speed unit attached. To understand a real label, ask which conditions and speed measurement it uses.
中文检查：马赫数是物体速度与当地声速之比。两者单位要一致。900 ÷ 300 = 3，所以练习卡上的马赫数是 3；不是“3 米每秒”，也不是所有环境中的声速都相同。
Worked example 3: follow the object through its story
An imagined programme describes a bright streak in the sky and then a piece of material found on the ground. Use meteor for the visible streak and meteorite for material that survives to reach the surface. The distinction follows what you are describing, not how impressive the object looks.
Try a two-sentence explanation: “The show described a meteor. This display explains how surviving material can become a meteorite.” Then ask “How was this specimen identified?” A surprising-looking rock still needs evidence for its origin.
中文理解：流星指大气中的发光现象；陨石指穿过大气后到达表面的物质。说清自己描述的是哪个阶段，再问鉴定依据。练习情境不代表某个具体展品的来源。
Worked example 4: keep the garment and its care together
Imagine a teaching card for a garment: “Do not bleach. Use the stated washing method.” Ask “Does this instruction apply to this garment?” Then ask “Which detergent is suitable under these instructions?” You are checking the actual item, rather than choosing a treatment because it appears in a vocabulary lesson.
Separate the material from the colour: “Which fibre is used?” and “Which dyestuff produced the colour?” ask different questions. A woad story tells you something about a colouring process. It does not establish every fibre, ingredient or care requirement of a particular garment.
中文理解：纤维、染料与护理方法分别回答不同问题。先看这件衣物的实际标签，再问合适的洗涤剂。练习卡不是商品护理指示，也不是自己配制染液的方法。
Find the mistake before repeating the sentence
A mixed-up concept: replace “A light-year is a long time” with “A light-year measures distance.” Make your next question “How far away is it?” The question should match the quantity you mean.
A missed sound: skein uses the vowel in rain. Practise “a skein of yarn,” listen to a reliable recording and then use the phrase without reading it. For longer words, practise the stressed syllable inside a short sentence before adding extra detail.
A mismatched unit: if you divide a value in kilometres per hour by one in metres per second, convert to compatible units first. Writing the quantities and units beside the calculation makes the problem visible before the answer becomes misleading.
An unsupported promise: “The website has English text” does not establish the language of every live show. Ask “Which language is this particular performance in?” Keep a visitor’s question separate from an assurance you have not received.
中文纠错：概念错误要重建区别；读音问题要听与说；单位问题要先换算；安排不明要向场馆确认。不要把所有问题都当成“多背几次就好”。
Toulouse transfer drill: separate motion, mission and material
Build three mini-systems. In flight, thrust pushes, drag resists, and roll and yaw describe different rotations. In spaceflight, payload, trajectory, docking and re-entry belong to different mission stages. In dyeing, woad, mordant, vat and oxidation describe material, treatment, process setting and chemical change.
Now make one sentence for each system and one question that checks a missing detail. “The aircraft needs thrust to overcome drag.” “What trajectory brings the capsule to docking?” “What role does the mordant play before the colour develops?” These questions turn technical vocabulary into usable reasoning.
中文练习：航空、航天、染色三套词不要混在一起。先确定每个词属于“力、运动、任务阶段、材料还是化学过程”，再写完整句子。分类本身就是记忆工具。
Toulouse final synthesis: compare one aircraft system, one space-mission stage and one dyeing process. State what moves, what controls the movement and what evidence would confirm your explanation. This keeps aeronautics, astronautics and textile chemistry distinct while practising the same reasoning pattern across all three.
Toulouse precision check: choose one pair—orbit versus trajectory, meteor versus meteorite, or oxidation versus bleaching—and explain the boundary in one sentence. Then write a second sentence showing why the distinction matters in a museum or workshop explanation. This is the final step from recognising terminology to controlling it.
Toulouse last contrast: keep meteor, meteorite and crater separate. A meteor is the visible atmospheric phenomenon; a meteorite is material that reaches the ground; a crater is a landform that may be produced by impact. One event can connect all three, but the words name different stages or results.
Toulouse completion note: one clear distinction is enough to improve the whole explanation.
Toulouse systems challenge: change scale without losing precision
Aircraft and spacecraft vocabulary often looks similar because both involve motion, control and engineering, but the physical environments differ. An aircraft wing generates lift through atmospheric airflow. A spacecraft in orbit is not “flying” by the same aerodynamic mechanism. Thrust, drag, orbit and trajectory therefore belong to different relationships depending on the vehicle and phase of motion.
Use this contrast to test your English: “The aircraft changed yaw using aerodynamic control surfaces.” “The spacecraft changed orientation using its attitude-control system.” The verb change is ordinary English; the surrounding technical nouns make the mechanism precise. Good technical writing often uses simple verbs with accurate concepts.
Now switch to astronomy. A meteor is the visible phenomenon produced when material enters an atmosphere. A meteorite is material that reaches the ground. A comet remains a small Solar System body with volatile material; an asteroid is another kind of small body. The sky may place them in one visual imagination, but scientific vocabulary keeps their identities separate.
Finally return to the dye workshop. Woad names the plant source. Dyestuff names colouring material. Vat names the container. Alkaline describes chemical condition. Oxidation names a chemical process. Mordant plays a different role in fixing certain dyes. When each word answers a different question, the craft process becomes easier to explain.
中文理解：飞机、航天器、天文学、染色工艺都可以用“运动、控制、材料、过程”来分类，但不能把不同系统的机制混在一起。技术英文的关键不是句子复杂，而是概念边界准确。
Try three small tasks on your own
A. A practice card gives a speed of 600 metres per second and a local speed of sound of 300 metres per second. State the Mach number in one careful sentence.
B. Change “A meteorite is the flash I saw in the sky” so the word matches the phenomenon.
C. You have an English programme page but no information about a live presentation’s language. Ask one direct booking question.
Open the suggested responses after trying
A: “With these practice values, the object is moving at Mach 2.” Calculate 600 ÷ 300 = 2; the ratio has no speed unit.
B: “A meteor is the streak of light I saw in the sky.” If you mean surviving material on the ground, meteorite is the relevant word.
C: “Which language will this live presentation use on our chosen date?” If you need written or audio support, ask about that separately. Several clear phrasings are possible.
Carry a small discovery into your next conversation
Choose three words from different banks tomorrow. Explain an aircraft part, a sky phenomenon and a clothing-care question without the table. Notice which explanation needs a diagram and which sentence needs a better question. Review that specific point, then try again.
Progress can sound pleasantly ordinary: you ask a clearer question, recognise an answer and correct yourself without losing the conversation. Keep the curiosity. A lovely afternoon in Toulouse can begin with just one thing you want to understand.
Back to the word index · Return to the five-word practice plan · Revisit Toulouse places and history
Frequently asked questions about Toulouse vocabulary
Is this guide useful without specialist knowledge?
Yes. Start by pointing to an object and asking what one part does. The definitions and examples are designed to make technical words accessible. Everyday travel foundations are linked separately.
Are all the listed words objects I will see?
No. The banks include concepts, motions, processes and everyday care verbs as well as objects. Displays and visitor routes vary; use the actual label or diagram as your starting point.
Does microgravity mean there is no gravity?
No. An orbiting station and the people inside it are in continual free fall. Gravity remains important to their motion.
Is a light-year a period of time?
It is a unit of distance: how far light travels in a vacuum in one year. Its name includes a time interval used to define that distance.
Does woad dyeing always use a mordant?
No. Different dyes use different processes. The guide teaches mordant as a general dyeing term and asks whether the particular method needs one.
Has every part of the Augustins reopened?
The museum describes a partial reopening and separate progress for different spaces. Its notice checked on 2 October 2026 also states a closure through that date inclusive. Use the latest practical page for your intended date.
Why are there separate pronunciation systems?
IPA represents the English word or the separately identified French city name. Mandarin pinyin represents the Chinese meaning. They serve different languages and should not be read as interchangeable sound guides.
Continue through the eduKate learning ecosystem
For a different scientific collection, visit Dresden’s instruments and material crafts. It teaches spectrum and wavelength; Toulouse’s spectroscopy entry explains how those ideas support analysis. For cloth production and the city around it, compare Lyon’s silk and weaving vocabulary.
Explore Hamburg’s miniature railways and port vocabulary or Gdańsk’s amber and maritime craftsmanship. Each city offers a different route into explaining how objects, materials and people’s work connect.
Toulouse also appears in eduKate’s research article about a university book purchase in Toulouse in 1355. This is a separate manuscript-history inquiry. Use the Voynich Research Library to see how evidence, tests and remaining questions are distinguished.
Use the Vocabulary Learning Hub to choose your next language route, the adult collocations guide to build combinations such as “enter orbit” and “generate thrust,” and the adult vocabulary review guide to practise recall later.
Families seeking teaching support can explore eduKate Singapore, eduKatePunggol, eduKateSengkang, BukitTimahTutor and eduKateOrchard. Choose the setting that fits your family and check current course information directly.
Official sources and language references
Visitor information was checked on 2 October 2026. Teaching definitions, examples, activities and imagined dialogues are original learning material. Revisit the current official pages before choosing a date, route or booked activity.
Toulouse tourism: city information
Aeroscopia: museum and visitor routes
Manatour: Aeroscopia aircraft highlights
NASA: four forces on an airplane
NASA: airplane parts and function
Toulouse tourism: Cité de l’espace
Cité de l’espace: spacecraft gardens
NASA: microgravity explanation
NASA: Basics of Spaceflight glossary
France.fr: woad and Occitanie history
Toulouse tourism: AHPY textiles
AHPY: current workshop information
Couvent des Jacobins: official site
UNESCO: Saint-Sernin and the Compostela routes
Augustins: museum transformation
Augustins: current French practical notice
Cambridge Dictionary: English pronunciation
Collins: empennage pronunciation and meaning
Enjoy Toulouse one good question at a time. Look along a wing, follow a spacecraft’s journey, notice a blue cloth or pause beside an old brick wall. You do not have to understand everything in one day. A small discovery you can explain clearly is a lovely thing to take home.