Top Up 充值

In Real English, we look at words and phrases that you might not find in your dictionary. Today we’re going to look at the verb to top up. Generally speaking to top up means to refill a container until it is full again. But in recent years to top up has come to mean putting more credit into a mobile phone account or a public travel card.

在现实英语中，我们时常会看到词典里找不到的词汇和短语。今天我们就来说说短语“to top up”。一般来说，top up 是个动词，表示把一个容器填满，就是续杯的意思。现在这个词又扩大了应用的范围，比如给手机充值，或者给公共交通卡充值，等等。

Insert

A: My mobile phone is out of credit.

B: Here, use mine. I topped up my phone this morning.

A: Thanks.

Dialogue

David: Where can I top up my phone in the UK, Helen?

Helen: Topping up your mobile phone is very easy in the UK. You can buy a top-up card in most newsagents or supermarkets.

David: Really? So easy?

Helen: It’s that easy. Or you can top up your mobile phone on the internet – just go to the website and buy credit for your phone with your credit card.

David: So don’t forget, to top up 就是给手机或者公共交通卡充值。