📚 Year 10 CAIE Economics: Vocabulary & Terminology Quick-Memory Guide | Year 10 CAIE 经济：词汇术语速记指南
Welcome to the essential vocabulary guide for Year 10 CAIE Economics. Building a solid foundation in economic terminology is key to mastering the subject and scoring well in exams. This article presents the most important terms, their meanings, and clever memory aids to help you recall them quickly and accurately.
欢迎来到 Year 10 CAIE 经济核心词汇指南。建立扎实的经济学术语基础是掌握这门学科并在考试中取得高分的关键。本文将呈现最重要的术语、含义以及巧妙的记忆方法，帮助你快速准确地记住它们。
1. Scarcity and Choice | 稀缺与选择
The fundamental economic problem: human wants are unlimited, but the resources available to satisfy them are limited. Because of scarcity, we must make choices. A quick way to remember: 'scarce' means 'rare, not enough', like seats at a sold-out concert.
根本的经济问题：人类的欲望是无限的，但用来满足这些欲望的资源是有限的。由于存在稀缺性，我们必须做出选择。速记方法：'scarce' 意为“稀有的，不足的”，就像一场售罄演唱会的座位。
Scarcity forces trade-offs — when you choose one thing, you give up another. In economics, every decision involves an opportunity cost.
稀缺性迫使权衡取舍——当你选择一件事时，你就放弃了另一件事。在经济学中，每个决定都包含机会成本。
- Scarcity: the state of being in short supply relative to wants.
- 稀缺性：相对于需求而言供应不足的状态。
- Choice: the decision made in the face of scarcity.
- 选择：面对稀缺性时做出的决定。
2. Opportunity Cost | 机会成本
Opportunity cost is the next best alternative forgone when a choice is made. It is not all alternatives, just the one you valued most after your selection. Think of it as the 'what you could have had' instead.
机会成本是做出选择时所放弃的次优替代方案。它不是所有被放弃的选项，而是你在做出选择后最看重的那一个。可以把它想象成“你本可以拥有的东西”。
Memory tip: Imagine you have £20. You can buy a book or a cinema ticket. If you pick the book, the opportunity cost is the enjoyment of the movie you gave up. The word 'opportunity' is your clue — a missed opportunity.
记忆技巧：想象你有 20 英镑，可以买一本书或一张电影票。如果你选择了书，机会成本就是你放弃的电影带来的享受。'opportunity' 一词就是线索——错过的机会。
This concept is the backbone of rational decision-making in economics. Always ask: 'What am I giving up?'
这个概念是经济学中理性决策的支柱。永远要问：“我放弃了什么？”
3. Demand and Supply | 需求与供给
Demand is the quantity of a good or service that consumers are willing and able to buy at a given price over a period of time. Supply is the quantity that producers are willing and able to offer for sale. Link 'demand' to 'desire and money', and 'supply' to 'selling and production'.
需求是指在一定时期内，消费者愿意并能够以给定价格购买的商品或服务的数量。供给是指生产者愿意并能够提供销售的数量。将 'demand' 与“欲望和金钱”联系起来，'supply' 与“销售和生产”联系起来。
The Law of Demand: as price rises, quantity demanded falls (inverse relationship). The Law of Supply: as price rises, quantity supplied rises (direct relationship). Think of a seesaw for demand, and a rising line for supply.
需求定律：价格上升，需求量下降（反向关系）。供给定律：价格上升，供给量上升（正向关系）。可以把需求想象成跷跷板，供给想象成上升的直线。
- Effective demand: willingness backed by purchasing power.
- 有效需求：以购买力为后盾的意愿。
- Market supply: the sum of all individual suppliers' quantities.
- 市场供给：所有个体供给量的总和。
4. Market Equilibrium | 市场均衡
Equilibrium occurs where the quantity demanded equals the quantity supplied. At this point, there is no surplus or shortage, and the market is stable. 'Equilibrium' sounds like 'equal balance' — that's the memory link.
均衡发生在需求量等于供给量之处。此时没有过剩或短缺，市场保持稳定。'equilibrium' 听起来像“同等平衡”——这就是记忆链接。
If price is above equilibrium, excess supply (surplus) puts downward pressure on price. If below, excess demand (shortage) pushes price up. Market forces naturally move the price toward equilibrium, like a self-correcting compass.
如果价格高于均衡水平，超额供给（过剩）会给价格带来下行压力。如果低于均衡水平，超额需求（短缺）会推高价格。市场力量自然地使价格趋向均衡，就像一个自我修正的指南针。
In diagrams, equilibrium is the intersection of the demand and supply curves. Remember: 'where lines cross, the market boss'.
在图表中，均衡是需求曲线与供给曲线的交点。记住：“线条相交处，市场说了算”。
5. Price Elasticity of Demand (PED) | 需求价格弹性
much the quantity demanded of a good responds to a change in its price. The formula: PED = % change in quantity demanded ÷ % change in price. The acronym 'PED' can remind you of 'pedal', as in how sensitive demand is when you push the price pedal.
PED 衡量商品需求量对其价格变化的反应程度。公式：PED = 需求量变动百分比 ÷ 价格变动百分比。首字母缩略词 'PED' 可以让你联想到 'pedal'（踏板），就像当你踩下价格踏板时，需求有多敏感。
- Elastic demand (PED > 1): quantity demanded is very responsive to price changes. Luxury goods often fall here.
- 弹性需求（PED > 1）：需求量对价格变化非常敏感。奢侈品通常属于此类。
- Inelastic demand (PED < 1): quantity demanded is not very responsive to price changes. Necessities like bread.
- 非弹性需求（PED < 1）：需求量对价格变化不太敏感。如面包等必需品。
- Unit elastic (PED = 1): percentage change in quantity equals percentage change in price.
- 单位弹性（PED = 1）：需求量变动百分比等于价格变动百分比。
A memory aid: 'Luxury elastic, necessity inelastic.' Also, think of a rubber band: elastic stretches a lot, inelastic barely stretches.
记忆方法：“奢侈品弹性，必需品非弹性。”也可以想象橡皮筋：弹性的能拉伸很长，非弹性的几乎拉不动。
6. Price Elasticity of Supply (PES) | 供给价格弹性
responsiveness of quantity supplied to a change in price. The formula parallels PED: PES = % change in quantity supplied ÷ % change in price. 'PES' sounds like 'pace' — how fast can producers react to price pace changes?
PES 衡量供给量对价格变化的反应程度。公式与 PED 平行：PES = 供给量变动百分比 ÷ 价格变动百分比。'PES' 听起来像 'pace'（步伐）——生产者对价格步伐变化的反应有多快？
Key determinants: time period and spare capacity. In the short run, supply is often inelastic because firms cannot easily change production. In the long run, it becomes more elastic.
关键决定因素：时间段和闲置产能。在短期，供给通常缺乏弹性，因为企业难以轻易改变产量。在长期，供给变得更有弹性。
Recall: 'Short supply, stiff response; long supply, flexible adjustment.' The availability of raw materials and stocks also influences elasticity.
记住：“短期供给，反应僵硬；长期供给，灵活调整。”原材料和库存的可获得性也会影响弹性。
7. Income Elasticity of Demand (YED) | 需求收入弹性
YED measures how quantity demanded responds to a change in consumers' income. Formula: YED = % change in quantity demanded ÷ % change in income. The letter 'Y' in YED symbolises 'Yield' or 'Your income', making it easy to link.
YED 衡量需求量如何随消费者收入的变化而变化。公式：YED = 需求量变动百分比 ÷ 收入变动百分比。YED 中的字母 'Y' 代表 'Yield'（产出/收入）或 'Your income'，便于关联。
- Normal goods (YED > 0): demand rises as income rises. Within this group, income-elastic goods (YED > 1) are luxuries; income-inelastic goods (0 < YED < 1) are necessities.
- 正常商品（YED > 0）：收入增加，需求上升。其中，收入弹性商品（YED > 1）是奢侈品；收入非弹性商品（0 < YED < 1）是必需品。
- Inferior goods (YED < 0): demand falls as income rises (e.g., generic supermarket own-brands, bus travel).
- 低档商品（YED < 0）：收入增加，需求下降（如超市自有品牌、公交车出行）。
Picture an 'inferior' product as one you abandon when you get richer — that's negative YED. For normal goods, think 'income up, buys more'.
想象一种“低档”产品是当你变得更有钱时就会弃用的——这就是负的 YED。对于正常商品，想“收入涨，买更多”。
8. Cross Elasticity of Demand (XED) | 需求交叉弹性
onsiveness of demand for one good to a change in the price of another good. Formula: XED = % change in quantity demanded of Good A ÷ % change in price of Good B. 'X' suggests crossing over between goods.
XED 衡量一种商品的需求对另一种商品价格变化的反应程度。公式：XED = A 商品需求量变动百分比 ÷ B 商品价格变动百分比。'X' 暗示商品之间的交叉关系。
- Substitutes (XED > 0): goods that can replace each other, like tea and coffee. An increase in the price of coffee may raise demand for tea. 'Substitutes' sounds like 'switch' — they switch.
- 替代品（XED > 0）：可以互相替代的商品，如茶和咖啡。咖啡价格上涨可能增加对茶的需求。'substitutes' 听起来像 'switch'（切换）——它们可以切换。
- Complements (XED < 0): goods used together, like printers and ink cartridges. If printer prices rise, demand for ink may fall. Think 'complete' — they complete each other.
- 互补品（XED < 0）：一起使用的商品，如打印机和墨盒。如果打印机价格上涨，墨盒需求可能下降。想 'complete'（完整）——它们让彼此完整。
- Unrelated goods (XED = 0): no relationship.
- 无关商品（XED = 0）：没有关系。
A rhyme: 'Substitutes positive, complements negative, zero if not connected.'
口诀：“替代品为正，互补品为负，无关则为零。”
9. Externalities | 外部性
An externality occurs when the production or consumption of a good or service imposes costs or benefits on third parties not directly involved in the transaction. Externalities can be positive (beneficial) or negative (harmful). The word 'external' gives it away — effects external to the buyer and seller.
外部性是指商品或服务的生产或消费给未直接参与交易的第三方带来成本或收益。外部性可以是正的（有益的）或负的（有害的）。'external' 一词泄露了秘密——买家和卖家之外的影响。
- Negative externality: e.g., pollution from a factory affecting local residents' health. Social cost > private cost.
- 负外部性：例如工厂污染影响附近居民健康。社会成本 > 私人成本。
- Positive externality: e.g., education benefits not just the student but society through higher productivity. Social benefit > private benefit.
- 正外部性：例如教育不仅使学生受益，还通过提高生产率造福社会。社会收益 > 私人收益。
Memory image: a factory smoking out neighbours — that's a negative spill-over. A beekeeper's bees pollinating surrounding orchards — positive spill-over.
记忆画面：工厂向邻居排放烟雾——这是负的溢出效应。养蜂人的蜜蜂为周围果园授粉——正的溢出效应。
10. Inflation | 通货膨胀
Inflation is a sustained increase in the general price level of goods and services in an economy over time. It reduces the purchasing power of money — each unit of currency buys fewer goods. 'Inflation' sounds like 'inflating' a balloon — prices puff up.
通货膨胀是指经济体一般物价水平在一段时间内持续上涨。它降低了货币的购买力——每一单位货币能买到的东西变少了。'inflation' 听起来像给气球 'inflating'（充气）——价格膨胀起来。
The two main types: demand-pull inflation (too much money chasing too few goods) and cost-push inflation (rising production costs passed to consumers).
主要有两种类型：需求拉动型通货膨胀（过多的货币追逐过少的商品）和成本推动型通货膨胀（上升的生产成本转嫁给消费者）。
Measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Key to remember: 'Inflation is erosion of value'. Deflation is the opposite — a persistent fall in the price level.
通过消费者价格指数（CPI）衡量。关键记住：“通货膨胀是价值的侵蚀”。通货紧缩则相反——价格水平的持续下跌。
11. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) | 国内生产总值
GDP is the total monetary value of all final goods and services produced within a country’s borders in a given period, usually a year or quarter. Think 'G' for 'Geography' — it's domestic, within the country. 'P' stands for 'Product'.
GDP 指在给定时期内（通常是一年或一个季度），一国境内生产的所有最终商品和服务的货币总值。想一下 'G' 代表 'Geography'（地理）——国内的意思，境内的。'P' 代表 'Product'（产品）。
GDP is a key indicator of economic health. Nominal GDP is measured at current prices; real GDP is adjusted for inflation, giving a more accurate picture.
GDP 是经济健康状况的关键指标。名义 GDP 按现价计算；实际 GDP 则剔除了通货膨胀因素，能更准确地反映经济表现。
Mnemonic: 'Gross Domestic Product — all made at home.' It excludes income earned by citizens abroad, which is counted in GNP (Gross National Product).
助记法：“国内生产总值——全部在家制造。”它不包括公民在海外获得的收入，这一部分计入国民生产总值（GNP）。
12. Unemployment | 失业
Unemployment refers to the state where people who are willing and able to work cannot find a job. The unemployment rate is the percentage of the labour force that is jobless and actively seeking work. The word itself is self-explanatory — 'un' (not) + 'employ' (job) + 'ment' (state).
失业是指愿意并能够工作的人找不到工作的状态。失业率是劳动力中没有工作但积极寻找工作的人所占的百分比。这个词本身不言自明——'un'（不） + 'employ'（雇佣） + 'ment'（状态）。
Types of unemployment include: frictional (between jobs), structural (mismatch of skills), cyclical (due to economic downturns), and seasonal (e.g., tourism). To recall, think 'Frictional – finding fit', 'Structural – skills shift', 'Cyclical – cycles cool'.
失业的类型包括：摩擦性失业（转换工作期间）、结构性失业（技能错配）、周期性失业（因经济衰退）和季节性失业（如旅游业）。记忆时想：“摩擦——找工作匹配”、“结构——技能转换”、“周期——周期冷却”。
Always remember that full employment does not mean zero unemployment; there will always be some frictional and structural unemployment, known as the natural rate of unemployment.
永远记住，充分就业并不意味着零失业；总会存在一些摩擦性和结构性失业，也就是自然失业率。
Published by TutorHao | Economics Revision Series | aleveler.com
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