People say the N-word when they need to talk about a very hurtful racial slur — the word nigger — but do not want to speak that slur out loud. The slur has a long, ugly history in American English.

People say the N-word大家會說 the N-word when they need to talk about a very hurtful racial slur當他們需要提到一個非常傷人的種族歧視字眼 the word nigger也就是 nigger 這個字 but do not want to speak that slur out loud但不想真的把那個字說出口。The slur has a long, ugly history這個歧視字眼有一段又長又醜陋的歷史 in American English在美式英語裡。

It was used to insult Black people and to treat them as less than human, so it is not a “normal rude word” like a joke about the body. Many listeners feel pain even hearing it, especially from someone who is not Black.

It was used to insult Black people它曾被用來侮辱黑人 and to treat them as less than human把他們當成不是人一樣對待 so it is not a "normal rude word" like a joke about the body所以它不是像身體笑話那種「普通的粗話」。Many listeners feel pain even hearing it很多聽的人光聽到就會感到痛苦 especially from someone who is not Black尤其是從一個不是黑人的人口中聽到。

Teachers, news readers, and students use “the N-word” to discuss racism, a song, or a news story without putting the insult in anyone's mouth. Though actually, the picture is messier than a simple never: some Black speakers use a close form with friends or in music, and people argue hard about who may say what.

Teachers, news readers, and students use "the N-word"老師、新聞主播和學生會用「the N-word」 to discuss racism, a song, or a news story來討論種族歧視、一首歌，或一則新聞 without putting the insult in anyone's mouth而不用讓任何人真的說出那個侮辱性的字。Though actually不過其實 the picture is messier than a simple never情況比「絕對不能說」要複雜：some Black speakers use a close form with friends or in music有些黑人朋友之間或在音樂裡會用一個很接近的形式 and people argue hard about who may say what大家對於誰可以說什麼也爭論得很激烈。

Those arguments do not give a learner a free pass. In class, at work, and with people you do not know well, do not say the slur. Use “the N-word” if you must refer to it.

Those arguments do not give a learner a free pass那些爭論不代表學英語的人就可以隨便說。In class, at work, and with people you do not know well在課堂上、在工作場合，還有跟不熟的人相處時 do not say the slur不要說那個歧視字眼。Use "the N-word"用「the N-word」這個說法 if you must refer to it如果你必須提到它的話。