情侣间常用的口语句子

情侣间常用的口语句子

1. Hey, sweety, sorry, I’m late again.

嘿,宝贝,不好意思我又迟到了。

2. I hate you! I can’t stand you any more, you always stand me out! 我讨厌你!你老是放我鸽子,我受够了!

3. Darling, please keep your shirt on, give me a chance to explain. 亲爱的,请千万别发火,给我一个解释的机会。

4.You know what, you always have reasons. But every time, your excuse simply cannot hold a little water.

你知道吗,你总是有各种理由的。可是每次,你的理由几乎简直没有半点真实。

5.Please, Don’t treat me as an idiot.

我求你了,别把我当成傻瓜。

6. Please don’t put full blame on me.

请你不要把全部责任都怪我身上。

10. Please, please give me one more chance.

求求你,请你再给我一次机会。

 

第二篇:26个口语常用句子详解

26个口语常用句子详解

May I have a word with you?

当你有重要事要打断别人的谈话或工作,最好先礼貌地问句:May I have a word with you? (我可以和你谈一会吗?)。虽然是a word,但不是只说一个字而已,而是一段很简短的对话,或可以说:May I have a quick word with you? / May I have a word in your ear? 通常有这样的要求,谈话内容可能比较私人或秘密,或者也可以用A word if you don't mind.(只是一句话,如你不介意)。

对话

A: Julie, may I have a word with you, please? B: Sorry, I'm a bit tied up at the moment. Can we talk later?

A: You said that earlier and I've been waiting all afternoon. I only need 5 minutes to go over this.

B: , please take a seat.

甲:茱莉,我可否和你谈一会吗? 乙:对不起,我现在很忙,可否迟些再谈?

甲:你较早前已这样说过,而我已等了整个下午,我只需要5分钟就足够了。

乙:好吧,请坐。

May I have a word with you?即‘我可否和你谈谈吗?’A word两字可不可以改作words? 改作words,意思就完全不同了。To have a word with somebody. 是‘和某人谈谈’,To have words with somebody. 则是‘和某人吵架’,例如:He had words with his wife last night. (他昨晚和妻子吵架)。

又请看以下两句有什么分别:He had white hair、He had white hairs。 按hair泛指毛发,是不可数名词,例如:I find her shoulder-length hair very beautiful.(我觉得她及肩的头发很美丽)。但是,一根毛发却是可数名词(countable noun),例如成语to hang by a hair即‘系于一发’,His life is hanging by a hair. 等于‘他生死悬于一发’。He had white hair.是说‘他满头白发’,He had white hairs.则是说‘他头上有些白发’。

Who is your favorite singer?

相信每个人心里都有一些最喜欢的东西。最喜欢的英文就是favorite。最喜欢的食物(favorite food)、最喜欢的颜色(favorite color)、最喜欢的歌手(favorite singer)。那么你最喜欢的歌手是谁?Who is your favorite singer?如果你没有特别偏爱的歌手,可回答:I don't have a particular favorite.(我没有特别的偏爱)。相反你有一个非常喜欢的歌手,可以用firm favorite,例如:Michael Jackson is my firm favorite.(米

高积逊是我非常喜爱的歌手。) Hot favorite是指非常流行 / 受欢迎的东西,例如:This song is a hot favorite in Hong Kong.(这首歌在香港非常流行)。

对话

A:What were your hobbies at university?

B:Well, I liked to do so many things so I didn't really have a regular hobby. But I was a rock singer and I still perform occasionally.

A:Who is your favorite singer?

B:I'm a fan of the Beatles and Rod Stewart.

甲:你在大学时期有什么嗜好?

乙:哦,当时我喜爱做太多事情了,并没有特定的嗜好。但我以前是一个摇滚乐手,现在偶然也会表演一下呢。 甲:谁是你最喜爱的歌手?

乙:我是披头四和洛史都华的歌迷。

要说所喜欢的人、物等,英文多会用favorite一字,作形容词(adjective)解作‘特别喜爱的’,作名词(noun)则是指‘特别喜爱的人、物’,例如:(1) War and Peace is my favorite novel.(《战争与和平》是我很喜欢的一本小说)。(2) Coca-Cola is a firm favorite with my son.(可口可乐是我儿子百喝不厌的饮料)。

最喜欢或最不喜欢,就是most / least favorite,例如:Madonna is my most / least favorite singer.(玛丹娜是我最喜欢 / 最不喜欢的歌星)。

父母、教师等偏爱的孩子,也可用favorite 一字来说,例如:(1)Peggy has always been her mother's favorite.(佩琪向来都是她母亲偏爱的孩子)。(2) It is not advisable for a teacher to have favorites in the class.(教师不宜偏爱班中几个学生)。偏爱或徇私的行为,即favoritism,例如:(1)The chemistry teacher was accused of showing favoritism to certain students.(化学老师被投诉,说他偏爱某些学生)。 竞赛之中获看好的选手、动物等,一般都称为favorite,例如:(1) He bet $2,000 on the favorite to win the horse race. (他把二千元赌注,押在马赛中最多人看好的那匹马上)。

(2) He was a hot favorite to win the election.(这次选举之中,他很有机会获选)。 Do you know Candy?

今天和大家讨论用Do you know?的问句,Do you know?就是问别人:‘你知不知道?你懂不懂?’如果问你懂不懂煮饭,可以说:Do you know how to cook? 你知不知道那条路?Do you know the way? 或者要问你认不认识一个叫肯蒂的女生,可以说:Do you know Candy? 如果你不认识她,可回答:I don't know her.,如果你跟她很熟,可以说:I know her very well.,如果只是泛泛之交,可以说:I'm acquainted with her.。

对话

A: Do you know Candy?

B: Candy? Does she have curly blond hair and a really beautiful face? A: Yes, that's her.

B: Yes, I know her very well. She was my girl friend during my first year in university. A: Really? Candy told me that she's only 19 and she's your boss' daughter. B: Oh, Candy Cooper! My mistake. I thought you meant Candy Rose.

甲:你认不认识肯蒂?

乙:肯蒂?是否那个金色卷发的漂亮女子?

甲:对,就是她。

乙:是,我跟她很熟络,她是我大学一年级时的女友。 甲:真的吗?肯蒂告诉我她只有19岁,是你老板的女儿。

乙:噢,肯蒂吉谱!我搞错了,我以为你指的是肯蒂罗丝。 某乙听某甲谈到一位金发美女肯蒂,以为是自己的旧女友说:I know her very well.(我和她很熟络)。假如某甲带笑问道:In the biblical sense? 读者知道是什么意思吗? Biblical即‘《圣经》(Bible)的’,例如biblical language是 ‘《圣经》的语言’。In the biblical sense?等于说‘是否《圣经》里那个意思?’。

在《圣经》和其它古籍里,know字有‘和...有性关系’的意思。读《御用圣经.路加福音》第一章,你就会看到天使对圣母玛利亚说:You will conceive in your womb and bring forth a son, and shall call his name Jesus(你会怀孕,诞下麟儿,取命为耶稣)。玛利亚回答说:How can this be, since I do not know a man?(这怎么可能呢?我没有跟男人亲热过)。今天,英语国家的人说跟某某有性关系,有时就会用开玩笑口吻说:I know him / her in the biblical sense。

留意I know her和I know of her很不同。I know her是 ‘我认识她’,I know of her. 则是 ‘我知道她这个人’或‘我听说过好这个人’。

说和某人交朋友,英文是to make friends with somebody,那复数形式的friends不可改为friend。为什么和一个人交朋友,都要用复数形式?原因很简单:friends 除了指对方,还包括你自己。交朋友是至少两个人之间的事。I should like to make friends with you. 即 ‘我想和你交朋友’。

Could you tell me the way to the shopping mall?

朋友们伙人去逛街,通常都会去百货公司(Department Store),或者购物商场(Shopping Mall),两者有什么分别呢?Department Store是独立的商店,里面有不同的部门(departments),如电器部、化妆品部、服装部等等,而Shopping Mall是一个大的地方,里面有不同的商店、餐厅、游乐设施及开放空间,所以要问怎样去购物商场,可以说:Where is the shopping mall?(购物商场在哪里?)、Could you tell me the way to the shopping mall? 、 Could you tell me how to get to the shopping mall?(可以告诉我怎样去购物商场吗?)或Could you give me directions to the shopping mall?(可以告诉我去

购物商场的方向吗?)。

对话

A: Excuse me. Could you tell me the way to the shopping mall?

B: Certainly. Go straight down this street until you reach the corner, and then turn right. Keep walking until you see the McDonald's and then you go inside and then go out the backdoor, turn left and cross the road and it's right there. A: How long will it take?

B: I think about 30 minutes.

甲:不好意思,可以告诉我怎样去购物商场吗?

乙:当然可以。沿路向前走直到转角处,然后右转。一直走到麦当劳,进去然后从后门走出,再左转,过马路就到了。

甲:要走多久?

乙:我想大约30分钟。

人家向你问路,假如距离太远,你可以告诉他:It's far from here. / It's a good distance.(离这里很远)、You've got a long way to go.(你还要走很远的路)、It's not within walking distance.(离这里太远了,不宜步行)。既然路远,最好搭车去:Take bus No. 1, and ask the bus conductor where to get off.(搭一号公车去吧,可以问司机哪儿下车)、You'd better take a taxi(最好搭出租车去)。 假如顺路,你不妨说:I'm going there myself.(或It's on my route. / I'm walking that way.)。I'll lead you the way.(或I'll walk you there.)(我正要去那里,就给你带路吧)。

要给人明确的道路指引,则要看实际环境,不能有一套固定说法。但有些基本句法可以参考:

(1) Follow your nose(或Go straight on)until you get to a post office.(向前一直走到邮局)。(2) Turn left / right at the corner and then just follow your nose.(在转角处向左 / 右转,然后直行)。(3) Take the first / second turning to the right / left.(在第一 / 二个转弯处向右 / 左转)。(4) The first turning is Second Street.(前面第一条横的街道就是第二街)。

有时,全程很难一次说清楚。你可以教对方先走一段路,然后再问人,例如:Turn around and go back till you get to Second Street, and then ask again.(你要回头走,走到第二街再问别人)。

Don't let me down. 以前教过大家I'm counting on you. 和I'm depending on you.(我全靠你),都是在有求于人时非常用得着的恭维话,今天多教一句:Don't let me down.(不要让我失望),别人听到你这么说可能会更加为你尽力去办。Let down是‘令人失望’,例如朋友问你How was the movie?(那出电影如何呢?),如果说:It was a big let down. 就是说‘它太令人

失望’的意思。

对话

A: How's tomorrow's business presentation going?

B: Our preparation work is almost done. We'll have a rehearsal tonight after dinner.

A: Well, I'll look forward to hearing some good results. Don't let me down.

B: I'll try my best to clinch the deal.

甲:明天的业务发表会怎样?

乙:筹备工作已差不多完成,我们在今晚晚饭后会进行彩排。

甲:好的,我期待听到好消息,不要令我失望。

乙:我会尽力去取得合同。

为了宣传公司的产品、服务,公司职员往往要去其它机构或公开场所示范、讲解等, 这英文叫做presentation,例如:The fund house made a presentation of the new investment funds they were launching.(基金公司举行讲座,介绍新创办的投资基金)。

现在,某乙要为公司争取合同,示范、讲解当然要准备周详。他老板说:Don't let me down.(别使我失望)。Let down 除了解作‘辜负(某人)期望’,还可解作‘使丢脸’或‘破坏(声誉)’,例如:Your misconduct has let down the name of the bank.(你违反职业操守,破坏了银行的声誉)。 Let someone down的反义词是live up to someone's expectations.(不负某人所望)。 某乙的老板其实可以说:I'm sure you'll live up to my expectations.(我相信你会不负我所望)。这有鼓励的意思,比忧心忡忡的一句Don't let me down. 似乎好一点。Don't let me down. 会加重某乙精神上的压力,对他示范、讲解的表现未必有好处。

所以,你是某乙的同事,发觉他赴会前精神紧张,就应该设法消除他的焦虑,例如你可以说:You don't need to worry. I'm sure everything will go well as you're well prepared. You'll make a big hit.(你不必担心。你准备得那么好,相信一切都会很顺利。你会赢得观众赞赏)。Make a hit. 是‘博得好评’、‘大获成功’的意思。

How are you feeling?

问候别人除了用简单的How are you?之外,也可说:How are you feeling?(你觉得怎样呢?)这个feeling(感觉)除了指生理上的感觉,也可指心理上的感觉,譬如探病时或看见朋友心情不好的时候,可以问候他说:How are you feeling?。如果说:You hurt my feelings. 就是‘你伤害我的情感,令我难受’,觉得忧郁不欢,可以说:I'm feeling blue,觉得蛮有趣或有点奇怪,可以说:I'm feeling funny,或者你感觉很好,就是I'm feeling good.。 对话 A:Tasha, you still look very pale. How are you feeling?

B:Better. My fever has broken, but I still feel quite weak.

A:I hope you get well soon. B:I hope so too. A:Get back to work.

甲:德思嘉,你看来面色仍然很苍白,你觉得怎样?

乙:好了一点,已经退烧,但我仍然觉得有点虚弱。

甲:希望你快些康复。

乙:我也希望。

甲:返回工作岗位吧。

你病了,人家问你觉得怎样,怎样回答呢?假如你只是有点不舒服,可以说:I don't feel very well. / I don't feel quite right. / I feel a bit under the weather.(我感到有点不舒服)、I'm not feeling myself.(我感到不像自己)、I feel a bit funny.(我感到有点古怪)。Funny一般解作‘有趣的’,但‘有毛病’口语往往称为funny,例如:There is something funny about the computer; I can't move the cursor to where I want.(计算机有些古怪;我没法把光标移到我要的地方)。Under the weather则是成语,但为什么‘在天气下’等于‘不舒服’,至今没有人能够解释。

假如你感到很不舒服,则可以说:I feel terrible / lousy / rotten / awful.(我感到糟透了)、I feel like hell.(我感到像在地狱那样)、I'm (as) sick as a dog.(我病得像狗一样)。Lousy本义是‘多虱的’,rotten则是‘腐烂的’,但在口语中两字都可解作‘糟透了’,例如:Lousy / Rotten weather, isn't it?(天气劣极了,你说是吗?)(As) Sick as a dog. 也是成语,但狗为什么似乎病得特别厉害,恐怕也没有人知道。 要说明感到怎样的不舒适,说法就和疾病一样多,难以枚举。最常见的一些情况则是I feel feverish(我感到发烧)/ chilly(浑身寒冷)/ hot and cold(阵冷阵热)/ dizzy(晕眩)/ sick(作呕)、I have a stomachache.(我胃痛 / 腹痛)/ a splitting headache(头痛欲裂)/ a backache(背痛)等。

That's not necessary.

除了用No之外另一句较婉转拒绝别人的常用句子是:”That’s not necessary.”(这不需要)。当你想拒绝一些不太需要的商业服务,可以说:”That’s not necessary.”表示你不需要,假如别人坚持替你做,而你也无所谓的话可说:”That’s not necessary but if you do, it would be nice.”(这并不是必须的,但如你真的要做,也是不错)。 除了That’s not necessary. 外,也可用Please don’t bother. (不要打扰)或You don’t have to. / You don’t need to. / That’s no need. 都是不需要的意思。

对话

A: I'll give you a call after I arrive in San Francisco.

B: That's not necessary. Long distance charges are expensive. Just send me an email. A: I'm afraid I won’t have my PC set up that soon.

B: Come on, you can find internet bars and cafes all over San Francisco. A: That’s true. 甲:我到达旧金山后会给你电话。

乙:这不必了,长途电话费很贵,给我电子邮件便可。

甲:恐怕我来不及安装好计算机。

乙:拜托,旧金山到处都可找到网络咖啡店。

甲:对。

叫人家不必做一件事,除了说:It is not necessary (for you) to do that,你当然还可以用名词need字:There is no need (for you) to do that。用need做动词则怎样说呢? Need做动词,用法比较特别。首先,它可以和普通动词一样有字尾变化,例如: You need. / He needs to do that.(你/他必须这样做)、You don’t . / He doesn’t need to do that. (你/他不必这样做)、Do you / Does he need to do that?(你/他要这样做吗?) 但在否定或疑问句里,need字有时会做辅助动词(auxiliary verb)用,和must、should等差不多,例如You / He need not do that. (=You don’t. / He doesn’t need to do that.)、Need you / he do that? (=Do you / Does he need to do that?) 这两句虽然是说现在的事,但need和he连用也不必加s。 说过去,You did not need to do that. 是说‘你不必那样做’,做了没有未见说明,need是主要动词;You need not have done that. 也是说‘你不必那样做’,但你做了,need是辅助动词。 还有一个字是必须谈谈的:necessarily。这是个副词(adverb),和形容词(adjective) necessary 同源而形似,但意思不同,解作‘必然’,常用于否定句,not necessarily即‘未必’,例如:(1) “He’ll lose.” “Not necessarily.” ( ‘他会输。’ ‘未必。’) (2) Learned people do not necessarily prosper.(有学问未必就会发)。 Here comes Johnny now.

现代人茶余饭后最爱聚在一起说是非,很奇怪的是每当说到某人是非时,某人就总会在附近出现,中文有句话:‘说曹操,曹操到’,英文是Speak of the devil。换着主角不是曹操而是Johnny,英文可以说:Here comes Johnny now.(钱宁他正朝这边过来),或者说:Johnny is coming now。(钱宁现正过来)如果有些麻烦人或者麻烦事正过来,可以用Here comes trouble.(烦恼正来了)。 对话

A:I can't work with Johnny anymore. He always changes his mind and doesn't produce results.

B:Calm down, Kate. A job is a job and after all he is our boss.

A:So what? I can always quit my job and study more. Johnny is really a big.....

B:Shhhh..... Here comes Johnny now.

A:Hi!

甲:我不能再和钱宁一起工作,他常常三心两意,又不能干。

乙:冷静点,凯伊。工作是工作,他毕竟是我们的老板。

甲:那又如何?我可以随时辞职去读书,钱宁真是个......

乙:嘘??钱宁正朝这边过来。

甲:嗨! ‘谁人背后无人说?’在背后说人家的不是,英文叫to speak ill of somebody behind his back,这behind one's back(背面)和to one's face(当面)相对,例如:He calls me a good-for-nothing behind my back, but never to my face(他背面说我一无是处,却从来不会当面跟我这样说)。

背后讲人坏话,英文还有一个颇有趣的说法:backbite,直译是‘在背后咬’。When you hear your friend being backbitten, what would you do?即‘听见有人说你朋友的坏话,你会怎么办?’Backbite这种行为,叫做backbiting,而从事backbiting的人自然是backbiter,例如:We don't want a backbiter in our office.(我们办公室不要搬弄是非者)。

凯伊批评老板经常改变主意,这英文可以说是He is always changing his mind。留意这个always的用法:‘be(包括is, were等be的变体)+ always + ing动词’,多用来表示烦厌。请比较以下两句:(1) He always complains to me.(他总是向我诉苦)。(2) He is always complaining to me.(他整天啰啰唆唆的向我诉苦)。第一句没有不耐烦含义,和第二句不同。

凯伊刚要叫老板做 ‘大XX’,老板就来了。 ‘一说曹操,曹操就到’的英文说法是Speak(或Talk)of the devil, and he will(或is sure to)appear.(一说魔鬼,魔鬼就现身),往往略作Speak(或Talk)of the devil。

I see.

用英语与别人沟通,最害怕的是鸡同鸭讲,所以想表示自己明白别人意思时,可以说:I understand.(我明白了),或用更通俗的说法:I see,都是‘我了解,我明白’的意思。除此之外,也可以用I see what you mean. / I get it. / I get the picture. / I get you. 都是相同的意思。

对话

A: Darrell, how could you let Nigel sell all his shares and leave the company? You told me he would be your business partner for life.

B: It’s a long story. The long and the short of it is I’m in love with Annie.

A: I see, but Annie is Nigel’s girlfriend. That’s so wrong of you.

B: That’s why Nigel and I parted ways. If loving her is wrong, I don’t want to be right.

甲:达内尔,你怎么让奈哲尔出售所有股份而离开公司?你说过他会是你的终身生意伙伴。

乙:说来话长,整个故事是因为我正和安妮谈恋爱。

甲:我明白了,但安妮是奈哲尔的女朋友,你这样是不对的。

乙:这正是我和奈哲尔拆伙的原因,假如爱她是错的,我也不想做对。

要表示明白人家的意思,英文除了说:I see.,还有不少其它说法。 首先,你可以用be(包括is、were等be的变体with somebody来说‘明白某人的话’,例如:(1) Are you with me?(你明白我的意思吗?) (2) I’m afraid I’m not with you. Could you explain again?(对不起,我不明白,可以再解释一次吗?)I’m with you. 即‘我明白了’。

Get也可解作‘明白’,例如I get it.(我明白了),I get you.(我明白你的意思)等。有时你会听见人家说:Don’t get me wrong,那是叫人 ‘不要误解我的意思’,例如:Don’t get me wrong. I say she’s beautiful, but that doesn’t mean I’m in love with her.(请不要误会,我说她美丽,不等于爱上了她)。留意解作‘明白’的get不可用被动语态 (passive voice)。

I see / take your point. 或 Point taken则多是用来说‘明白并接受人家的观点’,例如:I see your point. Our plan must be changed.(我明白你的看法。我们必须改变计划)。

此外还有I hear what you’re saying. 一语,也是说:‘我明白你的意思’,但一般有‘我不同意’含义,例如:I hear what you’re saying, but things are not as simple as that.(我明白你的意思,但事情不是那么简单)。Understood、I know (what you mean)等,当然也是 ‘我明白’的意思。

Rome wasn't built in a day.

‘罗马不是一天造成’英文叫Rome wasn't built in a day。这个绝对是当然的,想要有坚固的后盾和实力,千万不可一步登天,何况上帝造人也要六天时间。所以凡事都不可操之过急,要慢慢来,It won't happen overnight.(这不会一夜间发生),或者你可叫朋友Slow down.(慢慢来)、 Be patient.(有耐性)、What's your hurry?(你在赶什么?)。

对话

A: What's up? You look really down. B: I'm so tired of my job. There are endless problems to deal with. A: Be patient darling. Rome wasn't built in a day.

B: Yes, I know. Thanks for your support.

甲:什么事?你看来心情很差。

乙:我很厌倦我的工作,总有无尽的问题要处理。

甲:忍耐点,爱人,罗马不是一天造成。

乙:我知道,谢谢你的支持。

英文不少成语谈到古罗马。All roads lead to Rome.(条条道路通罗马)一语,等于‘殊途同归’,经翻译后流行得几乎已可说是中文成语。

Rome was not built in a / one day.(罗马不是一天建成的)是另一常见的成语,有‘锲而不舍,金石可镂’的意思;做事延误了时间,也往往用这句话辩解,例如:"Haven't you finished writing the report yet?" "It'll take some more time. Rome wasn't built in a day, you know."(‘你还未写好那份报告吗?’‘这要多点时间。想做好一件事,可不能求快。’)

和Rome was not built in a day. 意思相近的英文成语,有It's dogged that does it。Dogged是形容词,指‘顽强的’或‘固执的’,例如:The reporters asked him doggedly about his role in the scandal.(记者锲而不舍,追问他在丑闻中的一切)。I'm sure you will master the English language one day. It's dogged that does it. 即‘我相信有一天你会精通英文。只要功夫深,铁杵磨成针’。

此外还有to fiddle while Rome burns(罗马大火时弹琴作乐)一语。据说,罗马暴君尼罗 (Nero) 曾经纵火焚城,一边观火一边弹小提琴 (fiddle)。现在这句话常用来说不理民间灾难的官员。

Mind your own business.

现代当艺人真不容易,有机会被枕边人出卖,将私隐卖给八卦媒体,更有一些专业狗仔队偷拍和跟踪。更可怕的是那些路人甲和路人乙在说三道四,对着这群人,可以说句:Mind your own business.(管管你的事情),或者That's my own business.(这是我的事)、That's private. / That's personal.(这是私事)、Stay out of my affairs.(别管我的事)、Don't be nosy.(别好管闲事)。

对话

A: How could you leave the party without saying a word? The Morgan family was so unhappy about it.

B: I had my reasons. Don't be so uptight.

A: But what happened? Can't you tell me the whole story? B: Please mind your own business. I don't need to report everything back to you.

甲:你怎么不辞而别离开派对?摩根家庭对此很不高兴。

乙:我有我的原因,别这么紧张。 甲:但发生什么事?你不可以告诉我吗? 乙:请管你自己的事吧,我不需事事向你回报。

有些人好奇心特强,即使和他们完全无关的琐事,都设法打听、窥探,英文叫这种人做busybodies或nosy parkers,例如:Don't tell that nosy parker anything about me.(任何关于我的事,都不要告诉那‘诸事问’)。

Nosy又作nosey,是nose(鼻)的形容词。喜欢窥探别人隐私者会把鼻子伸到每个角落,所以nosy即‘好管闲事的’。Nosy parker的parker却是什么呢?据说,这是指十六世纪英国坎特布里大主教Matthew Parker。他对教会的事无所不问,根除了很多陋习,但也因此赢得Nosy Parker的浑名。今天他的徒子徒孙可能就住在你隔壁。

见到Nosy Parker二世、二十世等等,你不妨叫他Mind your own business。这直译是‘管你自己的事吧’,意思自然是‘别多管闲事’。Mind your own business.往往简写作MYOB。

除了Mind your own business,你还可以说:Get / Keep your nose out of my business.(不要窥探我的事情),例如:"I hear your dog bark at bout nine o'clock every night. Why is that?" "Oh, keep your nose out of my business, won't you?"(‘每晚九点钟左右,我都听见你的狗吠,为什么呢?’‘啊,你少点管我的事好不好?’)俚语叫人少管闲事,常用Butt out! 两字。Butt(用头或角撞)in即‘打扰’或‘干预’,是butt out的反义词。

It doesn’t matter

.所谓谁人无错,犯错的时候,应该得饶人处且饶人。当别人诚恳地向你道歉时,你也应该善意地响应一句:It doesn’t matter.(没关系,不要紧)或者说:It’s not important. / It’s not a big deal. (这个不重要这 / 没什么大不了)。此外,如你见到朋友好像心情不佳,你也不妨问候一下:What’s the matter?(有什么事?)如果不太想回答,可说:It doesn’t matter.(没什么,不要提)。

对话

A:Adrian? Sweetheart, I’m sorry I crashed your car last night.

B:I know. It doesn’t matter now.

A:And I knocked somebody down. His face looked a lot like yours.

B:I know. It doesn’t matter now.

A:What do you mean it doesn’t matter? Don’t you care for me anymore? B:Yes I do, but I have to leave you now.

甲:亚德里恩? 甜心,对不起,我昨晚把你的车子撞坏了。

乙:我知道,不要紧。

甲:我还撞倒一个人,他很像你。

乙:我知道,不要紧。

甲:什么不要紧?难道你不关心我吗? 乙:我当然关心你,但是我现在要离开你了。

说It doesn’t matter.(不要紧),可以表示客气的 ‘不必介意’,也可以表示冷漠的 ‘这和我无关’,例如:(1) “I’m afraid I’ve messed up the room.” “It doesn’t matter. The room needs cleaning anyway.”( ‘对不起,我把房间弄脏了。’ ‘不要紧,房间反正要清洁了。’)(2) “The tax on cigarettes is going to rise.” “It’s doesn’t matter to me. I don’t smoke.”( ‘香烟要加税了。’ ‘这对我没有影响。我不吸烟。’)

要说 ‘这对我没有影响’,英文还有(It) Makes no difference to me. 的说法,随便一点可说:(It) Makes me no difference,例如:Cigarette tax hikes make no difference to me(香烟大幅加税,对我没有影响)。英文indifference一字,就是说 ‘漠不关心’,形容词是indifferent,例如:Adrian is totally indifferent to what his girlfriend has done. / Adrian shows total indifference to what his girlfriend has done.(亚德里恩对女朋友所做的事,完全漠不关心)。

亚德里恩决定和女朋友分手了,所以,无论她做了多么可怕的事,都说:It doesn’t matter now。通俗一点,他还可以说:Makes no nevermind to me. 或Makes me no nevermind。 美国口语以nevermind作名词,意思是 ‘关怀、注意’或 ‘关怀、注意的事情’。这个字须用于否定句,这里不妨再举一例:Pay him no nevermind.(不要理他)。

By the way

By the way 是一个简单而非常实用的英文句子,例如你跟别人聊天,谈到一些尴尬话题,此时你可说:By the way,接着说别的事情避开尴尬场面。By the way通常用在谈话时转到别的话题的一个连接词,可以解作‘除此之外’和‘顺便一提’的意思,有时候会简写成btw。 另外,在书信上我们常看见P.S.的英文字母在信的末端出现,它的全写是Post script,Post是拉丁文 After(在之后)的意思,在正文之后的东西就是附注。

对话

A:Check, please.

B:That's 34 dollars. Thank you.

A:You're welcome. By the way, may I have your number, Candy?

B:Sorry, I'm afraid not. A:Oh, I'm sorry, don't get me wrong. I just want the restaurant's number to make a reservation. B:I understand but we're closing down next Monday.

甲:请结账。

乙:34元,谢谢。

甲:不用客气。除此之外,肯蒂,可否给我你的电话号码?

乙:对不起,不行。

甲:噢,对不起,不要误会。我只是想要餐厅的电话号码以便订位。

乙:我明白,但我们于下周一结束营业。

By the way三字,一般译做‘顺便说说’,表示要转入新话题或提出忽然想到的事。譬如说,你和朋友在谈西方音乐,忽然想到中乐,你就可以问:By the way, do you like Chinese music as well?(说到音乐,你也喜欢中乐么?)。 By the way的另一说法,是incidentally。形容词(adjective) incidental即‘附带的’,例如:There are quite a few problems incidental to relocating to a foreign country(迁居国外,附带的问题不少)。Incidentally等于‘附带谈谈’,例如:I didn't know he was one of your best friends.... Incidentally, do you know his sister?(我一向不知道他是你的好朋友....那你认识他的妹妹吗?)Incidentally除了用于口头,也常见于文字;by the way则少见于文字,多用于口头。 By the way也作by the by或by the bye,例如:By the by, he'll be here tomorrow(顺便一提,他明天会来这里)。By the by切勿和by and by混淆:by and by是‘不久’的意思,例如:He said he would be here by and by.(他说不久就会来到)。

By the way也不可和by way of混淆:by way of是‘当作’或‘经由’的意思,例如:(1) Tom gave him some money by way of thanks for helping with the luggage.(汤姆给他一些钱,算是答谢他帮忙提行李)。 (2) He went to Shanghai by way of Hong Kong.(他经由香港到上海)。

I don't care.

有些人的脸皮很厚,不论骂他打他,他什么都无所谓,十分赖皮,这种人常有一句口头禅:I don't care.(我不在乎),除了I don't care.外,也可说:Who cares.(谁在乎)。 Care还有其它的用法和解释,例如skin care(护肤品)、hair care(护发品)、be careful(小心)、carefree(无拘无束),She's very carefree. 是说‘她十分无拘无束,自由自在’。

对话

A:Get up Jessie. It's a quarter to nine. You will be late.

B:I don't care. Please just leave me alone.

A:Come on, it's your first day at university.

B:But Tim broke up with me last night.

甲:起来吧婕西,现在是8时45分,你快要迟到了。 乙:我不在乎,请别理会我。

甲:来吧,今天是你第一天上大学。

乙:但昨晚我跟提姆分了手。

‘我不在乎’的英文说法是I don't care.。有时,你还会听见人说:I couldn't care less,这是什么意思呢? I couldn't care less. 直译是‘我要更不在乎一点都不能够了’,切勿解作‘我不能少点关心’。换言之,‘我是百分之百的不在乎’。有些人以I could care less. 表示自己不在乎,这其实是不对的,但随便的口头英语往往这样说,也没有人计较了。

此外,表示‘不在乎’,你还可以说:As if I cared !(你似乎以为我计较呢!)As if二字合用,是‘好像’的意思。”He has gambled away his fortune.” “As if I cared!”即‘他把大笔财产都在赌博中输掉了。’‘我才不关心呢!’

粗俗一点,‘我不在乎’可以说是I don't give / care a damn. 或Like I give / care a damn。这个damn字,有人说是dam之讹,而dam是从前印度一种低面额辅币。但这解释略嫌穿凿。Damn是骂人用语,not give a damn应是‘连骂都懒的骂’式的不在乎,但一般的不在乎都可以说:Not give a damn,例如: “Your ex-boyfriend is getting married.” “Like I give a damn (about it).”(‘你的前男朋友要结婚啦。’‘你似乎以为我在乎呢。’)

上述的damn字,还见于成语not worth a damn(一文不值),例如:His promises are not worth a damn.(他的承诺一文不值)。

We've been expecting you.

Expect是‘期待’的意思,We've been expecting you.是‘我们期待你出现’,例如你在餐厅订了位,到达时侍应会向你说:We've been expecting you.(我们在等待你来临)。有时候,这句话也可带点讽刺性,例如你约了朋友,但他迟了很久,你可说We've been expecting you. Expect / expecting. 是期待某些事发生,但发生的可能性是不知道的,例如:I expect you are angry with me, because I ate your rabbit.(我期望你会生气,因为我把你的兔子吃掉),但对方不一定会生气,又例如:I'm expecting a lot of presents on my birthday.(我期待收到很多生日礼物),但收到多少还是未知之数。许多父母都‘望子成龙,望女成凤’,英文可以说:We are expecting great things from her.(我们期望她长大后会有成就)。 对话

A: We've been expecting you all night. Where have you been?

B: Oh, I'm really sorry. I got lost.

A: You must be kidding. You've been here over a hundred times.

B: Yes, but each time I took a taxi. This time I drove here myself.

甲:我们等待你整晚,你去了哪里? 乙:噢,真对不起,我迷路了。

甲:你一定在开玩笑,你已来过这儿超过一百次。 乙:对呀,但我每次都是坐出租车来,这次是我自己开车来。

说等候某人或某事物来临,英文常用expect(期待)一字,而且多用进行时式(continuous tense),例如:(1) I'm expecting visitors tomorrow.(明天我会有客人来访)。(2) I'm expecting a letter from my mother.(我在等待母亲寄来的一封信)。要说期待某人随时来临,英文是I'm expecting him / her any minute。 有时,你会听到My wife is expecting. 这样的话。那也是期待有人降临,但降临的是婴儿。换言之,‘我妻子怀孕了’。这个expecting之后可加a baby两字,例如:My wife is expecting a baby; I have to make some preparations. (我妻子怀孕了,我得准备一下)。An expectant mother就是‘孕妇’,an expectant则是‘快为人父者’。

Expect一字的用法,还有一点特别值得注意。请比较以下两句:(1)I expect (that) you will go; (2)I expect you to go。这两句意思有分别吗? 按expect之后用 ‘that +子句(clause)’,是‘想’或‘认为’的意思,例如:I expect (that) it will rain soon.(我想,快要下雨了)。Expect之后用‘受词 (object) + to +原形动词 (infinitive)’,则是‘要某人做某事’或‘某人有责任做某事’的意思,例如:I expect you to clean the room. (我要你清洁这个房间)。所以I expect you will go. 和I expect you to go. 不同,一是说‘我想,你会去’,一是说‘我要你去’

Are you free on Sunday?

想要约会别人,首先要问别人有没有空?你可说:Are you available? / Are you free? / Are you busy? 都是‘你有空吗?’的意思,如果要问星期天有没有空,就是:Are you free on Sunday? 如果你有空,可以回答:I have no plans. (我没有任何计划)、I'm free. / I'm available.(我有空)、 I'm not busy.(我不忙),如果不太肯定,可说:Let me check. (让我查查看) 或 I'll check my schedule. (让我查查看我的时间表)。

对话

A:(on the phone) Ok, see you on Sunday. Bye. Ricci, are you free on Sunday?

B:Yes, I don't have any plans yet. What do you have in mind? A:Aunt Amy has invited us to her house for a weekend party. B:Sounds great. I'd love to meet your family.

甲:(电话中)好的,星期天见,再见。丽琪,你星期天有空吗?

乙:有啊,我没有任何计划,你有何建议?

甲:艾美阿姨邀请我们这个周末到她家开派对。

乙:听起来不错,我也想认识一下你的家人。

约会的用语,前面我们有简单谈过了,现在不妨详细一点介绍应邀或婉拒的用语。 接纳人家的邀请,说话一定要显得雀跃,例如:I'd like nothing better.(再好没有了)、I'd like to very much. / I'd love to very much / With pleasure / Why yes, that would give me the greatest of pleasure.(我高兴之至)、That would be great fun.(那将是一大乐事)。Nothing better、the greatest of pleasure、great fun等说法颇为夸张,正是客气的表现。

假如答应赴约,但须迟一点到达或早一点离去,则可在上述说法之后补上一句:....but I may be a bit late.(但我可能会迟一点)、....but I have to go by X o'clock.(但我X点之前就得离去)。 又假如不能肯定能不能赴约,那么可用以下说法:I'll try my best to come. / I'll try to make it. / I'll come if possible.(我会尽量抽身前来)。

婉拒人家的邀请最是困难,但一般可用以下理由:What a pity! I have another engagement/appointment.(真可惜,我已约了别人)、Oh, shame! I have something else to do./ I'm otherwise engaged.(啊,真可惜,我有其它事情要办)、I'm afraid I can't. There's lots of work to do.(我恐怕不能来了,有很多工作要做)。What a pity、shame、I'm afraid. 等,当然也都是客气说法,表示不是不想而是不能赴约。

What a pity.

所谓‘好事不出门,坏事传千里’,我们日常在不同途径接收到各种千奇百怪的消息,像某人的猫儿跑掉,某某人跳楼等等,对于听到一些不幸的消息,外国人很喜欢说:What a pity.(真遗憾,真可怜)。通常What a pity. 都是用在一些不幸的小事上,例如:车子被涂鸦或买不中彩票,也可以用What a shame. / That's bad news. 如果那件事情是比较严重的,例如某人过世、爆发战争等等,就要用强烈一点的说法:That's terrible. / That's awful. / I'm sorry to hear that.(很难过听到这样)。

对话

A:Did you know Bobby has gained 30 pounds since he got married three months ago? B:His wife must be a good cook.

A:Yes, she is. But she's gained 40 pounds too.

B:What a pity.

甲:你知不知道波比结婚三个月来已重了30磅?

乙:他的妻子定是个烹饪高手。

甲:没错,但她也重了40磅。

乙:真可怜哦!

要表示可惜或同情,英文可说:What a pity. / That's(或It's)a pity. 或What a shame. / That's(或It's)a shame. 例如:"Look at the new carpet. It's ruined." "Oh, what a shame!"(‘看这张新地毯,毁啦!’‘啊,真可惜。’)

此外,你还可以说:Oh dear. 或Oh no.,例如:"I've lost my mobile." "Oh no, that's the third time!"(‘我失去了行动电话。’‘哎呀,这是第三次了。’)

另一个常见说法,是以How字带出一些形容词 (adjective) 或作形容词用的现在分词(present participle,即ing形式动词):How upsetting / disturbing / annoying.(真令人不快)、How awful / dreadful / frightful / terrible.(真糟糕)、How unfortunate.(真不幸)。例如:"I'm afraid the picnic will have to be cancelled because of the

rain." "How disappointing!"(‘由于下雨,野餐旅游得取消了。’‘真可惜。’) 当然,sorry也可以表示惋惜,例如:"My wife's heart condition has worsened." "Oh, I'm sorry about that."(‘我妻子的心脏病更加严重了。’‘啊,我听了也觉得难过。’) 最后不妨谈谈What a mercy. / That's(或It's)a mercy. 和Pity一样,mercy也可解作‘同情’,但What a mercy. 等?有‘幸而’含义,不是说‘可惜’,切勿和What a pity. 等混淆,例如:It is a mercy that he's not coming.(幸好他不会来)。

I hope so.

读书时候老师曾经教过Hope和Wish的分别。Hope和Wish中文都解作‘希望’、‘愿望’的意思,但在英文上却有分别的。好像生日许愿时,我们会说:Make a wish.(许愿)而不是Make a hope。Wish是指不切实际、天马行空、难以实现的愿望,例如:I wish I'd become a princess.(我希望成为公主。)这不是个不可能的愿望吗?而Hope是指比较实际,较有信心,可在比较短时间内实现的愿望。所以I hope so. 通常表示对一些较有信心发生的事情抱有希望,不过当你落空时,也会说I hope so. Faith是指‘信念’、‘信心’,和Hope相似。如果说:I lost my faith in love. 就是说‘我对爱情失去信心’。 对话

A:Ms. Copperfield told me that your business has been badly affected by the stormy weather this month. B:Yes, sales of our major products have dropped by 30%.

A:Don't worry. Things will improve after September.

B:I hope so.

甲:考柏菲女士告诉我你这个月的生意受到坏天气严重影响。

乙:对,我们的主要产品销量下降了百分之三十。

甲:不用担心,九月后情况会好转。

乙:希望如此。

人的一生都充满希望;希望事情发生,或希望不发生。所以英文有两句常说的话:I hope so.(希望是这样吧)、I hope not.(希望不会吧),例如:"It looks if it is going to rain tomorrow." "I hope so. / I hope not."(‘明天看来会下雨。’‘我也希望下雨。╱希望不会吧。’)

自觉事情没有希望?还不肯放弃希望,叫做to hope against hope,例如:I hoped against hope that she would agree.(我抱着万分之一的希望,望她答应)。

假如是全无希望了,那可以说是to be beyond / past hope,例如:The patient is past hope.(病人已是不可救药了)。要加强语气,可说beyond / past all hope。 但无论遇到什么困难,最好还是如英谚所言:Hope for the best and prepare for the worst.(抱最大的希望,作最坏的打算),例如:She went to get her medical examination report, hoping for the best and preparing for the worst.(她去取体格检查报告,希望一切理

想,但同时也作了最坏的打算)。

希望是怎样来的呢?据说,从前上帝送了个盒子给人间第一个女人潘多拉(Pandora),叫她千万不要打开,但她忍不住好奇心,偷偷打开一看,不料里面盛着万种千般疾苦,都乘机跑了出来为祸人间。潘多拉慌忙关上盒子,留住了希望。所以潘多拉的盒子(Pandora's box) 虽然等于烦恼之源,也把希望带给人类。

Well done.

有心理研究报告指出,在充满爱心关怀和鼓励的环境下成长的小朋友,他们的心智和身体都较健康,其实成年人亦然,如能得到多些关怀和鼓励,做起事来必定更有冲劲。所以,当你身边的朋友把事情做得好,或做了善事,你该鼓励他说:Well done。 Well done. 是‘干得好’的意思,亦可说Good Job. Well done除了用来称赞别人外,也可用来表示食物烹调的程度,最常的例子是到餐厅点牛扒时,侍应生会问你:How would you like your steak?(你想牛排怎样烹?)如果想吃全生的叫做Rare;半生的叫Medium rare;五分熟叫Medium; 而全熟的就叫Well done. 。

对话

A: What do you think?

B: Hmm..... It smells great. Well done. How did you cook the steak?

A: Well done.

甲:你觉得如何?

乙:唔??好香呀,煮得很好。你怎样煮牛排?

甲:煮成全熟。

称赞人家做得好,英文有多个说法。除了Well done(做得好),还有同义的Good work、Good job。例如上司读了下属写的报告,可以称赞说:Well done! / Good work! / Good job! 此外还可说Congratulations表示‘恭喜’。向人说‘恭喜’,必须用复数形式的congratulations,例如:Congratulations on getting a job!(恭喜你找到了工作!)但请留意,说‘祝贺’这件事,却须用单数形式的congratulation,例如:(1) This is not a matter for congratulation.(这件事不值得庆祝)。(2) His card of congratulation did not arrive till a few months after my graduation.(他的贺卡,在我毕业后几个月才寄到)。

人家做得好,特别是表演者表演出色,你还可以说Bravo! 这个字的意思和Well done.相同,例如:The cast bowed to cheers of "Bravo, bravo!"(全体演员在喝彩声中向观众鞠躬)。 另一些常用来说‘很棒!’的短语是:Very good (indeed)、Excellent、Great、Splendid、Wonderful、Super、Fantastic、Magnificent、Fine等。

听到人家称赞,回答方式也很多。你可以说:Oh, thanks!(谢谢你!)、Oh, really?(啊,真的吗?)、Oh, not really.(啊,不是那么好吧)、You flatter me / I'm flattered.(过奖了)、It's very good / kind of you to say so.(谢谢你抬举我了)、I'm so glad.(我很高兴)。

I would if I could.

人生难免有遗憾的事情,譬如你身边的朋友在玩乐的时候,唯独你要工作,不能参加,是否有点可惜,有点遗憾的感觉呢?如果你必须拒绝别人的邀请,又不想人家误会你没诚意,你可以说:I would if I could.(如果可以的话,我也想),也可以说:I would if I could but I can't.(可以的话我也想,但我不能)。这句已经否定了一切可能性,如果还有一点儿机会参加的话,可以说:I'll see what I can do.(我想想有没有办法)。如果下次老板叫你加班,你也可试试说:I wish I could(我都希望,如果可以的话)。

对话

A: Why can't you be at work earlier? Everyone was expecting you this morning. B: I would if I could. But I have been really busy every night.

A: You disappoint me. I'm just tired of your excuses.

B: Can't you see my side of this?

A: No, I'm afraid not.

B: Thank you. That's so kind of you.

甲:你不能早点上班吗?今早每个人都在等你。

乙:如果可以我也想,但我每晚都很忙。

甲:你令我失望,我听厌了你的借口。

乙:你不能替我想想? 甲:对不起,恐怕不能了。 乙:谢谢,你真好人!

一个人受到责备,回答说:Can't you see my side of this? 这一句值得谈谈。Side可以解作事情的‘一面’。西谚有言:There are two sides to every question.(问题总有正反两方面)。成语To look on the bright side. 就是‘看事情好的一面’,例如:Why not look on the bright side? You've lost your job, which means you have lots of free time now.(为什么不看好的一面?你失业了,现在就不愁没有闲暇了)。 Can't you see my side of this? 或Can't you see this from my side? 即‘你不可以从我的立场考虑一下么?’这类问题,不是一般真要有答案的问题,说话者明显是要对方同意自己的话,有强调作用,语言学界称为‘修辞问句’(rhetorical question)。

用否定句法的修辞问句,预期对方会说Yes;用肯定句法的,则预期对方会说No,例如:(1) Isn't it stupid of him to do that?(他那样做不是很愚蠢吗?)(2) Could I have done otherwise?(我当时可以不这样做吗?)第一句预期对方会说Yes, it is.(不错,他很愚蠢),第二句则预期对方说No, you couldn't.(你别无选择了)。修辞问句只要用得其法,写议论文章会更加有力。

Can't you see my side of this? 一语,本来是要对方说Yes, I can (see your side of

this).,但对方偏偏说:No, I'm afraid not. 那你只好语带讽刺的说:Thank you. That's so kind of you.(谢谢你,你真好)。

It's been nice talking to you.

有机会跟一些智者、聪明的人或老朋友聊天该是很快乐的事情,这时候你可以跟他们说:It's been nice talking to you(很高兴跟你聊天),所谓‘礼多人不怪’,外国人也很讲礼仪,例如Thanks for calling.(谢谢你的来电),初次见面会说Nice to meet you.(很高兴见到你),或者It's been nice knowing you.(很高兴认识你)如果你想恭维别人,可说:I've heard a lot about you.(久仰你的大名),相信别人听到一定很开心。

对话 A: So when can I expect to hear from you? B: We'll keep you informed. If you don't receive a call by Friday, you can give me a call.

A: Alright, I'll wait to hear from you then. It's been nice talking to you. B: You're welcome. Thanks for calling.

甲:我何时可收到你的消息?

乙:我们会联络你。如你在星期五前还未收到电话,请致电给我。

甲:好吧,我等着你的消息。很高兴跟你谈话。 乙:不用客气,谢谢来电。 和人家谈话,准备结束时,一般会说:It's been interesting / nice / fun / great talking to you.那就是说:‘和你谈话真畅快’,但句子既用现在完成时动词 (present perfect tense),明显表示谈话要告一段落。所以这句话之后,一般就是Goodbye,例如:It's been great talking to you, but I must go now. Goodbye.

结束谈话,往往是以‘时间所限’为理由。听见对方像是突然惊觉那样说Oh, look at the time!(啊,看看时间!)你几乎可以断定他跟着就会说:I'm going to have to run. / I must dash away now./ I'm afraid I must fly. / I've got to rush.(我得赶快走了)。

要说‘是时间要走了’,有一英文句法特别值得注意:It's time I was. / were going。这一句是说现在的事。但It's time. 之后的子句 (clause) 却必须用过去时动词 (past tense),现在不妨再举一例:It is about / high time we went home.(现在(差不多)是回家的时候了)。It is about time. 即‘差不多是时候’,It is high time. 则是It is time. 的强调说法。

为什么It's time之后的子句要用过去时动词,而I甚至可配动词were?原来这类子句要用假设句法,表示‘我们早应这样做,现在却还未做’。 留意It's time we went home. 之类句子可以改写作It's time for us to go home.,意思没有分别。

Sorry to keep you waiting.

如果你是个迟到大王,这句话你一定要学:Sorry to keep you waiting.(对不起,让你久候)。这句话不论在日活生活或在电话在线要别人久等都可用得着,此外也可说:Sorry I couldn't be on time.(对不起,我不能准时到达)。

对话

A: Hey Marcus, where were you? We've been expecting you all night.

B: Sorry to keep you waiting. I had an important meeting and it ran over. A: How's business been recently?

B: Well, not too bad. 甲:唏,马吉斯,你去了哪儿?我们整晚等着你。

乙:对不起,要你们久候。我有个重要会议,开到过了时。

甲:生意最近如何? 乙:蛮不错吧。

有些人迟到,会说:Sorry to keep you waiting,有些则会说:Sorry to have kept you waiting.(对不起,要你们久候了),究竟哪个说法才正确?

说为现在的事抱歉,sorry之后用‘to + 原形动词(infinitive)’或‘that + 子句(clause)’都可以,例如:(1) I'm sorry to interrupt, but there's a long-distance call for you.(对不起,打扰了,有长途电话找你)。(2) I'm sorry (that) I'm late(对不起,我迟到了)。

说为过去的事抱歉,sorry之后用‘for/about + ing形式动词’或‘to have + 完成时动词(perfect tense)’或‘that + 子句’,例如:(1) I'm sorry for calling you a liar.(我曾说你不诚实,真对不起)。(2) I'm sorry to have called you a liar. (3) I'm sorry (that) I called you a liar.

迟到者说‘要你们久候了’,那等候在他到达时即成过去,所以有I'm sorry to have kept you waiting这说法。不过,由于等候才刚刚结束,当作现在的事并无不可,所以也有I'm sorry to keep you waiting. 的说法,两句意思没有什么分别。

迟到最好可以解释原因。一个常见原因是交通阻塞:I got stuck in traffic.(我在车辆之中动弹不得)或Traffic was slow.(路上车辆缓慢)。另一原因是:I overslept.(我睡过了头)或My alarm didn't go off.(闹钟没有响)。当然,真正的原因可能是时间估计错误:I misjudged the time.

What time is it now?

时间对于现代人来说是非常重要的,所有用来计算时间的工具称为Time piece,包括:手表(wrist watch)、钟(watch) 、袋表(pocket watch),古代人用沙漏(egg timer) 和日晷(sun dial)作时间工具。如果以上的工具你都没有,还有你的嘴巴,可以问人:What time is it now?(现在几点钟?)或者说:Do you have the time?。刚巧没有带表,可回答:I'm sorry. I don't wear a watch.(对不起,我没带表)。 外国人习惯用 "to"和 "past"来表示时间,

例如9时45分,英文叫quarter to ten;10时15分叫quarter past ten。Quarter相等于中文的一刻(十五分钟)的意思。

对话

A: Excuse me, what time is it now?

B: See there, the sun's setting and it's late July and we're in the northern hemisphere.......

A: So?

B:I think it's about 6:45 pm.

A: Why don't you look at your watch?

B: My watch has stopped.

甲:请问现在几点钟?

乙:看看那儿,太阳正下山,又是七月底,我们在北半球......。

甲:那么?

乙:我想是下午6点45分。

甲:为什么你不看你的手表?

乙:我的手表坏了。

问时间,英文有多种说法,最奇怪的应是Do you (happen to) have the (correct) time?或What time do you have?这直译是‘你有(正确的)时间么?’和‘你有什么时间?’实际意思却是‘你知道现在几点吗?’和‘你的表是几点钟?’

其它问时间的说法有:(1) What's the time?/What time is it?(是什么时间了?)(2) Could you tell me what time it is? / Could you give (或tell) me the time?(可以告诉我是什么时间吗?)(3) Do you know the time? / Do you know what time it is?(你知道现在是什么时间吗?)(4) Could I bother you for the time?(麻烦你告诉我是什么时间好吗?)(5) What's is the time by your watch?(你的手表是几点?)

问时间,可能是因为自己的手表不准确。手表快了或慢了,英文可以说:My watch is a bit too fast / slow. 要说快了或慢了五分钟,英文是:My watch is five minutes fast / slow. 每天快或慢一分钟,则可以说:My watch gains / loses a minute a day。

手表快了,当然要拨慢一点,这叫做to put / set the watch back;手表慢了,则须拨快一点,这叫做to put / set the watch forward,例如:The watch should be set back / forward a minute.(手表要拨慢╱拨快一分钟)。

I changed my mind at the last minute.

你相不相信个性决定命运呢?有些人天生举棋不定,三心两意,连吃饭点菜都拿不定主意,最后还是乱点一通。对于这些经常改变主意的人,他们常把这句话挂在嘴边:I changed my mind at the last minute. (我在最后一分钟改变主意),有时候,你也可揶揄他说:Does it work any better?(这样子比较好吗?)。谈到终身大事,就不能用change my mind这么简单。举例说:What happened to Joey? She's supposed to get married last week.

(祖儿发生什么事?她应该在上星期结婚)原来她变了心(She had a change of heart) 。

对话

A: Why didn't you take the new job? It would have been a great opportunity for you.

B: I changed my mind at the last minute as I was going to sign the employment contract.

A: What happened?

B: They introduced me to their general manager and she's my ex-girlfriend. 甲:为什么你不接受新工作?这会是个很好的机会。 乙:我在签合约的最后一刻改变了主意。

甲:发生了什么事?

乙:他们给我介绍他们的总经理,她是我的前任女朋友。

I changed my mind at the last minute.即‘我在最后一刻改变主意’。这‘最后一刻’英文还有一个叫法:(at) the eleventh hour。 At the eleventh hour是‘第十一个钟头’,为什么解作‘最后一刻’?这成语原来出自《圣经.马太福音》第二十章:葡萄园主招人到园里工作,议定一天一钱银子。他清早雇用了一批工人,十一小时之后,快要收工了,他又雇用了一批。收工时,迟来的和早来的一样,都获得一钱银子工资。这是‘进天国不分来早来迟’的比喻。所以,at the eleventh hour就是‘最后’的意思,例如:I finished my work at the eleventh hour.(我在最后一刻把工作做完了)。

改变主意,往往是重新考虑的结果。这‘重新考虑’英文叫second thought(s),例如:At first I supported the proposal, but on second thoughts I decided against it.(最初我支持那建议,但重新考虑之后,决定反对)。英谚说:Second thoughts are best.(三思而行,是最好的)。留意on second thoughts的决定,总是和最初的决定不同。

三思而行,不等于犹豫不决。犹豫不决,英文叫做in two minds,例如:I'm in two minds about the job offer.(接不接受那职位,我拿不定主意)。当然,假如前度恋人会做你的上司,不接受或可免尴尬。‘前度恋人’英文俗称old flame(旧的火焰),颇为有趣。 What date is it today?

英伦组合Sting曾经到香港开演唱会,身为歌迷当然是第一时间跑去购票。当拿着门票满心喜欢地准备进场时,带位小姐对我们说:You guys are very late.(你们迟得很),我们立刻看看手上的门券问道:What date is it today?(今天是几月几号?)噢 ! 原来我们迟来了一天。

有时候当你问今天是什么日子,别人常常不能掌握到底你是想问日期还是星期几。英文就有这个区别,如果用date表示问日期,用day表示问星期几,What day is it today?(今天

是星期几?)。What date is it today?(今天是几月几号?)此外,Date除解作日期外,也可解作约会,I have a date tonight.(我今晚有个约会)。

对话

A:Oh, my God!

B:Are you crazy? It's 4 o'clock in the morning. A:What date is it today?

B:Today's Monday.

A:No, what date is it today?

B:It's August 1st.

A:Got you. 甲:噢,我的天啊!

乙:你疯了吗?现在是凌晨4点钟。

甲:今天是什么日子?

乙:今天是星期一。

甲:不,今天是几多号?

乙:8月1日

甲:答对了。

‘今天是几号?’英文可以说:What's the date today? / What's today's date? / What's today? / What day of the month is (it) today?问‘昨天是几号?’则可说:What was the date yesterday?等。回答可以是Today is 28 July / It's 28 July / Today's date is 28 July.(今天是七月二十八日)。留意28 July说话时须读作the twenty-eighth of July。

Date是‘日期’。但只说年份也可用date字,例如:The coin bears the date 1800(硬币上的年份是一八零零年)。问人出生日期,同样可用date字:What's the date of your birth? / What date is your birthday?当然,你也可以问:When is your birthday?回答可以是It(或My birthday)is on 28 July。

‘今天是星期几?’英文有另一个说法:What day is (it) today? / What day of the week is it?问‘昨天是星期几?’则可说:What day was it yesterday?等。回答可以是Today's Monday(今天是星期一)之类。

一般人不会问‘今年是哪一年?’但如果要问,可以说:What year is this?回答当然是:This is 2003。留意2003英文读作two thousand and three。

英文有一句成语:The days are numbered。这不是说‘日子都有编号’,而是‘来日无多’的意思,往往用来说‘将死’或‘将被辞退’,例如:(1) The doctor said her days were numbered.(医生说她在世的日子不多了)。(2) His employment contract not renewed, his days at the company are numbered.(他不获续约,在公司的日子不多了)。

I'm about to go now.

到别人家拜访,到达的时间很重要,最好是先预约(make an appointment),离开的时间也是大学问。例如你到人家拜访,下午茶也喝完,主人家开始准备晚饭,你仍然未离开,通常主人家会礼貌地叫你留下来吃晚饭,不管你真的想留下还是借故离开,也该客气地回答:I'm about to go now.(我即将离开)或I'm just about to leave。About、Just about是‘差不多’、‘快将’的意思,例如:I'm just about twenty.就是‘我差不多20岁’。 对话

A:I'm about to go now. Yeah, I really like this place. I don't want to leave. It's really comfortable and nice and this couch, do you mind if I sit down on again? ...

B:When will you be leaving?

A:Well, I'm about to go now.

B:Look at the clock, you said that two hours ago.

A:Clock? Yes, it is an interesting clock...

甲:我差不多走了。我真的很喜欢这里,不想离去。这里真的很舒服,这沙发很舒服,可否再次坐下?............

乙:你何时离开?

甲:好啦,我快要走了。

乙:看看钟吧,你两个钟头前已经这么说。

甲:钟?对呀,很可爱的钟...

I'm about to go now(我要告辞了)的about to是‘即将’、‘正打算’的意思。要强调,可加just一字,例如:We must hurry. The train is (just) about to leave.(快点,火车要开出了)。留意not about to往往不是说‘不会很快’,而是‘不愿意’的意思,例如:I'm not about to do your work for you(我不会为你代劳)。 有些客人说话喋喋不休,才说I'm about to go now.,又絮絮叨叨说这说那,这英文称为long-winded,直译是‘气息长的’。听演讲,一般人最怕的是a long-winded speaker(喋喋不休的讲者)或a long-winded speech.(长篇大论的讲词)。

总之,到亲友家里做客,切勿逗留太久,否则徒讨人厌。英文成语to outstay / overstay one's welcome直译是‘逗留超过了欢迎期’,那是说逗留长得不受欢迎了,例如:Although they asked me to stay "a few more days", I decided to take leave, not wanting to overstay my welcome.(虽然他们邀我‘多住几天’,我还是决定告辞,恐怕逗留太久,徒讨人厌)。

英文谚语说:A guest and a fish after three days are poison.(鱼过三天不新鲜,客过三天讨人厌),又说:The first day a guest, the third a pest.(第一天是客人,第

三天只恼人)。现代人生活繁忙,客人逗留不要说三天,就是三小时,恐怕已经成为poison(毒药)或pest(害虫、讨厌的人)了。

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