不再被扣分!20句NG英語掰掰
圖片來源:Amily shen
情境1 職場社交
1. 「若你有空,我可以帶你四處逛逛。」
X If you are free, I can bring you to see other places.
○ If you have some free time, I would be happy to show you around.
解析 bring是「攜帶物品」的意思,「帶人走走」應該用take這個動詞;更道地的口語說法,則是“show... around”。
2. 「請問您何時會回覆?還是我主動跟您聯絡?」
X When will you tell me the result? Or should I call you first?
○ When should I expect to hear from you? Or should I contact you?
解析 “tell me the result”聽起來有失禮貌,“expect to hear from you”則有「靜候佳音」的意思。而直接說“should I contact you”,表示對方可以用電話、email等各種方式聯繫你。
3. 「你吃過午餐了嗎?」
X Were you out to lunch?
○ Did you eat yet?
解析“out to lunch”這個片語意思是「瘋狂、心不在焉」;拿來問人,不小心就變成「你瘋了嗎?」
4. 「我們經理下班了。」
X Our manager is out of work.
○ Our manager has got off work.
解析 下班的正式說法是“get off work / duty”,口語一點則直說“be off”。不少人都會說成“out of work”,殊不知那是「失業」的意思,千萬別用錯。
5. 「我認為你是很優秀的程式設計師。」
X You are a great programmer, I think.
○ You are a great programmer.
解析 稱讚別人時,原本想強調「我真的這麼認為」,但是句尾加上“I think”,對方聽起來會像是「你很優秀,起碼我這樣認為,但其他人是不是這樣想,我就沒把握了。」因此,說“I think you are a great programmer.”會更好,或直接省略“I think”,聽起來語氣更肯定。
6. 正好在忙時.....
X I don't have time.(我沒有時間。)
○ I'm afraid I'm in the middle of something.(我正好有別的事情要做。)
解析 儘管“I don't have time.”可能是事實,但聽在對方耳裡,更像是不夠重視而拿來搪塞的藉口;不如明說手邊有重要事情得處理,來得更得體。
情境2 會議場合
1. 「我想行銷策略部份都討論到了。」
X I think I've finished discussing all of the marketing strategy part.
○ I think that covers everything I have to say about our marketing strategies.
解析 “finish discussing”的意思是「完成討論」,意味討論結束了;“cover”才是表示「涵蓋、包含」。
2. 「我們先確認協商順序,你認為如何?」
X Let's check the order of the negotiation first. What do you say?
○ Let's first agree on a procedure for the negotiation. How does that sound?
解析 如果要強調議題的步驟,精準的用字是“procedure”。而徵詢他人意見時,老外通常會說“How does that sound?”。
3. 「盧法斯先生今天休假,那由誰主持會議呢?」
X Mr. Rufus is not working today. Who will host the meeting?
○ Mr. Rufus is off today. So who will take the chair?
解析 可別以為“who will take the chair?”是在問「誰要搬椅子?」,老外在會議場合都是說“take the chair”來表達「擔任主席、主持會議」的意思。
4. 「不好意思,我可以插個話嗎?」
X Sorry, can I cut into your talk?
○ Excuse me, may I come in here?