曾有台籍學生和外籍室友鬧得不愉快,原來是因為常用suppose(認為應該)這個字,例如,you're supposed to tell me…(你理當告訴我……),室友覺得他老是頤指氣使。其實癥結是在他分不出英語用字的輕重。以下例句也是類似狀況。
「我吃飽了。」
NG說法:I have enough. 很多人講吃飽了都會說I have enough.這句話的真意是「我受夠了」,而且,除非吃得很不開心,否則請別這麼說。
建議說法: No more, I have had lots. No more, thank you, I have eaten too much already.(不用了,謝謝,我已經吃很多了。)
「不用送我了。」
NG說法:Don't send me out. 聚會時,有事要離開或提早走,不是直接用send(送)這個字。
建議說法: May I excuse myself. (不好意思,我得……。) 然後再加一句:Please don't see me out.(請留步。),或是I will let myself out.(我自己走就好。)
「我可以埋單了嗎?」
NG說法:May I pay? 在餐廳用餐,結帳時若問May I pay?不合情理,點餐付錢是天經地義,怎麼還須問可不可以付錢?
建議說法: May I have the bill, please? (請問現在可以給我帳單嗎?) Bring me the bill, please. (請給我帳單。) 若不清楚是否含小費,可以這麼問:Is there a service charge?(你們收服務費嗎?) 若想用信用卡結帳,就問May I pay by credit card?
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