舌尖上的美國(158):中國人易説錯的美語(1)
1.我非常喜歡。
I very like it
I like it very much.
2. 這個價格對我挺合適的。
The price is very suitable for me.
The price is right.
Note:suitable(合適的、相配的)最常見的用法是以否定的形式出現在告示或通知上,如:下列節目兒童不宜。The following programme is not suitable for children在這組句子中用後面的説法會更合適。
3. 你是做什麼工作的呢?What’s your job?
Are you working at the moment?
Note:what’s your job這種説法難道也有毛病嗎?是的。因為如果您的談話對象剛剛失業,如此直接的問法會讓對方有失面子,所以您要問:目前您是在上班嗎?Are you working at the moment?接下來您才問:目前您在哪兒工作呢?Where are you working these days?或者您從事哪個行業呢?What line of work are you in?順帶説一下,回答這類問題時不妨説得具體一點,不要只是説經理或者祕書。
4. 用英語怎麼説?How to say?
How do you say this in English?
Note:How to say是在中國最為氾濫成災的中國式英語之一,這決不是地道的英語説法。同樣的句子有:請問這個詞如何拼寫?How do you spell that please?請問這個單詞怎麼讀?How do you pronounce this word?
5. 明天我有事情要做。I have something to do tomorrow?
Sorry but I am tied up all day tomorrow. 用I have something to do來表示您很忙,這也完全是中國式的説法。因為每時每刻我們都有事情要做,躺在那裏睡大覺也是事情。所以您可以説我很忙,脱不開身:I’m tied up.還有其他的説法:I’m afraid I can’t make it at that time. I’d love to, but I can’t, I have to stay at home。