Interview Questionnaires


求职路上英语面试问答

Q:What contribution did you make to your current (previous) organization?
    (你对目前/从前的工作单位有何贡献?) 

A:I have finished three new projects, and I am sure I can apply my experience to this position. 
     (我已经完成个新项目,我相信我能将我的经验用在这份工作上。) 

Q:What do you think you are worth to us?
     (你怎么认为你对我们有价值呢?)
A:I feel I can make some positive contributions to your company in the future. 
     (我觉得我对贵公司能做些积极性的贡献。) 
Q:What make you think you would be a success in this position?
     (你如何知道你能胜任这份工作?)
A:My graduate school training combined with my internship should qualify 
me for this particular job. I am sure I will be successful. 
     (我在研究所的训练,加上实习工作,使我适合这份工作。我相信我能成功。) 
Q:Are you a multi-tasked individual?
     (你是一位可以同时承担数项工作的人吗?)

 or 
      Do you work well under stress or pressure?
     (你能承受工作上的压力吗?) 

A:The trait is needed in my current(or previous) position and I know I can 
handle it well. 
     (这种特点就是我目前(先前)工作所需要的,我知道我能应付自如。) 
Q:What is your strongest trait(s)?
      (你个性上最大的特点是什么?) 
A:Helpfulness and caring.(乐于助人和关心他人。)

or 
     Adaptability and sense of humor.
     (适应能力和幽默感。)
or
     Cheerfulness and friendliness. 
     (乐观和友爱。)
Q:How would your friends or colleagues describe you?
     (你的朋友或同事怎样形容你?)
A:(pause a few seconds) 
      (稍等几秒钟再答,表示慎重考虑。) 
     They say Mr. Chen is an honest, hardworking and responsible man who deeply cares for his family and friends. 
     (他们说陈先生是位诚实、工作努力,负责任的人,他对家庭和朋友都很关心。) 
or 
     They say I am a friendly, sensitive, caring and determined person. 
    (他们说是位很友好、敏感、关心他人和有决心的人。) 

To bark up the wrong tree


那些开发西部的拓荒者经常拿打猎获得的小动物作为他们的肉食,有时还利用它们的皮毛。他们还训练狗在打猎的时候学会把打中的动物叼回来。可是,动物为了逃 命,往往会爬到树上去。那些狗有时一糊涂没看清楚动物上了哪棵树,结果对着一棵没有动物的树乱叫。这在英文里就是:To bark up the wrong tree。

To bark 就是狗叫,wrong是错的意思,tree就是树。To bark up the wrong tree翻成中文可以说是:找错门了。例如,一个人说: 

例句-1: "If my brother-in-law hopes to borrow any more money from me, he will be barking up the wrong tree." 

这句话的意思说:“要是我的小舅子再想问我借钱,那他算是找错了门了。”
Barking up the wrong tree也可以是指错怪了某人。



下面这句话就是一个例子。警察逮捕了一个嫌疑犯,并在盘问他。这个人对警察说: 

例句-2: "Hey man, if you think I was the guy who robbed that bank today, you're barking up the wrong tree! I was nowhere near the place." 

他说:“喂,要是你认为我是今天抢银行的那个人,那你就错怪我了。我根本就没上那儿去。” 

To fly off the handle


美国人在十七世纪初来到北美洲大西洋沿岸的东部地区定居。此后,他们了花两百多年时间来开拓西部的大片处女地。在这期间,这些开拓者的生活不仅非常艰苦, 而且还有生命危险。为了能够进行耕作,他们得用斧头来砍伐森林,用犁来翻耕处女地。他们经常猎取野兽来作为食品。同时,他们还要随时准备抵御敌对的印第安 人的袭击。所有这些经历都丰富了美国人的语言,即便在今天使用的语言中,人们还可以发现许多开拓时期生活的痕迹。拿斧头来作例子吧:它既大,又重,头上还 有锋利的刀口。这是一个很危险的工具,特别是当斧头突然从斧柄上脱落的时候,谁要是倒霉正好在旁边的话,就有可能被砍伤。 

现在,美国人就把有的人突然失去控制而勃然大怒的现象叫作:To fly off the handle。Fly是飞的意思,而handle是指斧头柄。我们来举个例子看看,to fly off the handle在日常生活中是怎么用的。 

例句-1: "My wife spent all afternoon yesterday cooking a special dinner for our wedding anniversary. So she really flew off the handle when I came home three hours late." 

他说:“为了庆祝我们结婚周年,我太太化了整个下午精心烹调。可是,我昨晚晚了三个小时才回家。她可真火了。” 


当然,丈夫也会发火的。下面说话的这位太太正在担心她的丈夫会对她发火。她对丈夫说: 

例句-2: "Honey, please don't fly off the handle -- I had a little accident with the car, but it certainly wasn't my fault." 

她说:“亲爱的,你可别发火。我出了一点小车祸,但是那绝不是我的错。” 

The cards are stacked against you.


这句话是说,你处于很不利的情况下,成功的机会很少。下面的例子是说一个人受了骗:


例句-3: "Last night I got into a poker game with these men I met in the hotel bar. And I lost a thousand dollars before I realized the cards were stacked against me. All I could do was pick up the money I had left and walk away."

这人说:“昨晚上,我和几个在旅馆酒吧间里碰到的人一起玩扑克游戏。直到我输了一千多美元后,我才忽然省悟到我想要赢他们恐怕是不可能的。我只好拿起剩下的钱就走了。”


下面我们要举的一个例子是说,有的时候形势就是对你不利,但是毫无办法。

例句-4: "I really wanted to try out for the basketball team when I was in college. But the cards were stacked against me: I'm only five feet six inches tall and everybody else was six-two or even taller."

这个人说:“当我上大学的时候,我真想参加篮球队。可是,那不可能,因为我身高只有一米六多,而其他人都至少有一米八。”

Sweeten the pot


打麻将是中国人发明的。像棋一般人总是认为是俄国人的游戏,虽然它实际上是古代波斯人创造的。美国人最普遍的纸牌游戏就是扑克,扑克牌游戏就像牛仔裤一样 具有美国特色。那末,扑克牌游戏是怎么玩的呢?很简单,每次游戏开始,在发牌前,每个参加玩扑克的人都在牌桌中间放同等数目的钱。发牌以后,每个人再下赌 注。发牌前每个人拿出来的钱和发牌后下的赌注都归游戏的获胜者。由于扑克牌游戏在美国人当中十分普遍,因此有许多牌桌上的语言逐渐就成了日常用语。例如: Sweeten the pot。Sweeten the pot 在牌桌上的意思是把赌注的总数加得高一些,这样可以对玩游戏的人更有吸引力。可是,这个词汇已经变成一个日常用语了。它的意思是:为了使一个提议更有吸引 力而在原有的条件基础上再增加一些对对方有利的条件。我们来举个例子看看:


例句-1: "Miss Smith didn't want the job until the company sweentened the pot by offering her a higher salary and the use of a company car."

这句话的意思是:“施密斯小姐本来不想要那份工作的。后来,那家公司提高了给她的工资,还给她一辆公司的汽车用。这样,她才接受了那个工作。”


下面一个例子是关于房地产生意的:

例句-2: "They've built so many new office buildings here that they have trouble renting out all the space. So some landlords sweeten the pot; they offer a company six months free rent if it signs a three-year lease.“

这句话翻译到中文的意思就是:“他们在这儿盖了那末多的办公楼,现在都租不出去。所以,有的房产主就设法增加一些吸引人的条件。他们对一个公司说,要是这个公司和他们签订一个三年的租房合同,他们就可以免交半年房租。”

Up to one's ears


Up to one's ears有好几个意思。首先,它可以解释成“很忙”的意思。比如说:

例句-1: "Half the people in my office are home sick, so I'm up to my ears!"

这个人说:“我办公室里有一半的人有病请假,所以我简直忙得不得了。”


下面这个例子是一个丈夫为了逃避到厨房去帮他太太的忙正在找借口:

例句-2:"Gee, honey, you know I'd like to help you paint the kitchen tonight, but I'm up to my ears in paper work I had to bring home from the office. "

这个丈夫说:“亲爱的,你知道我很愿意今晚帮你把厨房上油漆。可是我从办公室带回来好些要做的事。”


Up to one's ears这个习惯用语在下面这句句子里的意思就不同了:

例句-3:"The mayor says he didn't know people on his staff were taking bribes. But my guess is he's up to his ears in it."

这句话的意思是:“市长说他不知道他手下的工作人员接受贿赂。可是,我猜想他完全是介入这些事的。”

To keep an ear to the ground


大约一百五十年前,美国一些开荒的人逐步地到西部的荒野去开拓。这些拓荒者从当地印第安人那里学到了一个诀窍,那就是躺下身来把耳朵贴在地上,就可以听到 几英里以外野兽奔跑的蹄声。这对于那些拓荒者来说是非常重要的,因为他们听到的蹄声也许是印第安人骑着马来攻打他们的马群奔跑声,也可能是几千头受惊的野 牛正向他们奔驰而来。如果不及时躲避,他们会被这些野兽践踏成泥的。现在,印第安人和野牛群的威胁已经没有了。可是,把耳朵贴在地上这个诀窍已经成为一个 俗语,在英文里也就是 to keep an ear to the ground。


To keep an ear to the ground,它的意思就是保持高度警觉,及早发现那些即将会发生的事情的预兆。比如说,一个精明的政客对选民的想法总是很警觉的,有时候,一些选民还没 有想到的事,他们倒已经想到了。下面一位国会议员说的话正好说明了这一点:


例句-1:"Every two weeks while the Congress is in session, I try to get back home to California to talk to people. This doesn't give me much time to relax with my family, but I have to keep an ear to the ground and hear what voters are thinking about."

这位议员说:“当国会举行会议的时候我每两个星期设法抽空回加州一次去和当地的人进行交谈。我没有多少时间可以和家人在一起,但是我得及时了解选民的想法。”


下面我们再听听另外一个议员说的话:

例句-2:"I try to keep an ear to the ground and what I hear these days is that most people think we spend too much money on building roads and not enough on our schools."

这个议员说:“我总是设法注意人们的想法。最近我听说,大多数人认为我们在筑路方面花钱太多,而用在学校方面的钱却不足。”

Pay through the nose


Pay就是付钱的意思。按字面上来解释,pay through the nose就是通过鼻子来付钱,这听起来似乎很痛苦。而实际上,pay through the nose的确切意思是付出比真正的价值高得多的钱,或者说付出的钱实在太多而感到心痛。我们来举个例子吧:


例句-3: "My brother Bob borrowed the money to open his restaurant five years ago when the interest rate was so high, so he's been paying through the nose ever since."

这个人说:“我哥哥在五年前借钱开他那个饭馆的时候正好利率非常高。所以,他从那时起就一直在大笔大笔地还债。”


这样由于利息高而付许多钱来还债当然谁也不愿意。可是,也有人心甘情愿出高价来买那些他们认为值得买的东西。下面一个例子就可以说明这一点:

例句-4: "Life is funny. When the famous dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh was alive, nobody wanted to buy his pictures. But now rich people will pay through the nose for one, sometimes more than five million dollars."

这句话的意思是:“人生实在是很有趣的。当那位有名的荷兰画家凡高还活着的时候,没有人要买他的画。可是,现在那些有钱人却愿意出高价买他的画,有时候一张画就要五百多万美元。”

Follow your nose


英语里许多常用的习惯用语都和nose这个字有联系。比如 说,你到华盛顿来访问,要上白宫去参观,可是走在路上好像迷失了方向。于是,你就在马路上问人怎么去白宫。你得到的回答可能就是:


例句-1: "Turn left at the next corner and then follow your nose -- you can't miss it."

这人说:“到前面的路口向左转,然后一直走就到了,你不会看不到的。”


很明显,这句句子里“follow your nose”的意思就是“一直走”。 Follow your nose还可以解释为利用嗅觉找到什么东西。例如:

例句-2: "You say you're looking for the French Bakery? Just walk two blocks north, turn left, and you can smell that wonderful smell of fresh bread baking: just follow your nose and it will bring you right to the front door.”

这人说:“你是说你在找那个法国面包店吗?往北走过两条街,然后向左转,你就会闻到那烤面包的香味。随着香味走就会把你带到那面包店的门口了。”


“Follow your nose”在这句句子里着重的是嗅觉,而不是方向。 

To work hand in glove


To work hand in glove的意思是密切合作。我们来举个例子吧:

例句-1: "The local police are working hand in glove with the FBI to find the bank robbers."

这是说:“当地的警察正在和联邦调查局密切合作设法找到那些抢劫银行的罪犯。”


Hand in glove这个词汇也经常用在反面的场合,形容一些人合谋犯罪等。下面就是一个例子:

例句-2: "I read in the paper about this customs officer they arrested at the airport. They caught him working hand in glove with a gang of smugglers to bring diamonds into the country without paying duty."

这个人说:“我在报纸上看到有关那个在机场被逮捕的海关官员的消息。他们发现他和一些走私者密切合作,把钻石带进来而不缴关税。”

The shoe is on the other foot


The shoe is on the other foot的意思是:形势已经完全不同了。下面这个例子就能够说明the shoe is on the other foot在日常会话中是怎么用的:


例句-1: "Back in school we made fun of Jones because we thought he spent too much time studying instead of having fun. Now the shoe is on the other foot -- he's made lots of money and the rest of us are just barely making enough to feed our families."

这句话翻成中文就是说:“以前在学校里念书的时候,我们老是笑话琼斯,认为他这个人老是念书,不会玩。可是,现在情况就完全不同了。他赚了不少钱,而我们这些人的收入只够维持家计而已。”


下面的一个例子是一个球迷在夸耀当地的棒球队:

例句-2: "For the last ten years the Tigers have been the worst team in the league: we've finished down at the bottom. But now the shoe is on the other foot: we have all these good young players and we're beating everybody else in the whole league."

这句话的意思是:“我们这个地方的球队老虎队十年前是参加联赛的所有球队中最次的一个,比赛结果老是最后一名。现在可不同了。我们球队的队员都很年轻,球艺也好。他们把其他球队一个个全打败了。” 

Close to the vest


玩牌的时候脸上不露表情的人往往都很谨慎,把牌放在靠胸口的地方,免得给别人偷看。这在英文里就是 close to the vest。Close to the vest用在一般情况下就是指一个人非常小心不让别人知道他在干什么。

我们先来听听一位记者的讲话:

例句-3:"Two other governors have already announced that they will run for president in the next election but the governor of our state is still keeping his plans close to his vest -- nobody is sure what he will do."

这是说:“另外又有两位州长宣布他们决定参加下一届的总统竞选。可是我们的州长还是对他的计划保密,谁也不知道他究竟参不参加。”


下面一个例子是一个大公司的总裁在告诉一位同事一个机密的消息,但是要他不要说出去:

例句-4:"John, keep this close to your vest but I want to tell you our company is going to merge with a big New York Corporation -- they'll announce it sometime next week."

他说:“约翰,我要告诉你,我们的公司要和纽约的一家大公司合并了,他们下星期内就要宣布。不过你知道就行了,不要往外说。”

Poker Face


玩扑克牌是美国人的一种传统性消遣。最普遍的一种扑克牌游戏就叫poker。中文里的「扑克牌」也许就是从poker这个游戏的名字得来的。玩poker 这种游戏需要有技巧,还要碰运气,另外你还得有点冒险精神。由于poker在美国人当中十分流行,因此有许多牌桌上的说法也就逐渐地成了人们日常的用语 了。

Poker face的意思就是脸上毫无表情,不露声色。这对于玩牌的人来说是很重要的,因为每个人都想猜测谁手里的牌好,谁手里的牌次。可是,要是你摆出一付poker face的话,谁也猜不出究竟你手里的牌怎么样。


我们来举一个例子,看看poker face在日常生活中的用法。例如,你的同事对你说:

例句-1:"I never know whether my boss likes my work or not -- he is a real poker face!"

他说:“我从来也不知道我的老板到底喜不喜欢我的工作。他脸上可真是一点表情都没有。”


还有的人去看牙大夫的时候心里非常紧张,可是脸上却装得若无其事。下面这个人说的也是同样的情况:

例句-2:"I tried to keep a poker face even though I was scared to death when I went back to my doctor to hear the results of my lab tests. But I admit I gave him the biggest smile of my life when he told me the tests were negative and there was nothing wrong with me.”

他说:“当我去医生那里去看试验结果的时候,我害怕得要死。可是我尽量装得若无其事。不过,当大夫告诉我化验结果是阴性、我没有问题的时候,我对他笑了,我大概一辈子也没有笑得那么高兴的。” 

Knock your socks off


Knock your socks off的意思和pull your socks up完全不同。它的意思是:使人感到非常震惊。下面这个例子是一个老板在对他的推销员说话:

例句-1:"Wait until you hear my new marketing plan -- it'll knock you socks off!"

他说:“等你们听到我的推销计划时,你们都会大吃一惊的。”也就是说,他的推销计划简直好极了,那些推销员听了会十分惊讶的。


下面是一个大学生在对他的同学说关于他见到的一个女孩:

例句-2:"Have you seen Jack's sister, who's visiting here from California? She'll knock your socks off: she's the most gorgeous-looking woman I've seen for a long time."

他说:“你见到了杰克那个从加州来的妹妹吗?我好久没有见到过这样漂亮的女孩了,她简直是美得惊人。”

To pull your socks up


各位听众,许多美国成语或者习惯用语都是以各种衣服的名称来组成的,比如,“衬衫”--shirts;“裤子”--pants;“领子”--collars。在今天的「美国习惯用语」时间里,我们要向大家介绍两个由socks,也就是“袜子”这个字组成的习惯用语。


1987年在美国开始竞选总统的前夕,民主党候选人哈特说,民主党的党员们应该:

例句-1:"Pull their socks up and get back in the game."

把袜子拉起来,这是什么意思?他的意思是民主党的党员应该振作起精神,投入竞选总统的运动中去。


另外再举一个例子。比如说有一个篮球队正在参加比赛。比赛已经进入下半场,可是他们一直在失分,队员们也都一个个情绪低落,疲乏不堪,脚上的袜子也已经从膝盖滑到了脚跟。这时候,他们的教练就要求暂停,把队员们叫在一起,然后对他们说:

例句-2:"Pull your socks up."

也就是说,你们要振作起来,回到场地去加油干。


下面的一个例子是一个大公司的推销部经理在对手下的推销员讲话:

例句-3:"I have bad news: our sales were off 18 % for the last quarter. So I'm telling you guys -- you have to pull your socks up and get out and sell more stuff, or you'll be looking for new jobs this summer.”

他说:“我有个不好的消息:我们上一季度的销售量下降了18%。所以我告诉你们,你们赶快振作起来到外面去加紧推销。否则,你们今年夏天就要另外找工作了。” 

Under your nose


有一个人突然发现自己的眼镜找不着了,他到处找,楼上、楼下,找遍了家里每个角落还是找不到。最后,他的太太给他找到了。那眼镜就在他坐着看书的椅子旁边。他太太就会说:

例句-3:"See, they were right under you nose all the time."

她说:“瞧,你的眼镜一直在你的鼻子底下。”

Under your nose的意思也就是一样东西离你很近,但是,你就是没有看到。


我们再举个例子来说明under your nose的用法:

例句-4:"Did you read in the paper how bold that robber was at the art museum . he cut three paintings from their frameds and walked out with them right under the nose of the guards."

这个人说:“你有没有在报上看到关于那个去博物馆偷东西的贼有多么大胆的消息吗?他把三幅画从镜框里割了下来,然后就竟然在警卫的鼻子底下带出了博物馆。”

To be led by the nose


To be led by the nose是一种很不愉快的经历。它的意思就是一个人全部在别人的控制之下,就像一头牲口被人用绳子牵着鼻子走一样。那末to be led by the nose在一般情况下的用法是怎么样的呢?下面这句话就是一个例子:

例句-1:"Ed's wife is a strong-minded woman and leads him around by the nose."

这句话的意思是:“埃德的太太是一个个性很强的人,埃德简直就是被她牵着鼻子走。”


下面我们再来举一个例子。这是一个爸爸在给他的儿子提供一些忠告:

例句-2:"Remember, Son, don`t let other people lead you around by the nose. You'll get along a lot better in life if you use your own judgment and do what you yourself think is the right thing."

这位爸爸说:“儿子,你可千万要记住不要让别人牵着你的鼻子走。要是你能用你自己的判断力,做你认为是对的事,那你的日子会过得好得多。”

Blow Out


汽车轮胎炸了可以用blow out这个词。比如有一个人说:

例句-1:"My car smashed into a tree when I had a blow-out."

他说:“当我的轮胎炸了的时候,我的车就撞到一棵树上去了。


Blow-out还可以解释为把火灭掉。比如,一个母亲对孩子说:

例句-2:"You'd better blow out that candle before it sets fire to the tablecloth."

这位母亲说:“你最好还是把那蜡烛灭了吧,否则台布都要烧着了。”


在另外一种情况下,blow-out可以指电灯的保险丝断了:

例句-3:"All the lights went off in the building and the elevators stopped when the master fuse blew out."

他说:“大楼的总保险丝一断,楼里所有的灯都灭了,电梯也停了。”


Blow out也可以指那种规模很大,排场很讲究的聚会。下面这句话就是一个很好的例子:

例句-4:"When the Lees celebrated their 25th anniversary, they invited all their friends to a big blow-out at the best hotel in town."

他说:“当李家夫妇庆祝他们结婚二十五周年的时候,他们在当地最高级的旅馆里举行了一个规模盛大的聚会,把所有的朋友都请去了。”

Blow Up


对于学英语的人来说,英语的基本词汇和语法也许并不是最困难的。难的是许多英语字和词汇有好几种不同的意思。就拿blow这个字来说吧,它初看起来似乎很 简单,不就是“吹气”的意思吗?是的,但是这个字还有其他好些意思呐。它可以指用拳头打某一样东西,可以指爆炸,突然发生的灾难,吹喇叭或其他乐器等等。 在美国大学生经常用的一本字典里,blow这个字作为动词和名词加在一起总共有二十九种解释。我们今天来看一看两个和blow这个字有关的常用词汇。


第一个是blow up。Blow up这个词根据不同上下文可以作四种解释。最普通的意思是:用炸药炸毁什么东西。例如:

例句-1:"The retreating German army tried to blow up all the bridges across the Rhine river to stop the Allied troops from crossing into Germany."

这句话的意思是:“正在撤退的德国军队设法炸毁莱茵河上所有的桥梁来阻挡联军越过莱茵河进入德国。”


另外blow up也可以指一个人发脾气或发火。我们来举一个例子:

例句-2:"I really blew up when I learned my girl friend was going out with another man."

这是说:“当我知道我的女朋友还跟另外一个男朋友出去玩的时候,我可真火了。”


Blow up有的时候还可以解释成给气球吹气,给排球和汽车轮胎打气。比如一个人说:

例句-3:"I have to stop at the gas station to blow up my front tires."

他说:“我得到加油站去给汽车的前轮打气。”


最后,放大照片也可以用blow up这个词。你可以到印照片的店里对售货员说:

例句-4:"I 'd like 8 by 10 blow ups of these negatives, please."

这是说:“请你把这些底片放大成8X10那么大的照片。”

To make my mouth water


水对人的身体来说是非常重要的。可是,在英语里,这些和water有关的成语都含贬意好像有点奇怪。不过,至少有一个和water有关的习惯用语是让人高兴的。那就是:to make my mouth water 顾名思义,这个说法的意思是“让我流口水”。


例句-4:"The roast duck that restaurant serves is my favorate dish. Every time I think about it, it makes my mouth water."

这个人说:“我最喜欢吃那个饭馆的烤鸭。每当我想起它我就会流口水。”

Water off a duck's back


鸭子身上的毛就像雨衣一样,水在上面呆不住,一下全滑掉了。因此,water off a duck's back 是指毫无作用。就像下面这句句子所说的:

例句-1:"I keep telling my friend it's foolish to gamble all his pay, but it's like water off a duck's back."

这是说:“我一直告诉我的朋友,不要那么傻,把所有的工资都用在赌博上。可是,我的话对他全然不起作用。”


另外一个例子是:

例句-2:"The doctors tell us it`s dangerous to smoke, but such good advice rolls off some people like water off a duck's back."

这是说:“医生都告诉我们抽烟对身体是有害的。可是,这种劝告对于有些人来说就像耳边风一样,毫无作用。”

To Hold Water


To hold water 按字面解释当然可以说是“不让水漏出来”。但是,它的另外一个意思是指某一个人找的借口、提出的理由、或说的话是确实的,站得住脚的。美国人经常说: "That excuse simply doesn't hold water."意思是:那个借口根本站不住脚。我们来举个例子:


例句-1:"The accused man claimed that he'd been in another city the night of the murder. But his story didn't hold water after three differnet witnesses testified in court that they had seen him running from the scene of the crime."

这句话的意思是:“这个被控告的人说,发生谋杀案的那天晚上他出门去了,不在当地。但是,有三个不同的证人都出庭作证说,他们看见他从作案的地点逃跑。因此,他说出事那天他不在当地的说法根本是靠不住的。”

To throw cold water on something


To throw cold water on something和中文里说的“泼冷水”意思完全一样。下面的例子是一个人在说他办公室里发生的事:


例句-3:"Everybody else in the office thought my idea was great, but the boss threw cold water on it."

他说:“办公室里所有的人都认为我的主意很好,就是我们的老板给我泼冷水。”


我们再举一个例子。这是一个儿子在说他的爸爸:

例句-4:"I've been planning to go to medical school but my dad threw cold water on this idea the other day when he told me he wasn't sure he had the money to pay my tuition for so long."

他说:“我一直想上医学院。可是,那天我爸爸给我泼冷水,说他不一定有能力替我付那么多年的学费。”

In Hot Water


英语里有好些习惯用语都和“水”,就是water这个字有关系。有的用:hot water;还有的用:cold water or deep water。在英语里用这些词汇组成的习惯用语就和水一样普遍。但是,它们都有一个共同的特点,那就是它们一般都含有贬意。今天我们要向大家介绍两个用 water 这个字组成的习惯用语。

In hot water的意思并不是“在热水中”,它的确切意思是指某人或某些人遇到非常麻烦的问题了。举个例子来说吧:


例句-1:"Joe is really in hot water now -- his girl friend just found out he's seeing another woman."

这句话的意思是:“乔伊现在可是难办了,因为他的女朋友最近发现他另外还有一个女朋友。”


我们再举一个例子:

例句-2:"That movie actor tried to cheat on his income tax, but he got caught and now he's in hot water with the government."

这是说:“那个电影演员想在缴纳所得税的时候弄虚作假,可是给税务局发现了。现在,他可麻烦了。”

Sunny side


尽管美国人现在对身体里的胆固醇是否太高很敏感,但是他们到饭馆吃早饭时还是经常要点荷包蛋。可是,荷包蛋的做法各有不同。有的要蛋黄老一点,有的要嫩一 点。有的只要煎一面,有的要两面都煎一煎。在英语里,这些都有不同的说法。要是你喜欢吃只煎一面的荷包蛋,那你就应该对服务员说:你要你的鸡蛋: Sunny side up.

Sunny side的意思是太阳的那一面,sunny side up也就是蛋黄向上的意思。要是放在整个句子里的话就是:


例句-3:"I would like to have my eggs sunny side up."


要是你愿意要荷包蛋两面都煎一下的,那你就说你要:Over easy. 也就是把鸡蛋反过来也煎一下的意思。

比如说,有两个人在饭馆里吃早饭,各人要的荷包蛋不一样:

例句-4:

M: "Miss, I'd like two fried eggs sunny side up and the sausage on the side."
F: "Not me. I don't like to see my eggs staring up at me with big yellow eyes. Miss, two fried eggs, over easy and not fried too hard."

那位先生说:“小姐,我要两个荷包蛋,只要煎一面。另外再加一点香肠。”
那位女客说:“我可不要,我不喜欢两个大蛋黄像眼睛那样瞪着我。小姐,我要鸡蛋两面都煎一下,但不要太老.

Doggy Bag


Doggy这是字是dog,也就是“狗”这个字的形容词。Bag大家都知道是“口袋”的意思。Doggy bag连在一起是指饭馆里把客人吃剩的菜放在盒子里,然后把它们都放在一个纸口袋里让客人带回家的那种口袋。那末,这和狗又有什么关系呢? Doggy bag这个说法的出现有它特殊的背景。以前美国人也不好意思把在饭馆吃剩的菜带回家,怕有失面子。所以有的人就会对服务员说:


例句-1:"Waiter, could you please wrap up the rest of this steak for me ? I'd like to take it home for my dog."

这个人对服务员说:“请你把这块牛排包起来,我想带回家给我的狗吃。”


尽管带回家的东西是给人吃的,但是doggy bag这个名称也就成了日常用语了。现在,情况就不同了。在美国,把在饭馆里吃剩的东西带回家已经是习以为常的事了。饭馆还都备有这些让客人装剩菜的盒 子。也没有人会因为要把剩菜带回家而感到不好意思。在美国首都华盛顿,许多中国饭馆的服务员往往不等客人说话就把剩菜给装在doggy bag里了。下面我们来举个例子:

例句-2:"We had so much food left over from dinner at the China garden last night that we took enough home in doggy bags to feed the whole family tonight."

她说:“昨晚我们在汉宫吃饭剩下了好多菜。我们带回家的剩菜就足够我们全家今天晚上再吃一顿的。”

To play by ear


Play就是玩的意思。可是,play by ear的意思并不是“玩耳朵”。这个词汇的来源和音乐有关系。它原来指的是那些会弹钢琴或某种乐器,但是却不会看五线谱的人。每当他们要弹奏某个曲调时, 他们只能凭着上一回听到的记忆来弹。可是play by ear现在已经成为日常用语了,意思是做一件事不是事先有计划的,而是走着瞧,临时决定。例如,你被请到某处去讲话,可是又没有时间准备。你就可以对听众 说:


例句-1:"I haven't had a chance to prepare any notes so all I can do is start talking and play it by ear."

这话的意思是:“我今天没有什么准备,所以就只好讲到那儿就算那儿了。”


下面一个例子是一个人在和朋友约会:

例句-2:"I am not sure if my wife wants me to go shopping with her on Sunday. If she decides to go with her sister instead, then I can play tennis with you. Let's just play it by ear."

他说:“我还不知道星期天我太太是否要我陪她去买东西。要是她决定和她姐姐一起出去,那我就能和你去打网球。我们就瞧着办吧!”

It goes in one ear and out the other.


今天我们要讲几个和耳朵,也就是ear有关的成语。中国人经常说那些不听劝告的人对别人的话总是“一个耳朵进一个耳朵出”,把它们当作“耳边风”,或者说 “左耳朵进,右耳朵出”。美国人和中国人在这个说法上是完全一模一样。他们是这样说的: "It goes in one ear and out the other."


下面是一个父亲在说他的女儿:

例句-1:"I told Sally it was foolish to marry that man, but it went in one ear and out the other. Now she wishes she'd listened to me. He drinks and gambles and she wants to leave him."

这位爸爸说:“我早就告诉沙利不要那么笨,去和那个人结婚。可是,对于我的话,她是一个耳朵进一个耳朵出。结了婚她才知道那人又喝酒又赌钱。现在她后悔当初没听我的话,想要和他分手啦。”


下面这个例子是一个老板在对他的秘书说话:

例句-2:"How many times have I told you to get to work on time. But my words just go in one ear and out the other. So I don't have any choice but to fire you."

他说:“我告诉了你多少次上班要准时。可是,你对我的话老是一个耳朵进一个耳朵出。现在,我没有办法了,只好解雇你了。”

Common Phrases


· I am always punctual. 我总是很准时;Don’t be so modest .别谦虚了;I am flattered. 过奖了

· I am on your side .我支持你;Well, it depends. 噢, 这得看情况;It is up in the air. 悬而未决

· That is the latest fashion. 这是最流行的款式;He always talks big. 他总是吹牛。

· So far so good 目前为止,一切都好;Let’s get to the point 来谈要点吧!

· For the old time sake. 看在旧日关系的面子上;Let’s forgive and forget. 尽弃前嫌。

· Knock it off. 少来这一套;A close call. 太危险了/千钧一发;Neck and neck. 不分上下

· It is cool很棒; It is neat太酷了; It is righteous酷毙了! Righteous比较少用

· That will be the day. 有这么一天就好了;I am having a swell time. 我玩得很开心

· If I were in your shoes…如果我是你的话…;It is out of the question. 这是不可能的

· He passed out. 他已经昏倒了!;Not a sound was heard 没有一点声音

· Don’t panic. 不要慌!

· It is a lot of junks. 这都是一些鬼东西;Over my dead body! 休想!I decline! 我拒绝

· I got a big kick out of it. 这件事真令我开心;Don’t try to brainwash me.别想给我洗脑

· Don’t chicken out,Be a man. 不要退缩了;You can count on us. 你可以信赖我们。

· His words carry a lot of weight 他的话很有份量;My mouth is watering. 我流口水了

· Don’t dream away your time 别虚度光阴;Cheer up. 振作起来

· You are a chicken你是个胆小鬼

· It is nothing to be surprised about 这事不值得大惊小怪;What a good deal! 真便宜

· In a word,I am tired of everything 总之,我对一切都很厌倦

· You asked for it 你自讨苦吃

· God helps those who he1p themselves 上帝帮助那些自己帮自己的人

· You set me up! 你出卖我

· The most difficult thing in life is to know yourself 人贵有自知之明

· Misfortune might be a blessing in disguise 塞翁失马,安知非福

· I don’t think much of the movie 那电影不怎么样;Fasten your seat belt 系好你的安全带

· I have a nice sum of money put away 我存了一大笔钱;Don’t trust to chance 别碰运气

· I just keep my head above water (生活)还凑合!I have the right to know我有权知道

· He stands out in the crowd. 他在人群中特显眼;He may show up soon. 他马上就回来。

· you can eat and drink your fill. 你可以尽情的吃,尽情的喝

· I sobbed sadly. 我伤心的抽泣着

· Work fascinates me.I can look at it for hours. 工作好有意思,尤其是看着别人工作。

· The movie is going over big everywhere in China 这部电影在中国大受欢迎

· Money is not everything.There´s Mastercard and Visa钱不是万能的,有时还需信用卡

· Beyond all questions you are right 毫无疑问,你是对的;Clothes make the man人要衣装

· Opportunity knocks but once. 机不可失,时不再来;He lacks courage. 他缺乏勇气。

· I´m not good at speaking off the cuff 我不擅长即兴演讲;One of these years猴年马月

· Shake a leg, or you´ll miss it. 快点,否则赶不上了;I´ve had it with him. 我受够他了

· His performance of LI BAI is top-notch. 他扮演的李白特别出色;I´ll buy it. 我赞成。

· I share your enthusiasm 谢谢关心(不耐烦的);Could you fill in for him? 你能代替他吗?

· The explanation made no sense. 这解释莫名其妙;It´s on me this time. 这次我请客。

· I just do it by rule of thumb 我凭经验做的;I fast a day every week. 我每周绝食一天

· It´s full of hot air. 这是雷声大雨点小;He always goofs off. 他总是糊里糊涂。

· I am up to my ears in work. 我忙的不可开交;It´s on the house. 这是免费的。
· You should give him a piece of your mind 你该向他表达你的不满

· green hand 没有经验的人

· Can you give me a lift? 载我一程好吗?; I am an exam jitter 我一考试就紧张

· Let´s go Dutch. 各付各的;This is in way over my head. 对我而言这实在太难了。

· Who but he would do such a thing? 除了他谁会做这种事?

· Wishful thinking 一厢情愿的想法

· His argument doesn´t hold water. 他的论点站不住脚;I have a runny nose.我流鼻涕。

· Great minds think alike 英雄所见略同;Being criticized is awful 被人批评真痛苦

· One should love animals. They are so tasty. 每个人都应该热爱动物,因为它们很好吃。

· I´m glad I kept my fingers crossed. 我很高兴一直都这么幸运。

· He is an operator. 他是个老油条。Don´t get on my nerves! 不要搅得我心烦

· Let´s find a happy medium. 我们还是找一个折衷的办法

· It really turns me on. 这令我兴奋。

· I think you’ve put your finger on it 你说到点子上了;Painting the town red 狂欢

· You´ve jumped on the bandwagon. 随大流;I´m really in a bind. 我左右为难。

· They´re selling like hot cakes 这些都很畅销;You´re laying it on thick. 你过奖了

· The price makes my hair stand on end. 那价钱把我吓了一跳。

· He is now in the soup. 他现在糟糕了。I´m on the WAGON(马车,车). 我戒酒了。

· This is beyond comparison. 无与伦比;Tom always gets cold feet. 汤姆总是裹足不前。

· Get over yourself. 别自以为是;I´m fed up. 我厌倦了;I´ll see to it 我会留意的

· He got under the boss´s skin. 他惹恼了老板;Don´t go to pieces. 不要着急

· I´ll stand on my own two feet. 一人做事一人当。

· I´ll try to smooth things over. 我会妥善处理;Still water runs deep 大智若愚

· It is a hard nut to crack. 这是一件棘手的事情;I´m mad about Bruce Lee. 我迷死李小龙了

· Get out of my face. 从我面前消失!You piss me off. 你气死我了。

· you have given it your best shot,anyway! 不管怎样,你已经尽力了;Cut it out. 省省吧。

· You´ve gone too far! 你太过分了!I can´t take it anymore. 我受不了了!

· Don´t nag me! 别在我面前唠叨!I feel terrible! 我觉得遭透了!I guess so! 我想是吧!

· That´s the stupidest thing I´ve ever heard! 那是我听到的最愚蠢的事!(比尔·盖茨常用)

· Don’t give me a song and dance! 不要找借口;I’m sick of it. 我都腻了。

· I’ll put everything in black and white! 我会把所有事情白纸黑字写清楚。

· I know Jerry puts her down 我知道杰瑞看不起她

· Tom is nobody’s fool! 汤姆是个很聪明的人。

· He is a fast talker. 他老是说得天花乱坠;That will be the day. 有这么一天就好了。

· Give me a break! 你饶了我吧!(开玩笑的话

· Don’t give me a hard time! 别跟我过不去好不好!

· I have a sweet tooth. 我喜欢吃甜食;I don’t like splitting hairs. 我不爱斤斤计较

· Don’t sell yourself short 别看轻自己;Try to have a mind of your own 做有主见的人

· It slipped my mind. 我忘了;You have my word. 我保证;It’s a hit. 这件事很受人欢迎。

· Everything would have all right if you hadn’t said that 假如你没那样说,一切都好办

· That’s always the case. 习以为常了;You’ve got a point there. 你说得挺有道理的。

· You’d better wise up.放聪明点;It’s up to you.由你决定;Suit me fine!太适合我了!

· He always talks big. 他总是吹牛;She had a bad cold. 她患了重感冒

· My treat.我请客。

· a knock out(俚)美得让人倾倒;a short fuse(俚)脾气火爆;Watch out!(口)当心!

· Patience is a mark of confidence.耐心是自信心的一种表现。

· You owe me one.你欠我一个人情。As soon as possible! 越快越好!

· Patience is a mark of confidence.耐心是自信心的一种表现。

· once in a blue moon稀罕;two left feet笨手笨脚;stop and smell the roses享受生活。

· What is worth doing is worth doing well.只要你觉得某事值得去做,就一定要把它做好。

· Early rising makes for good health.早起有助于身体健康。

· It rained at intervals this month.这个月不时地下雨。

· This movie is realistic.I don’t care for it very much.这部电影是写实的,我不太喜欢。

· A day is a miniature of eternity.(Emerson)一天是永恒的缩影(爱默生)

· Your future depends on your dreams. So go to sleep. 现在的梦想决定你的将来, 所以还是再睡会儿吧。

· Maybe I could run some errands for you.也许我能为你做些什么。

感叹句: How…!

太……了!

常用句子:
How smart you are! 你太聪明了!
How happy I am to meet you here! 在这里碰到你太高兴了!
How interesting the film is! 电影有趣极了。

搭配:这个句型的结构是:How+形容词+(名词+动词)
例句:
How bright the moon is! 好明亮的月亮啊!
How beautiful the girl is! 那女孩太漂亮了!

功能:与上一个句型的功能相近,表达十分强烈的感情。

感叹句: What a(n)…!

多……啊!

常用句子:
What a nice girl! 多好的一个女孩啊!
What a sunny day! 多好的天气啊!
What an enthusiastic welcome we received! 我们受到了多么热情的欢迎啊!

搭配:这个句型的结构是:“What+a/an+形容词+单数可数名词”, 也可以是“What+a/an+形容词+单数可数名词+(主语+谓语)”。
例句:
What a good couple they are! 多好的一对夫妻啊!
What a good idea! 多好的一个主意啊!

功能:很简单的一个感叹句型,可以在许多场合充分地表达出感情色彩。不过要注意,句子中的名词必须是可数名词的单数形式。

祈使句: Let’s not…

我们不要……

常用句子:
Let’s not waste time. 我们不要浪费时间了。
Let’s not make the same mistake. 我们不要再犯同样的错误了。
Let’s not risk it in that way. 我们不要那样冒险了。

搭配:接动词原型。
例句:
Let’s not take the lift as the lift may become trapped between floors. 咱们还是别乘电梯,因为电梯可能会困在两层楼之间。
Let’s not let mother down. 我们不要让妈妈失望。
Let’s not make a big deal out of this. 我们不要小题大做了。

功能:对别人的做法提出建议。也可以单独使用,表示“不行” 的意思。

特殊疑问句: Why do you think…?

你为什么会认为……?

常用句子:
Why do you think I am wrong? 你为什么会认为我是错的?
Why do you think you are right? 你为什么会认为自己是对的?
Why do you think I am his younger brother? 你为什么会认为我是他的弟弟呢?

搭配:接陈述语气从句。
例句:
Why do you think you can persuade him to leave? 你为什么会认为你能说服他离开呢?
Why do you think I am unqualified for the job? 你为什么会认为我不能胜任这份工作呢?
Why do you think Beijing is a bad place? 你为什么会认为北京是个糟糕的地方?

功能:可以换一种说法,同样表示疑虑的意思:“What makes you think…”。

特殊疑问句: How do you like…?

你认为……怎么样?

常用句子:
How do you like working in a foreign company? 你认为在外国公司里工作怎么样?
How do you like your new job? 你觉得你的新工作怎么样?
How do you like my CD player? 你觉得我的CD机怎么样?

搭配:接名词或动名词。
例句:
How do you like the climate of Guangzhou? 你觉得广州的气候怎么样?
How do you like living in the USA? 你觉得在美国生活怎么样?
How do you like my new house? 你觉得我的新房子怎么样?

功能:用于询问别人对某事或某物的欣赏程度或看法。

特殊疑问句: How come…?

……是怎么回事?

常用句子:
How come I have to pay for you? 我怎么要替你付钱?
How come I’m not allowed to come in? 我怎么不能进来?
How come you never call me? 你怎么从来不给我打电话?

搭配:接陈述语气从句。
例句:
How come the boy got lost? 那男孩怎么会迷路的?
How come he failed? 他怎么会失败的?
How come I have to go to bed so early? 为什么要我这么早睡觉啊?

功能:这是一个询问原因的句型,表达疑虑重重的意思。

特殊疑问句: When will it be convenient for you to…?

你看什么时候方便……?

常用句子:
When will it be convenient for you to arrange an interview for me? 你看什么时候方面为我安排面试?
When will it be convenient for me to come to your home? 你看我什么时候方便去你家?

搭配:接动词原型。
例句:
When will it be convenient for you to translate the article for me? 你看什么时候方便帮我翻译这篇文章?
When will it be convenient for you to take back your umbrella? 你看什么时候方便过来拿回你的伞?

特殊疑问句: When are you going to…?

你打算什么时候……?

常用句子:
When are you going to buy a new computer? 你打算什么时候买一台新电脑?
When are you going to stop bothering me? 你想烦我烦到什么时候?
When are you going to begin your project? 你打算什么时候开始你的计划?

搭配:接动词原型。
例句:
When are you going to go to Hongkong? 你打算什么时候去香港?
When are you going to see the new film? 你打算什么时候去看那部新片?
When are you going to have your hair cut? 你打算什么时候去理发?

特殊疑问句: What about…?

……怎么样呢?

常用句子:
What about the dishes? 觉得这些菜怎么样?
What about people in your hometown? 你家乡的人怎么样呢?

搭配:接名词和动名词。
例句:
What about your plan? 你的计划怎么样了?
What about the new restaurant? 那间新的餐馆怎么样?

功能:用于征求别人关于某事或某物的意见,也可用于提建议。

特殊疑问句: What seems to be the problem with…?

……大概是什么问题?

常用句子:
What seems to be the problem with your mother? 你妈妈怎么了?
What seems to be the problem with those two? 他们两个的关系是不是出了什么问题? 

搭配:接名词。

功能:这是带有试探性地对别人进行发问,不会让人觉得唐突, 反而是让人觉得你是对他的关心。

特殊疑问句: What’s wrong with…?

……怎么了?

常用句子:
What’s wrong with you? 你怎么了?

搭配:接名词
例句:
What’s wrong with the world? 这世界怎么了?
What’s wrong with the printer? 这台打印机出什么故障了?
What’s wrong with your dog? 你的狗怎么了?

功能:用于生气时的宣泄,也可用于询问某东西出现什么故障或毛病。

特殊疑问句: What do you think…?

你认为……?
常用句子:
What do you think I should do? 你认为我应该怎么办?

搭配:接陈述从句
例句:
What do you think the story will develop? 你认为故事情节会怎样变化?
What do you think I want? 你认为我想要什么?
What do you think Mother will do to punish him? 你认为妈妈会怎样惩罚他?

功能:用于询问对方看法和意见,经常用于采访的时候。

祈使句: Don’t …

不要……

常用句子:
Don’t worry! 别担心!
Don’t move! 别动!
Don’t be lazy! 别偷懒!

搭配:接动词。
例句:
Don’t stand here. 别在这站着!
Don’t intrude your own views upon others. 不要把你自己的意见强加给别人!
Don’t be foolish. 别傻了!

功能:这是最常见的祈使句的否定形式,用于提醒、警告别人不 要做什么事。如果要表达相反意思,即强调别人一定要做什么事 的时候,可以用“Do…”的句式。

祈使句: Be…

要……

常用句子:
Be a man! 要有男子汉气概!
Be careful! 要小心一点!
Be sure to forget it! 千万不要放在心上。
Be my guest! 别客气!
Be quiet! 安静!
Be yourself! 自然一些。

搭配:可以接形容词,也可以接名词。

功能:这是祈使句的一种常见形式,表示提醒、警告等意思。如果想客气一些地表达你的意思,可以在前面加一个please。

基础常用句型: I’m afraid…

常用句子:
I’m afraid I have to go now. 我恐怕得走了。
I’m afraid I cannot help you. 我恐怕帮不上你的忙。

搭配:接宾语从句,that可以省略。
例句:
I’m afraid we do not have enough money to buy a new car. 我们恐怕没有足够的钱买一辆新车。
I’m afraid I can’t agree with you. 我恐怕不能同意你的意见。
I’m afraid you will have to cancel the plan. 恐怕你得取消计划。

功能:用这个句型,即使是在拒绝别人的时候,也会让对方感觉 舒服一些。

基础常用句型: Could I possibly ask you to…

能麻烦你……吗?

常用句子:
Could I possibly ask you to carry the luggage for me? 能麻烦你帮我提一下行李吗?
Could I possibly ask you to take a picture for me? 能麻烦你帮我照张相吗?
Could I possibly ask you to water the flowers for me? 能麻烦你帮我浇一下花吗?

搭配:接动词原型。
例句:
Could I possibly ask you to mail the letter? 能麻烦你帮我把这封信寄出去吗?
Could I possibly ask you to meet my brother at the railway station? 能麻烦你到火车站接我哥哥吗?
Could I possibly ask you to give me a ride? 能麻烦你送我一程吗?

功能:这个句式比“Can I…”听起来要更礼貌一些。

基础常用句型: I sincerely hope…

我衷心地希望……

常用句子:
I sincerely hope you can be together all life long. 我衷心地希望你们能白头偕老。
I sincerely hope you can have a wonderful night. 我衷心地希望你们今晚能玩得开心。 

搭配:接宾语从句,that可以省略。
例句:
I sincerely hope you can have a brighter future. 我衷心地希望你有更光明的前途。
I sincerely hope your grandma will get well soon. 我衷心地希望你奶奶能早日康复。
I sincerely hope that you can realize your dreams some day. 我衷心地希望有一天你能实现自己的梦想。

功能:较多地用于演讲时。也可用于一般的交流,显得祝福十分真诚。

基础常用句型: I think…

我认为……

常用句子:
I think it is impossible. 我认为这是不可能的。
I think that could be helpful. 我想那或许会有所帮助。
I think you are right. 我想你是对的。

搭配:接宾语从句,that可以省略。
例句:
I think that is unfair to me. 我认为那对我来说不公平。
I think his suggestion is perfect. 我认为他的建议很好。
I think you should study English well before going abroad. 我认为你在出国之前应该先把英语学好。

功能:在向别人陈述自己观点的时候,用这种语气会让人听起来 觉得比较自然、容易接受。

基础常用句型: How about …?

 ……怎么样?

常用句子:
How about going out for a walk? 到外面散散步怎么样?
How about a cup of coffee? 来杯咖啡怎么样?
How about parking here? 把车停这怎么样?

搭配:接名词或动名词。
例句:
How about trying the suit? 试试这套衣服怎么样?
How about a trip to Xinjiang? 去新疆旅游怎么样?
How about taking a group photo? 拍张合影怎么样? 

功能:简单的句型,却可以应付许多需要提问的场面。

基础常用句型: It is my great honor to …

我很荣幸……

常用句子:
It is my great honor to speak to you today. 我很荣幸今天能在这说几句。
It is my great honor to be your friend. 我很荣幸成为你的朋友。
It is my great honor to introduce our new chairman. 我很荣幸地为大家介绍我们的新会长。

搭配:接动词(词组)原型。
例句:
It is my great honor to have the opportunity to cooperate with you. 我很荣幸能有机会和你们合作。
It is my great honor to have you in my life. 我很荣幸今生有你相伴。
It is my great honor to be here on so special an occasion. 我很荣幸在这个特别的时刻来到这里。

功能:最常用于演讲开始的时候,是比较谦虚的说法。也用于 与新认识的工作搭档或朋友之间的寒暄。这个句型也可以说成 “I am honored to…”

基础常用句型: Would you please…

请你……好吗?

常用句子:
Would you please lower your voice? 请你小声点好吗?
Would you please give me a hand? 请你帮我个忙好吗?
Would you please finish the work first? 请你先把工作做完好吗?

搭配:加动词原型。
例句:
Would you please tell me the truth? 请你告诉我真相好吗?
Would you please keep the secret for me? 请你帮我保守秘密好吗?
Would you please explain a little more clearly? 请你把事情解释清楚点好吗? 

功能:用于向别人提出请求,十分礼貌。

基础常用句型: I’d like to …

我想……

常用句子:
I’d like to have a self-introduction. 我想作个自我介绍。
I’d like to talk about the matter. 我想谈谈那件事。
I’d like to have a cup of tea. 我想喝杯茶。

搭配:加动词原型。
例句:
I’d like to book a double-room. 我想订一间双人房。
I’d like to change the topic. 我想换个话题。
I’d like to have my car repaired. 我想请人帮我把汽车修好。 

功能:用于表达意愿或建议,任何时候都显得语言得体。

基础常用句型: Can you …?

你能……吗?

常用句子:
Can you help me? 你能帮帮我吗?
Can you do me a favor? 你能帮我个忙吗?
Can you please tell me where is the bus stop? 你能告诉我公共汽车站怎么走吗?

搭配:接动词原型。
例句:
Can you please shut the door? 你能把门关上吗?
Can you translate the sentence into Chinese for me? 你能帮我把这个句子翻译成中文吗?
Can you lend me some money? 你能借我点钱吗?

功能:用于比较熟悉的人之间,会让对方感觉亲切。如果想再客 气一点,可以把can换成could。

基础常用句型: May I…?

我可以……吗?

常用句子:
May I come in? 我可以进来吗?
May I help you? 您需要帮忙吗?
May I ask you a question? 我可以问你一个问题吗?

搭配:接动词原型。
例句:
May I speak to Vincent? 请问文森在吗?
May I use your telephone? 我可以借用你的电话吗?
May I have a seat? 我可以坐下吗?

功能: 用这些话显得很有教养。

Common Mistakes 27 (看你犯了这样的错误没有?)


Chinese Style        The standard of living of Singapore people are reasonably high.
American Style        The standard of living of Singapore people is reasonablyhigh.
       
Chinese Style        I like apple.
American Style        I like apples.
       
Chinese Style        An American old couple visited him last week.
American Style        An old American couple visited him last week.
       
Chinese Style        Ball games is my hobby.
American Style        Ball games are my hobby.
       
Chinese Style        Ten thousand dollars are a large sum of money.
American Style        Ten thousand dollars is a large sum of money.

Common Mistakes 26 (看你犯了这样的错误没有?)


Chinese Style        We have got such much to do but only so many hours in a day.
American Style        We have got so much to do but only so many hours in a day.
       
Chinese Style        The old man was walking towards the entrance although it had closed slowly.
American Style        The old man was walking slowly towards the entrance although it had closed.
       
Chinese Style        He has completed the course satisfactory.
American Style        He has completed the course satisfactorily.
       
Chinese Style        My sister treats the baby motherly.
American Style        My sister treats the baby in a motherly way.
       
Chinese Style        Please give me a detail description of the robbery.
American Style        Please give me a detailed description of the robbery.

Common Mistakes 25 (看你犯了这样的错误没有?)


Chinese Style        I have watched some films late.
American Style        I have watched some films lately.
       
Chinese Style        I was only late five minutes but Mary was already gone.
American Style        I was only five minutes late but Mary was already gone.
       
Chinese Style        Lorna likes the kitten. I like it either
American Style        Lorna likes the kitten. I like it too.
       
Chinese Style        Edward never went to a party, so did David.
American Style        Edward never went to a party, neither did David.
       
Chinese Style        I will go but I have not finished my homework too.
American Style        I will go but I have not finished my homework yet.

Common Mistakes 24 (看你犯了这样的错误没有?)


Chinese Style        This film is worth being watched.
American Style        This film is worth watching.
       
Chinese Style        These stamps worth nothing now.
American Style        These stamps are worth nothing now.
       
Chinese Style        He looked fearfully because he had seen a ghost.
American Style        He looked frightened because he had seen a ghost.
       
Chinese Style        Tom looked angry at me because I had broken his valuable vase.
American Style        Tom looked angrily at me because I had broken his valuable vase.
       
Chinese Style        I am no afraid of any threats.
American Style        I am not afraid of any threats.

Common Mistakes 23 (看你犯了这样的错误没有?)


Chinese Style        Bobby is a black beautiful dog.
American Style        Bobby is a beautiful black dog.
       
Chinese Style        We had a lot of difficulty to find the place
American Style        We had a lot of difficulty ( in ) finding the place.
       
Chinese Style        Killing the robbers are something the detective would not do.
American Style        Killing the robbers is something the detective would not do.
       
Chinese Style        I was difficult to get a good job.
American Style        It was difficult to get a good job.
       
Chinese Style        It is capable of getting his work done without help.
American Style        He is capable of getting his work done without help.

Common Mistakes 22 (看你犯了这样的错误没有?)


Chinese Style        I am going to watch the cinema tonight.
American Style        I am going to a movie tonight.
       
Chinese Style        My son will marry next month.
American Style        My son will get married next month.
       
Chinese Style        My sister is going to marry with a doctor.
American Style        My sister is going to marry a doctor.
       
Chinese Style        You can sit my next seat.
American Style        You can sit next to me.
       
Chinese Style        I think you cheat me !
American Style        I think you are lying to me !

Common Mistakes 21 (看你犯了这样的错误没有?)


Chinese Style        There is a stranger stand at the door.
American Style        There is a stranger standing at the door.
       
Chinese Style        The robbers run into goldsmith's shop, shouted, " This is a robbery ".
American Style        The robbers run into goldsmith's shop, shouting, " This is a robbery ".
       
Chinese Style        Anybody is found picking the flowers will be prosecuted.
American Style        Anybody who is found picking the flowers will be prosecuted.
       
Chinese Style        Being no other business, the chairman declared the meeting closed.
American Style        There being no other business, the chairman declared the meeting closed.
       
Chinese Style        Laura has spent half a day to revise his lessons.
American Style        Laura has spent half a day revising his lessons.

Common Mistakes 20 (看你犯了这样的错误没有?)


Chinese Style        Congratulation ! You have passed the driving test at long last.
American Style        Congratulations ! You have passed the driving test at long last.
       
Chinese Style        I am afraid that this is the dirty mean to gain success.
American Style        I am afraid that this is the dirty means to gain success.
       
Chinese Style        Chinese are more conservative than English.
American Style        The Chinese are more conservative than the English.
       
Chinese Style        Cow is a useful animal.
American Style        The cow is a useful animal.
       
Chinese Style        I have got headache.
American Style        I have got a headache.
       
Chinese Style        Comparing with that in Singapore, the living standard in Hong Kong is very high.
American Style        Compared with that in Singapore, the living standard in Hong Kong is very high.

Common Mistakes 19 (看你犯了这样的错误没有?)


Chinese Style        Having not finished her housework, Mrs. Smith could not go window-shopping with her friends.
American Style        Not having finished her housework, Mrs. Smith could not go window-shopping with her friends.
       
Chinese Style        All the students are in interested in joining the club.
American Style        No student is interested in joining the club.
       
Chinese Style        I do not understand what is he talking about.
American Style        I do not understand what he is talking about.
       
Chinese Style        There were three thousands of spectators watching the final match.
American Style        There were three thousand spectators watching the  final match.
       
Chinese Style        I've got many homeworks to do.
American Style        I've got a lot of homework to do.

Common Mistakes 18 (看你犯了这样的错误没有?)


Chinese Style        The patient felt much better in the morning than afternoon.
American Style        The patient felt much better in the morning than in the afternoon.
       
Chinese Style        What we need is the most perfect plan.
American Style        What we need is a most perfect plan.
       
Chinese Style        Which of these two shirts do you prefer more.
American Style        Which of these two shirts do you prefer.
       
Chinese Style        No sooner had I arrived home when it began to rain.
American Style        No sooner had I arrived home than it began to rain.
       
Chinese Style        Mike found it more easier to work out a mathematical problem than to write a poem.
American Style        Mike found it easier to work out a mathematical problem than to write a poem.

Common Mistakes 17 (看你犯了这样的错误没有?)


Chinese Style        More than one convict were sentenced to death.
American Style        More than one convict was sentenced to death.
       
Chinese Style        One of my students have sent me a birthday card.
American Style        One of my students has sent me a birthday card.
       
Chinese Style        Sophie is one of the most intelligent students that has ever existed in our school.
American Style        Sophie is one of the most intelligent students that have ever existed in our school.
       
Chinese Style        Reading detective stories are my favorite passtime.
American Style        Reading detective stories is my favorite passtime.
       
Chinese Style        " Snow White and the seven Dwarfs " are a very popular fairy tale.
American Style        " Snow White and the seven Dwarfs " is a very popular fairy tale.

Common Mistakes 16 (看你犯了这样的错误没有?)


Chinese Style        Mr. Teow arrived at the office lately this morning.
American Style        Mr. Teow arrived at the office late this morning.
       
Chinese Style        Joseph did not go to the concert last week, I did not go too.
American Style        Joseph did not go to the concert last week, I did not go either.
       
Chinese Style        We have been waiting for half an hour. She has still not come.
American Style        We have been waiting for half an hour. She has not come yet.
       
Chinese Style        The hinges of the door had rusted. We had to push hardly to open it.
American Style        The hinges of the door had rusted. We had to push hard to open it.
       
Chinese Style        The sea was very rough that the ferry service had to be suspended.
American Style        The sea was so rough that the ferry service had to be suspended.

Common Mistakes 15 (看你犯了这样的错误没有?)


Chinese Style        My father bought me a black small leather wallet yesterday.
American Style        My father bought me a small black leather wallet yesterday.
       
Chinese Style        Most of the time, it is difficult for Sam in finishing his work on time.
American Style        Most of the time, it is difficult for Sam to finish his work on time.
       
Chinese Style        These thugs are quite capable to do really hasty things.
American Style        These thugs are quite capable of doing really hasty things.
       
Chinese Style        I very enjoyed it.
American Style        I really enjoyed it.
       
Chinese Style        If you determine to make the grade in the entrance examination, you must work extra hard.
American Style        If you are determined to make the grade in the entrance examination, you must work extra hard.

Common Mistakes 14 (看你犯了这样的错误没有?)


Chinese Style        What do you feel now ?
American Style        How do you feel now ?
       
Chinese Style        What season do you like best ?
American Style        Which season do you like best ?
       
Chinese Style        Welcome you to Taiwan.
American Style        Welcome to Taiwan.
       
Chinese Style        Where is the capital of Australia.
American Style        What is the capital of Australia.
       
Chinese Style        He has a wide shoulders.
American Style        He has a broad shoulders.

Common Mistakes 13 (看你犯了这样的错误没有?)


Chinese Style        My grandmother lived to eighty-five.
American Style        My grandmother lived to be eighty-five.
       
Chinese Style        I have a lot of work to be done.
American Style        I have a lot of work to do.
       
Chinese Style        To drink too much is bad for one's health.
American Style        Drinking too much is bad for one's health.
       
Chinese Style        Today is hot.
American Style        It's hot today.
       
Chinese Style        My father will be home today afternoon.
American Style        My father will be home this afternoon.
       
Chinese Style        What is the total sum ?
American Style        How much does it come to ?

Common Mistakes 12 (看你犯了这样的错误没有?)


Chinese Style        This steak is soft.
American Style        This steak is tender.
       
Chinese Style        His new book will be sold well.
American Style        His new book will sell well.
       
Chinese Style        There're a lot of sparrows stopping on the telephone lines.
American Style        There're a lot of sparrows sitting on the telephone lines.
       
Chinese Style        He hit me strongly.
American Style        He hit me hard.
       
Chinese Style        My pay cannot support my living.
American Style        My pay is not enough to live on.
       
Chinese Style        He wants to establish a sweet home.
American Style        He wants to establish a happy home.

Common Mistakes 11 (看你犯了这样的错误没有?)


Chinese Style        He got 87 points in chemistry.
American Style        He got an 87 in chemistry.
       
Chinese Style        Chang is a popular name in Taiwan.
American Style        Chang is a common name in Taiwan.
       
Chinese Style        I'm a public servant.
American Style        I work for the government.
       
Chinese Style        She is pure.
American Style        She is naive.
       
Chinese Style        I have a question to you.
American Style        I have a question to ask you.
       
Chinese Style        This book deserves to read several times.
American Style        This book deserves to be read several times.

Common Mistakes 10 (看你犯了这样的错误没有?)


Chinese Style        She married old.
American Style        She married late in life.
       
Chinese Style        I saw it on the newspapers.
American Style        I read ( saw ) it in the newspapers.
       
Chinese Style        He is a liar, and you are one too.
American Style        He is a liar, and you are too.
       
Chinese Style        Open page 20 of your books.
American Style        Open your books to page 20.
       
Chinese Style        Our Chinese students are diligent.
American Style        We Chinese students are diligent.
       
Chinese Style        Don't make the office out of order.
American Style        Don't leave the office in a mess.

Common Mistakes 9 (看你犯了这样的错误没有?)


Chinese Style        Here is a pair of nice shoes.
American Style        Here is a nice pair of shoes.
       
Chinese Style        Is this seat empty.
American Style        Is this seat taken.
       
Chinese Style        Don't be noisy.
American Style        Be quiet.
       
Chinese Style        It is not of only your business.
American Style        It is none of your business.
       
Chinese Style        I will do anything I can do for you.
American Style        I will do anything I can for you.
       
Chinese Style        This is the key of my room.
American Style        This is the key to my room.

Common Mistakes 8 (看你犯了这样的错误没有?)


Chinese Style        They didn't understand my mind.
American Style        They didn't understand what I was thinking.
       
Chinese Style        This is where you mistake.
American Style        This is where you are mistaken.
       
Chinese Style        I felt good mood.
American Style        I am in a good mood.
       
Chinese Style        Please allow me more two hours.
American Style        Please allow me two more hours.
       
Chinese Style        My watch doesn't move at all. I must get it checked up.
American Style        My watch isn't running, I must get it checked up.
       
Chinese Style        We moved house to Johor last month.
American Style        We moved to Johor last month.

Common Mistakes 7 (看你犯了这样的错误没有?)


Chinese Style        Leave your hand from the end of the wire.
American Style        Let go of the end of the wire.
       
Chinese Style        I was ten minutes late for the English lesson.
American Style        I was ten minutes late for the English class.
       
Chinese Style        How many Chinese letters do you know ?
American Style        How many Chinese characters do you know ?
       
Chinese Style        He is fighting for his life.
American Style        He is fighting for his bread.
       
Chinese Style        Why do you say like that.
American Style        Why do you say that.
       
Chinese Style        I have no house to live.
American Style        I have no house to live in.

Common Mistakes 6 (看你犯了这样的错误没有?)


Chinese Style        I visited her ill mother in the hospital.
American Style        I visited her sick mother in the hospital.
       
Chinese Style        There is a limit in my patience.
American Style        There is a limit to my patience.
       
Chinese Style        Please wait inside the white line.
American Style        Please wait behind the white line.
       
Chinese Style        Is your house insured for fire ?
American Style        Is your house insured against fire ?
       
Chinese Style        I introduce Mr. Smith to you !
American Style        May I introduce Mr. Smith to you !
       
Chinese Style        She was first prize.
American Style        She took first prize.

Common Mistakes 5 (看你犯了这样的错误没有?)


Chinese Style        He cannot read and write.
American Style        He cannot read or write.
       
Chinese Style        Where is here.
American Style        Where are we.
       
Chinese Style        How heavy are you ?
American Style        How much do you weigh ?
       
Chinese Style        He was talking in a high voice.
American Style        He was talking loud.
       
Chinese Style        Most Westerners have high noses.
American Style        Most Westerners have long noses.

Common Mistakes 4 (看你犯了这样的错误没有?)


Chinese Style        Let's begin from page 10.
American Style        Let's begin at ( on ) page 10.
       
Chinese Style        Did you attend college ?
American Style        Did you go to college ?
       
Chinese Style        I wanted to go to Europe last summer, but it was too expensive so I gave up to go.
American Style        I wanted to go to Europe last summer, but it was too expensive so I gave up the idea.
       
Chinese Style        I'll go there at three.
American Style        I'll be there at three.
       
Chinese Style        I am going back my home.
American Style        I am going home.
       
Chinese Style        His temperature went down.
American Style        His temperature came down.

Common Mistakes 3 (看你犯了这样的错误没有?)


Chinese Style        Don't step on the grass.
American Style        Keep off the grass.
       
Chinese Style        I get my salary twice a month.
American Style        I get paid twice a month..
       
Chinese Style        Would you like a drink ?
American Style        Would you like something to drink ?
       
Chinese Style        Let me examine your pulse.
American Style        Let me feel your pulse.
       
Chinese Style        I have no exercise talent.
American Style        I am not athletic.
       
Chinese Style        Don't expect me too much.
American Style        Don't expect too much from (of ) me.

Common Mistakes 2 (看你犯了这样的错误没有?)


Chinese Style        The hall can seat two hundred people.
American Style        The hall seats two hundred people.
       
Chinese Style        Anywhere will do.
American Style        Any place will do.
       
Chinese Style        He is much interested in things Chinese.
American Style        He is very interested in Chinese things.
       
Chinese Style        Wait here please, I'll come back in a minute.
American Style        Wait here please, I'll be back in a minute.
       
Chinese Style        I am uncomfortable.
American Style        I don't feel well.
       
Chinese Style        Come to here.
American Style        Come here.