BBC Learning English.
大家好欢迎收听BBC英语教学的你问我答节目。 We're here to answer your questions about English language, culture and life.
I'm Buli, and I'm with Becca, who is here to help me answer this week's question.
Hi Becca, how are you?
I'm good, thanks.
A little tired though.
I think I'll make some coffee after this episode.
Would you like some?
I'm good, thanks.
I've already had coffee today.
OK, no worries.
Let's get into this week's question.
这样的问题。
我发现在日常生活中拒绝别人可以说I'm good或者I'm okay 这些表达好像都挺违反的 并且都没有用到no之类的否定词 在英语日常对话中 是否还有类似表示拒绝的表达需要注意和学习
So, our listener wants to know if there are any other ways to politely say no in everyday English.
Do you have any suggestions, Becca?
I think I'm going to give it a miss this time, but thanks for considering me.
Oh, OK.
So, what should we do in the meantime?
Maybe you could help me with a video edit.
I spent hours on it yesterday.
I'm not taking on any new projects at the moment.
Maybe you could attend the editing workshop in the afternoon for some help.
That sounds like a good idea, but I can't make it.
I appreciate you thinking of me, though.
Of course.
However you get help, I hope it goes well.
Thank you.
I hope so too.
Maybe I'll attend the film club that meets in the cafe at lunch.
There might be someone there who could help me.
That's a good idea.
Oh, and if I go to the cafe, would you like me to bring back one of those chocolate cake slices that you like?
Thanks, but I'm all set for sweet treats.
My flatmate made brownies, so I brought one of those with me today.
Oh, yum!
你正在收听的是BBC英语教学制作的你问我答节目 在本期节目中我们正在学习英语中有哪些友善的拒绝他人的提议或帮助的表达 特别是那些听上去积极肯定但其实在委婉拒绝的说法 刚才我和贝卡在对话中就用到了许多类似的表达
And of course I was joking earlier about not addressing this week's question.
Let's answer the question together now.
There are definitely some things to consider when you want to say no politely.
But I do think that, like with all use of language, what you say depends on the context.
Right.
I noticed that when I invited you to take part in something, you said that you are going to give it a miss.
Yes, if you give something a miss, you don't attend it or avoid doing it.
You could say that you can't make it or you'll have to pass.
Ah, OK.
也就是说,如果有人邀请我们参加一个活动, 但我们没办法去或者不太想去, 就可以用I'm going to give it a miss来表示这次我就不参加了。
Usually, yes.
You could have also said that you couldn't fit it into your schedule or that you just don't have the time.
Hmm, good to know.
Now, what if someone offers me something that I don't want?
What can I say?
Well, actually, Bully, you already said it.
When I asked if you'd like me to bring you a slice of cake from the cafe, you said Thanks, but I'm all set for sweet treats.
Yes, if you're all set, you have everything you need and don't require anything else.
Oh, also, you might have noticed that I often thanked you when declining.
It's polite to say thanks and to be positive too.
Indeed it is.
在英语中,我们经常会听到他人用 I'm good, I'm okay 或者 I'm all set 来委婉拒绝他人提供的帮助或服务。 这些表达的意思可以理解为 我很好,我没事 或者我已经有了,我不需要等等。
在英语中使用这些表达时,往往还需要礼貌地加上一句thanks或者nothanks,特别是他人询问我们是否需要什么东西的时候。
I will say though that when you're saying no remember to be firm and keep it short.
Don't over explain things or try to negotiate.
If you feel that you want to say no to something let it be known.
I completely agree with you there Becca.
在英语中拒绝他人的邀请提供的东西或服务时 不必太过复杂或者做出过多的解释 不论语气积极与否 简洁大方地向他人表达出自己的意愿是最重要的
Absolutely.
And remember, if you have a question that you'd like us to answer, you can email us too at questions.chinaelt at bbc.co.uk 你还可以通过微博向我们提问。 我们的微博账号是bbc英语教学。 Bye!
Goodbye!
BBC Learning English.
