含蓄的东方人总觉得西方人都粗线条,实际上歪果仁也是比较容易玻璃心的……所以,说英语的时候可别太直爽,碰到敏感的(sensitive)、私人的(personal)、禁忌的(taboo)话题,还是要讲究点技巧的。今天小编就来跟大家说说英语里的常见委婉语(euphemism)。 一、厕所 身体机能是文雅人士需避免的话题。 1. restroom Can I use the restroom? Where can I wash my hands? 2. public conveniences Are there any public conveniences nearby? 3. ladies / gents The ladies and gents are down the corridor on your right. 还有一些幽默表达: 4. the smallest room of the house 房子里最小的一间屋,这种诙谐说法于20世纪30年代出现在英文里,现在已经有些过时,较少被使用。 I'd like to pay a visit to the smallest room of the house. 5. powder my nose 女士用补妆来委婉表达上厕所,当然爱开玩笑的男士也可以这么说。 Where can I powder my nose? 6. see a man about a dog 这种说法原始意思是指为赛马或者赛狗下注,后来通常作为离开或缺席的借口。原因通常是去上厕所,或者买酒。 He's gone to see a man about a dog. 二、失业 1. between jobs 在前一个和后一个工作之间,也就是待业啦。 Interviewer: Tell me about your current position. Job candidate: I'm between jobs right now. 2. a resting actor 这种说法多指演员。 Harry's a resting actor. 三、怀孕 1. expect 即期待婴儿出生。 His wife is expecting. She is expecting in March. 2. have a bun in the oven 烤箱里有面包了。英式英语,诙谐用法。 Have you heard that Katy has a bun in the oven? 3. in the family way 这是比较老式的说法。 Have you heard that Jean's in the family way? They plan to get married now that he's put her in the family way. 四、喝醉 1. tired and emotional 这是一种较为礼貌和幽默的方式表示某人喝醉了。 You must excuse me, I'm a bit tired and emotional just now. I think I'd best be going home. 2. have a bit too much to drink 也就是喝多了。 He had a bit too much to drink last night. 3. to be a bit worse for wear “The worse for wear”是指衣服穿久,破烂不堪的样子。如果某人喝太多,走路东倒西歪,形象全无,那么你就可以用这个表达来形容他醉的程度。 The three came stumbling in, the worse for wear again. John looked a bit worse for wear as he got home. 五、撒谎 economical with the truth 很少提供实情的,谎话连篇的。 I discovered that my boss had been economical with the truth when she said that the company was making money. 六、争吵 1. full and frank discussion 表面意思即深入而坦率的探讨,这是一种礼貌的说法,表示争吵或责难(reprimand)。 The directors had a full and frank discussion in the meeting. 2. have words with someone Words(注意是复数)有口角、争论(altercation)的意思。这个表达指可以指吵架,也可以指训斥某人。 Elaine had words with Tony over his driving habits. If Pete keeps on pushing Billy I'm going to have words with him. 七、穷 1. be disadvantaged,即处境不利的,生活条件差的、经济地位低下的…… The government is introducing new schemes to help the disadvantaged. 2. financially embarrassed 经济拮据、财产情况窘迫的 I'm afraid I can't come to the restaurant with you. I'm financially embarrassed at the moment. 八、死亡 1. pass away 过世,这是很常见的代替die这个词的表达,带有哀悼和尊敬的意味。 Her uncle passed away last year. 2. lost his/her battle 被病魔打败,一般指人和病魔抗争,最终没能战胜病魔而死去。 My brother lost his battle with lung cancer years ago. 3. meet one's Maker 去见造物主,这是稍微诙谐一点的说法,注意这个Maker要大写,有造物主的意思,所以去见造物主了就是灵魂回归了,就像我们会说某人“去见马克思了”。 He knew that he came into the world with nothing and that he would go to meet his Maker with empty hands. He's gone to meet his Maker. 4. six feet under 六尺之下,这是指人死后被埋在六尺黄土之下,也不是特别严肃的说法。 I won't worry about money when I'm six feet under. 5. pushing up daisies 坟头长草,这种说法的意思是,人被埋入地下后,坟墓上会长出野花来。通常用在将来时中,不是严肃的用法。 I'll be pushing up daisies before this problem is solved. If you talk to me like that again, you'll be pushing up the daisies. 6. in one's box 进棺材,非正式说法,俚语。 When I'm in my box you can argue all you like about the inheritance. 九、宠物安乐死 宠物也是家庭成员,如果养的宠物正遭受病痛折磨,很多主人会考虑让它们解脱痛苦(put it out of its misery),也就是animal euthanasia(安乐死)。 1. put down We had to put our cat down as she was very ill. 2. put an end to its suffering We put an end to her suffering. 十、胖/瘦/老 外貌年龄高矮胖瘦和年龄也是人们的敏感点,fat、thin、old这种词当面最好还是不要说,太容易冒犯人(cause offense)。 下面给出一些机智的替代词(alternatives),注意在使用的时候,最好再加上些缓和语气的修饰词,比如"a bit"或 "a little" 。 胖(fat)还能怎么说: 1. overweight; heavy 体重偏重 2. plump 丰满 3. a bit chubby 圆乎乎的,chubby 尤其多用于形容小朋友 4. curvy; curvaceous (指女性)曲线丰满 5. statuesque 高大结实 6. well-built / a big man (指男性)结实、高大 瘦(thin)还能怎么说: 1. slim; slender 苗条纤细 2. petite 娇小,尤指女性 3. wiry 瘦而结实(一点脂肪都没有) 老(old)还能怎么说: 1. a pensioner 领养老金者,退休老人 2. elderly 长者 3. a senior citizen 年长公民 4. middle-aged 中年人 (责任编辑:) |