如果你想说“我建议……”“我认为……”
I suggest / I think that…
委婉说法
May I possibly suggest that…?
It seems to me that…
解析:在英文中,疑问句多半比肯定句来得谦虚,再加上possibly,语调就更显客气;此外,用seem就是告诉对方,随后的想法是主观判断,让语气不会显得自信专断。
例句:
May I possibly suggest that we go by train rather than car, so that we won't get stuck in traffic?
我想提个建议,是不是我们不要开车,改搭火车?这样就不会堵在路上。
It seems to me that this marketing campaign is worth trying.
在我看来,这个营销案值得一试。
2
如果你想说“你错了……”
You are wrong because…
Correct me if I'm wrong, but…
解析:事情出错,想纠正却不想伤和气时,可用“若我说错请指正,不过……”开头,听起来较不刺耳。
例句:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I remember that the proposal should be done by Wednesday.
若我说错请指正,但我记得提案应该要在周三前完成。
3
如果你想说“我想谈的是……”
I will give a lecture on…
I would like to share with you…
解析:与其像老师一般给同事上课,不如改用分享,态度更亲切。
例句:
I would like to share with you our strategy in dealing with this market segment.
我想和大家分享公司处理市场区域的策略。
A
I want / I would like…
在飞机上,我们向空姐说“我要一杯水”,听起来并不刺耳,但英文里用I want这个说法,显得太直接,用多了有颐指气使之嫌。换种口气,你会发现空姐的笑容不一样了。
(使唤)I want a cup of water. / I want a magazine.
(客气)I'd like a cup of water, please.
举例:
I would like to bring in some new people.
我想多用一些新人。
B
What is your meaning? / What do you mean?
要问别人“你的意思是什么?”不要那么直接地说What is your meaning,这句话听起来不礼貌,像是说“你的人生有何意义”,似乎对方没有存在的必要。
“意思”在中文里多半是名词,但在英文里mean却是动词。
应该这样说才对:What do you mean?
举例:
What do you mean by that?
你说那句话是什么意思?
C
You did it wrong. / I am sorry to bother you.
就算别人做错了,也不要一开口就说You did it wrong
先来一句I'm sorry to bother you,和你对话的人会更有意愿听你说。
举例:
I'm sorry to bother you, but I ordered coffee, not tea.
不好意思,我点的是咖啡而不是茶。
D
No / I'm afraid I can't.
有时候太直截了当就说No,不仅不礼貌,而且大剌剌得罪人了还不知道,特别是当别人要求的是一件很简单的事情,但我们却无法帮忙时,你可以用I'm afraid I can't。
举例:
I'm afraid I can't agree to the terms.
很抱歉,我无法同意你们的条件。
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