2006-9-5 02:07
jingjing
外企中常用的几个口语
1. In the middle of something?
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正在忙吗?
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我知道有许多许多的人, 对于某一种概念学会了一种说法之后, 从此就只会用这种说法. 例如‘你在忙吗?’这个句子, 很多人在国中起就知道要说, "Are you busy?" 讲到了来美国留学三年, 他还是只会说 "Are you busy?". 其实有时候我们的眼界要放广一点, 对于同一个概念要有不同的变化. 就像是 "Are you busy?" 这句话, 其实老美也很常用 "In the middle of something?" , (但这句话比较接近于 "Are you busy right now?" 是问人家‘现在’是不是正在忙? "Are you busy?" 的含意比较广, 也可指‘最近’忙不忙?) 大家不要小看这么小小的变化, 如果你除了 "Are you busy?" 之外, 有时还懂得刻意去用 "In the middle of something?" 我相信你的的英文说出来就会跟别人不一样. 举个例子吧, 办公室里想找人八卦, 又怕人家正在忙, 这时你就可以问他, "In the middle of something?" (正在忙吗?)
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记得在不久之前看过的一部黑人电影 Down to Earth 中也有 in the middle of something 这个用法, 只不过男主角是用这句话来提出一个论点, "The first kiss is always in the middle of something." 也就是说, 初吻总是发生在讲话讲到一半时, 或是当你们正在作其它的事情时, 通常是果不其然的. 他同时也觉得, "The first kiss is the only real kiss in your relationship." (只有初吻才是真正的吻), "The others are just protocols" (其它的都只是一种敷衍、虚应故事而已.)
2006-9-5 02:08
jingjing
<P 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">2. What are you up to? <BR><BR></FONT>你正在作什么<FONT face="Times New Roman">? <BR><BR></FONT>跟上面的例子一样<FONT face="Times New Roman">, ‘</FONT>你正在作什么啊<FONT face="Times New Roman">?’</FONT>这句话通常我们就只会说<FONT face="Times New Roman">, "What are you doing?" </FONT>这样子不会很无聊吗<FONT face="Times New Roman">? </FONT>其实有时我们可以换句话说<FONT face="Times New Roman">. </FONT>例如<FONT face="Times New Roman">: "What are you up to?" </FONT>同样也是问人家你正在作什么<FONT face="Times New Roman">. </FONT>承上例<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>假设你在办公室里<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>你想找人八卦<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>所以问同事<FONT face="Times New Roman">, "In the middle of something?" </FONT>他回答<FONT face="Times New Roman">, "Kind of." (</FONT>算是吧<FONT face="Times New Roman">.) </FONT>这时你就可以打破砂锅问到底<FONT face="Times New Roman">, "What are you up to?" (</FONT>那你最近在忙什么啊<FONT face="Times New Roman">?) </FONT>另外有时候老美见面时也会问<FONT face="Times New Roman"> "What are you up to?" </FONT>意思就是问你最近在作什么啊<FONT face="Times New Roman">? </FONT>跟另一句问候语<FONT face="Times New Roman"> "What</FONT>＇<FONT face="Times New Roman">s up?" </FONT>意思上很接近<FONT face="Times New Roman">. </FONT>但是你要听对方的语气喔<FONT face="Times New Roman">! </FONT>有时候<FONT face="Times New Roman"> "What are you up to?" </FONT>指的虽然还是<FONT face="Times New Roman"> "What are you doing?" </FONT>但它却是<FONT face="Times New Roman">‘</FONT>你在搞什么鬼啊<FONT face="Times New Roman">?’</FONT>的意思喔<FONT face="Times New Roman">! </FONT>例如当你看到别人在乱翻你的东西<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>你就可以责问他<FONT face="Times New Roman">, "Hey, what are you up to?" </FONT>也就是骂他<FONT face="Times New Roman">‘</FONT>你在搞什么鬼啊<FONT face="Times New Roman">?’. </FONT>或是像电影<FONT face="Times New Roman"> Blow </FONT>里毒贩的老爸骂他的儿子<FONT face="Times New Roman">, "I know what you are up to." (</FONT>我知道你在干些什么勾当<FONT face="Times New Roman">.) </FONT>以上这些例子里<FONT face="Times New Roman">, "What are you up to?" </FONT>完全可以用<FONT face="Times New Roman"> "What are you doing?" </FONT>来取代<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>只不过因为我们在说话时要力求变化<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>所以要多学几种不同的讲法<FONT face="Times New Roman">. <BR><BR></FONT>其实<FONT face="Times New Roman"> "What are you up to?" </FONT>还有许多其它的意思<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>在此不一一列举<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>不过还有一个比较常用的解释是<FONT face="Times New Roman">, ‘</FONT>进展的如何了<FONT face="Times New Roman">?’</FONT>例如朋友告诉你他正在写一部武侠小说<FONT face="Times New Roman">, (</FONT>就像我的<FONT face="Times New Roman"> labmate </FONT>一样<FONT face="Times New Roman">), </FONT>你就可以问他<FONT face="Times New Roman">, "What are you up to?" (</FONT>进展的如何了<FONT face="Times New Roman">), </FONT>而他的回答可能是<FONT face="Times New Roman">, "I am writing Chapter 3 now." </FONT>我现在正在写第三章呢<FONT face="Times New Roman">. <BR><BR>3. Can you just give me a ballpark figure? <BR><BR></FONT>能不能给我一个大概的数字<FONT face="Times New Roman">. <BR><BR>Ballpark </FONT>指的是专供球类比赛的公园<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>特别是指大型的棒球场<FONT face="Times New Roman">. </FONT>例如亚特兰大勇士队<FONT face="Times New Roman"> (Atlanta Braves) </FONT>的主场<FONT face="Times New Roman">, Turner Field </FONT>就是一个<FONT face="Times New Roman"> ballpark. </FONT>那什么是<FONT face="Times New Roman"> ballpark figure </FONT>呢<FONT face="Times New Roman">? </FONT>通常在棒球比赛时不是都会报今天的观众人数<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>例如是<FONT face="Times New Roman"> 49,132 </FONT>人吗<FONT face="Times New Roman">? </FONT>这个数字<FONT face="Times New Roman"> 49,132 </FONT>就是<FONT face="Times New Roman"> ballpark figure, </FONT>但这只是一个大约的估计数字而已<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>所以<FONT face="Times New Roman"> ballpark figure </FONT>的意思就是指大约的估计数字<FONT face="Times New Roman">. </FONT>所以在公司里如果老板问会计<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>上个月水电费总共多少钱<FONT face="Times New Roman">? </FONT>之后再加上一句<FONT face="Times New Roman">, "Just give me a ballpark figure." </FONT>意思就是我只要一个大略的数字就行了<FONT face="Times New Roman">. </FONT>甚至有些老美懒到就只说<FONT face="Times New Roman"> ballpark, </FONT>所以老板也有可能会说<FONT face="Times New Roman">, "I</FONT>＇<FONT face="Times New Roman">ll need a ballpark of the revenue last year." (</FONT>我需要去年的营收的大约数字<FONT face="Times New Roman">.) </FONT>你就要自己知道这个<FONT face="Times New Roman"> ballpark </FONT>是<FONT face="Times New Roman"> ballpark figure </FONT>的意思<FONT face="Times New Roman">. <BR><BR></FONT>其实很多像<FONT face="Times New Roman"> ballpark </FONT>这种有点俚语的讲法<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>你去问美国人<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>我保证他们百分之九十九点九都知道<FONT face="Times New Roman"> ballpark </FONT>的意思<FONT face="Times New Roman">. </FONT>但是有很多外国人<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>不管他们的英语再流利<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>不管在美国住多久<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>却还是常常会有听不懂的状况<FONT face="Times New Roman">. </FONT>像小笨霖的指导教授是欧洲人<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>但在美国也待超过十年了<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>英语的流利自然是不在话下<FONT face="Times New Roman">. </FONT>可是呢<FONT face="Times New Roman">? </FONT>有一次我跟她说<FONT face="Times New Roman"> "I can only give you a ballpark." </FONT>她却问我<FONT face="Times New Roman"> ballpark </FONT>是什么意思<FONT face="Times New Roman">. </FONT>我讲这个小故事给各位听的原因<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>就是告诉你们拿这种俚语去跟美国人交谈<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>通常是没问题的<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>但是如果去跟英语同样也很流利的老印<FONT face="Times New Roman">, ABC, </FONT>或是在美国住了很久的外国人<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>则不保证他们能听得懂<FONT face="Times New Roman">. <BR><BR></FONT></P>
2006-9-5 02:08
jingjing
<FONT color=#006699><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>4. Bottom line: We have to turn into profit by 2002. <BR><BR></FONT>最重要的是<FONT face="Times New Roman">: </FONT>我们必须在<FONT face="Times New Roman"> 2002 </FONT>年前转亏为盈</FONT><FONT face="Times New Roman">. <BR><BR></FONT>大家看过财务报表没<FONT face="Times New Roman">? </FONT>上面是一大堆密密麻麻的数字<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>告诉你公司的资产有多少<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>折旧多少<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>应收帐款多少<FONT face="Times New Roman">. </FONT>但是这些都不是最重要的<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>最重要的在最最下面那一行<FONT face="Times New Roman"> (bottom line), </FONT>叫净赚<FONT face="Times New Roman"> (Net earnings) </FONT>告诉你这家公司总共加起来到底是赚钱还是赔钱<FONT face="Times New Roman">, (</FONT>这其实才是最重要的<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>不是吗<FONT face="Times New Roman">?) </FONT>所以<FONT face="Times New Roman"> bottom line </FONT>这个字后来就变成了有<FONT face="Times New Roman">‘</FONT>最重要的是<FONT face="Times New Roman">...’</FONT>的意思<FONT face="Times New Roman">. </FONT>例如商场上有句名言<FONT face="Times New Roman">, "In business, If you don</FONT>＇<FONT face="Times New Roman">t take care of your customers, somebody else will. And that is the bottom line." (</FONT>如果你不关心你的顾客的话<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>其它的人会<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>这是最重要的原则<FONT face="Times New Roman">. ) </FONT>另外<FONT face="Times New Roman"> bottom line </FONT>也有<FONT face="Times New Roman">‘</FONT>最后的底限<FONT face="Times New Roman">’,‘</FONT>不能再退让的原则<FONT face="Times New Roman">’</FONT>的意思<FONT face="Times New Roman">. </FONT>例如老板可以告诫员工<FONT face="Times New Roman">, "Bottom line: We have to ship this order by Friday." (</FONT>我最后的底限是<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>我们必须在星期五前运交这批货<FONT face="Times New Roman">. ) <BR><BR>5. The new CFO was sent to bring the company out of the red. <BR><BR></FONT>这位新的财务长被派来把公司从赤字中拯救出来<FONT face="Times New Roman">. <BR><BR></FONT>中国人喜欢红色<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>所以股市大涨时盘面上都是红通通的一片<FONT face="Times New Roman">. </FONT>不过欧美国家对红色的认知则大不相同<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>红色就表示亏损<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>赤字<FONT face="Times New Roman">. </FONT>像之前提到的<FONT face="Times New Roman"> bottom line </FONT>如果是用红笔写的<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>那就是表示公司整体上来说是赔钱的<FONT face="Times New Roman">. </FONT>相反的如果是用黑笔写的<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>则表示是赚钱的<FONT face="Times New Roman">. </FONT>所以我们常可以听到<FONT face="Times New Roman"> in the red </FONT>或是<FONT face="Times New Roman"> in the black </FONT>这样的讲法<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>其实就是指公司赚不赚钱<FONT face="Times New Roman">. </FONT>当然啦<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>我们也可以用最简单的讲法<FONT face="Times New Roman">, lose money </FONT>和<FONT face="Times New Roman"> make money </FONT>或是形容词<FONT face="Times New Roman"> unprofitable </FONT>和<FONT face="Times New Roman"> profitable</FONT>来表示赔钱或赚钱<FONT face="Times New Roman">. </FONT>例如这家公司是赚钱的<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>你可以说<FONT face="Times New Roman">, "This company is in the black.", "The comapny is making money." </FONT>或是<FONT face="Times New Roman"> "The company is profitable." </FONT>都可以<FONT face="Times New Roman">. <BR><BR></FONT>讲到这个<FONT face="Times New Roman"> profitable </FONT>让我不得不提醒大家<FONT face="Times New Roman"> non-profit </FONT>这个字<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>因为常常有人会搞错<FONT face="Times New Roman">. Non-profit </FONT>这个字指的并不是说不赚钱的<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>而是说<FONT face="Times New Roman">‘</FONT>非营利性质的<FONT face="Times New Roman">’, </FONT>例如像消费者文教基金会我们就可以说他是一个<FONT face="Times New Roman"> non-profit organization, </FONT>非营利机构<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>这种组织就不是以赚钱为目的<FONT face="Times New Roman">. </FONT>但<FONT face="Times New Roman"> nonprofitable </FONT>的话则是指不赚钱的就等于<FONT face="Times New Roman"> unprofitable </FONT>或是<FONT face="Times New Roman"> non-profit-making. <BR><BR>6. Shelly just called in sick. <BR><BR>Shelly </FONT>刚打电话来请病假<FONT face="Times New Roman">. <BR><BR>Call in sick </FONT>是一个在办公室内常会用到的片语<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>指的是有人打电话来说他生病了不能来上班<FONT face="Times New Roman">. </FONT>有兴趣听老美讲这句话的人不妨去看<FONT face="Times New Roman"> "What Women Want?" (</FONT>男人百分百<FONT face="Times New Roman">) </FONT>这部电影<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>我记得他们就有用<FONT face="Times New Roman"> "call in sick" </FONT>这个片语<FONT face="Times New Roman">. </FONT>当然啦<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>这种事想也知道一定有相当的比例是偷懒而不想来上班而已<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>不然就是员工找借口集体罢工<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>例如<FONT face="Times New Roman"> "Some workers called in sick to have a strike." (</FONT>有些工人藉由集体打电话请病假来罢工<FONT face="Times New Roman">.) <BR><BR></FONT>那如果是正常的请病假<FONT face="Times New Roman"> (sick leave/ medical leave) </FONT>要怎么讲<FONT face="Times New Roman">? </FONT>你可以说<FONT face="Times New Roman">, "I need a sick leave for two days." (</FONT>我需要请两天病假<FONT face="Times New Roman">.) </FONT>或是如果是因为老婆要分娩了<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>想要请事假<FONT face="Times New Roman"> (personal leave), </FONT>你可以说<FONT face="Times New Roman">, "I</FONT>＇<FONT face="Times New Roman">m asking for a three-day paid/unpaid personal leave for my wife</FONT>＇<FONT face="Times New Roman">s labor." (</FONT>因为我老婆要生了<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>我想要请三天假<FONT face="Times New Roman">.) </FONT>至于这个假是扣不扣钱<FONT face="Times New Roman">? (paid/unpaid) </FONT>就看公司的政策而定了<FONT face="Times New Roman">. <BR><BR>7. I just heard that seven people are going be laid off next month. <BR><BR></FONT>我刚听到公司下个月要裁七位员工<FONT face="Times New Roman">. <BR><BR></FONT>最近失业率不断上升<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>我也就顺便来谈谈裁员的话题<FONT face="Times New Roman">. </FONT>公司要裁员的讲法有许多种<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>其中最常见的不外是<FONT face="Times New Roman"> layoff </FONT>这个字<FONT face="Times New Roman"> (</FONT>如果分开来写<FONT face="Times New Roman">: lay off </FONT>是动词<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>但合起来写<FONT face="Times New Roman"> layoff </FONT>则是名词<FONT face="Times New Roman">) . </FONT>例如<FONT face="Times New Roman">, "Cisco issues a profit warning, plans layoffs." (</FONT>思科发布盈余警讯<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>计划裁员<FONT face="Times New Roman">.) </FONT>当然还可以用比较口语的讲法说<FONT face="Times New Roman">, cut jobs </FONT>或是<FONT face="Times New Roman"> slash jobs, </FONT>例如上一句我们也可以说<FONT face="Times New Roman">, "Cisco plans to cut/slash jobs." (</FONT>思科计划裁员<FONT face="Times New Roman">.) </FONT>据路边马路消息说<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>由于<FONT face="Times New Roman"> layoff </FONT>最近在英语中的出现频率排名大幅成长<FONT face="Times New Roman">, layoff </FONT>这个字将会被收录在最新的英文常用<FONT face="Times New Roman"> 3000 </FONT>字汇当中<FONT face="Times New Roman">. <BR><BR></FONT>要是真的不幸在美国被裁员了怎么办<FONT face="Times New Roman">? </FONT>先记住两句话再说<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>第一句是<FONT face="Times New Roman">, "Whose decision was this?" (</FONT>这是谁的决定<FONT face="Times New Roman">.) </FONT>俗语说冤有头债有主<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>先问清楚了是谁动你的<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>将来要把汽车轮胎放气才知道要放哪一台<FONT face="Times New Roman">. </FONT>另一句话就是<FONT face="Times New Roman">, "I am between jobs." </FONT>这句话在找新工作时很好用<FONT face="Times New Roman">. </FONT>人家问你现在在作什么<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>你不要呆呆地说<FONT face="Times New Roman">, "I just got laid off." </FONT>多难听啊<FONT face="Times New Roman">! </FONT>你应该说<FONT face="Times New Roman">, "I am between jobs." </FONT>我正好在两个工作间的空档<FONT face="Times New Roman">. </FONT>听起来比较委婉<FONT face="Times New Roman"> </FONT>这可是之前刚被裁了员的好友<FONT face="Times New Roman"> Joseph </FONT>教我的<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>他就因为很会讲这句<FONT face="Times New Roman"> "I am between jobs." </FONT>目前已经在德州休士顿找到新工作了<FONT face="Times New Roman">. <BR><BR>8. He suggested we should go to eat after my graveyard shift. <BR><BR></FONT>他建议说我们可以在我的大夜班之后一起去吃东西<FONT face="Times New Roman">. <BR><BR></FONT>轮班这个字在英文里叫<FONT face="Times New Roman"> shift, </FONT>例如三班制就叫<FONT face="Times New Roman"> three shifts. </FONT>例如<FONT face="Times New Roman">, "We have to work in three shifts to keep the company running." (</FONT>我们必须轮三班制来保持工厂的运转<FONT face="Times New Roman">.) </FONT>我想大家都知道三班制就是日夜<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>小夜班和大夜班<FONT face="Times New Roman">. </FONT>在英文里日班就是<FONT face="Times New Roman"> day shift </FONT>或是<FONT face="Times New Roman"> regular shift, </FONT>小夜班是<FONT face="Times New Roman"> night shift. </FONT>那大夜班呢<FONT face="Times New Roman">? </FONT>有一个很有趣的讲法<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>叫<FONT face="Times New Roman"> graveyard shift. </FONT>所以如果你要说明自己上的是大夜班<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>就可以这样说<FONT face="Times New Roman">, "I work on the graveyard shift." <BR><BR></FONT>至于为什么叫<FONT face="Times New Roman"> graveyard shift </FONT>呢<FONT face="Times New Roman">? </FONT>其中有一个广为流传的故事是这么说的<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>在十九世纪时<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>人们有时候会不小心把还活着的人当成死人埋掉<FONT face="Times New Roman">. </FONT>为了避免这种悲剧发生<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>所以他们在每个棺材里都装上电铃<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>以便让这些意外醒来的<FONT face="Times New Roman">‘</FONT>尸体<FONT face="Times New Roman">’</FONT>能够按铃求救<FONT face="Times New Roman">. </FONT>也因此必须另外安排一位仁兄晚上时在墓地<FONT face="Times New Roman"> (graveyard) </FONT>里巡查<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>以便有人按铃时能即时通知家属<FONT face="Times New Roman">. </FONT>所以大夜班后来就以此得名<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>成为了<FONT face="Times New Roman"> graveyard shift. </FONT>至于你相不相信这种传说呢<FONT face="Times New Roman">? </FONT>就看你自己了<FONT face="Times New Roman">! <BR><BR>9. I am only a regular 9-to-5er. <BR><BR></FONT>我只是一个平凡的朝九晚五上班族<FONT face="Times New Roman">. <BR><BR></FONT>我相信中文的<FONT face="Times New Roman">‘</FONT>朝九晚五<FONT face="Times New Roman">’</FONT>这个字应该就是从英文<FONT face="Times New Roman"> 9-to-5 </FONT>这个字直接翻过来的吧<FONT face="Times New Roman">? </FONT>由于上班族的工作时间多半都是很固定从早上九点到晚上五点<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>所以才有<FONT face="Times New Roman"> 9-to-5 </FONT>这个用法<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>指的就是很一般上下班的工作<FONT face="Times New Roman">. </FONT>记得有一次跟一个在社会上己经工作多年又回来念研究所的老美聊到他回学校念书的动机<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>他就告诉我<FONT face="Times New Roman">, "I don</FONT>＇<FONT face="Times New Roman">t want to work 9 to 5 for the rest of my life." (</FONT>我不想一辈子都作朝九晚五的工作<FONT face="Times New Roman">.) </FONT>另外像这种上班族也可以自称是一个<FONT face="Times New Roman"> 9-to-5er, </FONT>也就是指作这种朝九晚五工作的上班族<FONT face="Times New Roman">. </FONT>但是像小笨霖我呢<FONT face="Times New Roman">? </FONT>我就该自称是<FONT face="Times New Roman"> 10-to-3er </FONT>了<FONT face="Times New Roman">. (</FONT>我当然没那么认真凌晨三点回家<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>而是下午三点就回家睡午觉了<FONT face="Times New Roman">!) <BR><BR>10. I refuse to work overtime during the weekend. <BR><BR></FONT>我拒绝在周末时加班<FONT face="Times New Roman">. <BR><BR></FONT>英文里加班叫<FONT face="Times New Roman"> work overtime. </FONT>例如别人喊你今晚出去吃饭<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>你说<FONT face="Times New Roman">, "Sorry, I have to work overtime." </FONT>就是告诉他<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>很抱歉<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>我今晚要加班<FONT face="Times New Roman">. </FONT>不过有趣的是<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>除了<FONT face="Times New Roman">‘</FONT>加班<FONT face="Times New Roman">’</FONT>可以叫<FONT face="Times New Roman"> overtime, </FONT>加班费也可以叫<FONT face="Times New Roman"> overtime. </FONT>例如你可以大声地告诉老板<FONT face="Times New Roman">, "You have to pay me overtime!" (</FONT>你必须要付我加班费<FONT face="Times New Roman">.) </FONT>不过现在时机歹歹<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>我看还是小声讲就好了<FONT face="Times New Roman">. <BR><BR></FONT>除了这个<FONT face="Times New Roman"> pay overtime </FONT>之外<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>老美也常用到另外两个字<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>一个叫<FONT face="Times New Roman"> double time, </FONT>另一个叫<FONT face="Times New Roman"> time and one-half. Double time </FONT>指的是双倍的工资<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>而<FONT face="Times New Roman"> time and one-half </FONT>或是<FONT face="Times New Roman"> time and a half </FONT>则是指一倍半的工资<FONT face="Times New Roman">. </FONT>例如老板叫你作一些额外的工作<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>你可以说<FONT face="Times New Roman">, "If you pay me double time, I</FONT>＇<FONT face="Times New Roman">ll do it." (</FONT>如果你付我双倍的工资<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>我就去做<FONT face="Times New Roman">.) </FONT>再造一句<FONT face="Times New Roman">, "I like to work on holidays because I am on time and a half." (</FONT>我喜欢在假日时工作<FONT face="Times New Roman">, </FONT>因为这时的工资算一倍半<FONT face="Times New Roman">.)</FONT>