瘋狂口語對話學英語系列[4]

4.Can I take a rain check?
你能改天再請我嗎?
【發音秘訣】“Can-I”應該連讀,“take-a”也應該連讀。
A: Mary, I've just moved into my new house. I'd like you to drop by and see it tonight.
B: I'd really love to, but I can't tonight. Can I take a rain check?
中英文自由轉換挑戰
A:瑪莉,我剛搬進了新居。我想請你今晚過來看一看。
B:我真的很樂意去,但今天晚上我去不了。你能改天再請我嗎?
Kim's Note: This is a five star element. You will hear it very often in American English, but most Chinese students don't know it. You can be different!
這是一個五星級的口語要素。在美式英語中,你經常會聽到它,但是,大部分中國學生都不知道它的意思。掌握了它,你將與眾不同!
Rain check是一個五星級的成語,美國人常用。這是本書的一個重點。
“rain check”原指戶外舉行棒球之類的比賽或運動會時因下雨中止,由主辦者向觀眾發出的“順延入場券”。由此轉用于比喻,意思是“以后有機會再領盛情”(指他人邀請吃飯等)。
我們很多英語學習者看到“rain check”就不知如何是好,這就是成語的威力所在,兩個初中就學過的單詞合在一起卻與原意思相差十萬八千里。
為了讓大家把這個令人苦惱的“rain check”掌握得更牢,在此,我們還特意為你準備了更多的對話,希望大家能夠真正做到吃掉它(eat it!)、消化它(digest it!)把它變成你的終身財富!
A: I won't have that coffee right now, but can I take a rain check on it?
B: Sure, anything you say.
A:我現在不喝咖啡,我可以過一會兒再喝嗎?
B:當然可以,隨你。
A: Nancy, would you like to join me at the English corner tonight?
B: I'd love to. But I have a date tonight. Can I take a rain check?
A:南希,你今晚跟我去英語角好嗎?
B:我很想去。但今晚我有個約會。你能改天再約我嗎?
A: Stone, I'd like to treat you to dinner this Saturday.
B: Excellent! But I have to work an extra shift on Saturday. Can I take a rain check?
A:石頭,我想這個星期六請你吃晚飯。
B:好極啦!可是星期六我得加班。你能改天再請我嗎?
A: Kim, my sister will be coming to Beijing next week. Why don't you come over next Sunday to meet her?
B: I wish I could. But I'm afraid I'll be out on business by then. Can I take a rain check?
A:Kim,我妹妹下個星期到北京來。你何不星期天來見一見她?
B:但愿我能去。可是我擔心那時我會出差。你能改天再請我嗎?
