I will share English data, my life things, my cute son's life etc. here. Welcome to my blog. I hope you can enjoy here and would like to make friends with me. :)

我的最新日志

  • 小冠词，大作用

    2008-3-12

     
    对于众多英语学习者而言，可能时态、语态和数之不尽的英语词汇是大家学习的难点。恐怕很少会有人去深究冠词。然而冠词在英语中的地位是牢不可破的，少了它就乱套了！
     
    我们来看几组跟冠词有着千丝万缕联系的词组
     
    1. in possession of… & in the possession of…
    拥有、占有之意，两个短语唯一的区别就是一个the。in possession of…应使用人作为句子的主语，而in the possession of…则要使用物作为主语，of后跟someone。
    例句：
    He was caught in possession of a gun and some drugs.
    那个嫌疑犯被逮住的时候被发现携有一支枪和一些毒品。
    这句话也可以转换为A gun and some drugs were in the possession of the suspect when he was caught.
     
    2. in charge of… & in someone's charge
    管理、负责之意。这组短语和第一组类似，主语是人还是物，大家一定要留心。
    例句：
    He was selected to be in charge of the new department. 他被选做这个新部门的负责人。
    The new department was in the manager's charge since it was founded. 这个新部门成立时就是由经理来负责的。
     
    3. in fashion & in a fashion
    in fashion意为正在流行，相关短语还有come into fashion开始流行、bring…into fashion使某物流行。
    例句：
    Jeans are still in fashion this year. 今年牛仔裤仍旧十分流行。
    若是在中间加了冠词a，意思可就截然不同了。in a fashion意为勉强、马马虎虎，和after a fashion意思相同。
    例句：Jennifer told me she could play tennis in a fashion/after a fashion.
    珍妮弗告诉我她网球打得马马虎虎。

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  • 简捷的口语

    2008-2-28

    1.         ▲Pull over! 把车子开到旁边。

    2.         Drop me a line! 写封信给我。

    ▲      Give me a ring. = Call me! 来个电话吧！

    3.         ▲For here or to go？堂食或外卖。

    4.         ▲cool; That's cool! 等于国内年轻人常用的囗语“酷！”，表示不赖嘛！用于人或事均可。

    5.         ▲What's up? = What's happening? = What's new? 见面时随囗问候的话“最近在忙什么？有什么新鲜事吗？一般的回答是“Nothing much!” 或“Nothing new!”

    6.         ▲Cut it out! = Knock it out!= Stop it! 少来这一套！同学之间开玩笑的话。

    7.         ▲Don't give me a hard time! 别跟我过不去好不好！

    8.         ▲Get yourself together! 振作点行不行！

    9.         ▲Do you have the time? 现在几点钟？(可别误以为人家要约你出去。)

    10.     ▲Hang in there. = Don't give up. = Keep trying. 再撑一下。

    11.     ▲Give me a break ! 你饶了我吧！（开玩笑的话）

    12.     ▲Hang on. 请稍候。

    13.     Blow it. = Screw up. 搞砸了。

    ▲      What a big hassle. 真是个麻烦事。

    14.     ▲Go for it. 加油

    15.     ▲You bet. = Of course. 当然；看我的！

    16.     ▲Wishful thinking. 一厢情愿的想法。

    17.     Don't be so fussy! 别那么挑剔好不好。

    ▲      It's a long story. 唉！说来话长。

    18.     ▲How have you been? = How are you doing? 你过得如何？近来可好？

    19.     ▲Take things for granted. 自以为理所当然。

    20.     ▲Don't put on airs. 别摆架子。

    21.     ▲Wishful thinking. 一厢情愿的想法。

    22.     Don't be so fussy! 别那么挑剔好不好！

    ▲      Give me a lift! = Give me a ride! 送我一程吧！

    23.     ▲Have a crush on someone. 迷恋某人。

    24.     ▲What's the catch? 有什么内幕？

    25.     ▲Party animal. 开Party狂的人（喜欢叁加舞会的人）。

    26.     Pain in the neck. =Pain in the ass. 讨厌的东西、人或事。

    ▲      Skeleton in the closet. 家丑

    27.     ▲Don't get on my nerve! 别把我惹毛了！

    28.     ▲A fat chance. =A poor chance. 机会很小。

    29.     ▲Don't put on airs! 别摆架子！

    30.     ▲I am racking my brains. 我正在绞尽脑汁。

    31.     ▲She's a real drag. 她真有点碍手碍脚。

    32.     ▲Spacing out.=daydreaming. 做白日梦。

    33.     ▲I am so fed up. 我受够了！

    34.     ▲It doesn't go with your dress. 跟你的衣服不配。

    35.     ▲What's the point? = What are you trying to say? 你的重点是什么？

    36.     ▲By all means.=Definitely. 一定是。

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  • 成语精选

    2008-2-26

    1. Speak of the devil.
    说曹操曹操就到.

    有些中文的成语用直接用英文翻出来老美还可以接受, 但是 "说曹操, 曹操就到" 这句话要翻可就没有那么容易了.   而何况你还要先解释曹操是谁, 那难度又更高了.   以前我不会 Speak of the devil 时, 我都是说, That's a coincidence. (那真是一个巧合.)   但是大家现在学会了这句之后, 又更加好用了.   下次当你们谈到某人, 某人就正好出现时, 你就可以说 Speak of the devil. 或是 Talk of the devil.
     
    2. That's the best thing since sliced bread.
    那是有史以来最好的事情.

    像这句话要避免说成, the best thing in the history, 听来就不那么道地.   老美他们都是用 the best thing since sliced bread 来表示有史以来最好的事情. 这句话的典故是这样的, 在 1928 年以前, 在美国所贩卖的面包都是整条没有切过的.   所以面包买回家后还要自己切.  后来有一个密西根人 Otto Rohwedder 发明了切面包的机器, 美国人一时之间觉得这种机器实在是太神奇了, 所以往后要是有什么很棒的事情发生, 他们就会说那是自从切面包的机器发明以来最好的事情. That's the best thing since slice bread.  这句话我常听到, 例如有一次网路银行 Net Bank 的广告就说, Net Bank is the best thing since sliced bread.

    或许你会跟我一样觉得实在很可笑, 因为美国历史上重要的发明何其多.  这个切面包机可能连前一百名都排不进去, 为何把它的发明说成是最棒的事呢? 这个问题也许就要留给老美了.  不过如果你要展现一下自己的创意和幽默感, 建议你可以'故意'把这句话说成, That's the best thing since the invention of space shuttle. (自从太空梭发明以来最棒的事.)
     
    3. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
        When you are at Rome, do as they do at Rome.
    入境随俗.

    在美国有一群特殊的美国人, 他们坚持用传统的方式生活, 自己耕种, 驾马车, 不用电, 不能拍照.  这群人就是 Amish. 也因为这样, 很多他们居住的地方现在却成了观光胜地.   听来很讽刺, 不是吗? 话说上次我去某个个 Amish 的市集买东西时, 看到很多的 Amish. 我好奇之下就问其中一个作 Amish 打扮的人说, Are you Amish? 结果你猜他怎么说? 他说, When in Rome, do as the Romans do. 天啊! 原来是个冒牌货! 所以大家下次不要再被骗了.

    从字面上的意思来看, When in Rome, do as the Romans do. 就是说当你在罗马的时候, 要表现的跟罗马人一样, 所以就有入境随俗的意思在内.   另外关于罗马还有一些很常听到的成语可以顺便记一下, Rome was not built in a day. (罗马不是一天造成的.) All roads lead to Rome. (条条大路通罗马.)
     
    4. The lesser of the two evils.
    二颗烂苹果中比较不烂的.

    记得我刚来美国时我都会把这句话照中文的字面意义下去直接翻译, 说成,  The better one of two rotten apples. 当然老美也是听得懂.   直到有一次我班上的同学纠正我说, 这句话应该是 The lesser of the two evils. 意谓著二恶相权取其轻. 说得再口语一点, 就是二颗烂苹果中比较不烂的意思吧!
     
    5. This is like chickens and eggs.
    这就像是倒底是先有鸡还是先有蛋的的道理.

    记得我在小学的时候我就会问, 鸡生蛋, 蛋生鸡, 那到底是先有鸡还是先有蛋.   这个问题到我现在念到博士班了还是不会.   所以看来这二十年是不是有点浪费了? 回到主题, 任何不知道时间先后的事情我们都可以用 chicken and eggs 来形容. 例如, 到底是有钱才去从政还是从政之后才有钱? This is like chickens and eggs.
     
    6. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.
    情人眼里出西施.

    这句话大家都不陌生吧! 要是看到某个美男和某个丑女走在一起, 你就可以深表婉惜地说, "Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder." 总之这是各人喜好, 我们也不便多说什么.  另外有一句成语, 一朵鲜花插在牛粪上, 我曾试著用 A flower in the bullshit 来诠释, 可惜似乎老美不太懂我在说些什么. 各位有什么更好的建议吗? 至于速配的话, 可以试试, Every Jack has its Jill.  (破锅自有烂盖配.) 或是 Let beggars match with beggars. (乞丐配乞丐)
     
    7. Practice makes perfect.
    熟能生巧.

    不但是音乐家也好, 运动员也好, 在他们的成长过程中, 总是需要不断的练习才能有完美的演出.  这就造就了一句成语, Practice makes perfect. 鼓励别人要不断地去尝试错误.   类似的成语例如 When at first you don't succeed, try try again. (如果一开始不成功的话, 要不断地尝试下次, 注意这里的 try try again 不是我多打了一个 try 而是老美真的是这样说的.),
     
    8. There is no such a thing as free lunch.
    天下没有白吃的午餐.

    这句成语太出名了, 似乎没有人不知道.   这也是经济学的理论基础吧! 天底下没有那么好的事情可以不劳而获.  总之, 当我们听到一件事情好到不可思议时, 例如一元手机, 免费上网, 我们就可以对别人说, There is no such a thing as free lunch.

    但是有规则就有例外, 个人觉得美国的教会或是救世军 (Salvation Army) 之类的慈善组织就蛮喜欢请大家吃免费的午餐.   例如他们有时会办一些免费的 BBQ, 随到随吃, 吃到饱为止, 完全打破了天下没有白吃的午餐这个规则.
     
    9. If you can't dazzle them with your brilliance, baffle them with your bullshit.
    如果你无法用你的才能无法说服别人, 就用你的废话迷惑别人吧!

    这也许是个不争的事实, 老美在数理的基础上也许不如我们东方人, 但他们在数据收集, 上台报告方面却硬是比我们强上一大截, 这或许也是外国人无法在美国站上主流社会的原因之一吧! 所以各位要记得, baffle others with your bullshit. 把三分的结果加上七分的 bullshit. 就能拿到一个十分的成绩.  或许很讽刺, 但现实生活不也是如此吗?

    还有一些类似摆烂的成语, 蛮有趣的, 例如, If everything else fails, manipulate the data. (如果所有的方法都失败了, 就试著去改变量据吧!) 或是 If at first you don't succeed, destroy all evidence that suggests you tried. (如果你不成功, 就把建议你这么作的所有证据都给毁了.)
     
    10. God is shining on you.
    你真是幸运.

    God is shining on you 就是指一个人非常幸运, 也就等于 You are very lucky 的意思. 例如大家修理一台机器都修不好, 结果你一来一下子就把问题给找出来, 别人就会对你说 God is shining on you.

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  • 常见口语释疑

    2008-2-25

         Take your time 是一个非常口语化的词组，指的就是你可以慢慢来，不用着急。

    当你请人帮忙，而对方又是个急惊风时，你就可以用上这句Take your time。

    　　或者是你正在学滑冰，连站都站不稳就想学倒溜，你的教练就会对你说：Take your time。

    　　talk until one is blue in the face.它的意思是“交谈到脸色都变了”，暗含的意思是说某人谈话谈个不停，一直到非常疲惫,但却没有达到应有的效果。

    　　朋友们可能观察到，当人们谈话谈得太多时，有时连呼吸都调整不过来，这时就有可能导致脸变色，所以当有人长时间的谈论过后，人们就会用“blue in the face”来描述他。

    　　Example 例句：

    　　Sally talked with that boy until she was blue in the face, but the boy still did what he wanted.

    　　Sally与那个男孩谈话谈到脸色都变了，但这男孩仍然我行我素。

    　　forward girl就是中文里说的很前卫很开放的女孩子。

    　　例如有人主张未婚同居,你很佩服她的勇气,你就可以说：

    　　She is a forward girl.

    　　forward也可以形容很积极很有野心的人。

    　　例如有人一心一意想要当上总经理,你就可以说：

    　　He is a forward person.

    　　Don't set your sights too high.

    　　刚来北京的时候，认识一个老外，谈着谈着谈到职业定位上，我那个时候工资很低，1600元一个月，我就跟老外说：

    　　I don't want to set my sights too high, I want to get established and then make a difference.

    　　我不想把自己眼界定得太高，我想先稳定下来后，再做改变。

    　　同样的例子有很多，妈妈对快嫁不出去女儿说，Don't set your sights too high!就是叫女儿，别再挑了吧！

    　　今年高考有人非北大、清华不念，你就可以跟他说，Get real！Don't set your sights too high. 认清现实吧!眼光不要放太高了。

    　　I am fixing to go out

    　　fix这个词在美国南方真的很常见，记得我第一次听到老外这么跟我说，是在我去宾馆接他的时候，我的直觉反应就是他正在修理什么东西，但实际上fix在这里的用法是正准备要出门的意思，也就相当于I am about to leave.

    　　同样这句话，举一反三，用在其他场合：

    　　I'm fixing to go to the cinema now.

    　　Jack is fixing to go to the swimming pool.

    　　The president is fixing to give a speech.

    　　是不是很实用？

    　　leave someone holding the bag

    　　意思是“让人代为负责收尾”。从字面上看，他的意思是说留下某人收拾包裹，所以很形象的比喻为“让某人做收尾工作”。需要注意的是这个片语中hold始终使用的是ing形式。

    　　例句：

    　　After having had dinner, my girlfriend always leaves me holding the bag. I must sweep the floor and wash the dishes.

    　　晚饭过后，我的女友总是让我做收尾工作。我必须拖地和洗碗。

    She is a big gossip.

    gossip指的就是八卦新闻，但它也可以拿来形容一个人很八卦。所以She is a big gossip.就是说她是个八卦夫人。

    或是你也可以说，She is gossipy.按中文讲意思是她是一个广播电台。这种说法在美国倒是不常见，反而是有另一种说法和这个意思很接近——She is an information bureau. 她是一个情报局。

    put on a brave face

    　　意思是“假装很勇敢”，put on是我们熟悉的片语，除了穿上衣服之类的意思外，还做“装出，假装”的意思。所以片语put on a brave face从字面上看就是装出一副勇敢的面孔。这个片语常用来表示作出表情，以不让别人看出他的懦弱尤其是不让别人看出他的痛苦或担忧等，所以也可以译为假装若无其事。

    　　例句：

    　　When I saw a snake winding to bushes, I was putting on a brave face, but actually I was quite scared.

    　　当看到一条蛇缠绕在灌木丛中时，我假装很勇敢，但实际上我很害怕。

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  • Idioms III – Some Other Idioms

    2008-1-28

    Idioms III – Some Other Idioms

    §           He’s the perfect person to take on this difficult job. He’s really hard-hearted person.

    §           We have to work for our money while the fat cats（有钱有势的人） in the city make for nothing.

    §           She’s obviously going to get a top job soon. She’s a real high flier（有抱负的人）.

    §           The product has been a great success. We’re doing a roaring trade（兴隆的生意） in it.

    §           Their accounts were completely phony they had been cooking the books（造假帐） for years.

    §           Well I’m not surprised they are in a mess. It’s not exactly earth-shattering news.

    §           He thinks he is really important but he is only early a big fish in a small pond.

    §           She’s an excellent manager. She runs a really tight ship.

    §           I bought them cheap and sold them for a lot. I really made a killing(突然赚得一大笔钱).

    §           He was forced to leave his job but he got a very generous golden handshake (退职金).

    §           The accountant had stolen a lot of money. He had his hand in the till(偷部门的钱) for years.

    §           He doesn’t look very impressive but he’s one of the big shots(大人物) in this industry.

    §           I’ve had enough. I’m going to hang up my hat and retire.

    §           You can make a lot of money selling this product. It’s real money-spinner(赚钱的东西).

    §           If you want to succeed in this business you need to always stay ahead of the pack.

    §           It’s hard doing business with her. She drives a hard bargain(在某事上极力讨价还价).

    §           He’s the only person who imports this product. He’s really cornered the market (monopoly).

    §           We’re both competing for the same business. Perhaps we can cut a deal to share it out?

    §           I wouldn’t trust him an inch. He’s definitely someone who is on the make(野心勃勃).

    §           Now that I’ve got a million pounds in savings I really feel I’ve made it(达到预定目标).

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  • Idioms II – Body Part Idioms

    2008-1-28

    Idioms II – Body Part Idioms

     

    I got some idioms on my last salon class, think they were interesting, so I’d like to share with you here.

     

    §           Let’s keep an eye on it anyway. (Watch carefully)

    §           I’m afraid I put my foot in it. (Said or did something stupid)

    §           You’ve got to hand it to him! (Admire his achievement)

    §           We need some kind of back-up plan. (Contingency)

    §           They’re asking an arm and a leg. (An unreasonable price)

    §           Let’s do a head count. (Check how many people)

    §           I’m up to me nose in work. (Very busy)

    §           Put your heart into it! (Put in more effort)

    §           You’ve got to keep your nose clean. (Keep out of trouble)

    §           Can I give you a hand? (Help)

    §           You’d better keep your ear to the ground. (Stay alert for some news)

    §           He got his hands dirty. (Become involved in something illegal)

    §           I’d give my right arm for that job! (Do anything for)

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  • Idioms I – Color Idioms

    2008-1-28

     

     

    I had some idioms on my last salon class, I’d like to share with you here.

     

     Color Idioms

    §           We have been given the green light by the banks. (go through)

    §           Green issues will have to be addressed if development continues in Jiangsu. (Important)

    §           The construction company ran out of money. The project is now just a white elephant. (not real)

    §           Our business practices have to be whiter than whiter otherwise the public just won’t trust us. (clean)

    §           We’d better roll out the red carpet for the Korean delegation. It’s a big deal.(do sth. Important)

    §           We’re in the red again; we’re going to need another short-term loan. (deficit)

    §           At least we’re in the black this month. That’ll get the banks off our back. (have money)

    §           The problem with trying to be a legitimate construction firm here is that everyone else is operating on the black economy. (bad)

    §           I only invest in blue chip shares; speculation isn’t worth the risk. (hard spot)

    §           He looked black and blue after the meeting the negotiations must have been really long and hard. (livid)

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  • 脱口而出的习惯用语II

    2008-1-11

    我老早就告诉过你了
    See I told you(so)


    那又怎样？
    So what?


    就指望你了
    I'm counting on you
    You're my only hope


    想想办法吧！（别老是坐在那里）
    Do something (about it).
    Don't just sit there.


    别装傻了
    Stop playing the food
    Don't act stupid


    你有何不满？
    Any complaints?
    Do you have anything to say?


    船到桥头自然直
    Thing will work out
    It will work out
    Everything will be fine


    (    小辫子)被抓到了
    you caught me


    我早就知道了
    I'm fully(well) aware of that
    You don't have to tell me
    I wasn't born yesterday


    你到底要说什么？
    Don't beat around the bush
    Get to the point
    What are you try to say?

    你以为你是谁？
    who do you think you are?

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  • 脱口而出的习惯用语I

    2008-1-11

    小事一桩
    That's a piece of cake
    That's as easy as pie!
    I can do it with my eyes closed


    请你客气点
    Who do you think you're talking to?
    Don't get fresh with me (get fresh with     大多用于母亲对孩子的斥责之时)


    等着瞧
    you'll see
    Time will tell


    多管闲事
    (It is) None of your business
    Mind your won business
    Who asked you?
    This has nothing to do with you


    别狗眼看人低
    Do I look like a fool?
    Who do you think I am?
    What kind of a fool do you take me for?


    不要告诉别人
    Don't tell anybody (about it)
    This is just between you and me
    This doesn't leave this room
    This is for your ears only


    当然
    you bet
    you know it
    you betcha


    你在开玩笑
    you are kidding(joking)
    you have got to be kidding(joking)
    Are you kidding(joking)


    没错,就是这样
    you got that right
    you wit the rail on the head

    世界真小
    It is a small world
    Small world!
    You never know whom you will bump into


    既然如此，你自己来吧
    Do it yourself ,then


    这才像话
    That is more like it


    太过分了
    That is going too far

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  • 英语国家生存英语精选

    2008-1-10

    你曾经因为一字之差而闹笑话吗？有哪些字是你刻骨铭心的惨痛经验？你觉得有哪些关键字汇让你顿足捶胸，或茅塞顿开？
        当考路的考官说“pull over”时，你是否会不知所措？有人邀请你参加“Potluck Party”时，你会不会空手赴宴？在速食店里，店员问“for　here　or　to　go?”你是否会丈二金刚摸不着头脑，莫名其妙？“Give　me　a　ring!”可不是用来求婚的。“Drop　me　a　line!”　更非要你排队站好。老美说“Hi!　What's up!”你可别说“I am fine!”你曾经闹过这些笑话吗？让我们来看看，这些字，你怎麽说？　 

        Potluck　Party：一种聚餐方式，主人准备场地和餐具，参加的人必须带一道菜或准备饮料，最好事先问问主人的意思
        Pull　over！把车子开到旁边。　 
        Drop　me　a　line！写封信给我。　 
        Give　me　a　ring.　=　Call　me！来个电话吧！　 
        For　here　or　to　go？堂食或外卖。　 
        Cool：That's　cool!　等於台湾年轻人常用的囗语“酷！”，表示不赖嘛！用于人或事均可。 
        What's　up?　=　What's　happening?　=　What's　new?　见面时随囗问候的话“最近在忙什么？有什么新鲜事吗？”一般的回答是“Nothing　much!”或“Nothing　new!” 
        Cut　it　out!　=　Knock　it　out！=　Stop　it!　少来这一套！同学之间开玩笑的话。 
        Don't　give　me　a　hard　time!　别跟我过不去好不好！　 
        Get　yourself　together!　振作点行不行！　
        Do　you　have　"the"　time?　现在几点钟？可别误以为人家要约你出去。　 
        Hang　in　there.　=　Don't　give　up.　=　Keep　trying.　再撑一下。　
        Give　me　a　break!　你饶了我吧！（开玩笑的话）　 
        Hang　on.　请稍候。　
        Blow　it.　=　Screw　up.　搞砸了。　 
        What　a　big　hassle.　真是个麻烦事。 (
      &