新年假期將到,自然少不了各種聚會。你是不是已經忙著穿梭其中,變成一個名副其實的party animal呢?今天就帶你盤點一下英語學習過程中,歪果仁常用的表達,給你的聚會添點洋氣。
說明:下文對話中H=Host,G=Guest
1. 邀請客人
H: Hi, Stella. How’s everything going?
G: Quite good. What about you?
H: Terrific! You see, John and me have just moved to a new house. We are throwing a house-warming party this evening. Would you like to come?
G: Of course I’ll come. I won’t miss it for the world!
H: That’ll be great!
Throw a party就是“舉辦派對”的意思,house-warming party可以翻譯為“暖房派對”,通常在搬進新居后舉行。歪果仁非常喜歡party,其名目也很多,最常見的當然是birthday party啦,其他比較有代表性的有bachelor party(單身派對),baby shower(寶寶派對),farewell party(歡送會),potluck party(家庭聚餐會)等等,以及各種特定主題的派對,例如Stella-dear party,就是為親愛的Stella舉辦的一個特別的派對。Won’t miss it for the world直譯為“寧愿放棄全世界也不會錯過你的派對”,可見情比金堅。
2. 詢問信息
G: Who else is going to be there?
H: I’m inviting you, my sister, and several friends from work and school.
G: Your sister? She is such a party animal. She parties really hard.
H: Yeah. So you needn’t worry sitting there by yourself.
G: Exactly! I really hate to be a wallflower again. It’s so awkward!
H: Believe me, it won’t happen.
去別人家參加聚會可以事先問一下相關信息,例如有哪些人會參加,需要做何準備等等。對話中使用的party animal特指那些“聚會狂”,逢場必到。而wallflower可譯為“壁花”,指那些在社交場合因羞澀而受冷落的人。
3. 抵達會場
G: This is a very nice place. You are such a lucky dog!
H: Glad you like it. Come on in! Can I take your coat?
G: Sure, thanks. Should I take my shoes off?
H: Whatever you prefer. Make yourself at home!
G: Thanks! And meet my date Sherlock Homes!
H: Sherlock as always.
到主人家做客,見面時會有一些寒暄。既然是參加“暖房派對”,可以簡單就新房子說幾句溢美之詞。要注意lucky dog要翻譯成“幸運兒”,而不是“幸運狗”。Make yourself at home是主人常說的話,意在讓客人不要拘束,像在自己家里一樣。Date在此指陪自己參加派對的人,多是男(女)朋友。
4. 聚會交際
G1: May I have this dance?
G2: I’d love to.
G1: You are a good dancer. Are you a professional?
G2: Just one of my hobbies. You see, dancing is part of my life. It always makes me feel pleased and relieved,like the saying goes: When you’re tangled, tango on.
G1: I think I have heard it before. Where does it come from?
G2: Scent of a Woman.
G1: Yeah, that’s it!
派對也是meeting new people的絕佳場所,難免會有人主動來搭訕,聊天或者跳舞。Professional在此做名詞,指“專業人士”。When you’re tangled, tango on.這句話出自電影《聞香識女人》,be tangled含義是“陷入困境”,tango即我們熟悉的“探戈”,所以這句話的意思是:即使身處困境,也到跳著舞向前。Beautiful, isn’t it?
5. 會后告別
G: Thanks for everything. What a nice party!
H: Thank you. I'm so glad you could make it.
G: Say hello to your friends for me.
H: Likewise. Take care! See you later!
G: Thanks. Bye!
I'm so glad you could make it含義為“很高興你能來”,likewise本意是“同樣的”,用在此可以解釋為“請也代我向你的朋友問好”。