在美國住久了,你會發(fā)現(xiàn)有些很簡單的詞組或句子,表達的卻并非字面上的意思。如果理解不到位,往往會鬧出笑話。比如有這么兩個看似簡單的說法:
1.Tell me about it?。ㄗ置嬉馑迹嚎旄嬖V我是怎么回事?。?/p>
2.What else isn ew?(字面意思:還有什么新的嗎?)
其實,以上兩句如果放到對話中,所表達的含義會與字面意思有很大不同。那么,這兩句到底是什么意思呢?讓我們舉幾個例子:
Tell me about it!
A:Do you know under the newly reformed tax plan, the rich people actually pay less tax?
你知道嗎?如果實行改革后的新稅務計劃,富人交納的稅反而會更少。
B: Yeah, tell me about it! My neighbor is a millionaire and he told me that his tax rate would be reduced by fifty percent.
可不是嗎?我的鄰居是個百萬富翁。他告訴我,他的交稅比例將降低50%。
在這里,"tell me about it" 不是要求對方細說,而是表示一種附和,還帶有驚訝的成分。再比如:
A: Under such harsh economic downturns, working class can hardly make ends meet.
經(jīng)濟下滑這么厲害,工薪階層快要揭不開鍋了。
B: Tell me about it! In my family alone two people got laid off. I don't know how I can make the mortgage payment this month.
可不是嗎?光我們家下崗的就有倆,我還不知道這個月怎么付房貸呢。
What else is new?
A:Hey, do you know the new governor is going to cut the funding for education?
嘿,你聽說了嗎?新州長要削減教育經(jīng)費呢!
B: What else is new? We all know he represents big businesses. Education is not his top priority.
那有什么稀奇的?我們早就知道他一向代表大公司的利益,教育不是他最關心的事。
在這里,What else is new表示,這種結局是預料之中的事,不算什么新聞。所以,根據(jù)上下文,也可譯為“這算不上什么新聞”。再比如:
A:Yesterday my daughter gave me a gift wish list for her 15th birthday. Among other things she asks for a lap-top computer!
昨天,我女兒給我開了一個單子,列舉了她15歲生日想要的禮物。其中竟然有一臺便攜式電腦!
B: What else is new? At least she hasn't asked for a car. Wait till next year!
那有什么稀奇的?她至少沒讓你送她一輛車。明年你等著瞧吧!
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(來源:傳神社區(qū),英語點津編輯)