CRAZY secret code of native English speakers!

Hello everyone, today we're diving into the mysterious world of

大家好，今天我们要深入了解

British politeness or indirectness.

英国礼貌或间接 的神秘世界

Where what we say isn't always what we mean.

。 我们所说的并不总是我们的意思。

So, if you've ever found yourself scratching your head trying to

因此，如果您发现自己绞尽脑汁试图

decode a Brit's true intentions, you're in the right place.

解读英国人的真实意图，那么您来对地方了。

First up, Hi, how are you?

首先，嗨，你好吗？

Now, you might think this is a genuine question about your well being, but let

现在，您可能认为这是一个关乎您健康的真正问题，但让

me tell you, it's really just a greeting.

我告诉您，这实际上只是一个问候。

We are just being polite and usually expect a simple, good thanks in return.

我们只是出于礼貌，通常期望得到简单而良好的感谢回报。

Hi, how are you?

你好你好吗？

I'm good, thanks.

我很好谢谢。

In essence, hi, how are you is not an invitation to

从本质上讲，“嗨，你好吗”并不是在邀请你

unpack your emotional baggage.

卸下情感包袱。

We Right there and then.

我们就在那里。

If you start diving into how your cats on hunger strike and your landlords

如果你开始深入研究你的猫是如何绝食抗议的，以及你的房东

turned passive aggressive, you're breaking the unwritten rule of greetings.

是如何变得消极攻击的，那么你就违反了不成文的问候规则。

It's just what you do to get to the next step of any social interaction.

这正是您为进入任何社交互动的下一步所做的事情。

Another common answer to, hi, how are you, is I'm fine, thanks.

另一个常见的回答是“嗨，你好吗”，“我很好，谢谢”。

Hi, how are you?

你好你好吗？

I'm fine, thanks.

我很好，谢谢。

I'm fine is a go to response, almost like a reflex.

“我很好”是一种回应，几乎就像一种条件反射。

But does anyone ever sound truly happy saying it?

但有人真的很高兴地说这句话吗？

I'm fine.

我很好。

I'm fine often just means I'm fine.

我很好，通常就意味着我很好。

I'm managing to survive, thank you very much.

我能活下来，非常感谢。

So let's quickly practice now.

那么我们现在就快速练习一下吧。

I'm going to ask you, how are you, and I want you to give me a very basic,

我要问你，你好吗，我希望你给我一个非常基本、

simple, and relatively positive response.

简单、相对积极的回答。

Ready?

准备好？

Hi!

How are you?

你好！

你好吗？

You've got it.

你已经明白了。

Ever heard someone say, we should grab a coffee some time?

有没有听过有人说，我们应该找个时间喝杯咖啡？

Let's meet up soon.

我们很快见面吧。

And the classic response, Let's do that.

经典的回应是，我们就这么做吧。

Well, spoiler alert, there is a good chance that coffee is never happening.

好吧，剧透警告，很有可能咖啡永远不会出现。

We should grab a coffee sometime.

我们应该找个时间喝杯咖啡。

Let's do that.

让我们这样做吧。

This again is just a polite way of interacting with someone.

这又只是与某人互动的一种礼貌方式。

It's usually a good way to leave and break up the interaction.

这通常是离开并结束互动的好方法。

Oh, I've got to go, but we should grab a coffee sometime.

哦，我得走了，但我们应该找个时间喝杯咖啡。

It says to them that you're interested and you do like them, so it stays

它告诉他们你有兴趣并且你确实喜欢他们，所以它保持

positive, but that you have to go right now, but there's no commitment there.

积极的态度，但你必须现在就走，但那里没有任何承诺。

There's no I'll call you and let's arrange a date or next Friday.

没有，我会打电话给你，让我们安排一个约会，或者下周五。

I'm free.

我自由了。

Let's go out for drinks.

我们出去喝酒吧。

There's no real Intention.

没有真正的意图。

It's just a politeness.

这只是一种礼貌。

We should get together sometime.

我们应该找个时间聚聚一下。

Yeah, sure.

好，当然。

Let's do that So if someone says that to you don't take it too seriously But

让我们这样做吧所以如果有人对你这么说，不要太当真但是

what about when someone says do you want to go for a drink here be warned?

当有人说你想去这里喝一杯时要注意什么吗？

That this is never just about one drink.

这不仅仅是一杯饮料。

If you say yes To going out for a drink.

如果你说“是”，就出去喝一杯。

You might as well clear your evening schedule.

你不妨清理一下晚上的日程。

Now, let's dive deeper into the art of British politeness.

现在，让我们更深入地了解英国人的礼貌艺术。

First up, the classic.

首先，经典。

No offence but, or the more formal version, with all due respect.

无意冒犯，但是，或更正式的版本，恕我直言。

These phrases are like warning beacons.

这些短语就像警告灯塔。

What comes next is likely not going to be entirely pleasant.

接下来发生的事情可能不会完全令人愉快。

No offence, but your presentation might need a little bit of work.

无意冒犯，但你的演示可能需要一些改进。

Did you catch that?

你明白了吗？

It starts with a polite preface, but it's a soft setup for something rather blunt.

它以礼貌的序言开始，但对于一些相当直率的东西来说，这是一个柔和的设置。

This approach here is a masterclass in the art of saying Maybe give it another go.

这里的这种方法是“也许再试一次”艺术的大师班。

While also trying to preserve the other person's ego, as if it's a

同时也试图保护对方的自我，就好像它是一块

fragile piece of crystal glass.

易碎的水晶玻璃。

Of course, this phrase can be used jokingly, or in a sarcastic way, and yes,

当然，这句话可以用来开玩笑，也可以用来讽刺，是的，

we British love a little bit of sarcasm.

我们英国人喜欢一点讽刺。

For example,

例如，

and someone hands you a hamburger that looks like it's been on

有人递给你一个汉堡，看起来好像已经在

one flame for a whole day.

一个火焰上燃烧了一整天。

Now, instead of just admitting it's burnt beyond recognition, you lean in

现在，你不再只是承认它被烧得面目全非，而是靠过来

and whisper, No offence, but this burger might need a little bit of ketchup.

低声说，无意冒犯，但这个汉堡可能需要一点番茄酱。

What about the more formal version?

那么更正式的版本呢？

With all due respect.

恕我直言。

With all due respect, I believe that this strategy may lead us

恕我直言，我相信这一战略可能会让我们

away from our main objectives.

偏离我们的主要目标。

Have we considered the risks associated with this approach?

我们是否考虑过与这种方法相关的风险？

When someone starts a sentence with with all due respect, it's the

当某人以应有的尊重开始一句话时，这相当于

corporate equivalent of Brace yourself, I'm about to disagree with you.

公司的“自我保护”，我即将不同意你的观点。

It's like putting on a velvet glove before delivering a slap.

这就像在打耳光之前戴上天鹅绒手套一样。

The use of, I believe this strategy might lead us away from our main

我相信这种策略的使用可能会让我们偏离我们的主要

objectives, is a polite way of saying, Are you using a map or just wandering

目标，这是一种礼貌的说法，你是在使用地图还是只是四处闲逛，

around hoping to bump into success?

希望能碰上成功？

It's a way of subtly pointing out that the current strategy could be as misguided as

这是巧妙地指出当前策略可能会被误导，就像

using a compass in a room full of magnets.

在充满磁铁的房间里使用指南针一样。

Then comes the final blow.

然后是最后一击。

Have we considered the potential risks associated with this approach?

我们是否考虑过与这种方法相关的潜在风险？

Here, Bob is essentially asking if everyone else Sees the iceberg he's

在这里，鲍勃本质上是在问其他人是否看到了他正在盯着的冰山

staring at, or if they're all too busy rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.

，或者他们是否都忙于重新布置泰坦尼克号上的躺椅。

It's a tactful reminder to everyone that ignoring the risks

这巧妙地提醒大家，忽视风险

doesn't make them disappear.

并不会让风险消失。

It just makes the surprise bigger.

这只会让惊喜变得更大。

So, in the grand tradition of office diplomacy, Bob is not just

因此，按照办公室外交的伟大传统，鲍勃不仅仅是

expressing concern, he's trying to steer the ship away from disaster,

表达担忧，他还试图让这艘船远离灾难，

all while making sure he doesn't get thrown overboard for mutiny.

同时确保他不会因为叛变而被扔下海。

And all of this is disguised in the gentle phrase, with all due respect.

所有这一切都隐藏在这句温柔的话语中，充满了应有的尊重。

Which might as well mean, please don't fire me.

这也可能意味着，请不要解雇我。

But, moving on, let's consider the phrase, no worries, it's probably my fault.

但是，继续，让我们考虑一下这句话，不用担心，这可能是我的错。

It's a masterclass in deflection and politeness.

这是偏转和礼貌方面的大师班。

Even when we know it's not our fault.

即使我们知道这不是我们的错。

It's our way of smoothing over a situation, maintaining harmony.

这是我们缓和局势、保持和谐的方式。

Without pointing fingers.

无需指指点点。

I'm so sorry.

我很抱歉。

Oh, no worries.

哦，不用担心。

It's probably my fault.

这可能是我的错。

See that smile?

看到那个笑容了吗？

It's strained.

很紧张。

It's tight.

很紧。

Classic British keep calm and carry on.

经典的英国人保持冷静并继续前进。

We're essentially saying let's not make a fuss.

我们本质上是说我们不要大惊小怪。

even though inside I'm fuming.

尽管我内心很生气。

This level of politeness can be confusing to outsiders as it mixes

这种程度的礼貌可能会让外人感到困惑，因为它混合了

genuine courtesy with a touch of indirect blame or self deprecation.

真诚的礼貌和间接的责备或自嘲。

It's all about maintaining that stiff upper lip, keeping the peace

这一切都是为了保持坚忍不拔、保持和平

and moving on without conflict.

并在没有冲突的情况下继续前进。

Moving on to maybe we could, yeah, followed by I'll let you know.

接下来也许我们可以，是的，然后我会让你知道。

I'm not really interested, but I don't want to hurt your

我并不是很感兴趣，但我不想

feelings by saying no directly.

直接拒绝而伤害你的感情。

Do you want to go out on Friday night?

周五晚上你想出去吗？

Maybe we could, yeah.

也许我们可以，是的。

I'll let you know.

我会告诉你。

Next, when we start a sentence with I'm afraid.

接下来，当我们以“我害怕”开始一个句子时。

This is our gentle opener for letting someone down.

这是我们让某人失望的温和开场白。

If you hear this, brace yourself for bad news.

如果你听到这个消息，请做好迎接坏消息的准备。

I'm afraid we've run out of the fish of the day.

恐怕今天的鱼已经吃完了。

I'm terribly sorry.

我非常抱歉。

The word sorry can mean anything from genuinely apologising to just trying to

“抱歉”这个词的意思可以是任何意思，从真诚的道歉到只是想

get past you in a crowded tube station.

在拥挤的地铁站里超越你。

Sorry.

对不起。

Sorry.

对不起。

Sorry.

对不起。

I'm sorry.

对不起。

Sorry.

对不起。

Not bad.

不错。

Might sound a bit lukewarm, but for us, it's actually quite positive.

听起来可能有点冷淡，但对我们来说，这实际上是相当积极的。

It's the British way of saying things are going pretty well

这是英国人表达“事情进展顺利”的说法，

without sounding too boastful.

但又不会显得太自夸。

I've just won 100!

我刚刚赢了100！

Not bad!

不错！

And whenever you answer, I'll think about it.

每当你回答时，我都会考虑一下。

To an invitation or request, let me be clear, this is never

对于邀请或请求，请让我明确一点，这永远不会

making it on our to do list.

出现在我们的待办事项清单上。

I'm hosting a games night at my house on Tuesday.

周二我将在家里举办一场游戏之夜。

You have to come.

你一定要来。

Oh, let me think about it.

哦，让我考虑一下。

I'll let you know.

我会告诉你。

We are not going to think about it.

我们不会考虑它。

We're not interested.

我们不感兴趣。

But you don't want to hurt someone's feelings, so you say, I'll think about it.

但你不想伤害别人的感情，所以你说，我会考虑一下。

So, there you have it, a little guide to deciphering the true meanings

所以，这就是一个解读

behind what we British folks say.

我们英国人所说的真正含义的小指南。

Now, if you've had any experience of miscommunication, of hearing something but

现在，如果您有过任何沟通不畅的经历，或者

knowing they mean something else within an English conversation, let me know.

在英语对话中听到一些内容但知道它们意味着其他内容，请告诉我。

Please tell me all about it in the comments section.

请在评论部分告诉我一切。

And if you'd like more practice of interacting in English, then consider

如果您想更多地练习英语互动，那么可以考虑

becoming a member of my award winning Conversation Club, where you get

成为我屡获殊荣的对话俱乐部的会员，在这里您可以

access to resources for speaking, listening, reading, and writing,

访问口语、听力、阅读和写作的资源，而

all for a very low monthly fee.

所有这些都只需支付非常低的月费。

Check out the Conversation Club by clicking on the link in the description.

单击说明中的链接查看对话俱乐部。

Until next time, take very good care, and goodbye!

下次一定要好好照顾，再见！