Improve Your Spoken English with Vague Language - English Speaking Lesson

英语口语 - 含糊语言

Hi, I’m Martin.

嗨，我是Martin。

Welcome to Oxford Online English!

欢迎来到Oxford Online English！

In this lesson, you can learn how to use vague language in English.

在本节课里，您可以学到怎么 使用英文的含糊说法。

What’s vague language, and why do you need it?

什么是含糊说法，为什么您需要它？

Here’s a question: do you ever feel like you can’t find the right word to express

这有一个问题：您是否曾经感觉像 是您不能找到正确的

what you want to say?

单词来表达您想要说的？

We’ve got good news!

我们有个好消息！

You don’t always need to find exactly the right word.

您不必总是要准确地 找正确的单词。

The word ‘vague’ means that something is not clear or detailed.

单词“vague”意思是某些事是 不清晰的或不是细节的。

In spoken, informal English, fluent speakers often use vague language.

在非正式英语口语里，流利的讲述者 通常使用含糊说法。

For example, if you ask me what I did yesterday, and I reply, “Just some stuff at home,”

例如，如果您问我昨天我做了什么， 我回答，“Just some stuff at home,”

that is a vague answer.

那就是一个含糊回答。

I’m not giving you details.

我不给您细节。

Using vague language will make your English sound more natural.

使用含糊说法会让您的 英语听上去更自然。

It will also make it easier to speak fluently, because you can communicate without needing

它也会让说得流利更容易， 因为您无需使用精确的词汇

to use precise vocabulary.

即可以沟通交流。

Don’t forget to check out our website to learn more about spoken English and how you

要学更多关于英语口语以及您怎么 可以说英语说得更好，

can speak better English.

不要忘记访问我们的网站。

Oxford Online English dot com.

Oxford Online English dot com.

You can also improve your English in online classes with one of our professional teachers.

您也可以与我们的一位专业老师 一起在网络课堂上提高英语。

But now, let’s look at how you can use vague language when you speak.

但是现在，让我们看看您怎么 在您讲话时使用含糊说法。

So, what are your plans for tomorrow?

那么，您明天的计划是什么？

First, I’m going into the city centre.

首先，我会去市中心。

I need to buy a shirt and some toothpaste, then at 10.30 I’m meeting William Bukowski

我要买一件衬衫和一些牙膏，然后 10:30在Gloucester广场的

for coffee at the café on Gloucester Square.

咖啡店和William Bukowski 会面喝咖啡。

What about you?

您呢？

I have to spend two hours working in the morning, then I’m meeting six old friends.

早上我要工作两个小时， 然后我会和6个老朋友会面。

We’re going to go for a drink, then to an Italian restaurant where they serve 44 different

我们会找地方喝一杯，然后去 一间提供44种不同

kinds of pizza.

披萨的意大利餐厅。

Really?

真的吗？

I love Italian food.

我喜欢意大利食物。

I especially like caprese salad, spaghetti vongole, pizza romana, ravioli, tiramisu,

我特别喜欢卡布里沙拉、蛤蜊面、罗马 披萨、意大利饺子、提拉米苏、

panna cotta…

意式奶冻…

Did that sound like a natural conversation to you?

对您来说，那听上去像 一个自然的对话吗？

Hopefully it didn't.

希望它不是。

Why do you think that is?

为什么您认为它是？

What made it sound slightly weird?

什么东西让它听上去有点奇怪？

The problem was that there was too much detail.

问题是有太多细节了。

If someone asks you an everyday question like “What are your plans for tomorrow?”, you

如果有人问您一个日常问题像是 “What are your plans for tomorrow?”，您

don’t need to give *every* detail of your plans.

不必给出您的计划里面的 *每一个* 细节。

This is where vague language can be useful.

这是含糊说法能派上用场的地方。

Vague language lets you avoid unnecessary detail, which allows you to express your ideas

含糊说法让您防止不必要的细节， 并让您表达您的

more efficiently.

想法更有效率。

Let’s see another version of this conversation.

我们看看对话的另一个版本。

This time, we’ll use vague language to avoid unnecessary detail.

这次，我们使用含糊说法来防止 不必要的细节。

So, what are your plans for tomorrow?

那么，您明天的计划是什么？

I’m going into the city centre to buy some stuff, then I’m meeting a friend for a coffee.

我会去市中心买些东西，然后我会 和一位朋友碰面喝咖啡。

You?

您呢？

I have to do some work in the morning, then I’m meeting a few old friends later.

早上我要做一些工作，然后 迟点我会和几位老朋友会面。

We’re going for a drink, then to an Italian restaurant where they have lots of different

我们会去喝一杯，然后去一间 有很多种披萨的

kinds of pizza.

意大利餐厅。

Really?

真的吗？

I love Italian food, especially the pasta.

我喜欢意大利食物，特别是面食。

I really like spaghetti vongole and things like that.

我真的喜欢蛤蜊面和一些 像那样的东西。

Here’s a question: can you remember all of the differences between the two dialogues?

这有一个问题：您能记得两个对话 之间的所有区别吗？

Let’s look at some of the language you heard.

我们看看一些您听到的说法。

First, the words ‘thing’ and ‘stuff’ are useful.

首先，单词“thing”和“stuff” 是有用的。

In the dialogue, you heard ‘I’m going into the city centre to buy some stuff’.

在对话里，您听到“I’m going into the city centre to buy some stuff”。

You can use thing or things to refer to an object or objects.

您可以用thing或things来指 一个物体或一些物体。

For example: ‘Give me that thing to clean the window.’

例如：“Give me that thing to clean the window.”

‘Don’t forget to take your things with you.’

“Don’t forget to take your things with you.”

You can also use stuff in a similar way.

您也可以一同样的方式来使用stuff。

Remember that stuff is uncountable.

记得stuff是不可数的。

For example: ‘We’re only going for two days, so we don’t need much stuff.’

例如：“‘We’re only going for two days, so we don’t need much stuff.”

‘Every time I move apartments, I throw loads of stuff away.’

“Every time I move apartments, I throw loads of stuff away.”

Both words, ‘thing’ and ‘stuff’, can also be used to talk about things you have

两个单词“thing”和“stuff”，也能 用于谈论您要做

to do.

的事情。

For example: ‘I have to go to that thing tonight.’

例如：“I have to go to that thing tonight.”

‘I have a lot of stuff to do next week.’

“I have a lot of stuff to do next week.”

You can also use vague language when talking about numbers.

在谈论数字时您也可以 使用含糊说法。

When talking about numbers or quantities, you can avoid unnecessary detail by using

在谈论数字和数量时，您可以 通过使用像是 lots of、

expressions like lots of, loads of, a few, a couple, and so on.

loads of、a few、a couple等等的表达 来避免不必要的细节。

For example, instead of saying ‘They sent me 34 emails yesterday.’

例如，要取代”They sent me 34 emails yesterday.“

You can say ‘They sent me loads of emails yesterday.’

您可以说”They sent me loads of emails yesterday.“

Instead of saying ‘I saw six of my old school friends last night.’

要取代”I saw six of my old school friends last night."

You can say ‘I saw a few of my old school friends last night.’

您可以说”I saw a few of my old school friends last night.“

And, instead of saying ‘I have to finish three more things, and then we can go.’

以及。要取代”I have to finish three more things, and then we can go.“

You can say ‘I have to finish a couple more things, and then we can go.’

您可以说”I have to finish a couple more things, and then we can go.“

In these cases, it’s more natural to avoid giving the exact number unless the number

在这些事例里，那是更自然去防止 给出准确的数字除非

is somehow important.

数字在某种程度上是重要的。

Finally, another way to use vague language is when shortening a list.

最后，另一种使用含糊说法的 方法是在缩短清单时。

Imagine that your friend just came back from vacation, and you ask, ‘What did you do?’

想像一下您的朋友刚度假回来， 您问，“What did you do?”

Your friend says ‘We went swimming in the sea, sunbathed on the beach, read books, ate

您的朋友说“‘We went swimming in the sea, sunbathed on the beach, read books, ate

in restaurants, took a surfing lesson, visited different villages, slept a lot, went for

in restaurants, took a surfing lesson, visited different villages, slept a lot, went for

a bike ride and spent one day sightseeing in the city.’

a bike ride and spent one day sightseeing in the city.”

That doesn’t sound good, right?

那听上去不好，对吗？

It sounds quite robotic.

那听上去很像机器人。

In informal speech, we usually shorten long lists by using a phrase on the end like: ‘…and

在非正式的发言里，我们经常在结尾用 一个短语来缩短长清单，像是：

that kind of thing’, ‘…and things like that’, ‘…and so on’, ‘…or something

“…and that kind of thing”、“…and things like that”、“…and so on”、“…or

like that’.

something like that”。

So, your friend might say ‘We went to the beach, did some sightseeing and things like

那么，您的朋友也许会说“We went to the beach, did some sightseeing and

that.’

things like that.”

This is more natural.

这是很自然的。

It’s also more polite in a way.

在某种程度上，那也是更礼貌。

When you say something like this, you’re giving some details but not every detail.

在您说某些像这样的事，您在给出 一些细节，但不是每一个细节。

This shows that you’re engaged in the conversation, but it also shows that you understand that

这显示出您参与了对话， 但是那也显示出您明白

the person you’re talking to probably doesn’t want to hear every single detail.

正在与您谈话的人可能 不想听所有单个细节。

Using vague language to avoid unnecessary details is common, but vague language also

使用含糊说法来防止不必要的细节是 常见的，但是含糊说法也

has other uses. Let's look.

有其他的用途。我们来看看。

How about going to the cinema tomorrow?

明天去影院怎么样？

Could do.

可以。

What were you thinking?

您怎样想的？

We could see that documentary about climbing in Yosemite.

我们可以看那个关于攀登 优美胜地的纪录片。

It looks really interesting.

那看上去真的很有趣。

I’m not interested in seeing that.

我对看那个不感兴趣。

I’d choose to watch something else, like that Japanese horror film everyone’s talking

我想选择去看些其他的，像是 每个人都在谈论的

about.

那个日本恐怖片。

I guess we could do that.

我觉得我们可以去。

What time should we meet?

我们要几点碰面？

Come to my place at four o’clock, then we can walk down together.

4点到我这，然后我们 可以一起走下去。

Alright.

好吧。

Of course, in some situations, vagueness is bad.

当然，在某些情况下， 含糊是不好的。

For example, if you have a contract or a legal document, it shouldn’t be vague!

例如，如果您有一个合同或 法律文件，它不能是含糊的！

In general, we prefer to avoid vagueness in writing.

一把来说，我们倾向在 书写上防止含糊。

However, in everyday speech, using vague, indirect language can help you to sound more

然而，在日常说话时，使用含糊、 非直接的说法能帮助您

polite.

听上去更有礼貌。

In this dialogue, I was direct.

在对话里，我是直接的。

This might be fine if you’re talking to someone you know well, but being so direct

这也许是好的，如果您在和一个您很了解 的人谈话，但是在另一种情形下

could seem rude in another situation.

太直接会被当做是粗鲁。

Let’s see how you could use vague language to sound more polite in the same situation.

我们看看在相同的情形下您怎样 使用含糊说法来让它听上去更有礼貌。

How about going to the cinema tomorrow?

明天去影院怎么样？

Could do.

可以啊。

What were you thinking?

您怎样想的？

We could see that documentary about climbing in Yosemite.

我们可以看那个关于攀登 优美胜地的纪录片。

It looks really interesting.

那看上去真的很有趣。

That’s not really my thing.

那个真的不适合我。

I’d kind of prefer to watch something else, like that Japanese horror film everyone’s

我比较喜欢看些其他的，像是 每个人都在谈论的

talking about.

那个日本恐怖片。

I guess we could do that.

我觉得我们可以去。

What time should we meet?

我们要几点碰面？

You could come to my place around four o’clock, then we can walk down together?

您可以在大约4点钟到我这， 然后我们可以一起走下去？

Alright.

好吧！

What changed?

有什么改变？

If you just look at the words, it’s almost the same, but nonetheless the tone is quite

如果您仅看单词，它几乎是相同的， 但是尽管如此，语气是

different.

十分不同的。

Here, Marie was more indirect.

这里，Marie是很不直接的。

Instead of saying ‘I’m not interested in seeing that’, she said ‘That’s not

她说“That’s not really my thing”来取代 “I’m not interested in seeing that”，

really my thing’ Instead of saying ‘I’d choose to watch

我说“I’d kind ofprefer to watch something else” 来取代

something else’, I said ‘I’d kind of prefer to watch something else’.

“I’d choose to watch something else”，

Instead of saying ‘Come to my place at four o’clock’, she said ‘You could come to

她说“You could come to my place around four o’clock”来取代

my place around four o’clock’.

“Come to my place at four o’clock”

Let’s see what’s happening here.

我们来看看这发生了什么事。

Imagine that a friend comes to your home.

想像一下一个朋友来您家。

You notice your friend looks cold, so you ask, ‘Shall I turn on the heater?’

您注意到您的朋友看上去有点冷， 所以您问“Shall I turn on the heater?”

Compare two answers: ‘Yes, please.

比较两个回答：“Yes, please.

It’s cold in here.’

It’s cold in here.”

‘Yes, please.

“Yes, please.

It’s kind of cold in here.’

It’s kind of cold in here.”

What’s the difference?

区别是什么？

The first answer sounds very direct, which could sound impolite.

第一个回答听上去很直接， 可能听起来不礼貌。

It sounds a bit like a criticism.

听起来有点像批评。

By using the phrase ‘kind of’, you make the second answer vaguer and therefore more

通过使用短语“kind of”，您让 第二个回答模糊了，因此

indirect.

比较不直接。

You can use the phrases ‘kind of’ or ‘sort of’ in this way.

您可以用这种方法来使用 短语“kind of”或“sort of”。

For example: ‘Can I have some milk?

例如：“Can I have some milk?

The food’s kind of spicy.’

The food’s kind of spicy.”

Here’s another example: ‘I kind of just want to stay in tonight.’

这有另一个例子：“I kind of just want to stay in tonight.”

Saying ‘I want to stay in tonight’ sounds direct.

说“I want to stay in tonight ”听上去是直接的。

Adding ‘kind of’ makes it sound softer.

添加“kind of”让它听上去更柔和一些。

You might also use this with times.

您也可以搭配时间使用这个。

For example, you can use the words ‘about’ or ‘around’ when arranging to meet someone,

例如，在安排与某人会面时，您可以 使用单词“about”或“around”。

especially if it’s a casual meeting.

特别是如果是一个非正式会议的话。

For example: ‘Let’s meet at four.’

例如：“Let’s meet at four.”

This is more direct, which could sound like an order.

这更直接，听上去像是一个命令。

‘Let’s meet at about four.’

“Let’s meet at about four.”

This is more indirect, so it sounds more like a suggestion.

这比较不直接，这样听上去 像是一个建议。

Of course, you don’t always want to use vague language.

当然，您不一定总是想用 含糊说法。

If your friend needs to be here by ten o’clock at the latest, then you shouldn’t say ‘Can

如果您的朋友最迟10点钟 要在这，那么您不能说“Can

you get here around ten?’

you get here around ten?”

But in other cases, using vague language will make you sound more indirect, which often

但是在其他的事例，使用含糊语言会让 您听上去比较不直接，

sounds more polite.

那听上去通常比较有礼貌。

Have you seen their apartment?

您看过他们的公寓吗？

It’s amazing!

那太惊奇了。

Who do you mean?

您说谁？

Julia and her husband, … Ah, you know, whatsisname…

Julia和她的先生， … 啊，您知道，他叫什么…

Can’t remember.

不记得了。

Anyway, you know them, right?

随便，您认识他们，对吧？

Vaguely.

依稀记得。

I haven’t been to their place.

我没去过他们那。

It’s incredible.

那是难以置信。

It’s like something out of a sci-fi film.

那像是科幻电影里面的东西。

They have that thing, you know…

他们有那东西，您知道…

I don’t know.

我不知道。

That whatchamacallit, I’ve never seen one before.

那个东西叫什么来着， 我之前从未见过。

I have no idea what you’re talking about.

我不知道您在谈什么。

Ah…

啊…

It has some weird name…

那有一些奇怪的名字…

It’ll come to me in a minute.

一分钟就会到我这。

Often, English learners speak about ‘native speakers’ as if native English speakers

通常，英语学习者谈论“母语人士”时， 认为好像母语为英语的人

are all-knowing, but that isn’t the case.

都知道那样，但事实并非如此。

No native speaker knows every word in English; people also forget words all the time.

没有任何英语母语人士能知道英语的 每一个单词；人们在任何时候都会忘词。

So what can you do if you can’t remember the word for something?

那么，如果您不记得某些事情 的单词，您可以做什么？

Vague language can be your friend!

含糊语言可以是您的朋友。

Take a look: ‘What does this thingy do?’

看一下： “What does this thingy do?”

‘You can use this little whatsit to take the back off your phone.’

“You can use this little whatsit to take the back off your phone.”

‘I found a little metal thingamajig in my desk drawer.

“I found a little metal thingamajig in my desk drawer.

No idea where it came from.’

No idea where it came from.”

Words like ‘thingy’, ‘whatsit’ or ‘thingamajig’ are not normally used in

像“thingy”, “whatsit”或“thingamajig” 的单词不常用

written English.

在书面英语。

You can use them when you’re speaking if you don’t know what something is called.

在您正在说某些您不知道某些 东西叫什么时，您可以使用它们。

You can also do this with people if you’ve forgotten someone’s name.

如果您忘记某些东西的名字， 您也可以这么做。

For example: ‘I’ve got a meeting with whatsisface from the ad company tomorrow.’

例如：“I’ve got a meeting with whatsisface from the ad company tomorrow.”

‘He’s moving in with whatsername—that girl he met at his friend’s wedding.’

“He’s moving in with whatsername—that girl he met at his friend’s wedding.”

'Whatsisface’ is a word made from the question ‘What is his face,’ which makes no sense,

“Whatsisface”是一个由问题“What is his face” 构成的单词，那是没意义的，

and it’s not really clear where it comes from.

真的不清楚它来自何处。

‘Whatsername’ is easier to understand: it’s made from the question ‘What is her

“Whatsername”是比较简单理解的： 它由问题“What is her

name?’

name?”

You can change the words to talk about men or women: ‘whatsisface’ or ‘whatserface’

您可以改变单词来谈论男士或女士： “whatsisface”或“whatserface”，

‘Whatsisname’ or ‘whatsername’.

“Whatsisname”或“whatsername”。

Again, these words cannot be used in written English!

同样，这些单词不能用于英语书写！

They’re also informal, so you shouldn’t use them unless you know the person you’re

它们也是非正式的，所以，除非您很熟 那个正在与您谈话的人，

talking to well.

否则您不能用它。

You should also never use these words directly to someone’s face.

您也永不能对着某人的脸 直接说这些单词。

You can’t say: ‘Hey, whatsisface!

您不能说：“Hey, whatsisface!

Good to see you, but I’ve forgotten your name.’

Good to see you, but I’ve forgotten your name.“

This does not sound good!

这听起来真的不是很好。

Could vague language be helpful for you when you’re speaking English?

在您说英语时，含糊说法 对您有用吗？

How do you think it could help?

您觉得它怎样能帮您？

Please share your ideas in the comments—can you think of anything we haven’t mentioned

请您分享您的想法在评论栏里 — 您能 想到任何在这个视频里

in this video?

我们没有提到的吗？

Thanks for watching!

感谢观看！

See you next time!

下次见！