零距离美语会话[文化风俗差异]Lesson1:Youmusthavebeenherea&

Unit 1   Differences in Culture and Customs

One    You must have been here a long time already.
你肯定在这里等了很久了。

 1   Introduction 
A   Being on time is considered good manners.  It’s not polite to be late for classes, meetings, or appointments.  When we do business with foreigners, make sure not to be late.  Foreigners keep punctual time.  Punctuality can greatly increase your credibility, too.
准时被看作是很有礼貌。上课、开会或者约会迟到是很不礼貌的。当我们和老外做生意时，务必不要迟到。外国人很守时。守时作风也可以大大地提高你的信誉度。

B  In America, it’s impolite to call someone’s home very early in the morning or very late at night unless there is an emergency.  For example, 8 A.M. is considered too early and 10 P.M. is considered too late.  Especially on weekends, many people like to stay up late and get up late.  So make sure not to disturb people who may be resting or sleeping.
在美国，除非有紧急情况，早上很早或者晚上很晚打电话到别人家是很不礼貌的。举例来说，早上八点就被认为是很早，晚上十点就被认为是很晚了。尤其在周末，许多人喜欢晚睡晚起。所以确定不要打扰他人休息或睡觉。

 2   Sample Sentences
1.  She was here a moment ago.
她刚才还在这。
2.  Don’t worry, your father will come back after a while.
别担心, 你爸爸一会就回来。
3.  The rent should be paid in advance.
房租要预先支付。
4.  We must hurry up if we want to be there on time.
如果想准时到那里的话，我们就必须动作快点。
5.  I wish I could stay here another month.
我真希望我还能在这里再呆一个月。
6.  I think I can have it done in a couple of hours.
我想几个小时之内我就可以做好。
7.  Do you rent the camera by the hour or by the day?
你的照相机出租是按小时算，还是按天数算？
8.  I was five minutes late for work this morning.
今天早上我上班迟到五分钟。
9.  Your watch is ten minutes ahead of time and you’re still late.
你的手表快了十分钟，而你还是迟到了。
10.  He always leaves work at six on the dot.  He won’t work an extra minute.        他六点钟总是准时下班。他不会多工作一分钟。

 3   Conversations1.
A Chinese girl is caught at the subway station by heavy rain.  She is supposed to meet her friend, Hans, in the lobby of the Garden Hotel at 11:00 A.M., but she doesn’t have a watch, so she decides to ask a man for the time.
Girl:  Excuse me, Sir, do you know what time it is?
Man:  Oh, it’s almost eleven twenty. 
Girl:  Thank you.
Man:  You’re welcome.  The rain is quite heavy, isn’t it?
Girl:  Yeah.  I was in a hurry and I forgot my umbrella today.
Man:  I have one.  We could share it.  Which way are you going?
Girl:  Oh, that’s very kind of you.  I am going to the Garden Hotel.
Man:  I am going there, too.  We can walk together.
Girl:  Sure.

Helpful Information: 
Time and weather is the topic that two strangers often begin a conversation. Usually people begin to know each other by this way. 
时间和天气，是两个陌生人之间常开始谈论的话题。人们通常是这样开始互相认识。
【译文】
——对不起，先生，你知道几点了吗？
——噢，快十一点二十分了。
——谢谢。
——没关系。这雨可下得真大，不是吗？
——是啊。今天我匆匆忙忙忘了带伞。
——我有伞，我们可以共用。你往哪边走？
——噢，那太好了。我去花园酒店。
——我也去那里。我们可以一起走。——当然。

2.  In the lobby. Hans:  Hi, Cindy.  I thought I’d missed you.
Girl:  Oh, I am very sorry, Hans.  Thank you for waiting for me.  You must have been here a long time already. 
Hans:  It’s all right.
Girl:  I was caught in the heavy rain, or I would have come earlier.  I am sorry I kept you waiting.
Hans:  I was in a comfortable place, so really, it’s no problem.  I am happy to see you.  Did the rain hold you up1 long?
Girl:  Yes.  When I came out of the subway, it was raining cats and dogs. And I forgot my umbrella. So I had to wait for the rain to let up2.
Hans:   I totally understand.

《零距离美语会话[文化风俗差异]Lesson1:Youmusthavebeenherea&》永久阅读地址: http://91kudian.com/yingyu/2019/