流行美语 (Popular American) 283

Larry答应去跟小燕的父母一起吃晚饭，但是心里觉得很不自在，担心他们觉得自己是在跟小燕谈恋爱。今天我们要学两个常用语：take something the wrong way和rush into something.

(Door knocking).

LL: Just a minute!

XY: (Door opening) Hey Larry! 我能进来吗？

LL: Sure...so how are things? Are you enjoying your new car?

XY: 这辆车开起来过瘾极了，我父母觉得我买的车太贵，可我觉得，物有所值，好车开起来简直就是一种享受。

LL: That's great, Xiaoyan! Hey, do you mind if I ask you a question? Don't take this the wrong way, but....

XY: 你说什么？什么wrong way。

LL: Oh. Well, 'take something the wrong way' means¹ to misunderstand what another person says, and it makes them think that something is wrong, but it really isn't.

XY: 我知道了，take something the wrong way就是误解别人的意思。你说吧，我听着，保证不会误解你的意思。I won't take it the wrong way.

LL: Honestly... I don't know if I want to meet your family tonight.

XY: 什么？不是都说好了吗？你要打退堂鼓？你是害怕我父母？还是压根儿就不喜欢我？

LL: Ah, see? I was afraid that you would take this the wrong way...

XY: 你不把话说清楚，别人当然会误解。那你倒是说说看，你的理由是什么！

LL: I'm not sure if it's such a good idea. It might imply²...

XY: 暗示？有什么好暗示的，不就是吃顿便饭嘛。我父母在商界熟人多，我觉得对你今后发展有好处。这难道有什么不对吗？

LL: I still think you're taking this the wrong way. Meeting your parents is a significant³ step. They may also take this the wrong way.

XY: 你担心我父母误会？ Don't take THIS the wrong way, 可你怎么越说我越糊涂啊。

LL: (Sigh) Perhaps I'm just thinking too much about this.

XY: 就是嘛，你真的没什么可担心的。我父母特别想见你。

LL: Ok, then. I'm ready. How do I look?

XY: 简直帅呆了。我们走吧！

******

(在车上)

XY: 我父母可能会问你一些问题，你得事先想好怎么回答。

LL: Oh? And what kind of questions do they plan on asking? Professional⁴? Personal?

XY: 其实也没有那么严重，无非是问问你的工作和生活情况，还有我们两人今后的打算。

LL: Oh, that's not too - WHAT? OUR future plans? Are you serious?

XY: 你也不用告诉他们特别具体的计划，随便说说就行了。

LL: Ok. Wow. Xiaoyan, can we pull over for a minute? I think we need to have a talk. Here's a spot - you can pull in there.

XY: 你干嘛让我赶快停车啊，你要上洗手间吗？那你可得快点，我父母最不喜欢别人迟到了。

LL: Our future plans? Our future plans? What are you talking about? This is something that I have not considered.

XY: 你今后没有打算吗？我们今后的道路还远着呢，当然得好好规划一下。不过没关系，我可以帮你解释。

LL: Don't you think we're rushing into things?

XY: Rush? 我们要是不赶紧上路，我就真得一路飞奔，才能不晚了。

LL: No. I was talking about the relationship. When people 'rush into things' in a relationship, they advance or push the levels of seriousness in the relationship too quickly - too early.

XY: 你是说我们的关系发展得太快了吗？我又没说马上就嫁给你。

LL: Wow. That's REALLY rushing into things, Xiaoyan! I'm talking about meeting your parents. I have been trying to tell you that I don't feel comfortable meeting your parents because we are not dating. We are just friends.

XY: 朋友也可以一起吃饭啊，跟朋友的父母吃顿饭有什么大不了的吗？

LL: I just don't think I'm ready to meet your parents. I don't want to make them think that we are in a romantic⁵ relationship.

XY: 你不愿意让他们知道？好，那我们就不谈今后的打算。这总行了吧。你别那么紧张，放松一点，我父母特别随和，晚饭一定会很愉快的。不过啊，我们可真得赶紧走了。

LL: (Reluctantly) Ok...

我们今天学习了两个常用语。一个是take something the wrong way, 是误解别人的意思。另一个是rush into something, 意思是进展太急。

1 means   

n.方法，手段，折中点，物质财富

参考例句：

• That man used artful means to find out secrets.那人使用狡猾的手段获取机密。
• We must get it done by some means or other.我们总得想办法把它干完。

2 imply   

vt.暗示；意味着

参考例句：

• Cheerfulness doesn't always imply happiness.快活并不总是意味着幸福。
• What did she imply in her words?她的话意味着什么？

3 significant   

adj.相当数量的；意义重大的；意味深长的

参考例句：

• Your success today may be significant for your whole future.你今天的成功对你的整个未来可能是重要的。
• She cast him a significant smile.她向他投去意味深长的一笑。

4 professional   

adj.专业的；职业的；n.专业人员；职业运动员

参考例句：

• He is a professional tennis player.他是一名职业网球运动员。
• I need a professional to sort out my finances.我需要专业人士为我管理财务。

5 romantic   

adj.浪漫的，风流的，传奇性的，夸大的，想象的，浪漫派的

参考例句：

• She thinks it will be romantic to be an actress.她认为当个女演员会很浪漫。
• Her husband is very romantic.她丈夫非常浪漫。