VOA慢速英语2019 “当然”到底是Certainly 还是Of Course?

Certainly or Of Course?

Today we answer a question from Alan in China. He writes:

今天我们来回答来自中国的艾伦一个问题。他写道 

“I ... know that people always say ‘Certainly!’ or ‘Of course’… So what’s the difference? Thank you!” – Alan

我们总能听到人们说Certainly!’ 或者 ‘Of course’（当然），那么这两者之间有什么区别呢? 感谢作答！——艾伦

Dear Alan,

亲爱的艾伦 

Thank you for writing to us.

感谢你的来信。 

The expressions “certainly” and “of course” are similar in meaning.What is different is how you use them and with whom.

“certainly” 和“of course”在意思上是相似的。不同的是你怎样使用它们，以及和什么搭配使用。 

By definition¹, the word “certainly" means² that you know something for sure.

根据定义，“certainly”意味着你对某事是肯定的。 

This is the more formal, or official-sounding, of the two words.In a world that is becoming more socially informal³, you are less likely to use the word “certainly.” But here is an example:

这是两个词中比较正式或听起来比较正式的一个。在这个用词越来越不正式的世界里，你越来越不太可能使用这个词。举个例子

You are in a meeting with your supervisor⁴ at work.She says to you, “Do you think you can have your report ready by next Friday?”

你正在和你的上司开会。她对你说，你认为你能在下周五之前准备好你的报告吗? 

You may answer: “Yes, certainly. It will be ready by then.”

你可以回答:当然可以（certainly）。到时候肯定一切就绪。 

There is no question in your mind the report will be ready!

这意味着你毫无疑问的肯定能在那之前准备好报告。 

Now we turn to the term “of course.”

现在我们来看看术语“of course.”。 

It is defined⁵ this way: “used informally⁶ to give permission or say yes in a way that shows you are very certain”

它的定义是这样的:用来非正式地表示允许或同意，表示你非常确定 

You are more likely to use “of course” when speaking with friends.

你更有可能在你和朋友聊天时用到这个词。 

For example, your friend Tom asks:

例如，你的朋友汤姆问 

“Do you want to go to the party with me Saturday night?”

星期六晚上你想和我一起去参加晚会吗? 

You may answer:

你可能这样回答 

“Of course! I’d love to go, sounds fun!”

当然!（Of course）我很想去，听起来很有趣! 

Other, similar words you can use are “sure” and “alright.”

你还可以使用其他类似的词，如sure和okay。 

“Sure” leaves no question in anyone’s mind.

“sure”意为双方对此都毫无疑问。 

Let’s go to the beach for the weekend!

我们周末去海滩吧 

Sure, that would be great!

当然，那太好了 

The words “all right” mean that you agree with what someone said.The difference is you can use this term if you are not happy about it.

all right这个词的意思是你同意某人所说的话。区别在于，如果你要表达不满的话，你就可以使用它。

Here is an example:

这里有一个例子 

Can you help me finish my work?

你能帮我完成我的工作吗？ 

All right, but only for an hour.

好吧，但我只有一个小时时间。 

You can use it like the term ok.

它在这里的用处和OK差不多。 

And That’s Ask a Teacher!

这就是今天的请教老师。 

1 definition   

n.定义；限定，确定；清晰度

参考例句：

• The book attempts a definition of his role in world politics.该书要阐明的是他在世界政局中的作用。
• I made a definition for this word.我给这个字下了定义。

2 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。

3 informal   

adj.非正式的，不拘礼的，通俗的

参考例句：

• I got an informal reception.我受到了非正式接待。
• The leaders met over informal lunches.领袖们在非正式午餐时进行会晤。

4 supervisor   

n.监督人，管理人，检查员，督学，主管，导师

参考例句：

• Between you and me I think that new supervisor is a twit.我们私下说，我认为新来的主管人是一个傻瓜。
• He said I was too flighty to be a good supervisor.他说我太轻浮不能成为一名好的管理员。

5 defined   

adj 定义的; 清晰的

参考例句：

• These categories are not well defined. 这些类别划分得不太明确。
• The powers of a judge are defined by law. 法官的权限是由法律规定的。

6 informally   

adv.非正式地；不拘礼节地；通俗地

参考例句：

• You will have a chance to circulate and chat informally. 你们会有机会四处走动一下，互相聊聊。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The senator addressed the gathering informally. 那位参议员非正式地向与会者发表演说。 来自《简明英汉词典》