國立教育廣播電臺

Hope:

How’s everything, Joey?

Joey:

Not bad. What about you, Hope?

Hope:

Just fine. So, anything new in the office this week?

Joey:

Let’s see. Nothing much. But I do have one thing to ask you.

Hope:

Oh? What?

Joey:

Well, this Wednesday, I was asked to attend a 研討會with our supervisor, Lisa. You know what,

包括主講人and 來賓們, they all speak English. You know全都講英文! That was a challenge to me. 太挑戰我了!

Hope:

Wow, a seminar that was a good chance for you to sharpen your English.

You know, you could not only listen to the keynote speaker speaking English but also communicate with the guests there in English as well.

Joey:

Oh, 對, 是這樣說沒錯啦. At the 研討會seminar, the keynote speaker主講人 shared a lot about how he comes up with creative ideas, and the guests 來賓 also 不吝嗇shared their tips.

Hope:

That was really good and I bet those ideas are useful to you, too. So, what seems to be the problem?

Joey:

Yes, I learned a lot from those good ideas. But here is the thing. After the seminar,

there was a lunch break. Some guests invited me to visit their workplaces in the US , the UK and Australia.

Hope:

Wow, that was great, wasn’t it?

Joey:

Well, I really want to go, but it seems quite impossible for me. I have to 拒絕他們, 因為機票很貴, 好嗎?

So, I always answered them, “No, I can’t.” 這樣聽起來是不是很awkward. 我想知道如何委婉地推掉又不失禮貌。

Hope:

I see. When someone invites you to do something together, but you are not able to,

you can say, “Sorry, I really want to, but I am afraid I can’t because blah, blah, blah.”

Joey:

Oh, it sounds better. “Sorry, I really want to, but I am afraid I can’t because I have to go to ……work.”

Hope:

Yes. That sounds more polite.

Joey:

What about if I really want to go, but I can’t for the time?

Hope:

Well, just like what you said, if you really want to but you cannot because of some reasons,

you can say, "I am really sorry, but I can’t make it. Let me know if there is another opportunity in the future!”

Joey:

"I am really sorry, but I can’t make it. Let me know if there is another opportunity in the future!” -

Hope:

Yes, this shows you are interested in joining another time without any hard feeling of the invitation. It sounds formal though.

Joey:

I see. What about between friends or co-workers?

Hope:

Then you can say, “I am afraid I can’t make it this time, but let’s plan something soon.” You may even suggest a new schedule.

Joey:

“I am afraid I can’t make it this time, but let’s plan something soon. What about next week?” Like this?

Hope:

That’s good. You can also say, for example, “This week is tough for me. Could we find another time that works for both of us?

You suggest for rescheduling.

Joey:

Let me try it. “This week is tough for me. Could we find another time that works for both of us?

Hope:

Sure. What about next weekend?

Joey:

Certainly!

Hope:

Here is another interesting way to say, “I’d love to come, but can I take a rain check?”

Joey:

Take a rain check? 下雨支票?

Hope:

Oh, “to take a rain check” means you appreciate the invitation and would like to accept the invitation or opportunity,

but just not at that particular moment.

Joey:

I see. So, I can say, “I’d love to come, but can I take a rain check?”

Hope:

That’s right.

Joey:

This one is interesting.

Hope:

Yes, the phrase “take the rain check” originated in the US,

it referred to a ticket issued to people who went to the baseball game but the game was postponed because of rain.

With the ticket, they could go to the rescheduled game a later date.

Joey:

原來如此!