Interactive transcript · 239 lines
Hello, everyone.
大家好。
Welcome back to TalkCast Speaking, your favorite spot to level up your English skills naturally and confidently.
欢迎回到 TalkCast Speaking，这是你最喜欢的、能自然且自信地提升英语水平的地方。
I'm your host, William, and I have been teaching English for over 15 years.
我是主持人威廉，我教英语已经超过15年了。
Today, we're going to dive into a topic that I know almost everyone has faced at least once.
今天，我们要深入探讨一个我知道几乎每个人都至少遇到过一次的话题。
Picture this.
设想一下这个场景。
You find the perfect outfit online.
你在网上找到了一件完美的套装。
You wait eagerly for it to arrive, but when you try it on, oh no, it is either way too tight or
你急切地等待着它的到来，但当你试穿时，哦不，它要么太紧了，要么
swimmingly large.
宽大得离谱。
Yes, we're talking about changing sizes.
是的，我们在讨论换码数。
Whether you're shopping online or in a physical store abroad, knowing how to exchange sizes is a
无论你是在网上购物，还是在国外的实体店，知道如何更换尺码都是
must -have skill.
必备技能。
And to help me explore this topic today, I have a very special guest in the studio.
为了帮助我今天探讨这个话题，我在演播室里邀请了一位非常特别的嘉宾。
Welcome, Emily.
欢迎你，艾米莉。
Hi, William.
嗨，威廉。
Thank you so much for having me.
非常感谢邀请我。
Hello to all our wonderful listeners out there.
各位精彩的听众朋友们，大家好。
I am so excited to be here.
能来到这里我太兴奋了。
But also, I have to confess, this topic hits incredibly close to home for me.
但我也必须坦白，这个话题真的触到了我的痛处。
I absolutely love fashion and online shopping, but buying clothes from international websites has
我非常喜欢时尚和网购，但是从国际网站上买衣服
been an absolute nightmare for me when it comes to sizing.
对我来说，一遇到尺码问题就简直是一场噩梦。
Just last week, I ordered this gorgeous wool coat.
就在上周，我订购了这件极其漂亮的羊毛大衣。
When it arrived, I put it on, and my brother literally laughed out loud.
衣服送到后，我穿上了它，我弟弟简直放声大笑。
He said I looked like I was wearing a giant sleeping bag.
他说我看起来就像套着一个巨大的睡袋。
I wanted to return it or exchange it for a smummer size, but I was so terrified of making a mistake
我想退货或者换个小一点的尺码，但我太害怕用英语犯错了
in English that I just kept it in my closet.
结果我就把它一直放在衣柜里。
It's so frustrating.
这太让人沮丧了。
Oh, Emily, don't feel bad.
哦，艾米莉，别难过。
That is such a common story, and you are definitely not alone.
这种经历太常见了，你绝对不是一个人。
Many English learners feel a wave of anxiety when they have to negotiate a return or exchange.
许多英语学习者在不得不协商退换货时都会感到一阵焦虑。
But don't worry.
但别担心。
By the end of today's episode, you'll be able to walk into any store or write to any online customer
到今天这期节目结束时，你就能走进任何一家商店，或者给任何线上客服发消息
service and ask for an exchange like a total pro.
服务，并且像个专业人士一样要求换货。
We'll build up your confidence step by step.
我们会一步一步建立你的自信心。
Let's start with the basics, shall we?
让我们从基础知识开始，好吗？
How do we actually describe the problem when the clothes don't fit?
当衣服不合身时，我们实际上该如何描述问题呢？
What did you want to say about your giant coat, Emily?
关于你那件巨大的外套，你想怎么说呢，艾米莉？
Well, in Chinese, I would say, 这个衣服太大, or maybe偏大.
嗯，用中文的话，我会说“这个衣服太大”，或者可能是“偏大”。
But in English, I think I just told my friend, the coat is very big.
但用英语的话，我觉得我只是告诉我朋友“这件外套很大”。
That sounds a bit boring, doesn't it?
听起来有点枯燥，不是吗？
Is there a more natural way to describe it?
有没有更自然的方式来描述它？
You're spot on.
你说得很准。
Very big is a bit basic.
Very big 有点过于基础了。
A fantastic phrase you can use is runs large or runs small.
你可以使用的一个极好的短语是 runs large 或 runs small。
This is extremely common in the shopping world.
这在购物界非常普遍。
If a brand typically makes clothes that are larger than the standard size, we say, this brand runs large.
如果一个品牌通常制作比标准尺码更大的衣服，我们会说，这个品牌偏大。
Or if your coat is just too big for its labeled size, you can say, this coat runs large.
或者如果你的外套相对于标示的尺码偏大，你可以说，这件外套偏大。
On the flip side, if something is too small, you can say, it runs small.
另一方面，如果某件东西太小了，你可以说，它偏小。
Let's try practicing that.
让我们尝试练习一下。
How would you say that a pair of shoes is smaller than expected?
你会怎么说一双鞋比预期的要小？
Oh, let me try.
哦，让我试试。
These shoes run small.
这双鞋码数偏小。
Is that correct, William? Perfect.
这样正确吗，威廉？完美。
You nailed it.
你搞定了它。
These shoes run small.
这双鞋码数偏小。
And because they run small, you might need to do what we call size up.
因为它们偏小，你可能需要做我们所说的买大一码。
To size up means to buy a larger size than you normally do.
买大一码意味着购买比你通常穿的更大的尺码。
And its opposite is size down, which means to buy a smaller size.
它的反义词是买小一码，意思是购买更小的尺码。
Listeners, notice the pronunciation here.
听众朋友们，注意这里的发音。
We have some sweet connected speech.
这里有一些很棒的连读现象。
When we say size up, we link the z sound of size to the vowel sound in up.
当我们说 size up 时，我们会把 size 的 z 音与 up 中的元音连接起来。
It sounds like size up.
它听起来像 size up。
Can you try saying that, Emily?
艾米丽，你能尝试读一下吗？
Oh, size up.
噢，买大一码。
Yes, I can feel the link.
是的，我能感受到这 种连接。
Size up and size down.
买大一码和买小一码。
That is so much easier to say.
那样说起来容易多了。
So for my giant coat, I should have sized down.
所以对于我那件巨大的外套，我本该买小一码的。
That makes so much sense.
那太有道理了。
But William, what if the clothes are not just big or small, but specifically too tight or too loose?
但威廉，如果衣服不仅是大或小，而是具体太紧或太松该怎么办？
Are there better words for those feelings? Absolutely.
对于那些感觉有更好的词吗？当然有。
If something is very tight in an uncomfortable way, we often use the word snug.
如果某件衣服紧得让人不舒服，我们经常使用紧绷这个词。
For example, these jeans are a bit snug around the waist.
例如，这条牛仔裤腰部有点紧。
It's a very polite and common way to say it's tight.
这是一种表达衣服太紧的非常礼貌且常见的方式。
Now, if something is very loose and looks a bit oversized, we can use the word baggy.
现在，如果某件衣服很松并且看起来有点过大，我们可以使用宽松这个词。
For example, I like my hoodies to be a bit baggy.
例如，我喜欢我的卫衣稍微宽松一点。
So snug for tight and baggy for loose.
所以 snug 表示紧，baggy 表示松。
Do you want to try using one of these in a sentence? Sure.
你想试着在句子中用一下其中一个词吗？当然。
Let me think.
让我想想。
I bought a dress, but it is a bit snug, so I think I need to size up.
我买了一条连衣裙，但有点紧，所以我认为我需要买大一码。
How is that? Excellent.
那样怎么样？太棒了。
You are getting the hang of this so quickly.
你这么快就掌握要领了。
A bit snug, so I need to size up.
有点紧，所以我需要买大一码。
Beautifully done.
做得很出色。
Now, let's address a very common pitfall for Chinese learners.
现在，让我们来看看中国学习者非常常见的一个陷阱。
It is the difference between fit and suit.
这就是 fit 和 suit 之间的区别。
I often hear students say, this dress doesn't suit me, when they actually mean the size is wrong.
我经常听到学生说这件连衣裙不适合我，而他们实际上的意思是尺码不对。
Remember this simple rule.
记住这个简单的规则。
Fit is about the physical size and shape.
Fit 是指实际的尺寸和形状。
If a shirt is too big, it doesn't fit you.
如果一件衬衫太大了，它就不适合你的尺码。
On the other hand, suit is about style, color, or appearance.
另一方面，suit 是指款式、颜色或外表。
If a color looks wonderful on you, we say, that blue dress really suits you. Wow.
如果某种颜色穿在你身上好看，我们会说，那条蓝色连衣裙真的很适合你。哇。
Thank you for clarifying that.
谢谢你澄清这一点。
I definitely used to mix those two up all the time.
我以前肯定总是把这两个混淆。
So if my coat is the wrong size, I should say, it doesn't fit me, not it doesn't suit me.
所以如果我的外套尺码不对，我应该说它合不合身，而不是说它适不适合我。
But wait, what if the style actually looks terrible on me too?
但是等等，如果款式在我身上看起来也真的很糟糕呢？
Can I say both?
我可以两者都说吗？
Yes, absolutely.
是的，当然可以。
You could say, it doesn't fit me, and honestly, the style doesn't suit me either.
你可以说，它不合 身，而且老实说，款式也不适合我。
That's a double tragedy, but perfectly correct English.
那是双重悲剧，但英语完全正确。
Now, let's move on to the next step, how to ask for an exchange.
现在，让我们进入下一步，如何要求退换。
This is where many learners make a big, but very understandable, mistake.
这正是许多学习者容易犯下的大错，但非常情有可原。
Emily, if you wanted to exchange your coat in a store, what would you say to the shop assistant?
艾米莉，如果你想在商店里退换你的外套，你会对店员说什么？
Hmm, I think I would probably say, I want to change this coat.
嗯，我想我大概会说，我想换这件外套。
Wait, is that wrong?
等等，那样不对吗？
In Chinese, we say, huan yifu, change clothes, so I thought change was the right word.
在中文里，我们说“换衣服”，即 change clothes，所以以为 change 是正确的词。
Ah, I am so glad you said that.
啊，我真高兴你这么说了。
That is the number one mistake Chinese speakers make, and it's a great teachable moment.
这是讲中文的人最常犯的首要错误，也是个绝佳的教育契机。
In English, if you say, I want to change this coat, it actually sounds like you want to transform
在英语中，如果你说“I want to change this coat”，实际上听起来像是你想 改造
the coat itself, or maybe you want to take it off and put on a different set of clothes right there
外套本身，或者你想当场脱下它并穿上另一套衣服
in the store.
就在商店里。
What you really want is to swap it for another size or style.
你真正想做的是调换成另一种尺码或款式。
For this, the magic word is exchange.
为此，最神奇的词是 exchange。
We exchange one item for another.
我们用一件物品去换另一件。
Another very casual word is swap.
另一个非常随意的词是 swap。
So instead of saying, I want to change this, you should say, I'd like to exchange this for a
所以，与其说 I want to change this，你应该说 I'd like to exchange this for a
different size.
不同的尺码。
Oh my gosh, really?
哦天哪，真的吗？
I want to change this coat means I want to get undressed?
I want to change this coat 的意思是我想脱衣服？
That is hilarious and so embarrassing.
那简直太滑稽了，而且好尴尬。
I am so glad you corrected me.
我很欣慰你纠正了我。
So the correct verb is exchange or swap.
所以正确的动词是 exchange 或 swap。
Let me repeat that to make sure it sticks.
让我重复一遍，确保能记牢。
I'd like to exchange this for a different size.
我想调换成不同的尺码。
Is that right?
这样对吗？
Spot on.
完全正确。
That is incredibly polite and natural.
那非常礼貌而且极其自然。
Using I'd like to is always much better than I want to.
使用 I'd like to 总是比 I want to 好得多。
It instantly makes you sound polite.
它能立刻让你听起来很有礼貌。
Now, let's look at the specific sentence patterns you can use.
现在，让我们看看你可以使用的具体句型。
When you are in a store, you can use the structure, do you have this in a followed by the size?
当你在商店里时，你可以使用这个结构：do you have this in a 后面加上尺码？
For example, do you have this in a medium or do you have this in a small?
例如，do you have this in a medium（有中号的吗）或 do you have this in a small（有小号的吗）？
Notice we use the article a before the size when we treat it as a noun.
注意，当我们将尺码视为名词时，需要在尺码前使用冠词 a。
Let's practice.
让我们练习一下。
Emily, how would you ask for a large?
艾米莉，你会怎么要大号的？
Let me try.
让我试试。
Do you have this in a large?
这件有大号的吗？
Oh wait, what if it's extra large?
哦等等，如果是特大号呢？
Do you have this in an extra large?
这件有特大号的吗？
Because extra starts with a vowel sound, right? Incredible.
因为 extra 是以元音发音开头的，对吧？太不可思议了。
I am so proud of you, Emily.
我真为你感到自豪，艾米莉。
That is 100 % correct.
那 100% 正确。
And extra large is absolutely right.
而且特大号回答得绝对正确。
You paid close attention to the vowel sound.
你密切注意到了元音发音。
Now, what if you want to swap the item completely?
现在，如果你想彻底调换这个物品呢？
You can say, could I swap this for a smaller size?
你可以说，我能把这个换成更小的尺码吗？
Or could I exchange this for a size 8?
或者我能把这个调换成 8 号吗？
In the US and UK, they often use numbers for clothing sizes, like size 6, size 8, or size 10, rather
在美国和英国，他们经常用数字表示服装尺码，比如 6 号、8 号或 10 号，而不是
than just small, medium, and large.
仅仅用小号、中号和大号。
So, could I exchange this for a size number is extremely useful.
所以，could I exchange this for a size加数字 这个句型极其有用。
That is so useful to know.
了解这一点真的非常有用。
But William, that reminds me of another question.
但是威廉，那提醒了我另一个问题。
Sizing is so different in different countries.
不同国家的尺码差异很大。
A US size 6 is not the same as a UK size 6, right?
美码6码和英码6码并不相同，对吧？
How do we handle that cultural difference when talking to customer service?
在与客服沟通时，我们该如何处理这种文化差异？
That is an excellent point, Emily, and a very common source of confusion.
艾米莉，这是一个极好的观点，也是一个非常常见的困惑来源。
Yes, UK sizes are generally two numbers larger than US sizes.
是的，英码通常比美码大两个号。
So, a US size 4 is a UK size 8.
所以，美码4码就是英码8码。
If you're not sure, you can always ask the store assistant, is this in US sizing or UK sizing?
如果你不确定，随时可以问店员：‘这 是美码还是英码？’
Or, could you help me find the equivalent of a US size 6?
或者，你能帮我找一下相当于美码6码的对应尺码吗？
They will be more than happy to help you find the right match.
他们会非常乐意帮你找到最合适的匹配。
It saves you from the headache of returning things later.
这能省去你日后退货的头疼事。
Oh, the equivalent of.
噢，……的对应尺码。
That is such a sophisticated phrase.
那真是个非常高级的短语。
Could you help me find the equivalent of a US size 6?
你能帮我找一下相当于美码6码的对应尺码吗？
I am definitely writing that down in my notebook right now. Excellent.
我一定要现在就把这句话记在笔记本上。太棒了。
Now, let's put all of this into practice with a little role play.
现在，让我们通过一个小角色扮演把这一切投入实践吧。
Imagine you were in a clothing store in Lunday.
想象一下你在伦戴的一家服装店里。
You bought a beautiful sweater yesterday, but it's a bit snug.
你昨天买了一件漂亮毛衣，但有点偏紧。
You want to exchange it for a larger size.
你想调换成更大号的。
I will play the store assistant, and you will be the customer. Ready?
我扮演店员，你扮演顾客。准备好了吗？
Let's go.
我们开始吧。
Hi there.
嗨，你好。
Welcome to West End Threads.
欢迎光临西区线服饰店。
How can I help you today? Hi.
今天有什么我可以帮您的吗？嗨。
Yes, please.
好的，麻烦了。
I bought this sweater yesterday, but unfortunately, it is a bit snug.
我昨天买了这件毛衣，但可惜有点偏紧。
I'd like to exchange it for a larger size, please.
我想调换个更大的尺码，谢谢。
Of course.
当然可以。
I can certainly help with that.
我当然可以帮您办理。
Do you have the receipt with you?
您带小票了吗？
Yes, here it is.
是的，在这儿。
Oh, and also, I'm not sure about the sizing.
哦，还有，我不太确定这个尺码。
Do you have this in a medium, or does this brand run small?
这件有中号吗，还是这个品牌偏小？
Ah, yes.
啊，是的。
This particular brand actually runs quite small, so sizing up is a great idea.
这个特定品牌的号型确实偏小，所以买大一码是个好主意。
Let me check the back for a medium.
我去后库查看一下有没有中号。
Ah, yes, we do have a medium in stock.
啊，是的，我们确实有中号现货。
Here you go.
给您。
Would you like to try it on in the fitting room first?
您想先去试衣室试一下吗？
Oh, yes, please.
噢，好的，麻烦了。
Where is the fitting room?
试衣间在哪里？
And wait, does this medium fit me?
等等，这个中号适合我吗？
Ah, I mean, I hope it fits me.
啊，我的意思是，希望它合身。
And scene.
表演结束。
Ha, ha, ha.
哈，哈，哈。
Emily, that was absolutely brilliant.
艾米莉， 刚才表现得太出色了。
You corrected yourself on fit versus suit beautifully, and you used run small and size up perfectly
你非常漂亮地纠正了fit和suit的用法，而且完美地使用了run small和size up
in context.
在语境中。
How did that feel?
感觉如何？
Honestly, it felt amazing.
老实说，感觉太棒了。
Once I had those specific phrases in my head, I didn't have to translate word for word from Chinese
一旦我脑海里有了那些特定的短语，我就不需要逐字从中文翻译了
in my brain.
在我的大脑中。
It just flowed naturally.
语言就这么自然地流淌出来了。
I feel so much more confident now.
我现在感觉自信多了。
That is the power of scaffolding and using the right collocations.
这就是脚手架教学法以及使用正确搭配的力量。
When you learn phrases as whole chunks, like exchange this for a different size or run small, your
当你把短语作为整体语块来学习时，比如“调换不同尺码”或“偏小”，你的
brain doesn't have to work as hard, and you sound incredibly natural.
大脑就不必那么费劲，而且你听起来会极其自然。
You did a fantastic job today.
你今天做得太棒了。
Thank you, William.
感谢你，威廉。
I feel like I've made a huge leap today.
我觉得我今天取得了巨大的飞跃。
No more giant sleeping bag coats for me. Exactly.
我再也不用穿巨大的睡袋外套了。一点也没错。
Now, before we wrap up today's episode of TalkCast Speaking, let's do a quick recap of the core
现在，在结束今天的 TalkCast Speaking 节目之前，让我们快速回顾一下核心
points we learned today so our listeners can lock them into their memories.
要点，以便我们的听众能将它们牢牢锁定在记忆中。
Today we learned, first, when clothes run larger or smaller than standard, we say they run large or
今天我们学到了，首先，当衣服比标准偏大或偏小时，我们说它们 run large 或
run small.
run small（偏小）。
Second, if you need a different size, use size up for larger or size down for smaller.
第二，如果你需要不同的尺码，要大一码用 size up，要小一码用 size down。
Third, remember the magic words.
第三，记住这些神奇的词汇。
Use exchange or swap instead of change when swapping items.
调换物品时，使用 exchange 或 swap 来代替 change。
And finally, use the polite pattern.
最后，使用礼貌的句型。
Do you have this in a size to ask for what you need?
用“Do you have this in a size...”句型来询问你所需要的款式尺码。
And don't forget snug for tight and baggy for loose.
别忘了用 snug 表示紧身，用 baggy 表示宽松。
Those are so fun to use.
用这些词表达非常有趣。
Yes, absolutely.
是的，完全正确。
Thank you, Emily.
谢谢你，艾米莉。
To all our listeners, here is your homework for this week.
给所有听众朋友们，这是你们本周的作业。
Go to your favorite online international store, find an item, and write a mock email to customer
前往你最喜欢的国际网上商店，挑选一件商品，并给客服部门写一封模拟邮件
service asking to exchange it for a different size.
服务人员，要求更换为不同的尺码。
Practice makes perfect.
熟能生巧。
If you enjoyed today's episode, please consider joining our TalkCast member club, subscribing to our
如果你喜欢今天的节目，请考虑加入我们的 TalkCast 会员俱乐部，订阅我们的
channel, and sharing this episode with your friends.
频道，并将这集节目分享给你的朋友。
Your support means the world to us and helps us keep creating high -quality, free content for English
您的支持对我们至关重要，能帮助我们持续创作高质量的免费内容，供英语
learners everywhere.
各地的学习者使用。
Now, we want to hear from you.
现在，我们想听听大家的想法。
What is your biggest chopping disaster, or what topic would you like us to cover in our next episode?
你最惨痛的“剁手”灾难是什么？或者你希望我们在下一期探讨什么话题？
Leave a comment below, and we might just choose your topic for next week.
在下方留下评论，我们可能就会选择你的话题作 为下周的主题。
Until next time, keep speaking, keep practicing, and we'll see you in the next episode of TalkCast Speaking.
下次见，保持开口，坚持练习，我们下期 TalkCast Speaking 节目再见。
Goodbye, everyone.
大家再见。
Happy shopping.
祝大家购物愉快。
Thank you.
谢谢。
