Interactive transcript · 272 lines
Hello, everyone.
哈啰，大家。
Welcome back to TalkCast Speaking, your favorite spot to level up your everyday English.
欢迎回到 TalkCast Speaking，这里是您最喜欢的提升日常英语的地方。
I'm your host, Brian.
我是你们的主持人布莱恩。
Today, we're diving into a topic that everyone experiences, but many find incredibly awkward to
今天，我们要深入探讨一个每个人都会遇到、但许多人觉得极其尴尬的
handle in English.
用英语来处理的话题。
Yes, I'm talking about the moment the waiter brings the check to your table.
是的，我说的是服务员把账单拿到你桌上的那一刻。
To help us nithegate this, I have a very special guest with us today.
为了帮助我们应对这个问题，今天我们邀请到了一位非常特别的嘉宾。
She is a brilliant food blogger, a passionate traveler, and a self -proclaimed foodie.
她是一位才华横溢的美食博主、一位充满热情的旅行者，也是一位自诩的美食家。
Please welcome Zoe.
请欢迎佐伊。
Hi, Brian.
嗨，布莱恩。
Thank you so much for having me.
非常感谢你们邀请我。
I am so excited to be here.
来到这里我太兴奋了。
And oh, boy, you hit the nail on the head.
哎呀，天哪，你可真是说到点子上了。
The Restaurant Bill moment is my absolute kryptonite.
餐厅结账时刻绝对是我的致命弱点。
I love eating out, but when that little black folder arrives at the end of the meal, my mind just
我喜欢在外用餐，但当用餐结束时那个黑色的小文件夹送过来时，我的大脑就
goes completely blank.
变得一片空白。
I always get so tongue -tied.
我总是变得如此张口结舌。
You are definitely not alone, Zoe.
佐伊，你绝对不是一个人。
It can be a very socially delicate moment, especially when you're dining with friends, colleagues,
在社交上这可能是一个非常微妙的时刻，尤其是当你和朋友、同事
or new acquaintances in a foreign country.
或者在外国结识的新熟人一起用餐时。
Plus, there are some major cultural differences in how we pay.
此外，在我们的支付方式上存在一些重大的文化差异。
So today, we're going to give our listeners the ultimate survival guide for splitting the bill,
所以今天，我们将为听众提供分摊账单的终极生存指南，
treating others, and asking for the check like a native speaker.
请客，以及像地道母语者一样要账单。
Sounds good?
听起来不错吧？
That sounds amazing.
那听起来太棒了。
Actually, Brian, can I share a quick story?
实际上，布莱恩，我能分享一个小故事吗？
Last month, I was at a trendy cafe in New York with some new friends.
上个月，我和一些新朋友在纽约一家时髦的咖啡馆。
At the end of the meal, I wanted to suggest that we split the bill.
用餐结束时，我想建议大家分摊账单。
So I looked at the waiter and confidently said, can we AA?
于是我看着服务员，自信地说：我们可以 AA 吗？
The waiter just stared at me like I was speaking alien.
服务员只是盯着我，好像我在说外星语一样。
He literally asked, what is AA?
他简直问道：什么是 AA？
I was so embarrassed.
我当时太尴尬了。
Ah, that is such a classic story.
啊，这真是个经典的故事。
Thank you for sharing that, Zoe.
感谢佐伊分享这个故事。
You've actually just highlighted the number one mistake Chinese learners make.
实际上你刚好突出了中国学习者常犯的第一大错误。
Let's look at this closely, our error correction explanation step for today.
让我们仔细看看这个，这是我们今天的纠错解释环节。
You said, can we AA?
你说：我们可以 AA 吗？
Now, the correct way to say this would be, could we have separate checks, please?
现在，正确的表达方式应该是：请问我们可以分开结账吗？
Or can we split the bill?
或者我们可以平分账单吗？
Ah, so AA doesn't exist in English at all? Exactly.
啊，所以 AA 在英语里根本不存在吗？一点没错。
In English, AA stands for things like Alcoholics Anonymous or AA Batteries for your remote control,
在英语中，AA 代表着诸如戒酒匿名会，或者是你遥控器用的 AA 电池，
but never for dividing a restaurant bill.
但绝不能用来指分摊餐厅账单。
It is a pure Chinglish expression.
这是一个纯粹的中式英语表达。
If you say, can we AA?
如果你说：我们可以 AA 吗？
Native speakers will have absolutely no idea what you mean.
母语者绝对完全不知道你在说什么。
Instead, the magic phrase you want to memorize is, can we do separate checks?
相反，你想记住的神奇短语是：我们 可以分开结账吗？
Let's say that together, Zoe.
佐伊，让我们一起朗读一下。
Can we do separate checks?
我们可以分开结账吗？
Can we do separate checks?
我们可以分开付账单吗？
Wow, that sounds so much more professional and natural.
哇，这听起来要专业和自然得多了。
But wait, Brian, why checks and not bills?
但是等等，布莱恩，为什么是用 checks 而不是账单呢？
I thought a bill is what we pay at a restaurant.
我以为账单是我们去餐厅消费后付的钱呢。
That is an excellent question, Zoe.
这是一个非常出色的问题，佐伊。
It actually comes down to regional differences.
这实际上归结为地域差异。
In North America, like the US and Canada, they use the word check for the restaurant bill.
在北美，比如美国和加拿大，他们用 check 这个词来指代餐馆的账单。
So you ask for the check.
所以买单时你会要结账单。
In the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, they prefer the word bill.
而在英国、澳大利亚和新西兰，人们更偏爱使用 bill 这个词。
However, separate checks is universally understood in restaurants.
不过，分单结账在餐厅里是普遍能被理解的。
It means the waiter will literally create a separate receipt for each person based on what they
这意味着服务员会确实根据每个人所点的内容，为每个人单独打出一份收据
actually ordered.
实际点的餐品。
It's clean, simple, and avoids any math at the table.
这样既干脆简单，又避免了在餐桌上算账的麻烦。
Oh, I see.
哦，我明白了。
So if I ordered a salad and you ordered a giant steak, separate checks means I only pay for my salad
所以如果我点了沙拉，而你点了份巨大的牛排，分单结账就意味着我只需要付我自己的沙拉钱
and you pay for your steak.
而你付你自己的牛排钱。
That is so fair. Precisely.
这太公平了。一点没错。
Now, there's another common phrase you might have heard.
现在，还有一个你可能听说过的常用短语。
Go Dutch.
实行AA制。
Have you heard of that one, Zoe?
佐伊，你听说过这个吗？
Yes, I learned go Dutch in school.
是的，我在学校学过 go Dutch 这个表达。
We were taught that it means everyone pays for themselves.
老师教过我们，它的意思是各自付自己的钱。
Can I use that with a waiter?
那我可以对服务员这么说吗？
Like, we want to go Dutch?
比如，我们想 AA 制？
Ah, here's a subtle cultural point.
啊，这里有一个微妙的文化差异。
While go Dutch is a real English idiom, it's actually rarely used when talking directly to a waiter.
虽然 go Dutch 是一个地道的英语习语，但在直接和服务员说话时其实很少用。
It sounds a bit too clinical or old -fashioned.
这听起来有点过于生硬或落伍了。
If you say to a waiter, we want to go Dutch, they will understand, but it sounds a little awkward.
如果你对服务员说 we want to go Dutch，他们能听懂，但听起来会有一点别扭。
Instead, we use go Dutch when talking to our friends beforehand.
相反，我们是在事前和朋友商量时才用 go Dutch。
For example, before you go out, you might say, hey, let's go Dutch tonight.
例如，在出门之前，你可能会说，嘿，今晚我们 AA 制吧。
But when talking to the staff, stick to separate checks or separate bills.
但如果是和店员交流，请坚持使用 separate checks 或 separate bills。
That makes total sense.
这太有道理了。
So, go Dutch is for talking to my friends, and separate checks is for the waiter.
所以，go Dutch 是跟朋友说的，而 separate checks 是跟服务员说的。
Got it.
明白了。
Now, what if we just want to split the total bill equally?
那如果我们只是想平摊总账单呢？
Like, we ordered a bunch of dishes to share, and we just want to divide the total cost by the number
比如，我们点了一堆菜大家一起吃，只想把总费用按人数来平分
of people.
的人数。
How do we say that?
这种情况下我们该怎么说呢？
Ah, in that case, we use the verb split.
啊，那种情况下，我们会用到 split 这个动词。
You can say to your friends, let's split the bill, or let's split it evenly.
你可以对朋友说，咱们平摊账单吧，或者咱们均等平分吧。
And when you pay, you can tell the waiter, could you split the bill evenly between the three of us?
付账时，你可以告诉服务员：你能帮我们三个人之间平分一下账单吗？
Or can we put it on three different cards?
或者说：我们可以用三张不同的卡刷吗？
Most modern restaurants are totally fine with doing this.
大多数现代餐厅完全可以接受这样做。
Oh, put it on three different cards.
哦，用三张不同的卡刷。
That is a super useful phrase.
这个表达超级有用。
Let me practice that.
让我练习一下。
Can we put it on two different cards, please?
麻烦请帮我们刷两张不同的卡，好吗？
How was my pronunciation, Brian?
布莱恩，我的发音怎么样？
That was perfect, Zoe.
太完美了，佐伊。
Let's talk about a quick pronunciation tip for our listeners here.
现在顺便给我们的听众讲一个关于发音的小技巧吧。
When we say split it, we don't say split it as two separate words.
当我们说 split it 时，不会把它读成两个独立的单词。
We link them together.
我们会把它们连在一起读。
The T at the end of split connects to the I in it, sounding like split it.
split 结尾的 T 连接 到 it 中的 I，听起来就像 split it。
Try it, Zoe.
试试看，佐伊。
Let's split it.
我们平摊吧。
Oh, that flows so much better.
噢，这样读起来顺畅多了。
It feels much more native. Exactly.
感觉听起来更地道了。没错。
That's the power of connected speech.
这就是连读的魅力。
Now, building on this idea of paying together, what happens if you are buying a group gift or paying
现在，延伸这种一起付款的想法，如果你要买份团队礼物或者要付
for a joint taxi ride and everyone needs to contribute some money?
拼车打车的费用，而每个人都需要出一些钱，会怎么样？
There's a fantastic phrasal verb for this, chip in.
对此有一个绝妙的短语动词，chip in。
For example, we all chipped in $10 for the pizza.
例如，我们每个人凑了 10 美元买披萨。
It means to contribute a small amount of money to a joint fund.
它的意思是为共同资金投入一小笔钱。
Oh, chip in.
哦，凑钱（chip in）。
I love that.
我喜欢那个表达。
It reminds me of poker chips.
这提醒了我德州扑克筹码。
Like everyone throws a chip into the middle of the table.
就像每个人都往桌子中间扔一块筹码。
Is that where it comes from?
它就是这么来的吗？
Yes, actually.
是的，实际上正是如此。
It is believed to have originated from poker games where players chip into the pot.
人们认为它起源于扑克游戏，玩家们把筹码放入底池。
It's a very common casual expression.
这是一个非常常见的口语表达。
So if your friend is organizing a farewell party for a colleague, she might say, hey guys, we're
所以如果你的朋友正在为同事举办告别派对，她可能会说，嘿大家，我们正
buying a cake for Sarah.
在给莎拉买蛋糕。
Can everyone chip in $5?
大家能各自凑 5 美元吗？
That is a great phrase.
那真是个棒极了的短语。
I will definitely use chip in next time we buy a birthday gift at the office.
下次我们在办公室买生日礼物时，我绝对会用 chip in 这个词。
But now, Brian, let's look at the opposite situation.
不过现在，布莱恩，让我们看看相反的情况。
What if I want to be generous and pay for the whole meal?
如果我想大方一点，请大家吃整顿饭呢？
I want to treat my friend.
我想请我的朋友吃饭。
In China, we often fight over the bill.
在中国，我们经常为抢账单而争抢。
How do I say I'll pay politely in English?
在英语中，我该如何礼貌地表达由我付钱？
Ah, the classic battle for the bill.
啊，经典的争抢账单战役。
In Western culture, we don't usually have a physical wrestling match over the receipt like people
在西方文化中，我们通常不会像人们那样为了账单展开肢体上的摔跤较量
sometimes do in China.
有时在中国那样。
It's much more verbal.
这更多是 言语上的。
But first, let's address another very common mistake.
但首先，让我们解决另一个非常常见的错误。
Many learners will translate 我请客, literally, and say, I buy you dinner, or I buy you a coffee.
许多学习者会字面翻译“我请客”，说成 I buy you dinner 或者 I buy you a coffee。
Do you see why this sounds a bit strange, Zoe?
佐伊，你知道为什么这听起来有点奇怪吗？
Hmm, I buy you dinner.
嗯，I buy you dinner。
It sounds a bit transactional, like I'm buying a product instead of hosting a friend.
这听起来有点像交易，就像我在购买商品而不是款待朋友一样。
Spot on.
完全正确。
I buy you sounds very blunt, and grammatically, it feels like you're purchasing a person.
I buy you 听起来非常直白生硬，而且在语法上，感觉就像你在购买一个人。
Instead, we have several beautiful, natural expressions.
相反，我们有几种优美而地道的表达方式。
The most common and casual one is, it's on me.
最常见和随意的表达是，it's on me。
For example, put your wallet away, lunch is on me today.
例如，把钱包收起来，今天的午饭我请了。
Another classic is, my treat.
另一个经典表达是，my treat。
As in, let's go grab some sushi, my treat.
比如，我们去吃寿司吧，我请客。
Oh, it's on me and my treat.
哦，it's on me 和 my treat。
I've heard those in movies.
我在电影里听说过这些表达。
Are there any other ways?
还有其他表达方式吗？
Maybe something a bit more formal? Yes.
也许更正式一点的？是的。
If you want to sound a bit more warm or proactive, you can say, I'll get this, or I've got this.
如果你想听起来更热情或主动一些，你可以说，I'll get this，或者 I've got this。
For example, when the bill arrives, you just grab it and say, don't worry, I'll get this.
例如，当账单送来时，你只要抢过账单并说：“别担心，我来付。”
If you're at a business dinner and you want to be formal, you can say, please let me cover this.
如果你在参加商务晚餐，想要显得正式一点，你可以说：“请让我来付吧。”
Or if you're feeling a bit idiomatic, you can say, I'll foot the bill.
或者如果你想表达得更地道一些，你可以说：“我来买单。”
This means to pay the entire bill, especially when it's quite expensive.
这意味着支付全部账单，特别是当价格相当昂贵的时候。
Wow, foot the bill.
哇，买单。
That's a cool idiom.
这是一个很酷的习惯用语。
I guess the foot is at the bottom of the page where the final total is printed, right?
我猜“foot”是指页面底部打印最终总额的地方，对吧？
You are a natural linguist, Zoe.
佐伊，你真是个天生的语言学家。
Yes, that is exactly where it comes from.
是的，这正是它的来源。
The foot of the page is the bottom where the final total is written.
页脚就是写着最终总额的底部。
So to foot the bill means to pay that final total at the bottom.
所以“foot the bill”意味着支付底部的最终总额。
I love learning the history behind these phrases.
我喜欢学习这些短语背后的历史。
It makes them so much easier to remember.
这让它们更容易被记住。
But Brian, what is the polite way to react when someone says, it's on me?
但是布莱恩，当有人说“我请客”时，礼貌的回应方式是什么？
In China, we might say, no, no, let me pay and fight for it.
在中国，我们可能会说“不，不，我来付”，然后去争抢付钱。
Is that polite in English?
用英语来说那样礼貌吗？
In English -speaking countries, if someone offers to pay, it is polite to make one mild attempt to resist.
在英语国家，如果有人提议付钱，礼貌的做法是做一个温和的尝试去拒绝。
But if they insist, you should accept it gracefully.
但如果他们坚持，你应该大方地接受。
For example, you can say, are you sure?
例如，你可以说：“你确定吗？”
Let's split it.
我们平分吧。
If they say, no, really, I've got this.
如果他们说：“不用，真的，我来付。”
Then you should smile, say thank you, and offer to get the next one.
那你就应该微笑，说声谢谢，并提议下次由你请客。
You could say, thank you so much.
你可以说：“非常感谢你。”
Next time is on me.
下次我请客。
This shows you appreciate the gesture and plan to return the favor.
这表明你感激这一善意，并打算投桃报李。
Ah, next time is on me.
啊，下次我请客。
That is such a smooth way to handle it.
这真是处理得非常圆融的方式。
It keeps the friendship going and avoids any awkward arguing at the table. Exactly.
这样既维持了友谊，又避免了餐桌上任何尴尬的争吵。确实如此。
It's all about keeping the atmosphere relaxed and friendly.
关键在于保持氛围轻松友好。
Now, speaking of which, why don't we put all of this into practice?
现在说到这里，我们为什么不把这一切付诸实践呢？
Let's do a quick role play.
我们来做一个快速的角色扮演吧。
Imagine you and I are at a cozy Italian restaurant.
想象一下，你和我在一间温馨舒适的意大利餐厅里。
We've just finished our pasta.
我们刚吃完意面。
I'll be the waiter first, and you can practice asking for the check. Ready?
我先当服务员，你可以练习要账单。准备好了吗？
Oh, nerve -wracking, but I'm ready.
哦，太令人紧张了，但我准备好了。
Let's do it.
我们开始吧。
All right.
好的。
Excuse me, folks.
打扰一下，各位。
Are we all finished here?
这里的餐点大家都吃完了吗？
Can I get you anything else?
我还能为您拿点其他东西吗？
Or are you ready for the check?
还是说你们准备结账了？
Yes, we are finished.
是的，我们吃完了。
Thank you.
谢谢你。
The food was delicious.
食物非常美味。
Um, could we do separate checks, please? Certainly.
嗯，请问我们可以分开结账吗？当然可以。
I'll bring those right out for you.
我这就去为您拿过来。
And scene.
表演结束。
Zoe, that was absolutely flawless.
佐伊，那简直太完美了。
You nailed the phrase, and your tone was incredibly polite and natural. Yay!
你把这个短语掌握得很到位，而且你的语气极其礼貌自然。耶！
It felt so much more natural than saying, can we AA?
这感觉比说“我们可以AA吗？”要自然得多。
Now I feel like a real New Yorker.
现在我觉得自己是个真正的纽约人了。
Let's do another one, Brian.
布莱恩，我们再演另外一个场景吧。
What if we shared a pizza and we want to split the total bill evenly?
如果我们合吃一份比萨，想均等平摊总账单怎么办？
Excellent idea.
极好的主意。
Let's do it.
我们开始吧。
I'm the waiter again.
我又是服务员了。
All right, guys, here's the check.
好了，大伙儿，这是账单。
How would you like to handle the payment today?
今天您想怎么处理付款？
Actually, could we split the bill evenly?
实际上，我们能均等平摊账单吗？
Can we put it on two different cards?
我们可以刷两张不同的卡吗？
No problem at all.
一点问题也没有。
I can run both cards for you right now.
我现在就可以为您刷这两张卡。
And scene.
表演结束。
Beautifully done, Zoe.
佐伊，干得精彩。
You see how simple it is once you have the right templates?
你看，一旦有了合适的模板，事情就变得多简单？
Wow, yes.
哇，是的。
It's like having a script in my mind.
这就像我脑海里有一个剧本一样。
It takes away all the anxiety.
它消除了所有的焦虑。
I feel so much more confident now.
我现在感觉自信多了。
You are getting the hang of it so quickly.
你掌握得太快了。
That is the beauty of scaffolding your learning.
这就是脚手架式学习的美妙之处。
We start with the basic vocabulary, understand the mistakes, look at the cultural context, and then
我们从基础词汇开始，理解错误，了解文化背景，然后
practice in real scenarios.
在真实场景中练习。
By the time you actually go to a restaurant, it's second nature.
当你实际上去餐厅时，这就成了本能。
I totally agree.
我完全同意。
This has been so incredibly helpful, Brian.
布莱恩，这真是极其有帮助。
I think my favorite phrase is, it's on me.
我想我最喜欢的一句话是“算我的”。
It just sounds so cool and generous.
这听起来太酷了，而且很大方。
It really does.
确实如此。
Just make sure you use it when you actually want to pay.
只要确保当你真的想付钱时再使用它。
Otherwise, you might end up with a very empty wallet.
否则，你最终可能会钱包空空。
Good point.
有道理。
I'll save that for special occasions.
我会把这句话留到特殊场合再用。
Well, we are nearing the end of our episode today.
好了，我们今天的节目快要结束了。
Time flies when you're talking about food and English.
聊起美食和英语，时间飞逝。
Let's do a quick recap of the core points we learned today so our listeners can lock them in.
让我们快速回顾一下今天学到的核心要点，以便听众们牢牢记住。
Zoe, do you want to lead the recap?
佐伊，你想来主导这次总结吗？
I'd love to.
我很乐意。
Today we learned, first, never say, can we AA?
今天我们学到了，首先，绝不要说“can we AA”？
Because native speakers won't understand.
因为母语人士听不懂。
Instead, say, could we have separate checks if you want to pay for only what you ate?
相反，如果你只想付你自己吃的部分，可以说“能给我们分开的账单吗”？
Second, if you want to split the total bill equally, use let's split the bill or ask the waiter to
其次，如果你想均等平摊总账单，可以说“let's split the bill”，或者请服务员
put it on different cards.
刷在不同的卡上。
Third, go Dutch is a real idiom, but we only use it when talking to our friends, not the waiter.
第三，“go Dutch”是一个真正的成语，但我们只在和朋友聊天时用，而不是对服务员用。
And finally, when you want to treat someone, don't say, I buy you.
最后，当你想要请客时，不要说“I buy you”。
Say, it's on me or my treat.
应该说“it's on me”或者“my treat”。
Brilliant summary, Zoe.
精彩的总结，佐伊。
You are a star student.
你真是个明星学生。
For our listeners at home, here's your homework for today.
对于我们在收听节目的听众们，这是你们今天的作业。
Next time you go out for dinner with an English -speaking friend or colleague, try using at least one
下次你和说英语的朋友或同事出去吃晚饭时，尝试使用至少一个
of these phrases.
这些短语。
Even if you are just practicing with a classmate, try saying, let's split the bill or this is my treat.
即使你只是在和同桌练习，也试着说一句：我们平摊费用吧，或者这次由我请客。
Yes, practice makes perfect.
是的，多加练习才能熟能生巧。
Don't be afraid to make mistakes.
不要害怕犯错。
That's how we learn. Exactly.
我们就是这样学习的。一点没错。
Thank you so much, Zoe, for sharing your stories and practicing with us today.
非常感谢佐伊今天与我们分享你的故事并一起练习。
It was an absolute pleasure having you on TalkCast Speaking.
能邀请你来到 TalkCast Speaking 节目真是绝对的荣幸。
Thank you, Brian.
感谢你，布莱恩。
It was so much fun.
这真是太有趣了。
I can't wait to come back.
我迫不及待想再过来了。
And to all our listeners, thank you for tuning in.
感谢各位听众的收听。
If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing to our podcast, sharing it with your
如果你喜欢本期节目，请考虑订阅我们的播客，并将其分享给你的
friends, and leaving us a positive review.
朋友们 ，并给我们留下正面评价。
Your support means the world to us.
您的支持对我们来说意义重大。
Don't forget to join our TalkCast VIP membership for exclusive learning materials and interactive exercises.
别忘了加入我们的 TalkCast VIP 会员，以获取独家学习资料和互动练习。
What oral English topics should we discuss next time?
下次我们应该讨论什么英语口语话题呢？
Please leave your suggestions in the comments section below, and we might choose your topic for our
请在下方评论区留下您的建议，我们可能会为我们的
next episode.
下一期节目选择您的主题。
Until next time, keep practicing, keep speaking, and bon appetit.
下期见，保持练习，保持开口，祝您用餐愉快。
Bye -bye.
再见。
Goodbye, everyone.
大家再见。
Thank you.
谢谢你。
